what are you thoughts on this schedule(options)

[Terence Quinn]

IN 26-09
OUT 03-10

Option 1:
26-09: arrival and overnight stay in Sarria
27-09: Sarria TO Portomarin, walking distance: 22km
28-09: Portomarin TO Palas de Rei, walking distance: 25km
29-09: Palas de Rei TO Melide, 15 km
30-09:Melide TO Arzua, 15 km
01-10: Arzua TO Pedrouzo, walking distance: 20 km
02-10: Pedrouzo TO Santiago, walking distance: 20 km
03-10: breakfast included - return home

Option 2:
26-09: arrival and overnight stay in Sarria
27-09: Sarria TO Portomarin, walking distance: 22km
28-09: Portomarin TO Palas de Rei, walking distance: 25km
29-09: Palas de Rei TO Arzua, walking distance: 30km
30-09: Arzua TO Pedrouzo, walking distance: 20 km
01-10: Pedrouzo TO Santiago, walking distance: 20 km
02-10: additional night in Santiago
03-10: breakfast included - return home

If you are a fast, experienced hiker, 30 kms between Palas de Rei and Arzua should not be a problem ,
so I would take option 2
to enjoy 1 extra day to relax and visit Santiago.

If you feel that 30 km (18,5 miles) might be too much for 1 day, then a stop in Melide is a better choice.

 

[C clearly]

Both options are "reasonable" and have been successfully taken by many people. It is rather hard to guess which might be better for you, because we know nothing about you!

There is also the option of staying in other villages in-between the major towns, to reduce that 30-km day, but leave a short last day walking, so you arrive early on 02-10. Then you would have at least a full afternoon and evening free in Santiago.

 

[trecile]

Option 2 is close to my last stages this year, except that I stayed just past Sarria in Barbadelo. I had no problem with any of those stages.

If you want to even out the distances you could stay in Ribadiso rather than Arzua.

I would definitely try to have more time in Santiago. Here's a good site for planning distances: http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

 

[Juspassinthru]

I did your option 2 in June with no problem. The difference is that it was my last 100km not my first 100km. My personal opinion is that if you can do 25km, another 5 will not be a problem. BTW, Albergue The Way in Arzua is new and nice. Buen Camino!

 

[grayland]

A consideration should be given to the fact that this is your first week+.
That is typically the hardest and most difficult time as you acclimate to the daily walking.

I have worked in the Pilgrim Office and noted that the Pilgrims who had started in Sarria were usually the most tired, injured and haggard looking. Most of longer walkers were much more fit and relaxed.

 

[GerN]

We are doing Option 1 starting on the 5th October. We are planning on reaching Santiago on Thursday 12th October which gives us two days there, or an extra day in case we need it on the walk itself. Flying back out on Saturday 14th.

 

[canesvenatici]

I did your option 2 in June with no problem. The difference is that it was my last 100km not my first 100km. My personal opinion is that if you can do 25km, another 5 will not be a problem. BTW, Albergue The Way in Arzua is new and nice. Buen Camino!

Totally agree with Albergue The Way in Arzua. 1 of my best stays. Casa Peltre in Sarria is good and so's Albergue Linares in Santiago.

 

[Ungawawa]

If you're not dead-set on getting the Compostela, why not consider starting walking in Astorga and taking the bus the last bit to Santiago instead. This way you get to go through the cruz de ferro and O Cebreiro, plus avoid the huge crowds and accommodation problems from Sarria onwards. I'm really not a fan of the last 100km myself.

 

[HikingGeo]

We did option two and it was quite reasonable. We did, however, make a critical stop in Melide at Pulperia Ezequiel for a pulpo (octupus) lunch and the only beer we had while we were in the middle of a walk .