I have walked the Camino Frances in 2022 at age 70, and the Camino Portuguese in 2024 at age 71.5. On the Camino Frances, I started alone in St.Jean Pied de Port alone, but joined a Camino family of other guys my age from 5 other countries near Burgos and walked with them on and off all the way to Santiago. On the Camino Portuguese, I started in Porto and walked all the way to Santiago alone, except for some daily companions I met along the way. I also walked to Finisterre alone after the Camino Portuguese. On both Caminos, I carried my 22 pound backpack every day and I slept in the public albergues every night. If I can do it, anyone can. I highly recommend at least starting alone and finding out how that works for you. I’ll bet you meet more people than you dreamed of and possibly a Camino family of friends for life.
Thanks for sharing your story, Dennis. Always great to hear from experienced pilgrims. I appreciate you taking the time to give your opinion. My father is 77 and still doing Caminos:) He did his first solo one last autumn.
Wow, I hope to still walk Camino’s when I’m 77. I asked my wife prior to my first Camino if she wanted to join me. Unfortunately she was having some ankle issues that needed to be taped so she declined. But on both Camino’s, she and her younger sister came along to Spain and Portugal on a more touristy visit and either saw me off on day 1 or met me in Santiago when I finished. I hope your readers figure out that there are many ways for spouses, friends, or anyone to participate in their Caminos.
Loved your reflections Rebecca! It made me desire to do it on my own...
I have walked the Camino Frances in 2022 at age 70, and the Camino Portuguese in 2024 at age 71.5. On the Camino Frances, I started alone in St.Jean Pied de Port alone, but joined a Camino family of other guys my age from 5 other countries near Burgos and walked with them on and off all the way to Santiago. On the Camino Portuguese, I started in Porto and walked all the way to Santiago alone, except for some daily companions I met along the way. I also walked to Finisterre alone after the Camino Portuguese. On both Caminos, I carried my 22 pound backpack every day and I slept in the public albergues every night. If I can do it, anyone can. I highly recommend at least starting alone and finding out how that works for you. I’ll bet you meet more people than you dreamed of and possibly a Camino family of friends for life.
Thanks for sharing your story, Dennis. Always great to hear from experienced pilgrims. I appreciate you taking the time to give your opinion. My father is 77 and still doing Caminos:) He did his first solo one last autumn.
Wow, I hope to still walk Camino’s when I’m 77. I asked my wife prior to my first Camino if she wanted to join me. Unfortunately she was having some ankle issues that needed to be taped so she declined. But on both Camino’s, she and her younger sister came along to Spain and Portugal on a more touristy visit and either saw me off on day 1 or met me in Santiago when I finished. I hope your readers figure out that there are many ways for spouses, friends, or anyone to participate in their Caminos.