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Hi! I'm planning to walk the Camino from France to Santiago in the fall. I will be walking with my parents; they are in their mid-70's but in comparatively good physical shape, and quite active. Does anyone have any advice or experiences to share? Be it for senior Camino walking issues, for good baggage-travel companies, for decent package deal companies, for pace/time to allot, etc. Thanks! Z
That is my plan for my 80th birthday coming up in just over a year. Short daily distances - I won't do 17 miles a day as I did earlier this year, a comfortable bed, and don't be embarrassed or upset if transportation is required - although I do intend to walk the final 100 ks.I walked from SJPDP last year at age 75. I met a guy from South Africa along the way in Pamplona and we stayed together till almost Astorga, then I met another from Australia and we finished in Santiago. I would call this Camino the easier softer way. No distance over 25km and stayed in 3 star hotels, or a private room in alburgues. 33 days. I got into a rhythm and it felt good. I finished by myself in Muxia.
Along the way I met folks that had prepackaged trips that required them to be in certain accommodation each night. These were far too restrictive for them. Give yourselves flexibility.
My plan is to do it again when I’m 80. My wife, who accompanied me on my 2nd Camino in 2005, says I’m nuts.
Hi! I'm planning to walk the Camino from France to Santiago in the fall. I will be walking with my parents; they are in their mid-70's but in comparatively good physical shape, and quite active. Does anyone have any advice or experiences to share? Be it for senior Camino walking issues, for good baggage-travel companies, for decent package deal companies, hifor pace/time to allot, etc. Thanks! Z
I would ignore the stages in the books they are only recommendations...you can stay in any town along the way so go according to the distance based on your capability. For Day1 from SJPdP to Roncesvalles I'd split it in two days... there is also a lovely alternate route that is more gradual via ValCarlos... it's not well known but lovely (you walk amongst the mountains vs over top and is easier.
My group, a two at 76, one at 75 and one at 70 walked from St Jean to Santiago.Hi! I'm planning to walk the Camino from France to Santiago in the fall. I will be walking with my parents; they are in their mid-70's but in comparatively good physical shape, and quite active. Does anyone have any advice or experiences to share? Be it for senior Camino walking issues, for good baggage-travel companies, for decent package deal companies, for pace/time to allot, etc. Thanks! Z
We are planning to walk next year. I will be 74 but my husband will be turning 80 by the end. So, there are other ‘nuts’ people out there!I walked from SJPDP last year at age 75. I met a guy from South Africa along the way in Pamplona and we stayed together till almost Astorga, then I met another from Australia and we finished in Santiago. I would call this Camino the easier softer way. No distance over 25km and stayed in 3 star hotels, or a private room in alburgues. 33 days. I got into a rhythm and it felt good. I finished by myself in Muxia.
Along the way I met folks that had prepackaged trips that required them to be in certain accommodation each night. These were far too restrictive for them. Give yourselves flexibility.
My plan is to do it again when I’m 80. My wife, who accompanied me on my 2nd Camino in 2005, says I’m nuts.
Couldn’t agree more. It was the young’uns who were tearing up their feet. The older folks were having their joint issues, but they’re used to that and know how to adjust.My experience along the Camino was that it wasn't the older folks that were having the most physical issues. The wisdom of their years compensated for the wear and tear that the ages had done to their bodies. It wasn't the 70-year olds who thought that they could waltz through 750km with no training. Your folks will probably be just fine. They'll do what they need to do and they'll stop when their bodies tell them to. With research, training and a few days on the Camino you'll all know how to do it. Good chance that they'll walk a different pace than you which is an element of the experience. You'll meet up at lunch or the end of the day. That fluidity is one of the many joys of walking the Camino.
Second, your parents may be fit walkers, but nobody walks 20-25 km daily except on a Camino, so they are likely not quite ready for the daily pounding on joints.
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