4 mixed experience students - how long does it take from Santander to Santiago de Compostela?

[analucia]

Hi,

I'm an experienced hiker from the Adirondacks, NY walking with some friends of mine from university. We're looking to walk about 6-7 hours a day, on the northern route, being able to stop in towns of interest and beaches while we walk. (so perhaps less hours than that? or more? we don't know!) We are flying into Santander and we were wondering how long it would take for a group like us to get to Santiago de Compostela? We're not quite sure how to estimate the time. Also we would love any tips on how to make sure we are in the RIGHT kind of shape to walk and the small things to pack/watch out for that aren't mentioned in bold on other websites.
Thanks so so much.

[robermarbe]

Hi
I recommend you to check this site El Camino del Norte | Gu. There you can find all the stages of the Camino del Norte with very valuable information. Just click in the different stages (etapas) and you will find that info.
I guess, according to this guide that you might take around 18 days to go from Santander to Santiago.
Good luck!

[jayfallon]

It would probably take you about three weeks to complete the Camino between Santander and Santiago. I walked from Santander to Villaviciosa in seven days, and then I switched over to the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago which I did in nine. I was averaging around 30km./day but then for the last two days I did 50km each as I was dying to finish up. You can check out my map at Camino 2009