Suggestions on route (only have 10 days)....

[Beth_J]

I am planning to start my Camino on Easter Monday 2016. I only have 10 days to walk and plan to do the last 100km. However, the other 5 days - I'm trying to figure out what to do. The most obvious answer is to start in Ponferrada and go straight through. However, we'd like to see a bit more of the Camino and Spain....so we are thinking of starting further back and "skipping sections" by taxing ahead.

What would you seasoned Camino veterans recommend? What are your favorite part of the Camino? The friend I am going with and I both walk a ton - but would still like to enjoy the sights and the experience of the Camino so shooting for 20-35 km a day maximum. Don't want to spend too much time in a taxi either - so really thinking 2-3 days - taxi ahead - 2-3 days - taxi ahead - final 5 days. Or 2 days - taxi ahead - 5 days - and continue on to the sea.

Open to any and all suggestions!!!!

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Beth! The last 100kms is very different from the rest of the Camino Frances, so it's definitely a good idea to do more than that. Starting from Ponferrada would be good. Rabanal would be even better to take in the lovely stage around Cruz de Ferro. The advantage of doing one continuous Camino is getting to know the people you meet a bit better. Unless you do a completely different section (certainly before Leon) for the other 5 days I don't think you'll really see a different side of Spain by skipping sections, and you might just complicate things. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[NualaOC]

Hi Beth,

10 days would take you very comfortably from Ponferrada to Santiago, with an extra day to explore the city.

Another option would be to walk from Sarria to Santiago and then to Finisterre and/or Muxia . This is a really nice walk and you would have a good combination of busy and quiet sections. Ending your walk at the ocean is a very special experience!

I'm not sure where you're coming from, but both Ponferrada and Sarria are easily accessible by bus and train.

IMO you would lose a lot of the experience by skipping sections. It could also complicate your plans unnecessarily.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll both have a great experience.

Buen Camino!

 

[HeidiL]

Do you have to choose the Camino Frances? In ten days you could walk the Portugues from Porto instead...

 

[Diane Kinney]

Wherever you start, try to take in Samos. It is lovely and peaceful.

 

[Beth_J]

Thank you everyone!!! Such great ideas! So, now we know we're going to go continuous and not skip sections - but just have decide what route to take We decided we have plenty of time to decide (we could even wait until we are in Madrid and see what we feel is calling us). But at least now we know what our options are.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

I am planning to start my Camino on Easter Monday 2016. I only have 10 days to walk and plan to do the last 100km. However, the other 5 days - I'm trying to figure out what to do. The most obvious answer is to start in Ponferrada and go straight through. However, we'd like to see a bit more of the Camino and Spain....so we are thinking of starting further back and "skipping sections" by taxing ahead.

What would you seasoned Camino veterans recommend? What are your favorite part of the Camino? The friend I am going with and I both walk a ton - but would still like to enjoy the sights and the experience of the Camino so shooting for 20-35 km a day maximum. Don't want to spend too much time in a taxi either - so really thinking 2-3 days - taxi ahead - 2-3 days - taxi ahead - final 5 days. Or 2 days - taxi ahead - 5 days - and continue on to the sea.

Open to any and all suggestions!!!!

you may lose too much 'walking time/day' if you go too far back, in my opinion continuous is better... at 25-30 km/day you coould start in astorga, which is arid enough to give you a feel of the middle section on the camino. or take it a little easier and even start in villafranca, giving you a calmer pace, but more time for side trips etc.

then come back another time and explore more of spain!