Wow that is some schlep. It is about 500 miles just from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago and isn't it another 500 miles or so from Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

You'd better leave tomorrow.

I would worry about the fire at in the santuario, Muxía because somehow the Galician government has found money to start work straight away to restore the building. Whilst other important buildings are decaying year after year through neglect. It is all down to who knows who again. ;-(
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/video/c...2031250809.htm

Imdone - I'm skipping the Spain part. The whole crowded aspect of it does not appeal. I've walked parts of The Way in Switzerland, France and Norway. Most of the time I never saw another soul and I liked the solitude. The idea of competing for a bedbug spot every night - nah, that would not be for me.

Got it. Enjoy your walk through France. What would be your stopping point from Paris?

There are less well trodden routes in Spain too.

"The idea of competing for a bedbug spot every night - nah, that would not be for me."

We are walking the Camino Frances through Spain in a few months. We chose this route because we are looking forward to the social aspect of the Camino as well. I wanted to comment though because in my research, it seems that the whole "race for a bed" thing on the Frances is really overblown. There are people who do get up at the crack of dawn and race, but that is their choice. The only people I have found who report not being able to find beds are those who get up late and insist on only staying at the cheapest lodging available. For those who are more flexible - willing to stay in inns and guesthouses if the municipal alberque is full, or walk to the next town, it seems that finding a bed is not hard.

I did a section of it in 1992 from Le Puy to St Alban. We did it through Sherpa and did it by ourselves. It was good staying in hotels and the meals were really good after a day of walking. We did it in October over 4 days and avoided the rain. Back then it wasn't so popular and we didn't meet any other walkers. We had the whole place to ourselves.

I have hiked sections of the Camino de Santiago every year since 2011-- twice in 2013. From my first step on the Camino (French Way), it changed my life. Just incredibly amazing. Going back in July 2014-- can't wait!!

Hello Viajero. That's great news!! Will you pick up where you left off? Wouldnt you care to join me in the Camino Portugués in July?

Hey cruiseluv!-- I would love to do that, but I just have my heart set on finishing the French Way. I'll start in Sahagun! Keeping fingers crossed! Buen Camino!

Viajero, wishing you the best this time around.

Buen Camino!!

(one day we should plan to at least meet in Santiago! :) )

Good idea! :)-- as it stands right now I would be arriving in Santiago around 12-14 July (2014). If you happen to be anywhere near Santiago on those dates, dinner is on me! :) All the best cruiseluv! Have an amazing and blessed time! Buen Camino!

Oh, I didnt realize you would get all the way to Santiago this time. We're arriving Santiago on July 18th. Will you be gone by then?

Hi cruiseluv, I am probably going to arrive in Santiago sometime around July 18th, and then either walk the Inglés or go to Muxia. Maybe we will actually run into each other this time! I am going to be in Santiago for the festivities on the 24th, that's my only certain date, but I will also have a day or two there when I first get to Santiago. What's your itinerary?

lreynold,

Hi!! That's great news!!

Right now we're starting out of Tui on 7/12, arriving Santiago 7/18 and staying in Santiago thru the 26th. I'm going with a couple of friends that have never been to Galicia and they want to use Santiago as base to do other day trips and also be there for the 25th. But frankly, from my perspective this is too many days based in Santiago. So I'm considering proposing to them to relocate for a couple of days ,maybe 7/21-7/22, further north, closer to Ferrol or Ribadeo , to explore the Rias Altas, and then return on 7/23 to Santiago. Or otherwise, leave Santiago for good around 7/22 and go to Rias Altas and towards Oviedo. We have plans to go to Madrid on 7/26.

Are you doing a walk prior to arriving in Santiago?

Do you have any recommendations of what would be a good place to base ourselves for a couple of days to visit Rias Altas?

Hey cruiseluv!-- so wish I had a lot of flexibility because I would definitely take you on adding the last days of the Camino Portugués! Immediately after Santiago my husband and I are flying out of Madrid to meet relatives in Krakow. This will be one busy summer!! Wishing the best to everybody on their Summer plans! :)

Hi cruiseluv,
I'm walking the Camino Olvidado this year, it starts in Bilbao and heads southwest to Ponferrada, and then onto the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago. I've walked the Invierno but not the Olvidado, so it will be an adventure.

I walked the Camino Ingles years ago and liked both Betanzos and Pontedeume. Not sure how far to the east the Rias Altas go, but I loved Tapia and Luarca when I walked the Norte. Ribadeo is nice, too. Tell me some of the Rias Altas towns, and I'll see if I know anything about any of them.

And btw, you probably already know this, but the real hoopla festivities are on the night of the 24th. I don't love big crowds, but lots of people have told me that I should see the festivities in Obradoiro on the night of the 24th, so I'm going to give it a shot since I was planning to be in Santiago close to the date anyway.

Here are pics from my trip last year. Includes Burgos, Bilbao, Oviedo, Gijon, Luarca, Santiago, A Coruna, Leon, Valladolid, and more!

https://picasaweb.google.com/1075540...CPbR6qm-vJjuGA

Viajero, you have a busy summer indeed! Next time we should coordinate better!

lreynold, soon you'll run out of Caminos to do! I had never heard of the Olvidado, looking forward to your impressions of it.
Yes, my thought is to be back in Santiago in time for the festivities on the 24th. I dislike crowds as well, but figure its one of those things that is probably worth seeing at least once. Wonder if they'll modify the celebrations this year given that its the anniversary of the horrific train accident last year.

Do you know anything about Cedeira, north of Ferrol? I'll look at Pontedeume and Betanzos. Luarca might be going too far east, but I've been wanting to go there for a while. I see its not that far from Ribadeo, so if we were to stay there we might be able to at least visit.

joannyc, thanks for posting your beautiful pictures!

I may be joining some of you for a few days.. trying to work it out.

Thanks for starting this thread StCiq. I too am contemplating doing the walk - I have wanted to do it for years. I drove sections of the Northern route several years ago on two separate trips and fell in love with the region.

Cruiseluv and Marigross: I remember reading your wonderful trip reports way back when and will enjoy reading again this evening over a glass of wine :)

I had this mad dream of doing it with a donkey, but not sure about the accommodation arrangements at the Paradors :) I'll probably take the 'guided' walk.

Is donkey code for husband?

When my wife walked, they kept on encountering a fellow with a horse and there were paradores or albergues that took him.

The book cited above with the donkey in the title is a witty account of The Camino

Buen Camino

You are a wicked man Cold, but I do like you :)

I have the book IMDoneHere, have not yet read it. I wonder if I could find a company that does the Camino on a horse or donkey? Thank you!

best ... Ger

http://www.caminoacaballo.com/en/

Apparently, there is!

Hi OReilly,

Hope you get to do it soon!

Lin, Hope to see you there!!!

Buen Camino!

Hi, cruiseluv, I don't know Cedeira. But I have seen some amazing pictures of that area, and would like to visit it sometime. But we can definitely have a face to face this time, I will email you as we get closer.

I'm not sure this is the kind of thing you would be looking for, but there is a "post-Camino" house in a village about 17 kms from Muxia. http://www.thelittlefoxhouse.com The town is called Carantona. People who spend a few days there really love it, and the owner also does tours of the coast for a price. Just thought I'd mention it for anyone who might be interested.

lincasanova, when might you be walking? It would be great to see you again!

I'll be volunteering in Santiago at the pilgrims office during the first two weeks of May in case anyone comes through during that time.

I thought I'd join cruiseluv the last 4 days of her jaunt. That house sounds cool, too.

And now that ?I've read about the hostess, what an amazing person. Looks very intriguing and interesting. Thanks for posting

lreynold,

Thanks for posting that link. It does look like a lovely idea, and if I wasnt traveling with other people I would probably consider doing it. The owner looks like a very interesting person indeed. Maybe next time(because I'm sure there will be a next time)

viajero2.. I may be arriving around the 13th/ 14th in santiago before I get myself to a meting point with cruiseluv if I end up going for last part of her trek. let's keep in touch!

Joan - those are gorgeous pictures!

I've decided to walk the Camino Norte from San Sebastián to just shy of Oviedo. I'm going to start May 20th and take about 24-25 days.

Wishing everyone safe and inspiring Caminos!

Thank you very much, gruezi! It was a beautiful trip!

Buen Camino!

StCirq:

I have fantasized about doing part of the walk myself. Soon I'll have time, but alas, my old arthritic knees will likely not hold up.

Here is a training program that was sent to me by a gal who takes groups on the Camino. You can modify it to get yourself confidently up to speed.

file:///Volumes/PERSONAL/TRAVEL/WALKING%20CAMINO/18-Week%20Walk%20a%20Marathon%20Program.webarchive

(This link opens for me, but looks odd. If it does not open for you, please let me know, and I will look up the original email that it came from.)

We will walk vicariously with you!

Leburta

Lincasanova-- I will absolutely love to meet up since it seems we will be coinciding in Santiago around the 13/14 July. My (travel) email is [email protected]. Please feel free to email me anytime. We both seem to love the Camino and I would love to hear your stories!

BUEN CAMINO!!

I have only done a section ONCE but it would be fun to do a bit again.. I'll email you soon.If I go we can definitely meet up.

gachg - Make a separate post as this thread is so old no one will look at it or at least very few. It is lost in this thread.