The last 100 km with children -- which route?

[Kate Hinton]

Hey, Mark, nor did I take your post as judgemental, sorry if it sounded that way. Just as you and Falcon wrote, the "short-walkers" Camino is just different agenda. I walked the last 10km to SdC along with a Swiss couple that started their Camino in Geneva, 3 month before. Boy, that made my walk from Pamplona look like a late-summer promenade; yet, in front of the cathedral we all,- the short-walkers included-, embraced and congratulated each other as fellow pelegrinos.

Now, talking of the bikers.......whoops, sorry, there is another thread on that.

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are embarking on the Camino in June/July 2018 with a 10 and 12 year old in tow. We feel it would be a wonderful experience for them, however 100km's would probably be the limit. I am concerned that the 'rich' experience may be stilted after hearing your perspectives. Could you recommend a spot to start from other than Sarria? Am happy to hear your thoughts on travelling with children...
Kate.

 

[trecile]

If you want to arrive in Santiago and receive Compestelas start in Sarria. Many people who start the Camino earlier like to complain about the stretch from Sarria, but I just consider it another part of the Camino, like the Meseta. I think that your 10 and 12 year old may prefer the walk from Sarria, because there are likely to be more children their age on that section than the earlier stages. I only remember seeing a couple of kids before I reached Sarria this year. And remember that walking the Camino is not only a pilgrimage for many from all over the world, but also part of the Spanish heritage, with many school and church groups walking the last 100 km in the summer. I would definitely book accommodations ahead of time for your family.

 

[Tia Valeria]

If you walk the Camino Inglés, from Ferrol, you qualify for a Compostela and it is just over the 100kms. If you need to book accommodation then that is possible. Details of albergues and private accommodation are in the CSJ Inglés guide (near the bottom of the guides link page) and on Gronze.
If arriving at Santiago airport it is actually easier to reach Ferrol than Sarria, which is a bonus.

 

[PEI_Heather]

Or you could start in Tui on the Camino Portuguese (though you'll not have walked at all in Portugal). Or you can start in Valenca in Portugal, just across the river from Tui. Valenca is a really cool town--a major attraction is a castle/fortress there, which might be exciting for your two kids!
And you could get the Compostela in Santiago, if you walk the whole distance ( a little over 100 kms. Quite do-able for kids; they'll probably surprise you and want to continue walking after you are ready to stop!

 

[Mgardener]

Hi I'm starting next week with my 10 year old son from Astorga. We have about 17 days and might walk on to Finisterre if time and energy left. I have no concerns about my son but we're taking it slowly. We have decided together which route to take and where to start, and i think he is better informed than me at this point, looking up maps, making drawings, writing down places, things to see.. etc. We're both very excited but of course it's also our first time so we won't know what it's like until we are actually doing it. I stop early or take a taxi if needed. I can let you know about our experience afterwards. Good luck with your preparations..

 

[MTtoCamino]

This is just another thought, if your not concerned about a Compestella. If I were to take my grandchildren I would start from Santiago & walk to either Muxia or Finnesterre

When my children were that age (2 boys) I walked them into the back country here in Montana with a packhorse. They were 10 & 13. We walked every day for 7 days 8-10 miles a day. We had to go fairly slow but we would unload the packhorse about every 3 hours. In your case just take your time. No matter what route you take.
Buen Camino
Keith

 

[Juspassinthru]

As a Father and Grandfather, I'm curious what you children think of the "wonderful experience", do they understand what it entails? Not judging or anything else but is the Camino, at this point in their lives, important to them? I hope it is but, it begs the question. If it is, I would agree with Sarria to Santiago. Buen Camino!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Doing a camino was not important to any of my (8) kids but we did it to see if we liked it. It has become one of our favourite family times. I have returned twice with the younger four kids.