where do I start

[Lisa Tough]

Hi I am planning to walk for only a week where would you suggest is the best place to start for such a short time and what distance is do able per day? I am 50 quite fit and like a challenge.

 

[wayfarer]

Hi Lisa, it depends on whether you want a compostella at the end of your Camino or not, ie do you want to finish in Santiago. If so then Sarria to Santiago is a good Camino for you. Also the Ingles Camino but I have no information on that one. If you are fit then the Sarria Camino would not be a problem for you and is a beautiful walk. Many people fly in to Santiago, bus to Sarria and walk to Santiago, then fly out again a week later. Whichever one you decide on enjoy and Buen Camino.

 

[Felipe]

My (un)scientific opinion is that most walkers do around 25 km per day, average. It depends, also, on the season (meaning, the weather).
As above mentioned, if you want the famous compostela, just see one of many guides available online, and estimate by yourself your distance and starting point.
On the other side, you can start in Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles, walk as far as you like in the very pleasant Navarre country, without the constraints of a set schedule, and come back another year to do the following stages. There are many people who do the Camino this way, for different reasons.
Buen camino!

 

[Lisa Tough]

My (un)scientific opinion is that most walkers do around 25 km per day, average. It depends, also, on the season (meaning, the weather).
As above mentioned, if you want the famous compostela, just see one of many guides available online, and estimate by yourself your distance and starting point.
On the other side, you can start in Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles, walk as far as you like in the very pleasant Navarre country, without the constraints of a set schedule, and come back another year to do the following stages. There are many people who do the Camino this way, for different reasons.
Buen camino!

Thank you for your response, it is a good idea to do it that way I never thought about it like that. I will look at the option of starting at the beginning and going straight to Santiago, I live in Holland so I could start nearer to here.

Thank you!

 

[Lisa Tough]

My (un)scientific opinion is that most walkers do around 25 km per day, average. It depends, also, on the season (meaning, the weather).
As above mentioned, if you want the famous compostela, just see one of many guides available online, and estimate by yourself your distance and starting point.
On the other side, you can start in Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles, walk as far as you like in the very pleasant Navarre country, without the constraints of a set schedule, and come back another year to do the following stages. There are many people who do the Camino this way, for different reasons.
Buen camino!

Would the best option be to take train from Holland (where I live) to Paris then a train to St Jean Pied?

 

[tyrrek]

Ourense to Santiago is a nice 5 day walk. It's just over 100kms so you would qualify for a Compostela. This is the last section of the Via de la Plata route. It's nowhere near as busy as the Camino Frances, but there are plenty of other pilgrims at popular times of year and nice albergues.

There are seasonal flights from Amsterdam to Santiago (with Vueling), and from there it's an easy bus or train journey to Ourense. Buen Camino!

 

[Felipe]

Would the best option be to take train from Holland (where I live) to Paris then a train to St Jean Pied?

Well, it all depends on where are you starting from.
If SJPP it is, look for flights to Biarritz-Bayonne airport, then it is only a short hop in train to SJPP. If you need to go first to Paris (by plane or train), check this encyclopedic post from whariwharangi.
Buen viaje!

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi I am planning to walk for only a week where would you suggest is the best place to start for such a short time and what distance is do able per day? I am 50 quite fit and like a challenge.

Lisa:

It might depend on the time of year you plan to go. September weather is still good. October weather starts to get a little sketchy. November and beyond weather could become difficult.

Next thing to consider is, do you want a Compostela or not?

If you want a Compostela, I recommend you fly to Santiago and either walk the Frances from Sarria or the Ingles.

If you plan to walk the entire Frances from SJPdP in incremental steps, fly to Biarritz and train to SJPdP from there. Depending on how far you get will determine how difficult it will be to get back to Biarritz. Not always easy but doable.

Most Pilgrims walk between 20-30 km's per day, depending on there walking experience.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Would the best option be to take train from Holland (where I live) to Paris then a train to St Jean Pied?

Hy Lisa , an other option is , to fly to Biarritz and than take a bus / train to sjpdp. My wife went last year like this.
Buen Camino from Peter .

 

[Lisa Tough]

Ourense to Santiago is a nice 5 day walk. It's just over 100kms so you would qualify for a Compostela. This is the last section of the Via de la Plata route. It's nowhere near as busy as the Camino Frances, but there are plenty of other pilgrims at popular times of year and nice albergues.

There are seasonal flights from Amsterdam to Santiago (with Vueling), and from there it's an easy bus or train journey to Ourense. Buen Camino!

Thank you for this information Im still deciding to start at the beginning or at the end, I really want to do the whole walk but not able to this year so I think starting at the beginning would be best.

 

[Arn]

Lisa,
You are going on Camino. The Way is focused on the Cathedral of Santiago.
My opinion, if you start in SJPDP and go only part way...things can and do happen that delay, or end your returning. Rather, pick a location far enough from SdC that fits your schedule and completes your journey so when you enter the Pilgrim's Office you have a tangable and special reminder of "this Camino". Later, when time permits, either set out at SJPDP and walk all the Way, or once again as time permits... Choose another Camino...but, each and every time enter the Cathedral and be welcomed by St James.
Buen "your" Camino,
Arn

 

[Lisa Tough]

Thank you for your reply. I have now worked out my route and Im going to book it. Fly to Santiago take bus to Lugo change for Sarria and start my walk from there, fly back to Amsterdam from santiago. Just working out the route has been a challenge!

 

[Arn]

Ask question...get answers! My answers are untimely driven by the number of cervezas, or vinotinto I consume.
Some are quite good. Now, if I can only remember them.
Arn

 

[Lisa Tough]

I have another question weather in October warm Jacket or wind type jacket and waterproof cape?

 

[Arn]

Wind breaker and light fleece. Poncho for really wet weather.

 

[Lisa Tough]

Yet another questions, I was watching a video of a german girl who was giving advice on what to pack she said she wore light trainers an did not bother with boots. I am walking for the week would I get away with wearing trainers?

 

[Lisa Tough]

does anybody know if you can take a rucksack on the flight or does it have to be checked in?

 

[Kanga]

@Lisa Tough I walked for a while with a pilgrim who started in Holland and walked all the way. So you could set off from your front door, walk south for a week, go home, pick up next time where you left off, walk another week - etc. just a thought!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

does anybody know if you can take a rucksack on the flight or does it have to be checked in?

If the backpack is within the airline size limits, it can be carried on board. Knives, trekking poles, and other potential weapons may be confiscated. I always check my backpack, but about 15% of the time, it does not arrive with me. The problem seems to be Heathrow.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hy Lisa , the best thing you can do is check in your backpack. The best for me was wearing boots , you have more support.