Staying in SDC extra night or Madrid 2 nights

[japino22]

Since we are flying into and out of Madrid, I'd like your opinion where we should spend the extra night, either SDC or Madrid?
Or perhaps a town along the way?

We are only walking from Astorga to SDC in mid September. Since the distance must be compressed into 10 or 11 days we must cover some ground each day (approx 25k/day--we are quite athletic, 4 hour hikes every weekend.). But also don't want to be in a rush and miss a town or feature worth staying a little longer at. Any suggestions to our stages are appreciated.

Here are our stages:
1. Astorga to Rabanal del Camino 20K
2. Rabanal to Molinaseca 25K
3. Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo 28K
4. VDB to O Cebreiro 28K
5. O Cebreiro to Triacastela 21K
6. Triacastela to Sarria 22K
7. Sarria to Portomarin 24K
8. Portomarin to Palas de Rei 24K
9. PDR to Arzua 29K
10. Arzua to SDC 38K

 

[J Willhaus]

I think having an additional day as a cushion will be nice for you. There is much to see along the way and Santiago is a great city for an extra day.

 

[Bella2017]

Days 9 and 10 are long walks if it was me I would take it a bit slower. I think it would be good to spend time in Santiago rather than rushing to Madrid

 

[Bella2017]

We stopped in salceda at a lovely place with great food. When we did go to Madrid it was strange and we missed being with our fellow pe!igrinos. I think by staying longer in Santiago you keep that camino feeling a bit longer.

 

[Pilger99]

All your stages end in the typical towns, that almost any guidebook names. Places a few km before or after are usually less crowded and often nicer, e.g. 1st day to Foncebadon.

Villafranca to Cebreiro is not a must! In the end of the day it's 800m up. So it might feel like 35km.
As I'm not happy with road I'd rather take the mountain alternative out of VdB instead of the road. It's a steep climb in the beginning and also steep down. So I often stoppen between Vega Valcarce and la Faba.
On the last long stage (10) I would rather stay in Monte de Gozo or even Salceda.

You can visit a lot in Madrid, if it is not a Monday. Like others wrote, are you up to do so?
The train to Madrid is 7hours, buses take 9h (about 50€ without discount). Flights can be inexpensive with hand luggage. Count 4h for getting in and out. Fall can bring fog with long delays in flights. With seperate tickets such delay is your problem.

 

[Thomas V]

Splurge if possible on a nice place in Santiago, a place where you can avoid the street noise to get some sleep. Santiago is beautiful and the old city is a great place to relax and slow down after many days on the Camino. Madrid is a great but a very large city and the hustle bustle of Madrid made me long to be back on the Camino. Like someone mentioned above, keep that Camino feeling as long as you can!

 

[Robert Long]

35 Km the last day into Santiago is a very long day. You will want to arrive in the square early in the day, hopefully for mass at noon. The celebrations in the square are just too good to pass up, plan a short day for the last day.

Buen Camino Bob

 

[tpmchugh]

Since we are flying into and out of Madrid, I'd like your opinion where we should spend the extra night, either SDC or Madrid?
Or perhaps a town along the way?

We are only walking from Astorga to SDC in mid September. Since the distance must be compressed into 10 or 11 days we must cover some ground each day (approx 25k/day--we are quite athletic, 4 hour hikes every weekend.). But also don't want to be in a rush and miss a town or feature worth staying a little longer at. Any suggestions to our stages are appreciated.

Here are our stages:
1. Astorga to Rabanal del Camino 20K
2. Rabanal to Molinaseca 25K
3. Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo 28K
4. VDB to O Cebreiro 28K
5. O Cebreiro to Triacastela 21K
6. Triacastela to Sarria 22K
7. Sarria to Portomarin 24K
8. Portomarin to Palas de Rei 24K
9. PDR to Arzua 29K
10. Arzua to SDC 38K

Personally, Santiago for me

 

[holhum]

I had exactly the same question, but as I am travelling alone it sounds like more time in Santiago with fellow pilgrims would be better than time in Madrid alone.

 

[pjacobi]

If interested, there is lots to see and do in Madrid: palace, cathedral, Prado Museum, tapas, tapas and more tapas!


-Paul

 

[Lirsy]

9. PDR to Arzua 29K
10. Arzua to SDC 38K

You have many things to see in Madrid, but you will end the Camino with two very long stages. I think you'll need an extra day in Santiago. Probably, it would be better to save that extra day for Santiago.

Buen Camino!!!