So here is the mirror image of the person who needs to walk.
So you are a hiker - up and down in a national park, 8 to 10 miles most weekends.
And now you are comtemplating 15 plus miles every day. 15 miles? Is that nuts?
No... Walking the Camino is not like hiking in a park or forest.
The biggest time waster on a hike is driving to the trailhead and back. On the Camino, you are on the trail. You step out of your hostel and you're on the trail - usually by 7 am.
The Camino, especially the Frances, is almost flat. No mountains to climb. You are walking through villages, the same villages that residents live in. The trail is almost smooth. People in these villages are not wearing boots; most of the time, it's slipper-like shoes or flip-flops.
So hike to prepare and then realise that mile for mile, the Camino is so much easier. Enjoy!
Thanks for this --I've talked to many people who thought they were in "great shape" and didn't need to do anything different from their regular exercise routine only to realize they never done back-to-back 8, 10, or 12 mile days!
However, I wouldn't say the Camino Francés is flat. Perhaps you didn't do the part that crosses the Pyrenees? Or the part that climbs up to O Cebreiro? For many people, if they choose to start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the first day over the Pyrenees is the hardest hike they've ever done.
Also, I wouldn't say the trail is smooth. I walked with a friend who specifically said to me, "When you tell people about the Camino, tell them about all the rocks!" I took many pictures of rocky paths--some flat, but some terrifying descents.
I guess we all have different views of the same trail -- just as in life!
So here is the mirror image of the person who needs to walk.
So you are a hiker - up and down in a national park, 8 to 10 miles most weekends.
And now you are comtemplating 15 plus miles every day. 15 miles? Is that nuts?
No... Walking the Camino is not like hiking in a park or forest.
The biggest time waster on a hike is driving to the trailhead and back. On the Camino, you are on the trail. You step out of your hostel and you're on the trail - usually by 7 am.
The Camino, especially the Frances, is almost flat. No mountains to climb. You are walking through villages, the same villages that residents live in. The trail is almost smooth. People in these villages are not wearing boots; most of the time, it's slipper-like shoes or flip-flops.
So hike to prepare and then realise that mile for mile, the Camino is so much easier. Enjoy!
Hello Danny --
Thanks for this --I've talked to many people who thought they were in "great shape" and didn't need to do anything different from their regular exercise routine only to realize they never done back-to-back 8, 10, or 12 mile days!
However, I wouldn't say the Camino Francés is flat. Perhaps you didn't do the part that crosses the Pyrenees? Or the part that climbs up to O Cebreiro? For many people, if they choose to start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the first day over the Pyrenees is the hardest hike they've ever done.
Also, I wouldn't say the trail is smooth. I walked with a friend who specifically said to me, "When you tell people about the Camino, tell them about all the rocks!" I took many pictures of rocky paths--some flat, but some terrifying descents.
I guess we all have different views of the same trail -- just as in life!
True. The first day was a steep uphill over the Pyrenees. But after that ...