The first 12 days

[MichaelC]

(file this one under I've got too much time on my hands why can't I leave now?)

I read a lot about the "Brierley stages" on here, and thought it would be interesting to compare them to the recommended stages in other guides, and especially to other non-English guides. I was surprised to see how similar the proposed itineraries were for SJPP to Burgos. I looked at eight guides, and found these recommendations:

1. Roncesvalles, all eight. Not a one mentions Orisson.
2. Larrasoaña, all eight.
3. Pamplona, three. Cizur Menor, five.
4. Puente le Reina, six. Obanos, one. Cirauqui, one
5. Estella, seven. Villamayor de Monjardin, one
6. Torres del Rio, four. Los Arcos, four.
7. Logroño, six. Navarette, one. Viana + Navarette (two stops), one.
   
8. Nájera, seven. Azofra, one.
   
9. Santo Domingo de la Calzada, seven. Redecilla del Camino, one.
   
10. Belorado, all eight
11. San Juan de Ortega, seven. Agés, one
12. Burgos, all eight.

After this you finally see more variety!

I'm not personally planning on following anyone's itinerary, but I thought this was an interesting pattern that I wanted to share. And if anyone is looking to escape the bottlenecks, or the crowded spots - I bet I can guess which ones they are!

[sources: santiago-compostela.net (commercial), Rother (Germany), Guía del Camino Francés (Spain), Brierley (Ireland) (I think), Gronze (Spain), Galicia Guide (Spain, but in English), Les amis du chemin (France), Guida al cammino di Santiago (Italy)]. I looked at others, but a lot seemed to just copy the Gronze stages. And if anyone can make out Korean ... have at it!

 

[nycwalking]

Well, one has to do something with one's hands.
Buen camino to you.

 

[FamPed]

I just looked at the stages in my Swedish book, Vandra till Santiago de Compostela, written by Ewa Hellström-Boström.

1. Roncesvalles
2. Zubiri
3. Pamplona
4. Puente la Reina
5. Estella
6. Los Arcos
7. Logroño
8. Nájera
9. Santo Domingo de la Calzada
10. Belorado
11. San Juan de Ortega
12. Burgos

I have also compared just for "fun", so I can avoid the most overcrowded places when I stumble in to an albergue in the afternoon/evening.

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

I highly recommend the new Wise Pilgrim guide. It does not have stages. It does have great maps! Available in Ivar's store.

 

[SYates]

And here the direct links:

Ivar's Shop: https://www.santiagodecompostela.me...oducts/wise-pilgrim-guides-the-camino-frances

Amazon.com (search other Amazons for title): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC2KHTF/?tag=casaivar02-20

PS Wise Pilgrim has also recently published a Camino Portugues guide book ...

 

[poogeyejr]

Thank you for the links SY - I just picked up the kindle version!

 

[Maple Leaf Walker]

I'll second that vote for Wise Pilgrim. Have mine on my iPad mini that's making the trip with me. The other I'm using is Leslie Gilmour's excellent 2017 guide.

Interesting contrast between Brierly and others. I've also noticed that divergence that starts post Burgos.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Two plans for different daily ave. distances.

Easy days
Day 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Larrasoaña (27.1 km)
Day 3: Larrasoaña -- Cizur Menor/Zizur Txikia (19.7 km)
Day 4: Cizur Menor/Zizur Txikia -- Puente la Reina/Gares (19.0 km)
Day 5: Puente la Reina/Gares -- Estella/Lizarra (21.9 km)
Day 6: Estella/Lizarra -- Los Arcos (21.2 km)
Day 7: Los Arcos -- Viana (18.3 km)
Day 8: Viana -- Navarrete (22.2 km)
Day 9: Navarrete -- Nájera (16.9 km)
Day 10: Nájera -- Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.0 km)
Day 11: Santo Domingo de la Calzada -- Belorado (22.7 km)
Day 12: Belorado -- San Juan de Ortega (23.7 km)
Day 13: San Juan de Ortega -- Burgos (26.7 km)

or

A bit more effort
Day 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Zubiri (21.5 km)
Day 3: Zubiri -- Pamplona (20.3 km)
Day 4: Pamplona -- Puente la Reina/Gares (24.0 km)
Day 5: Puente la Reina/Gares -- Estella/Lizarra (21.9 km)
Day 6: Estella/Lizarra -- Torres del Río (29.0 km)
Day 7: Torres del Río -- Logroño (20.0 km)
Day 8: Logroño -- Nájera (29.6 km)
Day 9: Nájera -- Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.0 km)
Day 10: Santo Domingo de la Calzada -- Belorado (22.7 km)
Day 11: Belorado -- Agés (27.4 km)
Day 12: Agés -- Burgos (23.0 km)

or

A bit more effort again
Day 1: Sat, 10/06/2017 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Sun, 11/06/2017 Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Larrasoaña (27.1 km)
Day 3: Mon, 12/06/2017 Larrasoaña -- Uterga (31.5 km)
Day 4: Tue, 13/06/2017 Uterga -- Estella/Lizarra (29.1 km)
Day 5: Wed, 14/06/2017 Estella/Lizarra -- Sansol (28.2 km)
Day 6: Thu, 15/06/2017 Sansol -- Navarrete (33.5 km)
Day 7: Fri, 16/06/2017 Navarrete -- Azofra (22.6 km)
Day 8: Sat, 17/06/2017 Azofra -- Viloria de Rioja (30.0 km)
Day 9: Sun, 18/06/2017 Viloria de Rioja -- San Juan de Ortega (31.7 km)
Day 10: Mon, 19/06/2017 San Juan de Ortega -- Burgos (26.7 km)

just depends on daily distances you want to cover. Could be easier or tougher. Whatever you want.

Generated these three alternatives within about 10 minutes using an Android app that I have used for my first two walks and for the one I'm doing this year.

The only value I see in guide books is the extra info about places to see and eat, things to do and that's about it. Just me!

I like the true flexibility of developing an itinerary before I leave with all the flexibility I can think of to change it while I'm on the road and seeing the consequences of those changes on time, daily halts, and daily distances to Santiago.

 

[Irish Bernie]

My 'guide book' is a beer mat with up to date info provided by the owner/patrons of the bar i've just stopped at,never fails

 

[trecile]

Two plans for different daily ave. distances.

Easy days
Day 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Larrasoaña (27.1 km)
Day 3: Larrasoaña -- Cizur Menor/Zizur Txikia (19.7 km)
Day 4: Cizur Menor/Zizur Txikia -- Puente la Reina/Gares (19.0 km)
Day 5: Puente la Reina/Gares -- Estella/Lizarra (21.9 km)
Day 6: Estella/Lizarra -- Los Arcos (21.2 km)
Day 7: Los Arcos -- Viana (18.3 km)
Day 8: Viana -- Navarrete (22.2 km)
Day 9: Navarrete -- Nájera (16.9 km)
Day 10: Nájera -- Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.0 km)
Day 11: Santo Domingo de la Calzada -- Belorado (22.7 km)
Day 12: Belorado -- San Juan de Ortega (23.7 km)
Day 13: San Juan de Ortega -- Burgos (26.7 km)

or

A bit more effort
Day 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Zubiri (21.5 km)
Day 3: Zubiri -- Pamplona (20.3 km)
Day 4: Pamplona -- Puente la Reina/Gares (24.0 km)
Day 5: Puente la Reina/Gares -- Estella/Lizarra (21.9 km)
Day 6: Estella/Lizarra -- Torres del Río (29.0 km)
Day 7: Torres del Río -- Logroño (20.0 km)
Day 8: Logroño -- Nájera (29.6 km)
Day 9: Nájera -- Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.0 km)
Day 10: Santo Domingo de la Calzada -- Belorado (22.7 km)
Day 11: Belorado -- Agés (27.4 km)
Day 12: Agés -- Burgos (23.0 km)

or

A bit more effort again
Day 1: Sat, 10/06/2017 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -- Orreaga/Roncesvalles (25.6 km)
Day 2: Sun, 11/06/2017 Orreaga/Roncesvalles -- Larrasoaña (27.1 km)
Day 3: Mon, 12/06/2017 Larrasoaña -- Uterga (31.5 km)
Day 4: Tue, 13/06/2017 Uterga -- Estella/Lizarra (29.1 km)
Day 5: Wed, 14/06/2017 Estella/Lizarra -- Sansol (28.2 km)
Day 6: Thu, 15/06/2017 Sansol -- Navarrete (33.5 km)
Day 7: Fri, 16/06/2017 Navarrete -- Azofra (22.6 km)
Day 8: Sat, 17/06/2017 Azofra -- Viloria de Rioja (30.0 km)
Day 9: Sun, 18/06/2017 Viloria de Rioja -- San Juan de Ortega (31.7 km)
Day 10: Mon, 19/06/2017 San Juan de Ortega -- Burgos (26.7 km)

just depends on daily distances you want to cover. Could be easier or tougher. Whatever you want.

Generated these three alternatives within about 10 minutes using an Android app that I have used for my first two walks and for the one I'm doing this year.

The only value I see in guide books is the extra info about places to see and eat, things to do and that's about it. Just me!

I like the true flexibility of developing an itinerary before I leave with all the flexibility I can think of to change it while I'm on the road and seeing the consequences of those changes on time, daily halts, and daily distances to Santiago.

Which app are you using?

 

[Lance Chambers]

Which app are you using?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino&hl=en

Hope it helps. Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino&hl=en

Hope it helps. Buen Camino

Thanks. I have that one installed, but haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Thanks. I have that one installed, but haven't tried it out yet.

It may take a couple of days to learn how to use well but worth the time. I have used this for both of my previous Frances trips and will be using it again this year.

 

[Tamsin Grainger]

Presumably you need access to the internet to be able to access those app maps. That is something I am still trying to sort out - from the UK how to avoid paying a very high monthly fee for international access when I travel half the year (more than double what I pay now), or how to get coverage for when I travel, able to switch it on/off as I want.

 

[markmcilroy]

Presumably you need access to the internet to be able to access those app maps. That is something I am still trying to sort out - from the UK how to avoid paying a very high monthly fee for international access when I travel half the year (more than double what I pay now), or how to get coverage for when I travel, able to switch it on/off as I want.

Tamsin, remember that you can take screen shots of the apps so you don't need internet access all the time. I downloaded Leslie Gilmour guide/book onto Kindle on my phone so I didn't need internet access. This year I will either photograph or scan JBs book and have it in my phone, I want to get my pack under 7kgs this year.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Presumably you need access to the internet to be able to access those app maps. That is something I am still trying to sort out - from the UK how to avoid paying a very high monthly fee for international access when I travel half the year (more than double what I pay now), or how to get coverage for when I travel, able to switch it on/off as I want.

Nope. The app I suggested allows you to download the maps to your device. Also if you turn on 'location' on your device it will show you where you are by locating wifi sources close by and show you where you are - assuming there are wifi devices close by - this works very well in cities and towns as there are always wifi devices close by.

I used the 'location' capability to navigate cities 'Leon', 'Burgos' and towns/viilages to find my accomodation, cathedrals, restaurants, ATMs, bus and train stations, shops, etc., etc. as well.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Personally, I did not make it past Pamplona but found Orisson to be a haven, a godsend. My first day was more than I should have chewn off. After 10 km, I was totally spent and the experience of meeting such compassionate pilgrims made it possible to plod on for at least a couple of days more before my body would not allow further injury or hardship.

It was the patience and encouragement of all who I encountered that got me as far as I did, even the two elderly couples I met in a park in the middle of the countryside, (not found in any Guide I have seen so far). My espanol was abysmal and they knew no english, but we communicated, as much as was needed. And it was enough to get me to where I was able to make it to the next stop.

So, now to my point.

Michael, you have done a lot of work and earlier in my life, I would have done just the same thing. But, from this old gal, I can say that the experience is far beyond the guides, all the suggestions and recommendations any of us can ever offer here.

Take only what is needed to get from day to day. Walk till you need to rest, eat when you are hungry. Drink more than you think you need. Sleep as long as your body tells you. Enjoy the Sun, the air, Nature's beauty and the secrets She is willing to divulge. Learn your place in your life and be safe.

If you are willing to challenge yourself, take that last paragraph as Guide #9, the only Guide ever needed, and the lightest one. What I like about it is, it works, quite accurately, on all Caminos, no matter where they are in the World.

 

[alaskadiver]

You don't need WiFi to get a location on a map. Both google Maps (if you download the maps for the region with the month) and Wise Pilgrim base your location on the GPS in your phone. I left WiFi and turned off on my phone to conserve battery. The GPS is not connected the WiFi. You don't need a data plan to access the GPS function on the phone but you do need the maps downloaded in order for it to have something to use.

 

[Bradypus]

Presumably you need access to the internet to be able to access those app maps. That is something I am still trying to sort out - from the UK how to avoid paying a very high monthly fee for international access when I travel half the year (more than double what I pay now), or how to get coverage for when I travel, able to switch it on/off as I want.

Roaming charges within the EU have now been abolished so you should only have to pay your normal UK rate for data in France and Spain. I use a pay-as-you-go SIM from Three and buy a data or combined data/calls/text add-on bundle when walking in Europe. Charged at the same rate as use at home. It has worked out very well over the past few years. Last year I walked the Camino Frances and bought a £10 one-month bundle which gave me more than enough data allowance for the whole 4 week journey. I barely touched the included calls or texts allowance.