Use of trains along Camino?

[blitz]

I want to experience as much of the northern route as I can but don't have the time to walk it in its' entirety. Was wondering about the possibility of walking Irun to Bilbao, then catching the train to Santander and walking to Llanes, catching the train again to Luarca and then walking on to Santiago. If I do this, will I be disqualified from staying at albergues because of my use of trains? Would it be better to begin my walk at Oviedo and walking to Santiago without using trains but then miss walking the Basque country (which I would really like to see)?

[Covey]

The "rules" of the Camino are simple. To get your Compostella from the Cathedral at Santiago, you have to show the Pilgrim Office your Pilgrim Passport with stamps to prove that you walked THE LAST 100KMS in to Santiago. Sarria to Santiago is the most popular 100km stage, but does get a little crowded!!

Whatever you do before the last 100kms is up to you. You can walk stages such as St Jean to Burgos, and then catch the bus to Leon thereby missing out the 7-8 days of the Meseta. You MUST have an official Pilgrim Passport to stay in an official or private albergue. Many Pilgrims who cannot take long holidays split walking the Camino Frances over 2 or 3 years. If I only had 10 days holiday this year, I would start at Burgos and end at Leon and would use one of my old Pilgrim Passports to get my albergue stamps.

The "whenever" concept of the Camino tends to un-nerve some who are used to traditional booked holidays. On the Camino Frances, you can start on virtually any day of the year, from where ever you want, walk at whatever pace you want, stay where ever you want and finish when ever you want. All you need is a ticket to get to your start point, your pack on your back, and you are good to go.

Empty your mind of all the clutter and plans you have made, because when you stick your nose outside the albergue door at dawn, it is a whole new adventure. When I start at dawn, I never even know where I am going to sleep that night. Its known as FREEDOM!!

[Leslie]

Empty your mind of all the clutter and plans you have made... ...Its known as FREEDOM!!

This is one of the things I loved about the Camino, the freedom - the thing I miss most.

Empty your mind of all the clutter - I was stunned during the first few days of the Camino how much noise goes on in my head. Thinking, thinking, thinking. It took a few days for this to all fade somewhat into the background and then eventually disappear.

It came back with a bang though when I met the woman on the Camino who is now my fiancee.

From that I noticed I had, for a while, stopped caring so much what people though of me. Walking every day and slowly starting to look like I was walking every day seems to be good for my head.

Although i don't post here much I read every post as they are all emailed to me so I can check for spam being posted. At this time of the year I get quite envious of those heading off during the summer and I always tell myself - make plans and get back yourself next year. For the last few years it has not been possible - and right now I am flat on my back with a slipped disc waiting for my scan come Wednesday.

Maybe next year...

[Covey]

Sorry to hear about your back! Dare I ask if you are still off the ciggies? I am so far, but will start on 4th Sept as I look up at them thar hills again at St Jean. This year however, I am going to walk the lower "winter" route from St Jean to Roncesvalles. I have been "over the top" on 4 occasions and only once had the spectacular views. Last year the visibility was 3m from Orison on over the top and down the other side till about 2 kms from Roncesvalles.

Most get a lot of excitement from all the planning, but I think you can over plan. I see folks with great lists of places to see and things to do and their days planned in meticulous fashion which almost seems to be the reverse of what the Camino can offer you.

It offers 30-40 days where life is a blank sheet of paper, and you don't have to fill it in. When I stick my nose outside the albergue door at dawn, I have no idea where I am going to stop for coffee, lunch or where I am going to sleep that night. I have no idea who I might meet along the way and walk with for a while. I might decide to walk alone all day, or might walk with some like minded soul for an hour, or a day. If I am feeling good I might think 30kms will be OK, or if the weather is nice and I spot a nice albergue, I will stop after 15kms and do my laundry and have a beer or two. Who knows!.

[Leslie]

being off the ciggies lasted for just under 4 weeks and then one night I had a cigar... work out the rest. Two weeks of cigars, I was getting up to ten a day and thought this is crazy and went back on them again.

I will of course have another go, you just have to don't you.

My first Camino was a bit strange when I compare it with most others. I had no real idea about the Camino, I knew where to start and finish - as for the history and everything else - not a clue.

I though I was going to be walking across Spain without hardly meeting a soul - certainly not the case. It has been a great journey so far.

[Covey]

The downside to my temporary suspension of smoking is that ones appetite kicks in and one then struggles to keep the weight down. Extra weight before starting the Camino one can do without!!

Hope the back gets better soon.

G

[blitz]

Thanks so much for the information on requirements for the Compostella. I especially appreciate your comments on the freedom which the Camino can offer. Will definitely rethink my plans in light of your comments! Gracias!

[ladysunshine]

I was thinking of doing the Camino Del Norte and starting in Leon. I have two weeks to take the Camino, and I want to end up at Santiago for sure. I think Leon is a good place to start for a first timer. Yet, I am wondering if the Camino Frances would be better for a first timer. Where is the tunnel path? I read somewhere about a tunnel....
I am young and love everything outdoors, so I'm not worried about which trail is harder. I leave pretty soon, May 1, but the feeling just came to me to go. I can't deny my pilgrim feet!
I have a pack, it was given to me and does not fit my body perfectly and is rather large. I think I will get a different one. I have good gear besides that, I love my tent. Yet, is a tent necessary?
I am so excited, I feel like there is no wrong way to do the Camino, unless you complain and whine the whole way. haha!
LOVE this forum btw, it has been so helpful!!!
xoxo,
Texas

[Covey]

Two weeks to do the Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago is fine, and I would usually suggest that those wanting their first (of many?) experience of the Way are better off on the Camino Frances.

There are more pilgrims on the Camino Frances and the facilities along the route are better in terms of albergues and bars. On average along the CF you will find an albergue every 10kms (ish) and if you are not sure how fit you are or how far you will be able to walk in a day, the frequency of albergues builds in a comfort factor in to your planning.

Once you have spent a week on the Camino and are striding along like a veteran, then you will begin to think that longer stages are no problem, and by then you will know what your body is capable of doing. On some of the other Camino routes there might be 30kms between albergues and you need to know that you can do it comfortably and without breaking yourself, because tomorrow you have to do it again, and again...............

Bin the tent! As you may have read elsewhere on the Forum, camping is difficult, naked flames are forbidden in the summer months and you will have much more fun with all your companions in the albergues than stuck on some campsite on the edge of town!

[Gerry]

As a newly retired pensioner I am looking to walk the way ( Frances Camino) this year. I have the JB guide which appears to be choc full of relevant information. The most difficult part seems to me is the getting to St. Jean from Liverpool. Is there any pellegrinos out there who have used Eurostar by chance and then on to the French rail system to St. Jean. Is it possible to get an inter rail pass for 2 or 3 countries?
I am finding the posts on this forum both informative and inspiring. Can't wait to start the walk now.