Where do I start??

[cinderslg]

This is all new to me but after watching 'the way' i feel compelled to do a camino.
But as the title says I dont know where to start planning. Im thinking of doing around 100km so about a week I quess, is there any particular starting poing you would suggest, and could you suggest the nearest airport to fly into, and travel time from there to starting point. If I could make a decision on a route I could then find a walking partner(s) and really start putting a plan in place.
Thanks for any info.

 

[mariposa627]

Hello and welcome! Sarria along the Camino Frances, Tui along the Camino Portugues or Ferrol along the Camino Ingles are all possible starting points to earn a compostela. Where are you coming from? Do you have a time frame of when? What's your hiking experience? You will find answers to your questions in the forum. .. people here are very helpful. Buen camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You may want to focus your research on the Sarria to Santiago portion. You can fly into Santiago, take a bus from the airport to Lugo, and transfer to a bus to Sarria.

 

[cinderslg]

Hi thanks for your replies, i will look into your suggestions. I will be flying from northern ireland, and thinking about august or september '14 or the following spring. I have no hiking experience and im not much of a walker but time to get some training in.

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi Cindersig,

If you haven´t much hiking experience as you say , your best bet is the CF , starting at Sarria. It´s the most used.

Buen Camino!

 

[billmclaughlin]

I always wonder why getting a compostela plays into this decision. Why not just a good week on the Camino?

Start someplace easy to reach like Pamplona and see how far you get. Or consider a week with a centerpiece where you do a short hike into perhaps Burgos and spend time recuperating while seeing some glorious architecture and a rather lovely city center.

Unless you have a particular devotion to Saint James or doubt you'll ever return, why start with the final stages? To get a trophy suitable for framing?

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi Cindersig

I´ve just read a post here on the forum it´s titled "Pilgrim Report From New Zealand" post by falcon269.

Click on it. It might just answer a few of the questions you have.

Buen Camino!

 

[SYates]

Rule of thumb: 20Km / 13mi x available walking days (without rest days) = Starting Point
One week is a bit short to truly "arrive" on the Camino, so if you have any leeway vacation / holidays wise, more days would be better.
As for the rest, use the search function here and feel free to come back to us with any further questions you might have.

SY

PS No need to look for a walking partner beforehand, unless you walk in January (and even then!) there are always plenty of other pilgrims on the way ...

 

[MendiWalker]

I always wonder why getting a compostela plays into this decision. Why not just a good week on the Camino?

Start someplace easy to reach like Pamplona and see how far you get. Or consider a week with a centerpiece where you do a short hike into perhaps Burgos and spend time recuperating while seeing some glorious architecture and a rather lovely city center.

Unless you have a particular devotion to Saint James or doubt you'll ever return, why start with the final stages? To get a trophy suitable for framing?

Who talked about a "compostela"?
The Camino Frances may be a better option for a first timer and to start at Sarra is a good way of discovering if the Camino is something for you or not. If it is ,you can always "start" somewhere else , further back on this Camino or on another one. But remember the Camino always starts at your doorstep.

Buen Camino!

 

[robertc]

I'm going in a week and decided to start in San Jean Pied de Port.. was not concerned with making it to Santiago as I only have 2 weeks this time. Advantage would be direct flight from Dublin to Biarritz and transfer from there to San Jean seems easy (taxi or train). I hear the first stage is hard so some people prefer to start further along but Im dying to see some of the Pyrennes!
Buen Camino
Robert

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi Robertc

Wish you lots of luck on your Camino.The first few stages of the Camino you have picked are awesome. I do hope you enjoy it and will come back another time to carry on from where you leave it.

Buen Camino!

 

[robertc]

Thanks!
Just a question. Since I'm not in a mad rush to get anywhere particularly fast would you a) recommend to overnight in Orisson and soak up more of the beautiful first stage/ease myself in, or b) press on to Roncevalles which maybe is as nice? Thanks for any and all advice on this from people who may have taken either option
Buen camino
Robert

 

[SYates]

Thanks!
Just a question. Since I'm not in a mad rush to get anywhere particularly fast would you a) recommend to overnight in Orisson and soak up more of the beautiful first stage/ease myself in, or b) press on to Roncevalles which maybe is as nice? Thanks for any and all advice on this from people who may have taken either option
Buen camino
Robert

I would stay in Orisson the first night and walk the next day to Roncesvalles and stay there, but that is just my personal preference. Buen Camino!, SY

 

[Ronan3791]

Hi good luck with the planning and enjoy it!
My dad is out there atm he has a blog set up which he is updating everyday if you want to get an idea what its like and see how he's doing it! I'm heading out next week for 10 days looking forward to it now!!
http://jacktrek790.blogspot.ie/

 

[robertc]

Thanks Ronan and SY
Will definitely be checking out the blog as i have a lot of doubts yet about conditions and kit i should bring (dont want to pack the kitchen sink!)
Buen camino
Robert

 

[SYates]

Thanks Ronan and SY
... and kit i should bring (dont want to pack the kitchen sink!)
...

Very wise, just post your packing list here and we are all happy to give feedback ;-) SY