Antananarivo
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés (Sep-Oct 2022)
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That's right! Thank you.I would probably eliminate some of those rest days in order to give yourself more time at the end to walk shorter stages with your mother.
Great advice!I can also stay out later in the evening since I don't have the constraints of sleeping in an albergue (especially important in Logroño so that you can enjoy all the wonderful tapas bars on Calle del Laurel). Sleep a little later in the morning the next day, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then walk another short stage.
So, do you recommend this day do it in two parts? perhaps sleep in the middle town of Riego de Ambros? Muchas gracias!Rabanal to Ponferrada will be a significant challenge at 33 km. The descent from Cruz de Ferro is an epic piece of trail. Even the stage finishing at Molinaseca is a tough day. Just because it's down hill doesn't make it easy!
Excelente consejo! muchas gracias. Así lo haré!Your first day will be a long one in the busiest month of the year for pilgrims starting from SJPdP. You should make a reservation at the Roncesvalles albergue.
Great!. I think I need to start reviewing past posts on what others recommend for accommodation. Do you have any advice for Pamplona?Actually, I should have suggested that you book up through Pamplona. September is busy!
I have stayed in Acebo before, nice little town. What I really recommend is playing it by ear. Book your first five days, and see how you feel. Blisters, weather, and friends can slow you down. Maybe you are made of iron, and can comfortably do 30 km days. As has been suggested, I find short days better than a full day off. A little less planning, and a little more "let it unfold" makes sense when you don't really know what your natural daily distance will be. Everyone is different.So, do you recommend this day do it in two parts? perhaps sleep in the middle town of Riego de Ambros? Muchas gracias!
This recent thread should be helpful.Great!. I think I need to start reviewing past posts on what others recommend for accommodation. Do you have any advice for Pamplona?
I agree. Make a plan and be prepared to throw it out. You have given yourself plenty of time to complete the Camino - you shouldn't have any problems.What I really recommend is playing it by ear. Book your first five days, and see how you feel. Blisters, weather, and friends can slow you down. Maybe you are made of iron, and can comfortably do 30 km days. As has been suggested, I find short days better than a full day off. A little less planning, and a little more "let it unfold" makes sense when you don't really know what your natural daily distance will be.
I agree. Because my mother and sister live in Tenerife I'm trying to get a sense on when will I be landing in Sarria so they can better plan. Of course I will be in touch with them regularly to see when is the time to meet. Gracias.I find short days better than a full day off. A little less planning, and a little more "let it unfold" makes sense when you don't really know what your natural daily distance will be. Everyone is different.
We divide this section. Usually we walk Rabanal to El Acebo about 16-18km, and then the follow day,we continue steep downhill to Molineseca and then adding additional 7km to Ponferrada to it. One must not just look at the distance but the terrain…and what distances will allow one to walk continually. El Acebo is a small town with accommodations. Skip Riego de Ambros not much there!!So, do you recommend this day do it in two parts? perhaps sleep in the middle town of Riego de Ambros? Muchas gracias!
Just one more question.I would probably eliminate some of those rest days in order to give yourself more time at the end to walk shorter stages with your mother.
Having looked at your list, my 2 cents :Greetings from Australia!
I am hoping to do my first Camino in September this year. After doing some reading here and watching several YouTube videos I came up with the below itinerary. For those experts out there, can I please get you advice on the attached plan?
I do 4 hours of bushwalking every week and I feel confident that the first day I can walk to Roncesvalles on the first day.
In Sarria my 81 year-old-mother, who lives in Spain, will join me to do the last part of the Camino. She is in good physical health and walks 4km every day. You can see that for the last part I left 5 days, but probably I should take it easy with her and do it in 6 or 7 days?
I know my mother would prefer a private room. Considering we are travelling in September, should I book in advance for the accommodation between Sarria and Santiago?
Many thanks!
And accommodation in Zubiri can be tight.Actually, I should have suggested that you book up through Pamplona. September is busy!
would shorten your last 100km days with your mother.
Does she want a Compostela, or would she taxi if the stages are too long?
Thanks for your comment.I would shorten your last 100km days with your mother.
Does she want a Compostela, or would she taxi if the stages are too long?
Sarria | Morgade | 13 Kms |
Morgade | Portomarin | 9 Kms |
Portomarin | Ventas de Naron | 13 Kms |
Ventas de Naron | Palas De Rei | 12 Kms |
Palas De Rei | Melide | 15 Kms |
Melide | Arzúa | 14 Kms |
Arzúa | O’Pedrouzo | 19 Kms |
O’Pedrouzo | Santiago de Compostela | 19 Kms |
She lives in Tenerife. She will probably arrive two days before me with my sister who will now be joining us. I´ll be in constant communication with them to give them an idea on when to arrive in Sarria.I like the dea that you begin bybreaking up the first days. Your mom will be experiencing jet lag? Does she have time in Sarria to recover?
Muchas gracias. This would give me an extra day. Great advice!time wise, at Carrion de los Condes pick up the bus! I skip Calzadilla de la Cueza.
The plan is that my sister and mum share one room. I´ll be in a separate one. Thanks again! I do have to start making the bookings.Will the 3 of you share one room. If so book ahead! There are fewer private rooms for 3 persons.
I did SJPP to Santiago Sep1-Oct1, 2021. I agree with these comments, and would add:I would probably eliminate some of those rest days in order to give yourself more time at the end to walk shorter stages with your mother.
Instead of full rest days I prefer to do two short days in a row, especially on either side of a larger city that has more sightseeing opportunities. When I do this I book a private room so that I can arrive in town early - usually before noon, and drop off my backpack so that I can explore the city unencumbered. I can also stay out later in the evening since I don't have the constraints of sleeping in an albergue (especially important in Logroño so that you can enjoy all the wonderful tapas bars on Calle del Laurel). Sleep a little later in the morning the next day, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then walk another short stage.
I definitely wouldn't take a rest day in Calzadilla de las Cuezas. Maybe in Carrión de los Condes which is a bigger town.
There doesn't have to be a difficult downhill at the end. Take the easier route to the right when you reach Collado de Lepoeder, which takes you to Puerto de Ibañeta as shown by the dotted line on the map below. It adds just 0.4 km and is much safer.. Think hard about the first day -- as others have said, it's a long haul with a difficult downhill at the end
Excelente, muchas gracias!There doesn't have to be a difficult downhill at the end. Take the easier route to the right when you reach Collado de Lepoeder, which takes you to Puerto de Ibañeta as shown by the dotted line on the map below. It adds just 0.4 km and is much safer.
My first camino I walked down the traditional way. It was late September and there were wet leaves everywhere, I was tired and it was really steep. It felt like it went forever. When we got to the split there were 6 or 7 of us deciding which way to go. A young woman and I decided to follow the route and not take the variant. Her boyfriend and the others went the way you suggested. It may have been longer but they were waiting for us when we came out of the forest and they were by far more worse for wear from that last stretch. I also did it the second time not because I wanted to but because I missed the turnoff. But it was alot easier as I had already walked from Le Puy so St. Jean to Roncesvalles was a piece of cake.There doesn't have to be a difficult downhill at the end. Take the easier route to the right when you reach Collado de Lepoeder, which takes you to Puerto de Ibañeta as shown by the dotted line on the map below. It adds just 0.4 km and is much safer.
View attachment 119235
I would try and shorten the last day (maybe start at Lavacolla) so your mother isn't too tired to enjoy Santiago after arriving.Thanks for your comment.
Yes, she would like the Compostela. Instead of six days, I have found this other option with 8 days for those last 100 Km - what do you think?:
Sarria Morgade 13 Kms Morgade Portomarin 9 Kms Portomarin Ventas de Naron 13 Kms Ventas de Naron Palas De Rei 12 Kms Palas De Rei Melide 15 Kms Melide Arzúa 14 Kms Arzúa O’Pedrouzo 19 Kms O’Pedrouzo Santiago de Compostela 19 Kms
@Antananarivo has 43 days budgeted to walk the Camino. With that much time available I don't think that it will be necessary to skip any parts of the Camino.I would add that if you are willing to skip some sections, then you could consider bus or taxi through the sections in and out of cities (Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada come to mind).
I agree about using booking.com, but there is the issue that they will deduct a percentage from the albergue/hostel, leaving them with less money. I therefore usually call the intended place and book directly. Of course that will likely require some basic language skills, but you should try to learn a few phrases, anyway: It will help you a lot. Words like right, left, straight on, name of weekdays, basic counting, and booking sentences come to my mind.With Booking.com you can get free cancellation, but at best, you usually have to cancel one day before. For sure Booking.com is so convenient and I use it at times, but only if I am sure of where I will end the day.
@Antananarivo has 43 days budgeted to walk the Camino. With that much time available I don't think that it will be necessary to skip any parts of the Camino.
If this is what you like and want then it is fantastic. In saying that we had figured out all of our stays and rests covering the 35 days we intended to be feet down. Reality was we stayed in 4 of them and would not change a thing. Let your feet and feelings be your guideGreetings from Australia!
I am hoping to do my first Camino in September this year. After doing some reading here and watching several YouTube videos I came up with the below itinerary. For those experts out there, can I please get you advice on the attached plan?
I do 4 hours of bushwalking every week and I feel confident that the first day I can walk to Roncesvalles on the first day.
In Sarria my 81 year-old-mother, who lives in Spain, will join me to do the last part of the Camino. She is in good physical health and walks 4km every day. You can see that for the last part I left 5 days, but probably I should take it easy with her and do it in 6 or 7 days?
I know my mother would prefer a private room. Considering we are travelling in September, should I book in advance for the accommodation between Sarria and Santiago?
Many thanks!
I am 82 and in really good physical shape but I would not want to walk from Sarria to Santiago in your time frame. I would add a couple more days to that part... but that is just my opinion. I love the rest of your itinerary.Greetings from Australia!
I am hoping to do my first Camino in September this year. After doing some reading here and watching several YouTube videos I came up with the below itinerary. For those experts out there, can I please get you advice on the attached plan?
I do 4 hours of bushwalking every week and I feel confident that the first day I can walk to Roncesvalles on the first day.
In Sarria my 81 year-old-mother, who lives in Spain, will join me to do the last part of the Camino. She is in good physical health and walks 4km every day. You can see that for the last part I left 5 days, but probably I should take it easy with her and do it in 6 or 7 days?
I know my mother would prefer a private room. Considering we are travelling in September, should I book in advance for the accommodation between Sarria and Santiago?
Many thanks!
So true. The descent into Monlinaseca is a real challenge!Rabanal to Ponferrada will be a significant challenge at 33 km. The descent from Cruz de Ferro is an epic piece of trail. Even the stage finishing at Molinaseca is a tough day. Just because it's down hill doesn't make it easy!
I cant recall the accommodation in Morgade or Ventas de Naron. At the 13 km mark there is quite nice new albergue in Ferreiros (a very small place). The others are all fine for accommodation.Thanks for your comment.
Yes, she would like the Compostela. Instead of six days, I have found this other option with 8 days for those last 100 Km - what do you think?:
Sarria Morgade 13 Kms Morgade Portomarin 9 Kms Portomarin Ventas de Naron 13 Kms Ventas de Naron Palas De Rei 12 Kms Palas De Rei Melide 15 Kms Melide Arzúa 14 Kms Arzúa O’Pedrouzo 19 Kms O’Pedrouzo Santiago de Compostela 19 Kms
I agree. I would make up a plan without scheduled rest days, but with enough time cushion to add them in when necessary.Move on to Sahagun for a rest day if you must...
While very easy to miss, there is a very nice Casa Rural at Morgade and two albergues in Ventas. Casa Morgade is right on the Camino - nice rooms and great dinner (table cloths even)I cant recall the accommodation in Morgade or Ventas de Naron.
Thank you so much. For my mother I have added two more days for the last stage. Eight days instead of six. I have also left 3 additional days at the end in case she needs more time.@Antananarivo welcome to the forum, from a fellow Australian.
Thanks Larry - I am taking note of this. Much appreciated.-On Day 37, Triacastela to Sarria, I hope you're planning to go via Samos.
Wow!. What would I do without the support of this community. I didn't think about that. Fantastic advice. Muchas gracias!-If your mother gets footsore or worn out, I think it is easy to have a bar or restaurant call a taxi in every way-town the last 100km, to shorten that days' walk.
Noted. Thanks Scott!3. Your day from Villafranca to O'Ceb is long and all up hill with the steepest part at the end. Of course, you'll be very fit at this point, so it might be doable -- but it's a tough slog.
Another fantastic advice!. Taking note of this. Muchísimas gracias!.I would try and shorten the last day (maybe start at Lavacolla) so your mother isn't too tired to enjoy Santiago after arriving.
Beautiful! all noted. Gracias!.The best albergue/hotel is the one you are staying in!
Although I live in Australia, my first language is Spanish. Whenever possible I will contact the albergue directly. Thanks for all the advice!Of course that will likely require some basic language skills, but you should try to learn a few phrases, anyway: It will help you a lot. Words like right, left, straight on, name of weekdays, basic counting, and booking sentences come to my mind.
Greetings from Australia!
I am hoping to do my first Camino in September this year. After doing some reading here and watching several YouTube videos I came up with the below itinerary. For those experts out there, can I please get you advice on the attached plan?
I do 4 hours of bushwalking every week and I feel confident that the first day I can walk to Roncesvalles on the first day.
In Sarria my 81 year-old-mother, who lives in Spain, will join me to do the last part of the Camino. She is in good physical health and walks 4km every day. You can see that for the last part I left 5 days, but probably I should take it easy with her and do it in 6 or 7 days?
I know my mother would prefer a private room. Considering we are travelling in September, should I book in advance for the accommodation between Sarria and Santiago?
Many thanks!
Since I never know exactly when I'll be in Galicia I would book those days when I'm closer. @Antananarivo will probably want to have the Galician part booked ahead because of the mother and sister, but I think can wait until they are a week or so from Galicia to make those reservations. It shouldn't be so busy in October since the summer crowds who fill up this part of the Camino will be gone.I am not really a fan of booking ahead. But due to my experience from last year, I would book the entire Galician part as well as the part from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamlona ahead.
Good choice.Thank you so much. For my mother I have added two more days for the last stage. Eight days instead of six. I have also left 3 additional days at the end in case she needs more time.
Good advice.Probably the best approach would be to book accommodation now using your revised schedule and then, as necessary, adjust your planned stops (and bookings) as your progress each day dictates. This may require you to cancel bookings you can no longer keep and make new ones on the fly, but it's probably better than pitching up somewhere and running around looking for beds with your mom in tow.
Thank you Jodean - @gns also suggested to sleep in Lavacolla. After reading all the kind advice provided here, I have now extended from 8 to 9 days my mother's camino. This is how it looks now:took a bus to Sarria and then spent 9 days walking to Santiago.
Sarria | Morgade | 13 Kms |
Morgade | Portomarin | 9 Kms |
Portomarin | Ventas de Naron | 13 Kms |
Ventas de Naron | Palas De Rei | 12 Kms |
Palas De Rei | Melide | 15 Kms |
Melide | Arzúa | 14 Kms |
Arzúa | O’Pedrouzo | 19 Kms |
O’Pedrouzo | Lavacolla | 9 Kms |
Lavacolla | Santiago de Compostela | 10 Kms |
Since I never know exactly when I'll be in Galicia I would book those days when I'm closer. @Antananarivo will probably want to have the Galician part booked ahead because of the mother and sister, but I think can wait until they are a week or so from Galicia to make those reservations. It shouldn't be so busy in October since the summer crowds who fill up this part of the Camino will be gone.
Your itinerary for yourself seems fine. It’s reasonable for a relatively young person in decent condition. My hesitation is for your mom. I’m a lifelong hiker and belong to a hiking group in the Pacific NW USA. Our group has a lot of strong hikers, but we’re getting older. We have people in their 80’s, and I’m familiar with the trajectory of aging. Most 80 year old women could not make the schedule you outline. Does your mom walk 4 k every day? Cumulative fatigue is real. Besides endurance, aging presents issues such as joint pain, hips, bottoms of feet, back, and shoulder pain with day after day walking. Your mom should at least walk 10 k days back to back (2 or 3 consecutive days) before the Camino and see how she does. I suggest adding a rest day in the middle of your time with her, or a couple very short (max 5k) days. Don’t want her to be disappointed if she can’t achieve the certificate. Buen Camin
My sister wil be two months shy of her 82nd birthday when we walk in April-May of 2022. I plan around the terrain. This past September I build in extra rest days for her. So from Leon toSdC we took a rest day in Astorga, Ponferrada, and Melide. In between, she walked longer and shorter distances. She made it with no problem from Villafranca del Bierzo to the end of Las Herrerias (23km) but then the next day we walked up only to OCebriero (8-9) km with a 600M climb and overnighted. We walked from Sarria to Portomarin, but then the following stage we split the stage from there to Palas de Rei into two sections.@Antananarivo and if you don't use all those days, time in Santiago is never wasted! Drop into Pilgrim House, visit the cathedral museum, do the tour of the roof, lots of other wonderful churches and buildings to see, visit the traditional market, the shops in the old town, enjoy tapas...
I met a remarkable 80++ year old who walked every year from Sarria, a maximum of 14km each day. The year I met her she had her grandson with her, and he was carrying her pack. She was quite religious and sometimes would catch the bus into Santiago de Compostela and back, so she could attend mass in the cathedral. She also had a list of favourite accommodation providers; all people who knew her and expected her about the same time each year.
I've not spent any time there, but Salceda looks like it has some good options of places to stay.
I have. The Albergue Touristico is off the Camino, but one of my favorite places and worth the walk. The family that runs it are wonderful, and after a long Camino, it feels a bit like staying in a resort rather than an albergue. It's a "must like dogs" kind of a place with a very friendly, family oriented vibe. Highly recommended, particularly if you want to spend a bit more for one of the private rooms, which are very nice.I've not spent any time there, but Salceda looks like it has some good options of places to stay.
This is great advice and something I will do when I go back next year. When I walked last September, I took rest days in Burgos and Leon, and although those cities are lovely, I fell way behind my Camino family and did not catch up. Also, full days in Burgos and Leon are nice, but when you are all alone after making so many wonderful connections, you start itching for the trail again.I would probably eliminate some of those rest days in order to give yourself more time at the end to walk shorter stages with your mother.
Instead of full rest days I prefer to do two short days in a row, especially on either side of a larger city that has more sightseeing opportunities. When I do this I book a private room so that I can arrive in town early - usually before noon, and drop off my backpack so that I can explore the city unencumbered. I can also stay out later in the evening since I don't have the constraints of sleeping in an albergue (especially important in Logroño so that you can enjoy all the wonderful tapas bars on Calle del Laurel). Sleep a little later in the morning the next day, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then walk another short stage.
I definitely wouldn't take a rest day in Calzadilla de las Cuezas. Maybe in Carrión de los Condes which is a bigger town.
So true!Also, full days in Burgos and Leon are nice, but when you are all alone after making so many wonderful connections, you start itching for the trail again.
Hi @Marbe2 just to make sure I understand your advice:We divide this section. Usually we walk Rabanal to El Acebo about 16-18km, and then the follow day,we continue steep downhill to Molineseca and then adding additional 7km to Ponferrada to it.
Hello I am also planning to walk the camino september/22.Greetings from Australia!
I am hoping to do my first Camino in September this year. After doing some reading here and watching several YouTube videos I came up with the below itinerary. For those experts out there, can I please get you advice on the attached plan?
I do 4 hours of bushwalking every week and I feel confident that the first day I can walk to Roncesvalles on the first day.
In Sarria my 81 year-old-mother, who lives in Spain, will join me to do the last part of the Camino. She is in good physical health and walks 4km every day. You can see that for the last part I left 5 days, but probably I should take it easy with her and do it in 6 or 7 days?
I know my mother would prefer a private room. Considering we are travelling in September, should I book in advance for the accommodation between Sarria and Santiago?
Many thanks!
Hi @Antananarivo, it appears that your question has not been answered yet. No, not three days for Rabanal to Ponferrada. Just two: Rabanal to El Acebo and El Acebo to Ponferrada.just to make sure I understand your advice:
First "day" walk to Rabanal to El Acebo
Second day walk El Acebo to Molinaseca (and sleep in Molinaseca) and
Third day Molinaseca to Ponferrada (sleep in Ponferrada)?
Have you updated the forum calendar?Hello I am also planning to walk the camino september/22.
This is all very helpful. Thanks!!Hi @Antananarivo, it appears that your question has not been answered yet. No, not three days for Rabanal to Ponferrada. Just two: Rabanal to El Acebo and El Acebo to Ponferrada.
Predictions made in February about the huge number of pilgrims in this Holy Year 2022 do not seem to have come true so far. This year appears to be a year with the typical pilgrimage patterns of previous years: high numbers on the first sections from SJPP to Pamplona and a bit beyond during the first half of May and (very likely) the first half of September. High numbers on the last sections during the summer months in Galicia from O Cebreiro onwards and particularly from Sarria onwards.
You intend to arrive in Sarria around the 20th October so no worries there.
People advise against using Booking.com because of their commission fees for owners. Booking.com is of course a useful tool to secure bookings and also useful to change dates of your booking as long as you make the change early enough, and you often can do this up to a day or two before arrival. Although I guess that you could book just one day ahead when you have arrived in the area in October this year, I myself would make provisional bookings now for Sarria, Portomarín etc and adjust later when you have a more precise idea of your schedule. Buen Camino!
Happy to hear that!. I am getting ready for my trip in early September. At the end my mother and sister will meet me in Santiago. God Bless and Buen Camino!Thank you for posting this, it this has been very useful for my own planning, particularly the stretches where I was considering only distance, not terrain. I've changed my planning from Rabanal acccordingly.
Wishing you and your family a buen camino!
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