- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese
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You should maybe not try and decide from now what your rate per hour is going to be as you going to miss out on the 'point' of the Camino before you start...Just so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
PS I have no idea what my average pace is on the Camino but on another pilgrimage, we calculated 5km/h including stops. It was important to make sure there would be enough daylight to reach a particular place.
Just so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
I recall wtiting about this elsewhere, but I cannot find it right now. There are several of things to consider.
- First, what you can sustain on training walks may be difficult to maintain day after day on the Camino. Don't be surprised if you cannot maintain a rate much above 5km/hr.
- Second, the weight you are carrying makes a lot of difference. To walk fast, you need to walk light. Alternatively, if you do have a heavier pack, accept that you will be slower. I have shared some personal examples in the past, but they support your friend's suggestion about average speeds with heavier packs.
- Third, hills do make a difference if you are wearing a pack. I find the basic Naismith rule works pretty well, although there are variants you might find more useful. Wikipedia has a good article on these rules of thumb.
- Last, breaks will quickly bring your overall average speed down more quickly than anything else. If you walk for a two hours at 5kph and take 15 minutes for coffee your average speed has dropped to 4.4kph. Do another two hours walking and take an hour for lunch, and your average is now under 4kph and it will take another hour's walking to just get it back to 4kph. The Camino is not that mechanical, but you get the idea. And this is not counting the short stops to chat, take photos, smell the flowers or just adjust your pack.
Just so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
Let your body tell you.....I found my rythym within the first few days, which was about the same as when I was walking at home. You may walk more or less miles depending on the topography and on how you're feeling . Buen CaminoJust so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
Hi Robo, you wright about why bother counting.I only walk at 4 kph. But as stated above, what is probably more important is the numbers of walking hour per day and the number and length of breaks.
I tend to walk 8-10 hours including breaks.
But hey, why bother counting!
Just walk , till you want to stop. Or reach your chosen destination.
Are you asking the question to make sure you can finish in 36 days?.
How lovely! Yes, I think that's very feasibleYes, that is why I asked. I thought that 36 days was reasonable, but I was starting doubt. One reason 36 days is my target is because I would arrive in Santiago on my birthday if it takes 36 days!
I have another question - what time do people usually arrive at the albergues?
It always seemed like the peak arrival time was between around 1:00-3:00 pm. That is when you would see the bulk of the pilgrims arriving at the albergues. Some towns you arrive at around 12:00 pm, and you would see several pilgrims waiting for the albergue to open at 1:00 pm.Yes, that is why I asked. I thought that 36 days was reasonable, but I was starting doubt. One reason 36 days is my target is because I would arrive in Santiago on my birthday if it takes 36 days!
I have another question - what time do people usually arrive at the albergues?
Depends what time you leave the albergue and how many km. you walk, it's as simple as that.Yes, that is why I asked. I thought that 36 days was reasonable, but I was starting doubt. One reason 36 days is my target is because I would arrive in Santiago on my birthday if it takes 36 days!
I have another question - what time do people usually arrive at the albergues?
Hey, trecile...wonderful idea! And even if you miss it by a day or two, being there on your birthday is probably pretty special, too (just ask movinmaggie!).Just thought that it would be cool to arrive in Santiago on my birthday.
Yes, that is why I asked. I thought that 36 days was reasonable, but I was starting doubt. One reason 36 days is my target is because I would arrive in Santiago on my birthday if it takes 36 days!
I have another question - what time do people usually arrive at the albergues?
I have another question - what time do people usually arrive at the albergues?
Thanks, that's very helpful. I'm not leaving until mid August, so I have plenty of time to overthink this!Hi, Trecile!
I've been out for awhile so this may be too late for your use. Here's how 36 days to Santiago looked for a couple of older gents back in 2014. I would not have called us terribly fit but we did keep our packs under 10 kg, just barely but...
I use Excel to develop trip itineraries to easily access/display pertinent info. If I have time, I then correct the planning document to "Final" and save it. I'll share mine from 2014. (Which was not very different from 2012 when I was younger and fitter.)
The first two pages in this file shows our stages. The third page shows a 7-day moving average of distance walked per day. That moving average "smooths out" daily variation and shows the impact of rest days as well the general improvement in walking efficiency over time.
The bottom line is that, no matter your pace, you will have to knock out close to 24 km per day to reach SdC in 36 days. Expect your pace to be slower at the start and don't be impatient. By Burgos, you should be in good form. It is possible to zoom across the Meseta though we did not.
Bottom line - don't stress about distance per hour, focus on distance per day and accept the reality that you will be slower at the start.
Buen Camino!
B
PS. Apparently I am not able to upload an Excel file here (.xls format). If someone wants the Excel version of this for their own use, I am happy to share.
Just so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
It always seemed like the peak arrival time was between around 1:00-3:00 pm. That is when you would see the bulk of the pilgrims arriving at the albergues. Some towns you arrive at around 12:00 pm, and you would see several pilgrims waiting for the albergue to open at 1:00 pm.
Yes it seems the bulk of the pilgrims dont walk in the afternoon. This under the pretext that it is too hot to walk in the afternoon. The real reason however, in my opinion, is fear of not getting a bed for the night or a fear to be on your own.
Yeah, I agree. I never encountered any weather on the CF (June-September) that was too hot or what I would consider extreme. Warm and dry? Yeah, sure, but not extreme. Still, hot enough to knock you on your arse if you don't hydrate, which I would guess is the main reason for medical issues. Hydration, not heat.Maybe I have been lucky not to encounter any extreme heat when I have walked the CF in July in 2013 and 2015. The air in northern Spain is dry and resembles the air in northern Europe. This makes the heat easier to cope with in my opinion. It feels like a good hot german or scandinavian summer day. I agree with you about the bed races. In July 2015 the albergues were rather empty, except for the last 100 kms. Why this is I really dont know. Anyone have an opinion? A clear difference from 2013 when there were much more pilgrims out. And you could see pilgrims waiting in line at albergues at 12-1 PM.
I totally agree that I won't be walking at 4 mph carrying a backpack. I just mentioned it because my natural pace is fairly quick. I just wanted to know what would be realistic carrying a backpack for hours.I am a fast walker. I pass most people and few pass me. I am on the Camino right now and carry about 10 kgs in my pack. I walk at 5 kms per hour (3.1 mph). Your normal walking speed of 4 mph is unrealistic IMO, but whatever speed you walk at remember that you are in it for the long haul so less is more. Aidan.
Of course you are walking right! A walking pace is a very individual thing. I have actually been trying to slow down my pace on my training walks, though when you walk the same route over and over you kind of just want to hurry through it.I often wonder why I am a very slow walker. People who are much older than me seems to walk pass me, even some who are heavier seems to walk lot faster. On a flat surface I can do 3-4 km/hr. Considerably slower if I go uphill or downhill. When i hear people behind me, I usually stop and look at the scenery so that I don't feel inferior walker as someone passes me over. This whole thread makes me feel even worse. My god, some of you with 5-6 km/hr. That is like running pace for me. Am i walking right? Or my body is just put together very inefficiently.
It's so interesting to read what I posted before my first Camino about walking pace!I see this is an old thread, and I haven’t gone back to read all the replies. Maybe @trecile will find it interesting, since she is now an experienced camino addict.
But I will say that IMO your walking pace has nothing to do with “smelling the roses.” Your pace has to do with what your body feels good doing, and those roses can be smelled at any walking pace at all.
Just so you know - I am not a backpacker. Walking the Camino will be my first real backpacking experience. I am however, a really good walker.
My average walking pace when I'm alone is 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/hr) - and that includes hills. So I was thinking that 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/hr) should be a reasonable pace on the Camino. But today I was talking to a friend that backpacks a lot, and she said that she considers 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/hr) a good rate when hiking with a backpack - but she carries a lot of weight - 30+ pounds (13+ kg)
So what do you think is a reasonable pace for walking the Camino? I'm hoping to reach Santiago from SJPDP in 36 days or less, including a stay at Orisson.
The more typical paces are 3 to 5 KmH ; 3 being slow, 4 average, 5 fast -- and I'd say that 3 KmH is the minimum you should aim for in order to reach the sort of 20-25 Km/Day average pace that's typical among pilgrims.
There are two paces to consider -- Km/H and Km/Day
OMGosh i totally forgot about all the cookoo birds! Thanks for the memoryYou will do fine just remember to slow down & smell the country & listen for the cookoo birds.
Let your body determine the pace.
Buen Camino
What Cuckoos?? Six caminos and I've missed them all.OMGosh i totally forgot about all the cookoo birds!
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