Camino de Santiago Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Average kilometres per day on the Camino

Steve O — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:42:03 -0000

IF you have no training then your performance will be on a curve as your stamina improves (or slow down as body breaks) but I did an average of about 25 - 30 km/day with about 7 days of 40 or 50+ km's.

Re: Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances

Aloy Moses — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 03:35:30 -0000

Thank you very much Michael, I am ready for "come what May..."

Re: Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances

Michael Woodrich — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 02:32:36 -0000

I walked the Camino Francès in May 2015 and 2016. In 2015 it was almost entirely sunny with temperatures around 30°C. The following year I had about three weeks of rain... Means: no!. The weather on the Camino is literally unpredictable.

Re: Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances

Aloy Moses — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 17:55:58 -0000

Thank you for this information, great, I am doing the Camino in May this year (in a Months+ time), can some one give me a idea of weather pattern in May ( From Leon to Santiago)?

Re: 45 FAQs on the Camino de Santiago

Susan Seyer — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:46:42 -0000

I'm planning to stop my Camino hike in Leon, or nearby. Any advice on the best way to schedule transportation back to Paris, where I'll be flying home from?

Re: Walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Jackie Holding — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:15:32 -0000

Others here have given some brilliant advice to show that the walk can be done in a week, and you could always take a bus if you find yourselves running out of time. What I wanted to say - similarly to Tim Gerlitz on this topic - is that please don't heed other people's thoughts on others not doing the whole walk in one go. Everybody is individual and it's important to remember that you are doing the walk for yourselves, not anybody else. You do what you can, when you can and you'll be itching to do more another time. We rode from SJPdP to Santiago back in 2013 - we're retired so our time is our own - and we met people who manage a week along part of the route then a week for following year along a second part of the route. That way, they eventually get to finish the route in their own time. Besides, doing a week this year will definitely wet your appetite and you'll be wanting to do some more next year, trust me. My husband is desperate to simply walk from SJPdP to Pamplona now!

Re: Walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Jackie Holding — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:05:58 -0000

I shudder to think what my French or Spanish and like when I'm saying something - I'm probably ordering a pizza when I think I'm asking the way!

Re: 45 FAQs on the Camino de Santiago

Caroline Drew — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 09:49:03 -0000

Hi I was thinking about starting the camino in porto walking 100km then driving and walk the last 15km into santiago due to time constraints. Can you still get your compestela?

Re: Why do so many start in Saint Jean Pied de Port?

Juanjo JACOTRANS — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 04:25:28 -0000

Hola peregrinos. Se empieza en Saint Jean porque no se sabe que el Camino NO comienza ahí. Comienza donde uno quiera porque el objetivo es llegar a Santiago. Cuando se supo de que existía el Camino el peregrin@ salía desde su casa para llegar a Santiago pero tras mucho tiempo se creó esta ruta, digamos "comercial" y de servicios para que el peregrino tuviera más facilidades de conseguir el objetivo.
Buen Camino!!!

Re: Is it OK to have no plan at all?

Billy — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:56:50 -0000

I am really utterly sincerely surprised : I am a professional Camino- walker, 16.000 kms in 8 years, and I think one of the basic aspects of the experience is NOT planning, taking each day as it comes, in the moment, letting go of planning and control, this will give you so much, believen me. Enjoy, don't plan, because the fantastic thing about the Camino and Spain is that this is possible. Buen Camino!

Re: Just returned from the Camino. Advice to others 60+ years

Marilyn Jennifer Carrero — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 00:41:07 -0000

Hi all just found this forum. My husband & I are planning on walking the Comino in early spring 2020 to celebrate my 70th birthday (He is a bit younger than i). This post has been so inspiring & I am so excited about the trip, especially after reading Ivar's post, thank you.
Any tips or recommendations from the group are most appreciated.
Marilyn.

Re: What to bring in the daypack?

todd — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:55:34 -0000

Everyone must walk their own walk, their own truth. For me, the pack was part of the journey.

Re: Why you should over-night before SJPdP

Danke — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 17:44:59 -0000

Smart approach and recommendations. In fact, we take our own fiber mix for our Camino as that's important with the different types of foods we will be taking. Another key element in our preparation is the nutritional supplements, as our bodies will be taxed more than usual. For the Camino Frances, we are flying in via Madrid, and spending a night in Pamplona (before making our way to St Jean Pied de Port). I think too many try to make it to SJPP in one day after arriving at an airport in Europe. Stressing one's body un-necessarily before the Camino impacts the quality and effectiveness of the Camino itself. Don't be penny wise, and pound foolish.

Re: Just returned from the Camino. Advice to others 60+ years

Jackie Holding — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 04:51:37 -0000

Everything you have written here is so very true from my personal perspective. We rode the Camino de Santiago in 2013 and felt that the whole experience, from the moment we left our house to the moment we arrived in Santiago itself, was surreal. I was 65 and my husband 72 at the time and we are now thinking of ditching the bikes and walking part, or all, of the Camino. Just have to get my foot that has a bunion, fixed first as I'm not sure walking with "bad feet" is such a great idea.

Re: Just returned from the Camino. Advice to others 60+ years

Jackie Holding — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 04:46:46 -0000

Aramis, did you do it as you had hoped?

Re: Just returned from the Camino. Advice to others 60+ years

Debie — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 22:45:55 -0000

I really don’t think I could have described the experience any better. You truly captured the magic of the Camino!i

Re: Why do you stay in Albergues on the Camino Frances?

Paul Ferris — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:37:26 -0000

You will have missed some reasons in your survey. One of my main reasons is because they are there. I do not book accommodation. I walk the appropriate distance for that day, which I only know as the day unfolds, then seek accommodation. Normally it will be an albergue.

Re: Orisson: To stop or not to stop?

Melony — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 07:28:35 -0000

Even if your abilities allow you to continue to Roncesvalles on the first day, a stop at Orisson was worth it for me.. The vistas from here are spectacular, the communal meal and the traditions that go with it were quite special and it provided an opportunity to relax and meet some pilgrims - some of who I kept in touch with all along my Camino.. The road to Roncesvalles is quite beautiful over the mountains so I found it worth it to take my time going through it the next day instd of trying to rush through to make it to the monastery before too late in the day.. The morning mist with all of the horses over the Pyrenees is unforgettable! I say, Stay!

Re: The Botafumeiro

Mary Smith Scialabba — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:17:50 -0000

Thank you for this information. I wished I'd known how to contact them when I was there in July. Not seeing it swing was a huge disappointment after walking 500 miles on a pilgrimage I'd planned for 2 years. Hopefully, it will work out next time.

Re: Walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Daran — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 18:32:27 -0000

Hello. Is there a way our larger rucksacks be taken ahead of us each day to a town, not necessarily an accommodation? We are not planning to book accommodation but know here we want to stay. We really don't want to carry our larger rucksacks. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. (Oh and we are travelling in October...what's the weather like?)

Re: An attempt at a secular Grand Camino Theory of Everything

Jason Pryde — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:03:19 -0000

Lucid discussion on the "why" question. For me, the most pertinent line above is: "you can learn to leave unnecessary STUFF behind." (My emphasis) Thanks for posting. -jgp

Re: Most read on the forum June 2018

Vickie Ketron — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 10:51:42 -0000

I will be doing the last 100km in August, I also will be having my bag transferred daily, is it best to have a larger backpack to be transferred or a rolling luggage? Im carrying a day pack each day while walking....Also, whats the weather like in August, do I need pants or will shorts work the entire time? Thanks so much

Re: Albergue Parish de Santa Maria in Carrión de los Condes

Regina Cisneros — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 04:51:35 -0000

I would like to reserve a private room for four pilgrims please if you have one

Re: Is it safe for a woman to walk alone?

Linda Roy Cross — Sun, 13 May 2018 19:18:15 -0000

As a female, I walked the camino alone at age 66, and ultimately wrote a book about the experience. It's getting good reviews. Paper version through me, and E-book through Smashwords.

Re: What kind of footwear is best for the Camino de Santiago?

Pam McComas — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 22:28:52 -0000

September/October