Best 100KM route ( max 15 km per day -7/8 days max)

[Unweekends]

In previous threads by me I was going to attempt the whole Camino, but decided it's not gonna work for me to get that much time away from work.

I decided I do, however, want to do a 100KM route so that I can at least get a taste of the Camino & also earn my certificate.

My criteria is the pilgrimage needs to be under 8 days, and each walking day should ideally be between 10-15 KM. The shorter walking distance is due to the fact that I am not in the best shape & don't want to hate the experience by overdoing. I will train for at least 6 months in advance, but I'm no athlete.

The time of year will be September or early October next year (2025).

With this in mind I am looking for advice on the best route that fits these parameters. What route has the flattest terrain ( the least amount of uphill/downhill)?

Right now based on my limited research, the Camino Ingles from Ferrol looks like it. But I don't know if it is too physically challenging or if there is an easier alternative.

Thanks!

 

[CWBuff]

Hello
I know it's semantics but looking at the lower end of your stated projections ( under 8 days at 10 to 15km/day) - 7 * 10 = 70. No Compostela. Perhaps recalculate
Every Camino has its tough challenges and easy days. Quite a lot of gols are not in the best shape (I know I wasn't). If you're stating that you will train then train as hard as you can and don't worry about the route.
Now that said... although I didn't walk it IIRC some folks suggested Portuguese as pretty flat.
I'm sure you'll hear from other members
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[dick bird]

I decided I do, however, want to do a 100KM route so that I can at least get a taste of the Camino & also earn my certificate.

You can only receive a compostela if your 100km actually finish in Santiago, so a good option would be the Camino Inglès, a tad over 100km if you start from Ferrol, and a very pleasant route in its own right.

 

[jungleboy]

My favorite final 100km (or a bit more) is the Portuguese from Tui, including the Variante Espiritual.

 

[Robo]

I have only walked 3 different "Last 100 km" routes into or out of Santiago so far.
From Muxia, Fisterra Santiago. Quite a few hills. A couple steep.
Last part of the Invierno. Quite a few hills.
Last part of the Frances from Sarria. A few hills but nothing too bad.

More flat?

The Ingles. Looking at the Gronze profile, seems more hilly than the three above.
Maybe the last part of the Portuguese as @jungleboy suggests? Looks flatter than the others......

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

In previous threads by me I was going to attempt the whole Camino, but decided it's not gonna work for me to get that much time away from work.

I decided I do, however, want to do a 100KM route so that I can at least get a taste of the Camino & also earn my certificate.

My criteria is the pilgrimage needs to be under 8 days, and each walking day should ideally be between 10-15 KM. The shorter walking distance is due to the fact that I am not in the best shape & don't want to hate the experience by overdoing. I will train for at least 6 months in advance, but I'm no athlete.

The time of year will be September or early October next year (2025).

With this in mind I am looking for advice on the best route that fits these parameters. What route has the flattest terrain ( the least amount of uphill/downhill)?

Right now based on my limited research, the Camino Ingles from Ferrol looks like it. But I don't know if it is too physically challenging or if there is an easier alternative.

Thanks!

french way. there is a lot of road on the inglés and not sure of you have accommodation every 10 kms. perhaps the portuguese way is the least challenging regarding elevation gain and loss.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Frances from Sarrria is apparently far easier than the Inglés, also a lot easier to break up as you desire ( although it’s definitely doable, just takes more planning - there’s other threads on that if you decide to do the Inglés- which I loved).

The last section of the Portuguese is also relatively easy, and, again, with loads of infrastructure.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I’ve done 3 “last 100km” walks - from Sarria, from Porrino (a day less than starting at Tui and still 100km), and Ingles. I would say the Portugues was overall the easiest but the Ingles was my favorite, and most of it is very flat. Plus if you are taking more time, staying in Presidio or Beche will break up the hardest stage.

 

[uncletim]

Portuguese starting in Vigo is that 100km?

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Frances from Sarrria is apparently far easier than the Inglés, also a lot easier to break up as you desire ( although it’s definitely doable, just takes more planning - there’s other threads on that if you decide to do the Inglés- which I loved).

Easier to break up, yes. Easier vis-a-vis elevation gains? No, I would dispute that.

 

[Miki Goldie]

I have only walked 3 different "Last 100 km" routes into or out of Santiago so far.
From Muxia, Fisterra Santiago. Quite a few hills. A couple steep.
Last part of the Invierno. Quite a few hills.
Last part of the Frances from Sarria. A few hills but nothing too bad.

More flat?

The Ingles. Looking at the Gronze profile, seems more hilly than the three above.
Maybe the last part of the Portuguese as @jungleboy suggests? Looks flatter than the others......

From muxia, finisterre to Santiago does not qualify for the compestella I was told by the pilgrim office this June 2024. That info comes from the church. You do get 2 certificates from SdC to Muxia, and one in Finisterre.
I think the Ingles would be a good choice, from Ferrol or Portugese from Tui. Miki Goldie

 

[trecile]

From muxia, finisterre to Santiago does not qualify for the compestella I was told by the pilgrim office this June 2024.

Perhaps there was some confusion, but if you start from Finisterre or Muxía, and walk between the two, then on to Santiago, it is more than 100 km and does qualify for a Compostela.

In fact, when you look at the Compostela registration form you can see that this route is one of the options:

 

[Robo]

From muxia, finisterre to Santiago does not qualify for the compestella I was told by the pilgrim office this June 2024. That info comes from the church. You do get 2 certificates from SdC to Muxia, and one in Finisterre.
I think the Ingles would be a good choice, from Ferrol or Portugese from Tui. Miki Goldie

Really? We were planning to do that next year
Muxia-Fisterra-SDC is over 100 kms.
You did walk between Muxia and Fisterra?
Got your 2 stamps a day etc etc ?

I know it doesn't qualify the other way.
Walking 'from' SDC to Fisterra - Muxia.
Because you are not walking to SDC, but away from it.
I got the certificates in Fisterra and Muxia last year doing it in that direction.

I'm talking about in reverse.
Walking over 100 kms back to SDC.

 

[Robo]

Perhaps there was some confusion, but if you start from Finisterre or Muxía, and walk between the two, then on to Santiago, it is more than 100 km and does qualify for a Compostela.

In fact, when you look at the Compostela registration form you can see that this route is one of the options:

View attachment 176852

Has anyone successfully done this? Recently?

If I drag the 'Boss' over 100 kms and she misses out...........I might have to go on the run

 

[trecile]

Has anyone successfully done this? Recently?

I don't know about recently, but there have been reports of earning a Compostela on this route. Perhaps some of the regular Pilgrim Office volunteers like @Flog will weigh in.

 

[Robo]

I don't know about recently, but there have been reports of earning a Compostela on this route. Perhaps some of the regular Pilgrim Office volunteers like @Flog will weigh in.

Hope so.

 

[caminocoffee]

In previous threads by me I was going to attempt the whole Camino, but decided it's not gonna work for me to get that much time away from work.

I decided I do, however, want to do a 100KM route so that I can at least get a taste of the Camino & also earn my certificate.

My criteria is the pilgrimage needs to be under 8 days, and each walking day should ideally be between 10-15 KM. The shorter walking distance is due to the fact that I am not in the best shape & don't want to hate the experience by overdoing. I will train for at least 6 months in advance, but I'm no athlete.

The time of year will be September or early October next year (2025).

With this in mind I am looking for advice on the best route that fits these parameters. What route has the flattest terrain ( the least amount of uphill/downhill)?

Right now based on my limited research, the Camino Ingles from Ferrol looks like it. But I don't know if it is too physically challenging or if there is an easier alternative.

Thanks!

I suggest the Portuguese from Tui to Santiago. You can do it in 8 days. Take a train from Porto to Valença. Cross the border bridge to Tui. We did it in June. It was a wonderful experience.

 

[Camo]

Cross the border bridge to Tui.

And from what I can make out the church in Tui is a fantastic place to visit (a huge welcoming "front door") as the start point

 

[caminocoffee]

And from what I can make out the church in Tui is a fantastic place to visit (a huge welcoming "front door") as the start point

Portuguese way..Take the train to Valença. Walk across the border brigde. Stay at Casa de Barca in Tui. It is right on the camino. Juana is a wonderful host. There is a steep hill walking to the Cathedral in Tui. Beautiful church. We took the most beautiful photos on the way between Tui and Porrino. Beautiful forest walk.
Take the complementary path before you get to Porrino.
So many camino options. Still time to decide.

 

[Bill905]

My favorite final 100km (or a bit more) is the Portuguese from Tui, including the Variante Espiritual.

I agree, Tui is quite easy to get to ... a flight into Porto, a train to Valenca, walk across the bridge, and presto! you are in Tui. Only a few hills to give you an idea of other trails, plenty of history, friendly people, good food, lovely scenery, etc. And for me, the cherry on the cake is the cathedral experience in Santiago, whether you get a Compostela or not.

 

[Tincatinker]

Has anyone successfully done this? Recently?

If I drag the 'Boss' over 100 kms and she misses out...........I might have to go on the run

The Beloved has her Compostela for walking Fisterra/Muxia/Santiago (or maybe Muxia/Fisterra/Santiago? My diaries are in the attic. I remember there was some discussion because her credencial showed she'd walked from Santiago but was accepted because she had walked to Santiago after wherever the hell it was we did the to bit from) . The route can be registered on the PO's website. Therefore it's a route.

ps: don't forget to get a sello in Lires