what happens if you run out of time..

[ldcoley1982]

Hi

In October my friend and I are doing one last adventure together before she moves back to Australia. We've decided that we really want to do the Camino Francis starting in SJPP (there are reasons for starting here). The catch is that to get to Santiago its 780km and I am only able to take 3 weeks leave... which means we'll have to do at least 35km a day. Whilst this might be do-able on teh od day here and there we are having to be realistic about the time we have.

So wer're thinking that as a back up plan we'll set a target for how far we want to have progressed. WE dont want to miss out on the experience, so we are wondering can one take a bus from say Burgos to Leon. Its about 180km... but it would allow us to walk 500km of the route adn perhaps enjoy the experience more than if we were to "run" the nearly 800km.

We know its not ideal, but I can literally only take 24days away from work...

Any thoughts?...

[Leslie]

Yes, thoughts - personally I would walk from St Jean for three weeks and where ever you finish that is it. I love the first three weeks of the Camino Frances and not much the last part from Sarra. From there it can get quite busy and the tone of the route changes. I find it much more friendly and easy going before this point.

This year I have only 3 weeks, and it is easy for me to get to Pamplona. So I will be starting there and get a bus from where ever I am at the end of the three weeks to Santiago and flying home. I know this is over used - but it is the journey that counts, the end can be a bit of a let down.

[Covey]

A lot of Pilgrims on the Camino Frances miss out the Burgos to Leon Meseta section and catch the bus from Burgos to Leon. This will save you 6-7 days. The Meseta is actually my favorite part of the Camino and I love the rolling plateau but in summer it can get very hot.

[grayland]

Actually, there is bus service on almost every leg of the Camino....so you could take you pick of the section to skip. Many, many Pilgrims have to skip ahead due to time constraints. I don't think you would have to feel badly about it. I also like the Meseta but think it would be a good choice to skip in your case. You would still have to hurry along as the first section SJ PP to Burgos is normally about 12 days and Leon to Santiago is about 13 days. However you do it will be a great adventure.
I think walking into Santiago and the Cathedral should be part of your Camino if you can arrange it.
Buen Camino.

[Jenny South Africa]

I have just picked up this rather old conversation with great interest as I have 29 days in which to do the Camino, and I am determined to start from SJPDP. I had planned to catch the bus for the 8 kms outside both Burgos and Leon, and would hate to miss the Meseta and would like to do at least some of it so is there a particular part of it that I can skip if I find I am running out of time? According to your calculations, one should be able to finish in 25 days? Fortunately, I am a strong walker, but an average of 26 kms a day could be challenging for 29 days.

Actually, there is bus service on almost every leg of the Camino....so you could take you pick of the section to skip. Many, many Pilgrims have to skip ahead due to time constraints. I don't think you would have to feel badly about it. I also like the Meseta but think it would be a good choice to skip in your case. You would still have to hurry along as the first section SJ PP to Burgos is normally about 12 days and Leon to Santiago is about 13 days. However you do it will be a great adventure.
I think walking into Santiago and the Cathedral should be part of your Camino if you can arrange it.
Buen Camino.

[Covey]

There is no great advantage in trying to catch a bus out of Burgos because not much heads in the direction of Hontonas except Pilgrims! On the way out of Leon, it is well worth catching the bus to avoid a dreary walk past all the industrial estates. You could save time out of Ponferada once you have come out of the hills past the Iron Cross Hill.

You could take the bus after Boadilla on the Meseta as the following couple of days are a bit dreary.

[Jenny South Africa]

Thank you very much for your advice.

[siempresienna]

Hi Jenny!!! I found that I had "overplanned" when I walked last fall ... I would also just start walking as there might be circumstances that direct you to bus a certain portion over another. It is so easy to find the resources you need (i.e. taxi, bus) as you are on the way so I would start walking in France and see how your path evolves from there. I talk a little bit about it on my blog The Non Walker's Guide to the Camino Santiago. Write with any questions and good luck! I am doing it again this fall

Buen Camino!

Sienna