When I walked the Camino, I started slowly. First day, I walked 8 km, with my pack, of course. Crossing the Pyrénées and Galicia were the hardest by far. The shortest distance I walked was 4 km. The longest distance I walked was 25 km. I wished I had spent an extra day in each big city, to rest and to visit.
Thank you so much for your advice to walk El Camino! I’m 75 and I’m planning to walk this year in April from USA , I love to walk every day. Where I live there is a lots trails to walk every day!
Good advice. I've watched some peoples videos and they have walked the pages in the guide books. After a few days they have ended up injured and had to spend several days recovering. Don't overdo it at the start. Some have walked in a group but found the pace is too much. It's maybe best to split up and meet up at the end.
LOL. You must be fit! I have never had that temptation. Between 25-30 my feet start to hurt. After 30 they really start to hurt.......... by 35 I need a rest day!
Rob every video of yours I have watched where I had several thoughts and questions floating around in my head - you have answered all of them for this I thank you very much. I am planning my first Camino to go next March/April 2023, I shall be doing the Porto to Santiago and am really excited. Anyway thank you again and I shall be watching your videos avidly because your tips are top
@@robscamino I don’t know yet, right now I want to do them all. I need to get the maps , I have written down all your points, tomorrow I am getting backpack socks, etc etc , ordering hiking wool. I have been thinking for years about this and only came across you UA-cam videos. I live in Ireland so can pop across anytime. So I am going to ask you which one would you recommend please and where to start from.
Recommending a specific Camino and start point is really hard. It depends on so many factors. (1) How many days you have available to walk (2) How far each day you can walk (3) What type of accommodations you prefer (4) If you prefer to walk alone (5) if you like to meet lots of other Pilgrims? The Caminos Frances and Portuguese are the 2 most popular as they have the most Pilgrim infrastructure such as accommodation and cafes, and also have the most Pilgrims. Maybe read about the different Caminos and see which one appeals to you most?
The Wise Pilgrim printed guidebooks for many of the Caminos also has a phone app and is updated more often than the Brierley guides. The beauty of the Wise Pilgrim guides is if you get lost and off piste he has maps of roads off of the Camino, the same is true with the Michelin guides.
You will quickly find out what your 'comfortable' distance is. Be conservative on the first few days as you get used to it. I tend to book ahead, just one day, or maybe two for a 'choke point' like Zubiri. Each evening, I look at a guide book or the gronze website, and decide where I'll stay the next day. I then book somewhere for 'tomorrow's stop'. Either through Gronze, booking dot com, or my phoning. If I have to transport gear because of injury or something, I book that at the same time. (as you need to stipulate the pick up and drop off point) On Caminos like the Frances, it's all a well oiled machine. Your accommodation hosts might also assist you, and for luggage transfer, most places have the various 'envelopes and tags' at the reception area. So bottom line, if you are using luggage transfer, you need to know where you will be staying the next night. And you just repeat the process each day. Obviously luggage transfer complicates things. If you are just walking with a pack you have far more flexibility. And may decide to not even book accommodation but just see where you end up... I would guess that maybe 50% of people do that.
I hope you don’t mind me jumping in here, but we had sent our packs ahead to Puenta La Raina but had to stop about 5kms short because I had injured my leg the day before and I needed to stop for a break at an albergue that was run by a lovely couple name Carlos and Alicia. We got chatting with them and then Carlos offered to drive us to the albergue we had sent our packs to, and on the way back, he also gave us a tour of 1000 year old church! I know a lot of people will think he did this because there was money to be made by them, but they were just the nicest, sweetest couple ever, plus they had a cold swimming pool that I hung my lame leg in, LOL. We ended up having a fantastic al fresco dinner with people from 12 different countries that night. It was amazing! My whole point of mentioning this, is that if you find yourself in that situation, you can always take a cab to where you had your pack sent to, and cab back to where you actually finished for the day.
There are many great Guide Books out there and of course it's a really personal choice. For me I like the Guides by John Brierley. I love the maps. They are more illustrations than maps, as they are not strictly to scale (I think). But they are uncluttered, very clear to read and have just the detail I need. You can buy them online here. Ivar provides a great global delivery service: www.santiagodecompostela.me/
You will quickly find out what your 'comfortable' distance is. Be conservative on the first few days as you get used to it. I tend to book ahead, just one day, or maybe two for a 'choke point' like Zubiri. Each evening, I look at a guide book or the gronze website, and decide where I'll stay the next day. I then book somewhere for 'tomorrow's stop'. Either through Gronze, booking dot com, or my phoning. If I have to transport gear because of injury or something, I book that at the same time. (as you need to stipulate the pick up and drop off point) On Caminos like the Frances, it's all a well oiled machine. Your accommodation hosts might also assist you, and for luggage transfer, most places have the various 'envelopes and tags' at the reception area. So bottom line, if you are using luggage transfer, you need to know where you will be staying the next night. And you just repeat the process each day. Obviously luggage transfer complicates things. If you are just walking with a pack you have far more flexibility. And may decide to not even book accommodation but just see where you end up... I would guess that maybe 50% of people do that.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! It would depend on the landscape, how I felt that day and many other factors. You will recognise them......and enjoy them.
My aim with this channel, is just to sew some seeds in your mind. To share some of the uniqueness of the Camino. Your journey will be different. And hopefully just as amazing. Be open, be flexible and just walk........
I'm a 72-year-old fat American, with two knees and two hips that have been replaced; I've never have been one to go on a through hike. I just love to explore all things around me, as in, go look over the next hill or climb a mountain, to going up or down or through Dales and valleys, going right or left then back. What i'm saying is, I carry a very light aluminum old still lawn chair tied on my backpack and I use it too. I can sleep under a poncho anywhere. So, how slow can I go? Could I just walk from one side of a city or town's Alberues or Hostalels to sleep & be stamped. Then the next day walk to the other side of the same town or city's Hostels or Alberues to sleep and then be stamped there too? & Is 90-days all the time ill have on my passport for explore-walking across all of northern Spain"? Oh, I'm a picture taker too. And last but not least, I use a travel CPAP machine, I kid-doth you not, or am I just dreaming? LOL! What say you?
Are you planning to walk the Camino Frances? That one has the best infrastructure. There ae villages every few kms with accommodation. You might also consider having your luggage 'transported'. Your accommodation can usually arrange that. I think most visas are for 90 days, but your travel agent or airline can probably confirm that. If you are running out of time, you might skip ahead with public transport. Just remember that if you want the 'Compostela' (Camino certificate) you must have walked the last 100 kms into Santiago. (200 if on a bike or horse). You know this already, but I'll say it anyway. Because I've walked three times as a 'fat Australian'. Every little bit of weight you can lose before going will make a huge difference! It will make it all easier and more enjoyable.
The maps in this video are in the Guidebook by John Brierley. That guidebook, other guidebooks and maps, can be bought online here. (no commercial interest. It's just where I buy mine) www.santiagodecompostela.me/
@@robscamino i retired early and basically I've got the rest of my life to do even the simplest tasks. for instance instead of a 12 hour flight from Seattle to Hamburg why not just jump aboard the QM2 in NY on June 5th and take 9 days instead, makes sense to me.
The maps in this video are in the Guidebook by John Brierley. That guidebook, other guidebooks and maps, can be bought online here. (no commercial interest. It's just where I buy mine) www.santiagodecompostela.me/
DO NOT be worried about how far you 'have' to walk each day. Almost any daily distance is fine. Feel free to ask any questions.
When I walked the Camino, I started slowly. First day, I walked 8 km, with my pack, of course. Crossing the Pyrénées and Galicia were the hardest by far. The shortest distance I walked was 4 km. The longest distance I walked was 25 km. I wished I had spent an extra day in each big city, to rest and to visit.
I think each Camino I walk........I get slower 🙄
Thank you so much for your advice to walk El Camino! I’m 75 and I’m planning to walk this year in April from USA , I love to walk every day. Where I live there is a lots trails to walk every day!
Well done for making the decision. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time 🙂
Good advice. I've watched some peoples videos and they have walked the pages in the guide books. After a few days they have ended up injured and had to spend several days recovering. Don't overdo it at the start. Some have walked in a group but found the pace is too much. It's maybe best to split up and meet up at the end.
Very true Gordon. Walk your own pace, not someone else's.........
What guide book?
My rule of thumb was, early on try doing 20-25. By the end not walking 50k to Santiago was a difficulty in itself.
LOL. You must be fit! I have never had that temptation. Between 25-30 my feet start to hurt. After 30 they really start to hurt.......... by 35 I need a rest day!
Rob every video of yours I have watched where I had several thoughts and questions floating around in my head - you have answered all of them for this I thank you very much. I am planning my first Camino to go next March/April 2023, I shall be doing the Porto to Santiago and am really excited. Anyway thank you again and I shall be watching your videos avidly because your tips are top
Glad you find them useful. Don't 'over think it' though 🙂
Thank you for this advice to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. 🙂
It's not a race........ and over all too quickly.
I can listen to you all day , I learned more from you today. I am going on my first walk.
Wonderful! What will your first walk be?
@@robscamino I don’t know yet, right now I want to do them all. I need to get the maps , I have written down all your points, tomorrow I am getting backpack socks, etc etc , ordering hiking wool. I have been thinking for years about this and only came across you UA-cam videos. I live in Ireland so can pop across anytime. So I am going to ask you which one would you recommend please and where to start from.
@@robscamino Thank you 🙏
Recommending a specific Camino and start point is really hard. It depends on so many factors. (1) How many days you have available to walk (2) How far each day you can walk (3) What type of accommodations you prefer (4) If you prefer to walk alone (5) if you like to meet lots of other Pilgrims? The Caminos Frances and Portuguese are the 2 most popular as they have the most Pilgrim infrastructure such as accommodation and cafes, and also have the most Pilgrims. Maybe read about the different Caminos and see which one appeals to you most?
The Wise Pilgrim printed guidebooks for many of the Caminos also has a phone app and is updated more often than the Brierley guides. The beauty of the Wise Pilgrim guides is if you get lost and off piste he has maps of roads off of the Camino, the same is true with the Michelin guides.
I have those but am yet to use them. Looking forward to see how I go with them.
Great video. Thank you!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Excellent advice.
Thanks for watching!
That was a very useful presentation. Thank you
Good to hear. thanks
Great tips Rob 👍
Thanks for the feedback Jack.
Very helpful 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Rob,
How do you manage send ahead luggage and bookings if distance is not known. Thanks. Really enjoy your videos.
You will quickly find out what your 'comfortable' distance is. Be conservative on the first few days as you get used to it. I tend to book ahead, just one day, or maybe two for a 'choke point' like Zubiri. Each evening, I look at a guide book or the gronze website, and decide where I'll stay the next day. I then book somewhere for 'tomorrow's stop'. Either through Gronze, booking dot com, or my phoning. If I have to transport gear because of injury or something, I book that at the same time. (as you need to stipulate the pick up and drop off point) On Caminos like the Frances, it's all a well oiled machine. Your accommodation hosts might also assist you, and for luggage transfer, most places have the various 'envelopes and tags' at the reception area. So bottom line, if you are using luggage transfer, you need to know where you will be staying the next night. And you just repeat the process each day. Obviously luggage transfer complicates things. If you are just walking with a pack you have far more flexibility. And may decide to not even book accommodation but just see where you end up... I would guess that maybe 50% of people do that.
I hope you don’t mind me jumping in here, but we had sent our packs ahead to Puenta La Raina but had to stop about 5kms short because I had injured my leg the day before and I needed to stop for a break at an albergue that was run by a lovely couple name Carlos and Alicia. We got chatting with them and then Carlos offered to drive us to the albergue we had sent our packs to, and on the way back, he also gave us a tour of 1000 year old church! I know a lot of people will think he did this because there was money to be made by them, but they were just the nicest, sweetest couple ever, plus they had a cold swimming pool that I hung my lame leg in, LOL. We ended up having a fantastic al fresco dinner with people from 12 different countries that night. It was amazing! My whole point of mentioning this, is that if you find yourself in that situation, you can always take a cab to where you had your pack sent to, and cab back to where you actually finished for the day.
@@duchesshenderson4482 Great point! On the Camino Frances in particular, there are always options like a taxi to go pick up your gear.
Hi Rob, who was the guide book author you mentioned???
There are many great Guide Books out there and of course it's a really personal choice. For me I like the Guides by John Brierley. I love the maps. They are more illustrations than maps, as they are not strictly to scale (I think). But they are uncluttered, very clear to read and have just the detail I need. You can buy them online here. Ivar provides a great global delivery service: www.santiagodecompostela.me/
How do you manage luggage ahead or reservations without knowing distance
You will quickly find out what your 'comfortable' distance is. Be conservative on the first few days as you get used to it. I tend to book ahead, just one day, or maybe two for a 'choke point' like Zubiri. Each evening, I look at a guide book or the gronze website, and decide where I'll stay the next day. I then book somewhere for 'tomorrow's stop'. Either through Gronze, booking dot com, or my phoning. If I have to transport gear because of injury or something, I book that at the same time. (as you need to stipulate the pick up and drop off point) On Caminos like the Frances, it's all a well oiled machine. Your accommodation hosts might also assist you, and for luggage transfer, most places have the various 'envelopes and tags' at the reception area. So bottom line, if you are using luggage transfer, you need to know where you will be staying the next night. And you just repeat the process each day. Obviously luggage transfer complicates things. If you are just walking with a pack you have far more flexibility. And may decide to not even book accommodation but just see where you end up... I would guess that maybe 50% of people do that.
What were the beautiful places that you had to stop and pause along the way?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! It would depend on the landscape, how I felt that day and many other factors. You will recognise them......and enjoy them.
My aim with this channel, is just to sew some seeds in your mind. To share some of the uniqueness of the Camino. Your journey will be different. And hopefully just as amazing. Be open, be flexible and just walk........
I'm a 72-year-old fat American, with two knees and two hips that have been replaced; I've never have been one to go on a through hike. I just love to explore all things around me, as in, go look over the next hill or climb a mountain, to going up or down or through Dales and valleys, going right or left then back. What i'm saying is, I carry a very light aluminum old still lawn chair tied on my backpack and I use it too. I can sleep under a poncho anywhere. So, how slow can I go? Could I just walk from one side of a city or town's Alberues or Hostalels to sleep & be stamped. Then the next day walk to the other side of the same town or city's Hostels or Alberues to sleep and then be stamped there too? & Is 90-days all the time ill have on my passport for explore-walking across all of northern Spain"? Oh, I'm a picture taker too. And last but not least, I use a travel CPAP machine, I kid-doth you not, or am I just dreaming? LOL! What say you?
Are you planning to walk the Camino Frances? That one has the best infrastructure. There ae villages every few kms with accommodation. You might also consider having your luggage 'transported'. Your accommodation can usually arrange that. I think most visas are for 90 days, but your travel agent or airline can probably confirm that. If you are running out of time, you might skip ahead with public transport. Just remember that if you want the 'Compostela' (Camino certificate) you must have walked the last 100 kms into Santiago. (200 if on a bike or horse). You know this already, but I'll say it anyway. Because I've walked three times as a 'fat Australian'. Every little bit of weight you can lose before going will make a huge difference! It will make it all easier and more enjoyable.
Hi I am 65 and I am going on my first walk , take a look at what this man tells you what to put in your pack . He is 100 % Right
Robscamino
I like your style just enjoying each step
James... I'd walk with you that's how I am sorda planning my Camino
coud have a copy of the map...
The maps in this video are in the Guidebook by John Brierley. That guidebook, other guidebooks and maps, can be bought online here. (no commercial interest. It's just where I buy mine) www.santiagodecompostela.me/
Hi
Good video for me
Glad it was interesting for you 🙂
10 k seems about right with as many days off as on.
That would make for a very long Camino 🙂 But hey, for some with physical difficulties that might be all they can manage.
@@robscamino i retired early and basically I've got the rest of my life to do even the simplest tasks. for instance instead of a 12 hour flight from Seattle to Hamburg why not just jump aboard the QM2 in NY on June 5th and take 9 days instead, makes sense to me.
@@kaspar_1982 Then it makes perfect sense 🙂
ps how to get the maps
The maps in this video are in the Guidebook by John Brierley. That guidebook, other guidebooks and maps, can be bought online here. (no commercial interest. It's just where I buy mine) www.santiagodecompostela.me/