Camino Frances

[Leslie]

The Camino Frances is the most popular of all the Camino routes, more than 100,000 pilgrims walk along this route every year. This makes it very busy during July and Aug, so best to be avoided if you are looking for some quiet time.

I have had the pleasure of walking this route twice, I loved being there both times, and ended up building this website because of it - I could think of no better subject for my first website.

I hope you find the answers to the questions you may have before going here.

[Anthony]

Hi Leslie.. we are starting from Piedrafita O Cebreiro and from there walking to O Cebreiro. We start at about 1pm... do you know where we would be able to get a sello from to mark the start of our journey? I'm a bit concerned that everywhere will be shut.

[Leslie]

I don't remember it precisely - too much road by then...

But to mark the start just go into any local bar or cafe and they normally have a sello of some sort - many pilgrims collect loads of sello stamps from places like this along the way - must admit I didn't, but that should be okay - but if you don't get one, just explaining that it is your firts day should be fine - as long as it is not during the very bust time of July and Aug.

Welcome to the forum.

[Anthony]

Thanks, that's a big relief!

[stconleths]

Thanks, that's a big relief!

Anthony I don't think you will have a problem, Pedrafita is a very nice little town just before the big climb to O Cebreiro. We stopped in a nice little Bar/Restaurant at the end of the town to the left! As Leslie said they have Sello everywhere you go, it might be nice to start with the one from O Cebreiro Meso Anton, it's really nice! For your Camino you only need 110KM to receive your Compostela!

[ElseMush]

A related issue - is it worth getting stamps if I'm doing the walk in stages? I realise that I have to walk the last chunk in one go, but I was hoping to break it up a bit before and I'm not sure whether it's usual to arrive in Santiago with stamps from over a few years!

Also, what do you think about doing it in two or three stages, will the experience be comparable? I've wanted to do it for years and to be honest I can't help but think that part of the process is arranging your life so that you can take 40 days out to go walking.

All opinions welcome.

[stconleths]

Collecting the stamps is a good way to remember your journey for years to come, so I think it is always worthwhile. I think the Pilgrim office recognizes Cello for the journey and do give you credit no matter when you travelled. When I journeyed on the Camino, I travelled from Canada to Ireland to meet my travelling partner and then on to Madrid. This left us with little time for the journey so we went by train from Madrid to Leon, which is where we started our journey. We didn't really start our journey there, we just continued it from how we came to be there. It is a very personal journey and the experience is different for everyone. One step at a time,
Hope this helps!

Buen Camino

[Leslie]

Sometimes it is not possible to walk the whole route in one go - many people walk for only one or two weeks.

will the experience be comparable? - I don't know, so far I have only done the whole route - in April I am going back to walk for only two weeks from Leon - will know better after that.

[Glori]

Hi Leslie....

I will be doing the camino in April (prob the 2nd wk)....beginning in St. Jean and crossing over....Do you have any advice on the weather during that time of the year, and of the best ways to get to St. Jean....I am flying from Brooklyn NY. I believe there is a train from Bayonne....and the closest airport is in biarritz. Or is there any other information that you would think helpful to share...books, websites, must haves for the journey? I read in a response you wrote about a website you have...could you send me the link.

Thank you so much

Glori

[wazszupdoc]

Good evening Glori. We have a small group that will be walking in June and the first part of July. I was able to get weather information from a site called weather underground. (www.wunderground.com/) Go to the Europe category and you can query different cities. I was able to look at the past 10 or 15 year temperature averages along with probability of rain possibilities. It will give you a general idea of what you might expect based upon past averages. Hope this helps. Have a safe, wonderful, blessed time.
Peace,
Michael

[Mena]

Thanks good resource and helps packing
Love and Light
Mena

[walker]

Leslie, have you or anyone else out there reading this, walked from Le Puy? My friend and I have been planning our trip for a couple of years and are becoming concerned at the plummeting value of the dollar. Any hints?

[susanita]

The Camino Frances is the most popular of all the Camino routes, more than 100,000 pilgrims walk along this route every year. This makes it very busy during July and Aug, so best to be avoided if you are looking for some quiet time.

I have had the pleasure of walking this route twice, I loved being there both times, and ended up building this website because of it - I could think of no better subject for my first website.

I hope you find the answers to the questions you may have before going here.

Hallo Leslie
I leave home on the 16 of April and start walking the Camino from Saint Jean Pied de Port on the 21 April. Can you tell me do you know if I will be allowed to only walk 10 to 15 KM a day, and if there will be places to sleep for such short distances along the way? I have 52 days and I would love to spend it on the Camino walking.
Susanita

[Douglas]

ElseMush

Many people walk the Camino a little at a time. Every visit will be different, and every one of those sellos will bring back a memory for you so, yes, collect them.

In Brittany I met a young French girl who was walking from Roscoff to Santiago (the French call it Compostelle) - but just one week's worth every summer. It was going to take her many years to get to Santiago, but she looked forward every year to doing the next instalment.

At the Priory of Cayac just south of Bordeaux it was impressed upon me by the people there that everyone does their own Camino - whatever suits you, whatever you can manage, is your Camino.

The Camino is a metaphor, in every way.