Where to start if you're pressed for time

[lrackl]

I'm a travel writer who's looking to hike about 4 days on the trail in early May before arriving in Santiago. (I know this is a very, very short taste of the trail, but I'm afraid it's all my work schedule will allow. Could probably tack on one more day if need be, but would really prefer to stick to four on the trail.) Given these constraints, can anyone recommend a good place to start my hike? I'm definitely comfortable hiking at least 15 miles a day. Any guidance would be much appreciated!

[Covey]

If you are a travel writer and want to end up in Santiago, then the easiest bit to do is to start at Sarria and do the last 100kms in to Santiago.

To get your Compostella from the Cathedral, a pilgrim on foot needs to walk at least 100kms, so the Sarria to Santiago is very popular and can get crowded especially in the school holidays.

Those of us who enjoy the Camino in all its various forms would probably select a different part for you to walk, but if you want to end up in Santiago, then the options are limited.

Another option is to walk from Santiago out to Finesterre (3 days) and sit at the "end of the world" and watch the sun go down. Much less crowded and less like a pilgrim conga dance which the Sarria route resembles at peak times. The Compostella from Finesterre is much nicer than the Santiago one!!

[lrackl]

I really like your idea about going past Santiago; I never thought of that. Would you say the scenery on that leg is good, and are there enough places to stay along the way? Thanks so much for your help!

[Covey]

Pilgrims of old used to pray at the tomb of St James in Santiago, and then walk out to Finesterre where the body of St James was (allegedly!) brought ashore by his followers and taken to Santiago. Why a man who died in Damascus in Syria should end up being taken to a small town in northern Spain for burial is a mystery, but then, so is life.

The ancient pilgrims used to burn their clothing on the cliff at Finesterre as the sun went down and then put on white garments to show they had been purified. Modern day pilgrims tend to burn a pair of their socks!!

There are places to stay along the route from Santiago to Finesterre and you need to collect a Pilgrim Passport from the Pilgrim Office just behind the Cathedral in Santiago.