Anyone Ever Hiked the Camino del Santiago?
 

I know there are countless websites and information on this online, and we're all over them, but SO and I REALLY want to do this in the next few years. We're both 60 and in good shape and lean and active and I personally have wanted to do this all my life (the trail goes right by my house in France for one thing; oh, and I've hiked stretches of the Appalachian Trail that were more than 300 miles). But has anyone on Fodors actually DONE it? And can report back? I've read loads about it, probably all the literature that exists, but wondering if any Fodorites have actually done it. I would SO like to be able to look back and say I did this.

Here is the first half of the account of Mrs Adu and her sister who was 73 at time walked the 500 mile Camino.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...the-camino.cfm

There are a number of people on Fodor's who have walked the Camino. These were my wife's accounts even though they are under my name.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...es-part-ii.cfm

Yes, off the top of my head I can tell you that Ireynold1, Lincasanova and Marigross, all of them frequent posters, have walked the Camino. This thread has some comments from them:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-santiago.cfm

I'm getting ready to do part of it in June.

Thank you all. I'll read all of these this weekend!

How did you enjoy the film, "The Way?" I decided that if an out-of-shape eye doctor from LA could do it without any training, then it would be a wonderful hike for all of us. My husband commented that, well, the son died on his first day, it's likely not as jolly as it appeared. Maybe I'll just look forward to reading your report!

We loved that movie. And we've been absolutely loving Aduchamps' relatives (and others') reports, which are not only factually relevant but beautifully written an evocative.

We're on it - maybe for next year or the year after. We feel that, though we are already pretty fit, we need to train. We'll do that. We're psyched.

One Fodorite has tried to get Mrs. Adu's narrative published because it is accompanied by equally wonderful watercolors, but unfortunately did not happen.

Hmmm, let me think about that. As a publisher myself, I might have some ideas. It's a very evocative account. I assume you didn't print all of it on Fodors and that there is more?

Email me at [email protected] and we'll talk. I can't publish it myself but might have some ideas.

I've found this website particularly helpful. You may have already run across it.

http://www.caminolinks.co.uk/4595.html

Hi StCirq! We did a portion of the camino, but we did it the lazy way: using a company to provide baggage transfers and accomodations along the route. I was highly skeptical as we had NEVER taken an organized trip but I was pleasantly surpised with Spanish Steps. The food they provided was top notch.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

Thanks et and Marigross. I get more and more psyched the more I read about it. It's been a great motivator to get out and powerwalk every day, too - longer and longer distances and no matter what the weather is like. We probably won't do this for a year or two, but if we keep training we should be ready!

Ideally, we'd like to to the entirety of the trail, starting in Paris, but I'm not sure that's realistic. We'll see...it sure is fun to dream about and plan for, though!

StCirq: <i>it sure is fun to dream about and plan for, though!</i>

It certainly is!

I'm planning on doing it for my 80th birthday - if I live that long!

Right now, my preferred route is the one through Portugal.

Wow easytraveler!! You're an inspiration. I'm in my late 50's and fret that I won't be up to the task this summer.
St Cirq, its indeed a great motivation to have to engage in developing your walking endurance. I've had the dream of doing this for close to 10 yrs! My objective is not as ambitious, I'm starting in O'Cebreiro, Galicia to Santiago, approx 160 kms, that's plenty for me!
Good luck with your plans!

Come back and tell us how it goes, cruiseluv. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Good luck to you as well!

I'm including Santiago in my itinerary in September. I am active and good on trails. My plan is to arrive first into Lisbon to join tour group staying near Porto. I got a good deal on hotel with some day trips included. I will then continue to Santiago for overnight visiting historic Cathedral taking train or bus, continuing onward into France making 1 or 2 stops overnight.

I hope to walk on the Camino trail at least once if this is possible to enjoy experience, but am not sure which stop is better? I have a map and considered Leon or Burgos which would be a good distance to travel but am not sure if those areas would be close enough for me pick up Camino for a few hours each day? I then need to continue into France for flight out of Toulouse. Any help with my route much appreciated. I would also change this route if someone has better choices for me but I will be using public transportation.

Does anyone know if RENFE or ALSA offer senior discounts on their transportation? Thanks to all for guidance.

cruiseluv: For a young-un like yourself - no problems!

The trick is not to think of how many miles are left. You wake up each morning and think: "Wow! Nice day for a walk, a jaunt!" Don't think, "Omigod! I've still got 499 miles to go!"

Enjoy the route! Enjoy the companionships! Enjoy the pilgrimage!

Like StCirq has said, tell us all about it when you get back!

I did a wonderful trip for my 70th, so am now planning for my 80th. One is as young as one wants to be! :)

<<The trick is not to think of how many miles are left. You wake up each morning and think: "Wow! Nice day for a walk, a jaunt!" Don't think, "Omigod! I've still got 499 miles to go!">>

Right. And if you wake up and it's freezing cold and sleeting, you can choose to rest that day, or just do 5 km. With certain caveats, like you need to get out of the Pyrénées by wintertime, you can set your own schedule.

I love the "Omigod, I've got 499 miles to go!" analogy. When I'm editing a huge book, it's hard not to think "Jeez!, I've got another 300 pages to go!" I've taught myself to think "Wow, only a day and I'm an eighth of the way through this monster."

It's a classic glass half-full or half-empty example. For me, glass always half-full.

According to recent statistics from the Pilgrim´s Office in Santiago, it looks like English speaking pilgrims are going to show a huge jump in numbers.

From January - April, 2012, the numbers of English speaking pilgrims show almost a doubling from the numbers for those same months in 2009.

Though it´s probably too early to make predictions, it looks like we are seeing The Way´s effect. For most info, check out the blog of a Scottish expat now living in Santiago and very involved with the pilgrim´s office: http://www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.pt/ (I´m in Portugal now, which may explain the .pt extension. Maybe you don´t need that from other countries, I just don´t know).

Add me to the growing list of potential pilgrims. While watching "The Way", I became very consumed with the idea of doing the Camino. So, since January, I've been walking, 2.8 miles a day, walking up 5 long flights of stairs @ work every day, many times a day, and basically becoming quite obsessed with the whole idea. I've been reading everyting I can get my hands on about it. So, I'm glad to see this post. My goal is to do this 10/13. I'm in good shape for my age, 65 and I love to walk. So, once I have firmly comitted to it, I will begin training in earnest. I would like to hear from anyone who knows what the training should entail. I would not do the entire walk, maybe start at Sarria, or even before that possibly. I'm thinking maybe a week of walking. Not sure I would stay at the refuges though due to my complete phobia of bed bugs, lice, or other creepy crawlies.

Maybe we should put together a group! That would be a heckuva trip report!

I did it two years ago from Roncesvalles to Santiago770kms +/-. An experience of a lifetime.Cant wait to do it again.It took 30 days and I enjoyed it immensely and made some very good friends. If you like walking and the outdoor it is fantastic.If you want any info or advice let me know and I will help if I can.
This is my blog on Spain(no posting on the Camino yet!).

Glad to see this thread come up again. In a little less than 2 months, on June 28, my family and I will start walking from O'Cebreiro. The anticipation is mounting and I wish that day was already here. This has been a goal of mine since the first time I visited Santiago, in 2002. Posters like lreynold have been an inspiration, although I must confess that I'll be doing it in a more pampered way, staying at casa rurales and hotels, rather than at the refugios.

Barb, that's great that you have that goal, you'll be more than ready by the time 10/13 rolls in. I'm little by little increasing the number of miles I walk at a time. So far about 6 miles at a time, but have to do more and add a a backpack.

Cehegin, look forward to reading about your Camino experience when you add it to your blog.

I have mixed feelings about the statistics Laurie has posted on above post. I guess I'm a bit selfish as I would have preferred that this increase didn't happen on the year I'm doing the Camino. Oh well, too late now, God willing I'll be there, together with the rest of them!

¡Buen Camino!

I'm no expert, but I don't think a lot of training is necessary. Just have excellent footwear. You can walk as far or little as you prefer. As fast or slow. Stop for snacks and water as often as you feel like it.

Exhausted? Just tired of walking? Call a taxi and he'll take you to the hotel. Or if you don't have reservations, the nearest café will point you the right direction.

It is all very civilized the last 100kms. You are NOT in the middle of nowhere, helpless, and struggling and climbing huge granite walls.

Believe me. You will be fine.

What I most ask myself .. is why don't I take these huge long walks close to home? There are plenty of places that have trails near here.

I guess that's part of the beauty of the whole experience. Some of us are doing something we have never done, on such a large scale.

Cruiseluv.. are you going to be in Madrid a day or two? You can email me again at screen name at yahoo dot com.

Good luck everyone. I know you will be writing some nice reports when you are back!

Don't forget to pick up a "passport" at one of the hostals, hospitals. I, at 80yrs young, got mine last week at Burgos. Apparently it is not necessary to walk the whole way or on only one of the routes to qualify as a "Peregrino".In order however to receive a credential at Santiago you must do the last two stops getting the official stamps from whichever route you take. I have on the past few years done about 100K on the ruta de plata..10K in the burgos area, 10K into Santiago and god willing and the creek don't rise in 2 years when my daughter retires we will continue to rack up the Ks..The passport cost 2Euros at Burgos and the accomodatioons there are about 5 Euros /night. Keep this plan of yours in mind and try, try try...

STCirq: <i>Maybe we should put together a group!</i>

Great idea!

If it fits within my schedule, I'd be game - at least for part of the way, if not all!

Just hiked almost 5 miles today, so feeling that the Camino is definitely a possibility and not a dream!


amer_can: Truly <i>you</i> are the inspiration!


To those of you hiking this year: please report back!

Wow Amer can, you're an inspiration indeed!

Lin, Glad you chimed in, was hoping maybe i would see you in the Camino. Yes, we'll be in Madrid a couple of nights at the beginning and one night at the end. I'll email you.

For sure I'll report back.

Thanks for the kudo that I am an inspiration..You are only as old as you let yourself be and as far as I'm concerned that is not an issue as long as my feet, knees and pension hold out!! I forgot to mention Segovia, Avila and Madrid..Add up another few Ks. But OMG would I ever love to do the whole thing. Maybe someone will carry my ashes in a box someday!!!

To get the "Compostela" you do need to walk at least 100kms or bike 200kms.

I love al these reports from the young-uns! You ARE an inspiration.. my goodness.. from Burgos. You still have quite a walk to do!

I found this website. Not as nicely set up as many, but full of info .

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/cami...tml#compostela

I've come across pilgrims locally pushing a handcart with tent, stove, etc. They were starting at Rome and following the route Arles, Nimes, St Guillem, Lodeve Toulouse etc etc

Some info on the Languedoc part :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/to...ompostella.htm

I have been to Le Puy-en-Velay a number of times and have been impressed every time by the number of people there specifically to begin a trip on the <i>chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle</i>, very often German retirees, but also a lot of French people.

The idea attract me as well, even though I am allergic to just about all forms of spirituality.

Our favourite Pilgrim is currently on vacation so she cannot answer all of your questions right now.
But I would head over to this forum http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board it is perhaps the most active and informative around on this subject.

Kerouac: most people on the Camino I met didnt do it for spiritual reasons.Everyone had their own reason but I would say the majority were non religious.

Our friend and neighbor walked 750 km on the Spanish side five years ago at 69 years old . This month he is walking the French side. You might like to read his blog.
www.guythatcher.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/21

This has been on my list for a while, too.. no idea which year it will be - probably during a gap year for me.

"You are only as old as you let yourself be" Amer Can, what a great outlook and so true.

I have decided to go for it, planning on late Sept, early October, 2013. A Camino GTG would be wonderful.

Question.... I would like to do the Camino first and then continue traveling, maybe a nice beach to recuperate, lol. What would I do with my luggage for my continuing trip? I probably will want to burn my Camino clothes when I am done. I was thinking I would stay in Santiago before the walk and then for a few days afterwards. I wonder if the hotel would store my suitcase. Are there storage places specifically for this purpose in Santiago as I would imagine other people have the same issue.

Also, I would like to walk for about a week, maybe starting before Sarria. What town before Sarria would be a good starting point? I'm going to strive for 10k - 15k per day.

Hi, Barb,
When I walk, I frequently send something to Santiago to the hotel where I will be staying at the end of the walk (I fly into Madrid, usually, and head from there to my starting point, so I don´t go to Santiago first). The Hotel Costa Vella is wonderful, and the people are very accommodating, and I´ve had stuff sitting in their closet for 6 weeks and they never bat an eye.

I also know people who use the luggage storage service offered by the Pensión Badalada (you don´t need to stay there to be able to use it, but there´s a fee): http://pilgrimhelper.wordpress.com/luggage-storage/

If you are planning to walk a week at 10-15 kms a day, you will have to start after Sarria, or possibly in Sarria. Sarria is 100 kms from Santiago, and you will be ablet o walk 70-105. So I´d say Sarria is a good starting place. Be forewarned, it´s very crowded, that´s where the biggest crowds start, but there´s just no way to avoid the crowds (unless,for instance, you wanted to walk the last 100 kms on the Camino Primitivo from Lugo, or the last 100 kms on the Via de la Plata from Ourense, or the last 100 kms on the Camino del Norte from Baamonte, all are great options as well). Buen camino.

We are planning to walk the Camino in October 2014 for my 40th birthday. I'd been mulling around the idea of doing the camino for awhile, but then I decided that it was the way I wanted to celebrate my 40th. It just seems like the perfect way to celebrate the milestone in so many ways - esspecially a milestone that for a lot of women truely means the end of youth, onset of middle-age, being over the hill. For me it will be "What? Old? Old-schmold - I'm walking half way across Spain."

I don't know how much time we'll be able to devote to the Camino, but I think we will only have a couple weeks, so we'll probably do about 200km. We'll see when we get closer - maybe we'll be able to go for longer.

kerouac - My motivation isn't really spiritual, definitely not religious. The closest thing to "spirituality" that I am looking for is that I am hoping that through the act of walking a long distance that I can gain some clarity and calmness - kind of a reset in my brain. Unplug from daily life and have the opportunity to just BE.