We only have 8 days - where to start?

[Kat123]

My friend and I will walk along El Camino in May for about 8 days. We would like to end the walk in Santiago De Compostela. Where do you recommend that we start? We will fly to Madrid and then take a bus or train to a suggested village. Thank you for your advice!

 

[wayfarer]

O'Cebriero would be a good place to start IMO. You would have a nice leisurely walk into Santiago and maybe even have time to bus to Finisterra and Muxia. Either way have a great Camino.

 

[whariwharangi]

Santiago to Fisterra to Muxia to Santiago.

 

[SYates]

It really depends on how many kilometer / miles you can walk per day without stress and problems. The lower average would be for example 20km / day which gives you, 8 walking days assumed, a distance of 160km from Santiago = O Cebreiro. If you can do 25km per day then you could start at 200km = ~ Ponferrada. In general it might be better to take things more easily, if you have time leftover, enjoy Santiago or a bus ride to Finisterra.

Or you could walk the Camino Ingles (http://www.csj.org.uk/route-camino-ingles.htm) starting in Ferrol to SdC + walk to Finisterra ...

Many possibilities ;-) What ever you decide, have a Buen Camino! SY

 

[Mark2012]

With the timeline you're talking about, I would also suggest starting from O Cebreiro. Even if you feel that your legs are strong enough for 200 kms and therefore look to start at Ponferrada, the walk up to O Cebreiro itself is extremely demanding. If you were still 'finding' your legs as you took on that climb, your body would not thank you for it. Starting from O Cebreiro would allow you to proceed at whatever pace you like without any steep uphill marches!

 

[StuartM]

I did Astorga to SdC in a comfortable 10 days so somewhere west of there.

I went Astorga-Rabanal
Rabanal-Molinaseca
Molinaseca-Villafranca...

So maybe Villafranca? It is a tough start as others have said, the climb up to O Cebreiro itself isn't that challenging if you're fit but it's a bit different having it as day one without finding your legs first. I like a challenge though so wouldn't let it put me off. It ain't Everest it's a strenuous couple of hours at the end of the day and there is always the option of bailing out to the road. The walk from Villafranca was one of my favourite days.

 

[Olivares]

Hundreds of people start from SJPDP and it so happens THAT first day is considered to be the steepest, hardest climb along the French Way. Therefore, starting at O'Cebreiro would be parallell in many ways to a SJPDP start. The average pilgrim walks 25 Kms/day-- another average I have read is 5 Kms/hr. In May there will be rain on that section, so taking all that in, guesstimate 3.5 Kms/hr, if you walk for six hours you will be around 21-22 Kms/day, which places you around O'Cebreiro. That said, a critical piece of your logistics is to GET TO the starting point. O'Cebreiro is not a hub by any means of public transportation. From Madrid, take the train or (my preference...) the ALSA Bus that leaves from either Barajas Terminal 4 or Estacion Sur to either Ponferrada or Piedrafita do Cebreiro (from where you can either take a taxi or walk to O'Cebreiro). A trade-off for easier logistics is to start at Ponferrada and walk more kms/day. The options are laid out and ultimately, it is up to you and friend what suits you. Buen Camino!!

 

[Olivia Luna]

Hundreds of people start from SJPDP and it so happens THAT first day is considered to be the steepest, hardest climb along the French Way. Therefore, starting at O'Cebreiro would be parallell in many ways to a SJPDP start. The average pilgrim walks 25 Kms/day-- another average I have read is 5 Kms/hr. In May there will be rain on that section, so taking all that in, guesstimate 3.5 Kms/hr, if you walk for six hours you will be around 21-22 Kms/day, which places you around O'Cebreiro. That said, a critical piece of your logistics is to GET TO the starting point. O'Cebreiro is not a hub by any means of public transportation. From Madrid, take the train or (my preference...) the ALSA Bus that leaves from either Barajas Terminal 4 or Estacion Sur to either Ponferrada or Piedrafita do Cebreiro (from where you can either take a taxi or walk to O'Cebreiro). A trade-off for easier logistics is to start at Ponferrada and walk more kms/day. The options are laid out and ultimately, it is up to you and friend what suits you. Buen Camino!!

¡Mil gracias Olivares!! ¿Porqué prefiere el bus? Why do you prefer the bus? Just curious

 

[Olivares]

I prefer the bus because, in the case of my frequent destinations, I just have to get to Terminal 4, get a ticket, and be on my way. The buses are very comfortable and I am partial to road trips. I often find the bus stations are closer to town centre, so they seem convenient as well. That said, many people prefer the train travel because they can walk around and may have better facilities. Often, but not always, the bus fare is lower, but they do fill up quicker, so reservations are a bit more critical with buses (depends the route, though...). Bottom line: you cannot go wrong either way so long as you research options and select what works for you.

¡Que disfrutes Olivia! Buen Camino!!

 

[StuartM]

I used the Alsa buses for the first time last year. Very impressed. I wish our bus services were as good.

 

[Thornley]

Hi Kat 123,

I concur with my comrade from BC Canada,
Start in Santiago , fly there direct. .
Walk 3 days to Fisterre , stay an extra day ,
Walk to Muxia , stay an extra day =======6 days gone
Return to Santiago on early bus and have two there before flying home =======8 days now gone.

1/ You will have two compostela's in your "back kick" if these are important [ they are not with us] , experienced at the end two lovely villages which are important in relation to the camino, especially Muxia and enjoyed nice towns on the way there.
2/ It will give you an insight into the Camino Frances which you can achieve when you have 5 or more weeks available.

I would be disappointed in the 8 days if i finished in Santiago.......
From our experiences;
You will see people of all ages,nationalities,shapes and sizes all in the square who have walked varying distances , some 1600km plus.
You will want to be part of this whole experience because it's lovely with raw emotion shown in many, many cases.
I would and i think you might Kat think ....i wish i did it all.....

Come back after you short warm up mate and enjoy this wonderful experience.
Buen Camino,
David