Would you rather....

[Kbierstube]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

 

[Bradypus]

I would start in Leon. For me a continuous journey is always going to be more satisfying than one broken up into smaller chunks by cherry-picking parts of the route.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Start in Leon

A good choice. Scenic. Good infrastructure.

 

[Mike Savage]

I would definitely start in León and it will still be 30km/day every day. I prefer a continuous journey, I enjoyed León last time I was there, and it is easy to get to.

Buen Camino!

 

[nidarosa]

... or start in Astorga, to make the average daily stage a little shorter? Easy to get to by Alsa bus from Madrid T4.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I would say Leon to .

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

 

[fraluchi]

Stay in Leon, take the bus to Astorga and start walking from there.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

There is no way in high heavens you stand a chance of walking from Burgos to the coast. Even from Leon will be a strech. But the most beautiful scenary is before Leon.

How important is getting to Santiago? To the coast? To not push yourself beyond regular walking hours? No fun in my book.

 

[Jersey]

I walked Leon to Santiago earlier this month.
It took me 17 days but intentionally slowed myself down since I wasn't sure my friends apartment in Madrid would be empty if I finished sooner. Easily could have done it in 13 or 14 days or 11 or 12 days if I was rushed.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

What's your motivation for walking? Extreme sports? Then, sure, shoot for the moon and start in Burgos.

But if you actually want the Camino peregrino experience, then I recommend that you start in Leon or Astorga. Smell the flowers, for heaven's sake. Give yourself time to sit still once in a while, people watching with vino tino in hand, giving thanks for the fact that you're doing something really special.

 

[VNwalking]

What @rappahannock_rev just said.

In your shoes be thinking to walk from Leon to Santiago, leaving Finisterre for another time.
(Revealing some bias: honestly, I don't understand the hype about Finisterre; but then I grew up surrounded by ocean.)

And Santiago is the point if this is a pilgrimage. If that's not important to you not and you're from Manitoba or somewhere equally far from the sea, go for it, especially if you are very fit. If not, consider starting at Astorga so you can relax into the rhythm of the walk.

Maybe you're thinking, "Hey, it's only 25-30km a day. I can do that." (I did, before my first Camino...) But no matter what your fitness, not to underestimate the grind of carrying yourself and your pack across consecutive 30km days, day in day out. It takes its toll.

 

[Zaragoza 81 to84]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

Start by subtracting 4 from 21! That leaves you with 3 extra days!

 

[fiona12]

Had 14 days available so went with the intention of bussing a section if I was running late. I did Leon to Santiago in 12 days comfortably, in winter. Walked as long as I was enjoying it. Some long days because the company was good, sometimes because I felt good. Did Finisterre by bus for the day . Don't know if I would bother to walk there.. Maybe if I was with a group but it didnt 'draw' me.

Now to do the first section...

Buen camino

 

[Former member 62607]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

We couldn't do it all at once due to work/ holiday time constraints , it wasn't how I wanted to walk, in stages, but better that than not go- or maybe wait until retirement but then be physically unable! So have you considered doing what you can in your time frame and leave the rest to be walked when the time is right/ available rather than squeezing it in? Whatever you choose, our path continues anyway when we have begun the camino - as it says on the little slip of paper we were given by the nuns in a small church outside of Pamplona - "if you allow the camino to inhabit you, to transform you and to make you a pilgrim" . Sincere best wishes to you on your walk.

 

[t2andreo]

I vote with those who suggest walking into Santiago, and then taking a bus to Finisterre and Muxia for the day. Traditionally, all pilgrimages end at the Cathedral in Santiago.

The bit from Santiago to Finisterre is more a throwback to the Routa Lactea, pre-Christian pagan / Celtic worship days. Conversely, once the pilgrimage thing started in the Middle Ages, the usual route, again, was TO Santiago, not from Santiago.

Just as an FYI, the Compostela is awarded by the Cathedral at the Pilgrim Office, for travel to the remains of Saint Jams the Greater in the Cathedral, and does not factor in any distance to or from Finisterre.

Personally, after walking from France for five-weeks, I am rarely in the mood to walk further. For me, the same would be true if walking from Burgos or Leon. Riding a tourist coach is preferable to me at least.

The main Camino route from Leon to Santiago is approximately one-half the traditional Camino Frances. The actual half-way point is in Sahagun, to the East. You might do that, then save the first-half for next year.

21 Days gives you more than enough time to walk from Leon without using busses. However, if you intend to bus over less desired sections, then 21 days does provide you with time to make it from Burgos. This should still give you a day or two to enjoy Santiago and make your connections.

FYI, by taking a bus to Finisterre and Muxia you are saving 4-5 days walking.

I hope this helps.

 

[David]

here is a spanner - I would do neither .. I would start at St Jean .. walk easily until time to stop then take a bus to Santiago and then Finisterre - then come back another year and pick up where I left off .. certainly wouldn't break up a Camino with internal bus journeys - you never know what you have missed and you will lose the community you built up and have to start afresh each time.

Just a thought.

 

[Solvita P]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

If you have 14 days for journey and want to start in SJPDP, then your option is CYCLE.

Or as other peregrinos suggested - walk half journey, then come back next year!

Buen camino!

 

[mvanert]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

Leon because "stuff happens" less pressure=more fun.

 

[Maple Leaf Walker]

You are dealing with two things: a desire to take in as much Camino as you can and not enough time to do it.

The better question to ask is: what can I do to make the most of *each* of my 21 days? In answering that question, remember that Santiago/Muxia are the least relevant parts of that equation. Those are just end points.

Once you're on the Way you'll understand this: the Camino isn't ahead of you. Turn around and look behind you: there it is.

PS We all confuse being able to walk 25km a day with walking 25km on hilly, rocky, rainy, blazing hot, windy and changeable terrain.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Wherever you start, Leon or Astorga, do as many consecutive days as possible. For me, what you would miss is creating relationships along the way. These relationships, friendships whatever you choose to call them are the things I remember and miss. Every time you bus ahead, you break the chain of people you've met. Some may like that, I did not. Santiago is worth an extra day, I bussed to Finisterre and enjoyed an extra day there. Because of the extra time in SdC, I caught up with my friends in Finisterre who'd walked by taking the bus. Buen Camino!

 

[november_moon]

Definitely Leon (or Astorga). This is a pilgrimage, not a forced march.

 

[Juspassinthru]

November Moon, I had to laugh because a woman I walked with said it was a Pilgrimage not a martyrdom. Well said.

 

[MTtoCamino]

CONTEXT/ASSUMPTIONS: I have 21 days to do the Camino Frances and I'd like to go all the way to Finisterre. If I assume I'll lose one day travel TO my starting point on the Camino and 1 day FROM the ending point plus allow myself 2 additional buffer days for sickness/injury/rest. I must complete my travels in 14 days.

Which would you choose and why?

A. Start in Burgos knowing that it will be a challenge to maintain 26 miles per day over 14 days and that it is likely I'll bus ahead on an occasion or two to keep pace

OR

B. Start in Leon and give myself a little less pressure by reducing miles as well as the need to bus ahead?

Burgos
Your first 2 weeks will be your time to adjust Physically to walking everyday. This stretch is perfect for that. You will know by then if your body will be able to push comfortably 30+ K . If not do what some folks do catch a bus to where you know the daily average is doable for you. Finnesterre is a decision once you arrive in Santiago. As there is always distractions or thought changes. In my experience I simply made daily decisions no goal other than walk till I decided to stop. Things have changed, I understand folks have to book a place to stay, but it depends now on the time of year they go.
I wish you well
Buen Camino
Keith

 

[Lance Chambers]

I would suggest starting in Leon which is 300 kms to Santiago. Can be done in the time you have available. Burgos is 500 kms to Santiago and then add a bit more for Finisterre.

But to be honest it depends on how confident you are covering either of these in the time you have available.

 

[Satírico]

November Moon, I had to laugh because a woman I walked with said it was a Pilgrimage not a martyrdom. Well said.

It could be a white martyrdom, depending on one's intentions.

 

[JohnMcM]

David's suggestion appeals to me.

Failing that I would opt for a start in Astorga. It would allow a smaller distance each day and less stress on the body bearing in mind that many, very many people's bodies can take 3-5 days to adjust to the routine of walk, eat, sleep, walk, eat, sleep etc.

Buen (good-starting place) Camino