chucksandy
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2014 October 10
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I have around 30 days to walk starting on October 10th, want to make it to Santiago, and would like some advice on the best place to start. I was thinking to start in Leon and take things kind of easy as I'm 55 and not in the best shape in the whole world - but not in the worst either. I walk daily in Japan between 5 and 15 KM without problem with a light pack. I'm fine even in the hills and mountains as long as I take my time. Still, with a couple of stents in my heart which have been there happily for a few years, I don't think I want to push myself beyond 20 km a day - especially in hilly sections. So the questions: 1) What do you think about starting in Leon? 2) Is it possible to get a Pilgrim's Credential there in Leon - and if so, where? 3) Any other advice welcome. Thanks - Chuck
Hi Chuck! A Camino from Leon will be more than achievable in that time even at a relaxed pace. Probably a couple of weeks or so if you follow the standard route.
This gives you a range of options, including;
- starting further back. Anywhere from Burgos onwards.
- Continuing on to Finisterre and looping back to Santiago via Muxia.
- Walking another short route to Santiago eg. Camino Ingles after your arrival from Leon.
- Turning off the main route from Leon at Ponferrada and follow the Camino del Invierno into Santiago.
- See somewhere else in Spain for a week or so.
None of these (apart from your start point) need any pre planning so you can just have options in mind, see how you feel and what your Camino family are doing etc.
You'll get a passport in Leon no problem. There's also tourist info opposite the cathedral if I remember correctly. Buen Camino!
Hola and welcome to the forum
Tyrrek gives excellent advices and what comes into my mind is for you to start further back at Burgos or even Pamplona.
Start out slowly the first week and learn your body and capabilities and enjoy your walk.
After two weeks you will know more about what is possible and if you should or have to jump ahead a bit.
If so, take a bus and cut of the days needed, so you will arrive at Santiago.
Maybe you even want to walk to the ocean at Finisterre and plan accordingly the 3-4 days to do so.
One thing about a first time camino is, in my opinion, that everything is new and thus unplannable.
This is exactly what makes it so special.
Physical injuries, special pilgrim relations, weather, etc. will all affect the camino, but as in all in life, we have to adapt to the circumstances as they occurs.
Have a great walk and Buen Camino.
Lettinggo
Welcome to the forum Chuck, I would agree with tyrrek, Logrono or Burgos and take it nice and slow. If you can walk 15 k you will be ok, take plenty coffee breaks. Make sure you have well broken in boots and rain gear. I had had a triple bypass and a couple of stints before I did my first Camino and I was 58 so you are still a young one. Enjoy every step.
Buen Camino.
Hello Chuck you should be OK following the advice above, you obviously are thinking about your body and the best way to approach the camino. Cardiac problems certainly focus our minds but if you do it leisurely 15k or there abouts you should be fine. Think carefully about how much you can carry there is always the option of baggage transport on the climbing days (each person is different). At nearly twenty years your senior and also a member of the "zipper club" I prefer to be cautious in order to enjoy my camino. Good luck with the planning and welcome to the forum.Buen camino
Welcome Chuck, Last year I started in Roncesvalles and walked to Burgos, took a bus from Burgos to Leon and then walked on to Santiago (32 days of walking slowly and enjoying). So many pilgrims told me how much they enjoyed walking the Meseta. So this year I have about the same amount of time to walk the Camino and I have decided to start in Logroño and not miss the Meseta. I am flying into Madrid and then getting a bus at the T4 Terminal at Barajas Airport that will take me to Logroño (ALSA bus system is great and you can buy your ticket online in advance). That is the plan for this 68 year old. Buen Camino!
You will have to work very hard to take more than three weeks from Leon to Santiago.So, work on a plan for the remaining time. You could start further back toward Burgos, Logrono, or Pamplona. You could take three to five days on walks after reaching Santiago. Choices would be continuing to Fisterra and/or Muxia; taking a bus to Ferrol and walking five to six days on the Camino Ingles; or taking the train to Tui and walking 100 km back to Santiago. Of course, you could just relax in Santiago for a week, or take transportation to some place like Oviedo. Regardless, 30 days is plenty of time to be leisurely, and I am sure you will find a way to spend the time. Buen camino.
Just one further thought. Around the time you'll start walking the autumn 'wave' of pilgrims who started in St Jean in September will be passing through Leon. Starting further back it may be significantly quieter. I don't think it will be a problem (there will be enough other pilgrims and beds either way) but if you'd like a more sociable Camino it may be better to start in Leon and extend it to Finisterre etc. Buen Camino!
Another much younger peregrino I met on the Camino played professional football in Germany for 15 years. He choose not to carry his pack and had it sent ahead every day.
I have around 30 days to walk starting on October 10th, want to make it to Santiago, and would like some advice on the best place to start. I was thinking to start in Leon and take things kind of easy as I'm 55 and not in the best shape in the whole world - but not in the worst either. I walk daily in Japan between 5 and 15 KM without problem with a light pack. I'm fine even in the hills and mountains as long as I take my time. Still, with a couple of stents in my heart which have been there happily for a few years, I don't think I want to push myself beyond 20 km a day - especially in hilly sections. So the questions: 1) What do you think about starting in Leon? 2) Is it possible to get a Pilgrim's Credential there in Leon - and if so, where? 3) Any other advice welcome. Thanks - Chuck
We met a pilgrim with 2 tin knees (his description) - he had walked the Norte to Oviedo and then onto the Primitivo using baggage transport. He was at Ferreira in the Casa Rural and heading for Santiago at his own pace.Reading this thread anyone could be forgiven for thinking we are all a bunch of crocks, then when we start bionicwalking, stent here zip there titanium this turbo that!!!!!!!!camino provides for us all
Unless this was stated by the pilgrim himself, I wouldn't be too quick in using the statement "He choose not to carry his pack...". Some choices, this one included, get taken away by injuries and ailments that may not be so obvious to somebody's eyes.
Hi ChuckI have around 30 days to walk starting on October 10th, want to make it to Santiago, and would like some advice on the best place to start. I was thinking to start in Leon and take things kind of easy as I'm 55 and not in the best shape in the whole world - but not in the worst either. I walk daily in Japan between 5 and 15 KM without problem with a light pack. I'm fine even in the hills and mountains as long as I take my time. Still, with a couple of stents in my heart which have been there happily for a few years, I don't think I want to push myself beyond 20 km a day - especially in hilly sections. So the questions: 1) What do you think about starting in Leon? 2) Is it possible to get a Pilgrim's Credential there in Leon - and if so, where? 3) Any other advice welcome. Thanks - Chuck
I'd start in Pamplona. It's very doable. We did it in 31 from Pamplona with a 61 year old woman, two people in their mid 30s, and carrying a 14 month old. You could do it from Saint Jean but you'd be hurrying too much with 30 days. But I think you can tackle a lot more than Leon without pushing yourself too much each day.I have around 30 days to walk starting on October 10th, want to make it to Santiago, and would like some advice on the best place to start. I was thinking to start in Leon and take things kind of easy as I'm 55 and not in the best shape in the whole world - but not in the worst either. I walk daily in Japan between 5 and 15 KM without problem with a light pack. I'm fine even in the hills and mountains as long as I take my time. Still, with a couple of stents in my heart which have been there happily for a few years, I don't think I want to push myself beyond 20 km a day - especially in hilly sections. So the questions: 1) What do you think about starting in Leon? 2) Is it possible to get a Pilgrim's Credential there in Leon - and if so, where? 3) Any other advice welcome. Thanks - Chuck
I finish in Santiago tomorrow morning...started in St. Jean on the 23 August.I have around 30 days to walk starting on October 10th, want to make it to Santiago, and would like some advice on the best place to start. I was thinking to start in Leon and take things kind of easy as I'm 55 and not in the best shape in the whole world - but not in the worst either. I walk daily in Japan between 5 and 15 KM without problem with a light pack. I'm fine even in the hills and mountains as long as I take my time. Still, with a couple of stents in my heart which have been there happily for a few years, I don't think I want to push myself beyond 20 km a day - especially in hilly sections. So the questions: 1) What do you think about starting in Leon? 2) Is it possible to get a Pilgrim's Credential there in Leon - and if so, where? 3) Any other advice welcome. Thanks - Chuck
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