Camino de Santiago

[Trinity765]

I've been at the same company for 20 years next month and as a reward I can take a six week, paid sabbatical which I can add two weeks annual leave to. One thing on my bucket list is the Camino de Santiago. Has anyone given it a go? Where did you start? How did you plan it? Why did you do it and would you do it again?

[Count Steer]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

[mangocrazy]

I'd book all the necessary rooms for stop offs, and then say 'sod all this walking, I'll do it on the bike'.

You'll be fresh enough to enjoy all the stop offs and can feel smug when people are moaning interminably about how much their feet hurt.

[Trinity765]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

4 to 6 weeks.

I'd book all the necessary rooms for stop offs, and then say 'sod all this walking, I'll do it on the bike'.

You'll be fresh enough to enjoy all the stop offs and can feel smug when people are moaning interminably about how much their feet hurt.

I've not decided whether I'd do this or a bike tour but both ideas have been at the top of the list for a few years.

[Trinity765]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

Have you done it or part there of?

[Count Steer]

Anyways, I've hiked around a bit and seen lots of scallop shells on buildings (and stayed in a few, it's quite a network) but, being a contrarian and not v. bothered about getting a stamped credencial I'd think about doing it in reverse. Start at Santiago di Compostella and decide where I wanted to finish. Thing is, everyone focuses on the journey to Santiago, but all the pilgrims had to go home again. Since I don't need to do penance ( ) I'd do it backwards and wonder how the pilgrims felt on their return journey. Uplifted? Sanctified? Fed up with walking? It's all about a one way trip when you read about it...what about the going home? Nobody ever seems to give it a thought.

[Count Steer]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

Have you done it or part there of?

Only piecemeal and not with a pilgrimage in mind but I have done many multi-day hikes that included chunks of it.

[Bustaspoke]

I've not done it but I was looking into walking it the other year & found this useful



Plus this

[mangocrazy]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

4 to 6 weeks.

I'd book all the necessary rooms for stop offs, and then say 'sod all this walking, I'll do it on the bike'.

You'll be fresh enough to enjoy all the stop offs and can feel smug when people are moaning interminably about how much their feet hurt.

I've not decided whether I'd do this or a bike tour but both ideas have been at the top of the list for a few years.

Portugal would be a great place for a bike tour, especially in the north of the country. The scenery is superb and there are some great roads. And I've always found the Portuguese people to be really friendly and welcoming. But the Camino de Santiago route on foot looks like pure hard work and toil.

[Trinity765]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

4 to 6 weeks.

I'd book all the necessary rooms for stop offs, and then say 'sod all this walking, I'll do it on the bike'.

You'll be fresh enough to enjoy all the stop offs and can feel smug when people are moaning interminably about how much their feet hurt.

I've not decided whether I'd do this or a bike tour but both ideas have been at the top of the list for a few years.

Portugal would be a great place for a bike tour, especially in the north of the country. The scenery is superb and there are some great roads. And I've always found the Portuguese people to be really friendly and welcoming. But the Camino de Santiago route on foot looks like pure hard work and toil.

I really enjoy walking but indeed, this is hardcore.

[Count Steer]

Just for clarification, like. Are we talking walking? (6 weeks sounds like it but....?)

4 to 6 weeks.

I'd book all the necessary rooms for stop offs, and then say 'sod all this walking, I'll do it on the bike'.

You'll be fresh enough to enjoy all the stop offs and can feel smug when people are moaning interminably about how much their feet hurt.

I've not decided whether I'd do this or a bike tour but both ideas have been at the top of the list for a few years.

Portugal would be a great place for a bike tour, especially in the north of the country. The scenery is superb and there are some great roads. And I've always found the Portuguese people to be really friendly and welcoming. But the Camino de Santiago route on foot looks like pure hard work and toil.

A lot of the old routes are now roads because they used to be tracks for donkeys etc they turned into roads so the modern version for walkers is a bit of an exercise in creating something that feels like the original ones. To be brutally honest, I'd avoid most of the modern routes...it's become a 'thing' and either go backwards or invent my own, avoiding the Instagrammers etc but then, I'm not a pilgrim.

[Demannu]

Just got back from Spain. On our way down there were loads of beardy weirdy types in shorts and sandals walking either down the hard shoulder or just the other side of the barrier.
Apparently the bit across the top of Spain is nice, but I can think of far better ways to spend some annual leave!

[Trinity765]

4 to 6 weeks.



I've not decided whether I'd do this or a bike tour but both ideas have been at the top of the list for a few years.

Portugal would be a great place for a bike tour, especially in the north of the country. The scenery is superb and there are some great roads. And I've always found the Portuguese people to be really friendly and welcoming. But the Camino de Santiago route on foot looks like pure hard work and toil.

A lot of the old routes are now roads because they used to be tracks for donkeys etc they turned into roads so the modern version for walkers is a bit of an exercise in creating something that feels like the original ones. To be brutally honest, I'd avoid most of the modern routes...it's become a 'thing' and either go backwards or invent my own, avoiding the Instagrammers etc but then, I'm not a pilgrim.

I'm not a pilgrim but it seems only right to end up at Santiago from where ever I'd start. I've little (to no) experience of orienteering and I'd be solo so venturing off of a known route sounds risky to me.

[MyLittleStudPony]

I think Big Crazy Ange did it.

Is this the one where you rely on the universe for accommodation etc? I think she did that to, but said sometimes you end up sleeping on a dirty mattress on the pavement. She is pretty crazy though.

[Count Steer]

Portugal would be a great place for a bike tour, especially in the north of the country. The scenery is superb and there are some great roads. And I've always found the Portuguese people to be really friendly and welcoming. But the Camino de Santiago route on foot looks like pure hard work and toil.

A lot of the old routes are now roads because they used to be tracks for donkeys etc they turned into roads so the modern version for walkers is a bit of an exercise in creating something that feels like the original ones. To be brutally honest, I'd avoid most of the modern routes...it's become a 'thing' and either go backwards or invent my own, avoiding the Instagrammers etc but then, I'm not a pilgrim.

I'm not a pilgrim but it seems only right to end up at Santiago from where ever I'd start. I've little (to no) experience of orienteering and I'd be solo so venturing off of a known route sounds risky to me.

My point really is, Santiago isn't the 'end' of anyone's walk, it's half way, home is where it ends. 'Orienteering' doesn't come into it, as Demannu says ^^^ people try to follow the original routes and end up walking alongside dual carriageways etc. The alternatives (pilgrims general followed the easy paths/roads) involve up-and-overs making it tougher. These paths are pretty clear on the maps, but then I'm quite at home with a map and compass in the mountains, but that's not orienteering as long as there's a path.

However, it's your walk.

[Noggin]

A friend of mine did it earlier this year. She recorded it on something called Find Penguins (link below to her photos and stuff) - but I think you have to download the app to be able to see everything.

looked amazing but bloody tough. A couple of the group had to drop out for various reasons

EDIT : bloody forgot the link

https://findpenguins.com/8juxswjxwnwso/ ... ces-my-way

[Bustaspoke]

I really enjoy walking but indeed, this is hardcore.

Going off on a tangent here but if you like walking I'd suggest this or something similar https://www.exodus.co.uk/trips/france-h ... g-trek/twb
I joined them as a solo traveller in 2017 & hope to do it again with them.
There's probably some organised Santigo del Compastella tours out there,a friend of mine did a organised cycle route to Santiago the other year,she enjoyed it.

[Count Steer]

I think Big Crazy Ange did it.

Is this the one where you rely on the universe for accommodation etc? I think she did that to, but said sometimes you end up sleeping on a dirty mattress on the pavement. She is pretty crazy though.

There's this thing about having to offer pilgrims (or now credencial carriers) accommodation, which is why places have the scallop shells on them. To identify places that pilgrims are welcome and may rest. That chimes with the reliance on the universe. In olden times people felt an obligation to care for pilgrims.

(As regards pilgrimages, I did walk the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem once....surrounded by American tourists in bright orange 'Isratours' hats with some of them carrying crosses with little wheels on the back. Went to Bethlehem too...that was a bit less touristy tbh and was a bit surprised to find the cradle appeared to be managed by Greek Orthodox 'papas').

But, if anyone wants a long walk, with good food, (some of the time) and time for reflection etc I'd recommend the Pyrenees high route.

[DefTrap]

As an aside, Santiago itself is lovely, food is great, I could (and did) spend a happy couple of days there in the bars and restaurants. I stayed in a great hotel just downhill from the Market. But go out of season (I went in February) as the place is otherwise rammed with tourists, faux pilgrims and mad beggars. It's a tiny place though, a weekend is enough. And don't expect "Spain" type weather, it's very green and rains a lot.

I think I could manage a few days walking and pilgriming but the first time anyone did anything weird or I was expected to share a room with 20 strangers I'd be right out of there.
Sod walking home by the way, Santiago has its own airport for a reason ffs.

[KungFooBob]

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