LIVE from the Camino A slow Finisterre walk

[andywild]

Hi all, I'm currently doing a 10km (ish) a day walk from Santiago to Finisterre and, on the whole, finding it a great way to walk.
I was worried that the shorter distances each day would leave too much time in the afternoons sat around the albergue but do far so good.
Pros:
Even with a dodgy knee, the 10km is no where near as painful as a 25km day would be and therefore "doable" (for me anyway)
No rush in the mornings, I can let everyone else pack up and head off and then take my time to get ready before enjoying a breakfast/cafe con leche etc.
Take extra time during the day to stop and enjoy the villages I would normally walk straight through on a 25km day.
Reach the albergue still fresh enough to sit, chat, enjoy the afternoon before washing my clothes etc.

As for cons, I can't really think of anything that affects me personally. Maybe the longer afternoons could be a waste of walking time for some? Personally I don't mind. There's always people to talk to and a vino or bocadillo to enjoy.

I'm even considering writing a post for my blog that may help people, (for instance with mobility issues) that don't think they could walk a camino, just to say that a slow, reduced distance approach is still a very viable option.
Anyway, enough of me rambling on.
Buen Camino all !!
Love and hugs
Andy x

 

[donalomahony]

@andywild Lets know your overnight locations please...

Sounds great...

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I'm even considering writing a post for my blog that may help people, (for instance with mobility issues) that don't think they could walk a camino, just to say that a slow, reduced distance approach is still a very viable option.

Better yet, you could post about it on here, it would be a great resource.

 

[Dani7]

Great strategy which will also work for me on days where I just want to take more time to enjoy nature and villages with no rushing in the mornings. That’s my plan for 2026. Would enjoy your posts to Finistere

 

[jsalt]

I like your approach: “No rush in the mornings, I can let everyone else pack up and head off and then take my time to get ready before enjoying a breakfast/cafe con leche etc.”
It’s the way I have always walked my caminos, just can’t do early starts, and I really enjoy my breakfast – The Best Meal Of The Day – well, maybe not in Spain.
Have a wonderful camino.
So refreshing to see your post – everyone else seems to be rushing out at 5am to get to the next albergue by 1pm so that they can get a bed and do their laundry.
I guess us late starters, who like wandering along, enjoying leisurely breakfasts and long lunches, arriving late in the day, can now only walk off season if we want to walk the camino and not book ahead. But that’s OK, I can do that.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Hi all, I'm currently doing a 10km (ish) a day walk from Santiago to Finisterre and, on the whole, finding it a great way to walk.
I was worried that the shorter distances each day would leave too much time in the afternoons sat around the albergue but do far so good.
Pros:
Even with a dodgy knee, the 10km is no where near as painful as a 25km day would be and therefore "doable" (for me anyway)
No rush in the mornings, I can let everyone else pack up and head off and then take my time to get ready before enjoying a breakfast/cafe con leche etc.
Take extra time during the day to stop and enjoy the villages I would normally walk straight through on a 25km day.
Reach the albergue still fresh enough to sit, chat, enjoy the afternoon before washing my clothes etc.

As for cons, I can't really think of anything that affects me personally. Maybe the longer afternoons could be a waste of walking time for some? Personally I don't mind. There's always people to talk to and a vino or bocadillo to enjoy.

I'm even considering writing a post for my blog that may help people, (for instance with mobility issues) that don't think they could walk a camino, just to say that a slow, reduced distance approach is still a very viable option.
Anyway, enough of me rambling on.
Buen Camino all !!
Love and hugs
Andy x

Love your approach to your Camino. It’s a great walk from SdC to Finisterre. I’ll be the first to admit that I tend to go too fast, travel too far in a day, and not have time for the many good things I see or places I pass through on my way to an end-of-day destination. Good for you for taking the time to smell the roses! Keep enjoying those bocadillos and vino! Buen Camino!

 

[andywild]

Better yet, you could post about it on here, it would be a great resource.

Yes of course, when I've finished the walk I'll create a post that includes full details of my "mini" stages whatever they may be. I'll be taking suggestions for a decent title that would be easily searchable should someone be looking for that kind of info.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Actually I was kind of hoping you would Post live, and the title does not need to be changed - it's perfect in my opinion. You don't have to write screeds but a short precis each day would be wonderful.

 

[Lindsay53]

Sounds great Andy. Keen to read your report.

 

[MARSKA]

Looking forward to hearing more, Andy! Buen Camino!

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Be sure to tell us about your accommodations!

 

[JoEllen]

I would love to learn of your overnight stops and accommodations here as well. I plan to walk the Camino Ingles into SdC, then on to Finisterre aftwards. Would love some ideas. I normally don't do long days when I'm solo, so this sounds great to me!!

 

[JacTx]

Buen Camino!

 

[Skybo]

I walked SdC to Muxia over 8 days(spent an extra day in Fisterra). Broke up Fisterra to Muxia at a lovely Albergue in Lires. Extra day in Muxia before returning to SdC and flying home. It was a lovely finish to the Camino Ingles in 2022

 

[GillRichardson]

I'd love details of your route and where you stopped please. I am looking at doing a "slow" Camino Finisterre.

 

[roisin431]

Hi all, I'm currently doing a 10km (ish) a day walk from Santiago to Finisterre and, on the whole, finding it a great way to walk.
I was worried that the shorter distances each day would leave too much time in the afternoons sat around the albergue but do far so good.
Pros:
Even with a dodgy knee, the 10km is no where near as painful as a 25km day would be and therefore "doable" (for me anyway)
No rush in the mornings, I can let everyone else pack up and head off and then take my time to get ready before enjoying a breakfast/cafe con leche etc.
Take extra time during the day to stop and enjoy the villages I would normally walk straight through on a 25km day.
Reach the albergue still fresh enough to sit, chat, enjoy the afternoon before washing my clothes etc.

As for cons, I can't really think of anything that affects me personally. Maybe the longer afternoons could be a waste of walking time for some? Personally I don't mind. There's always people to talk to and a vino or bocadillo to enjoy.

I'm even considering writing a post for my blog that may help people, (for instance with mobility issues) that don't think they could walk a camino, just to say that a slow, reduced distance approach is still a very viable option.
Anyway, enough of me rambling on.
Buen Camino all !!
Love and hugs
Andy

My favourite Camino day was the one I walked the least. There’s so much to see along the way, I was able to wander off course and I also really enjoyed finishing up my walk as the sun started to set. Maybe this time of year that might be a little too late but if you get a chance catch the sunsets too.

 

[peregrina2000]

I'd love details of your route and where you stopped please. I am looking at doing a "slow" Camino Finisterre.

You should check out Andy’s blog, linked in the signature line under his name.
His stops: Ventosa, Negreira, Vilaserio, Santa Mariña, Olveiroa,Cee, Finisterre

 

[GillRichardson]

Thanks so much peregrina2000, I'll do that

 

[1BreathAtATime]

Thanks for posting this. I had been under the impression that Santiago to Finisterra had only longer distances between places to stay.
I might need to have my main luggage transported and only carry a day pack; I've also read this is not an option at most places along this route.
Either way, good on you Buen Camino!

 

[akane81]

Thanks for this! I'm planning to do a slow camino this December for 10 days and cant decide where it is feasible (need luggage transport and a camino where short distances are possible with places to stay).

My first camino was 2 months ago in June and I didnt enjoy it as much as I should, I only had 5 days to walk then so I went for the textbook Sarria to Santiago. I thought my fitness is average as I did marathons pre-Covid but to my horror, the 20km++ daily walking was too tiring for me and I was exhausted and not enjoying myself. I'm only in early 40s but the older folks were passing me fast and furious.

I've decided that I'm okay with walking slow, I want to cut down the distances so that I can rest or stop to smell the flowers and enjoy myself the next Camino. Hopefully, walking from Santiago and Muxia/ Finsterra is feasible in December. My alternative plan is the Portuguese way from Valenca.

 

[1BreathAtATime]

Thanks for this! I'm planning to do a slow camino this December for 10 days and cant decide where it is feasible (need luggage transport and a camino where short distances are possible with places to stay).

My first camino was 2 months ago in June and I didnt enjoy it as much as I should, I only had 5 days to walk then so I went for the textbook Sarria to Santiago. I thought my fitness is average as I did marathons pre-Covid but to my horror, the 20km++ daily walking was too tiring for me and I was exhausted and not enjoying myself. I'm only in early 40s but the older folks were passing me fast and furious.

I've decided that I'm okay with walking slow, I want to cut down the distances so that I can rest or stop to smell the flowers and enjoy myself the next Camino. Hopefully, walking from Santiago and Muxia/ Finsterra is feasible in December. My alternative plan is the Portuguese way from Valenca.

I'm already learning the lesson to be compassionate and kind to my own body... and I haven't even left yet. The training for leaving has taught me so much already Glad you hear you are listening to yours as well.

 

[andywild]

Thanks for this! I'm planning to do a slow camino this December for 10 days and cant decide where it is feasible (need luggage transport and a camino where short distances are possible with places to stay).

My first camino was 2 months ago in June and I didnt enjoy it as much as I should, I only had 5 days to walk then so I went for the textbook Sarria to Santiago. I thought my fitness is average as I did marathons pre-Covid but to my horror, the 20km++ daily walking was too tiring for me and I was exhausted and not enjoying myself. I'm only in early 40s but the older folks were passing me fast and furious.

I've decided that I'm okay with walking slow, I want to cut down the distances so that I can rest or stop to smell the flowers and enjoy myself the next Camino. Hopefully, walking from Santiago and Muxia/ Finsterra is feasible in December. My alternative plan is the Portuguese way from Valenca.

Finisterre it's definitely an option for you then. Although I'm not sure about accommodation in December.. I'm sure there will be someone on here that could shed a bit of light on the subject.
For any more details about my walks ( I also did a short day 'mini' Camino around the o cebreiro area of the Camino Frances which is on my blog). Feel free to message and I'll happily talk for hours, (as would nearly every person in here when there's a camino being discussed )