How many days?

[Scott]

My better half and I are both near 60 in fair shape and love a good hike. We'd love to start at St. Jean but wonder how many days similar folk have needed to reach Santiago. Where's a good place to start if we need to start say a week or ten days walk closer to Santiago? Thanks Scott

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Scott ~
The standard camino duration following the Brierley guidebook stages is 33 days. There's no reason a 60-year old couple couldn't do it in that timeframe, or even slightly faster. I feel 33 days is about right, but I generally add an extra overnight in Burgos and another in Leon to enjoy the sights and rest up a bit. Many people add another night in Santiago at the end, then a 3-day walk to Finisterre with another overnight there. That makes a 40-day total -- approx what I did last June.

To shorten the itinerary you could start at Pamplona, which subtracts about 3 days, or you could start at any number of other cities like Logrono or Burgos to shorten it even more. This site http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances can help you plan your stages and length of trip.

Buen camino!

[ritescot]

I will be walking the Camino from St. Jean de Pied de Port next fall. I am 67, and quite fit, or fit enough. I am allowing myself all of September and October, so I can have down days if I choose to sightsee, or if I need rest because of body breakdown. I walked the last 100 miles from O Cebreiro to Santiago in April/May 2010, and did the walking in 6 1/2 days, not including one very necessary down day for my body on the third day. From the books I've read, it seems that most people end up with some physical problems. If you really want to walk the whole way, allow time for rest days. Give yourself the luxury of time if you possibly can.

[nathan]

this summer i have managed to find the entire month of august free in my calander to walk the cammino. my intention (God willing) is to start from SJPP and get to Santiago. Because time is short it will mean bussing La mestre.I hate to do this but by cutting the flat section in August i feel the walk is feasable. The downside is the probable split from whatever pilgrim family i will make bonds with. If any one has any other ideas please let me know. the other alternative seems to be walk till i run out of time, i hasten to add the walk is not goal driven.....that is to say it is not all about the certificate.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Nathan ~

The Meseta is, indeed, hot and flat. But to many of us it is the best part of the Camino Frances. The vast, remote stretches and tiny, charming towns make it very memorable and, for those who are interested, it becomes intensely spiritual.

Other options than skipping the Meseta are to start later (e.g. Pamplona) and/or simply bus the less interesting stretches (e.g. into Burgos, into Leon and out of Leon).

Even if you skip the Meseta you'll have an awesome time -- there are many great stretches and the people are amazing. Buen camino!

[nathan]

Thank you for the reply
The SJPP start is a must for me, I have spent many summers. Criss crossing the pyrennes and the basque country .I would feel like a cheat missing the mountains

[Lipka149]

[QUOTE=nathan;12881I would feel like a cheat missing the mountains[/QUOTE]

And they would be less mountains for lack of your footsteps !

Do it, brother.

[grayland]

I would just walk as far as time took me and return another time to complete the journey.
Having said that....there is a danger of walking too far at first in order to gain time and injuring yourself.

I agree with Sandy that I would not bus the Meseta but would pick up a day into Burgos and again into Leon. These are not important walks to most people and could easily be skipped by bus.
Don't over do the first week! Since you will not have any down time you will need to stay injury free.
1. Train seriously for the 2 weeks before you leave. Try for 5 t0 6 hours of walking with your pack.
2. Do NOT let your pack weight get over 6-7 kg. You can do this and will understand why when you see all of the other "fit" people struggling.