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When and which part to walk with my 7 year old

Sacha

Peregrina
Time of past OR future Camino
05/24 C. Portugues
09/25 CF Ponferrada - Fisterra
Hello! I want to take my 7 year old son on his first camino for about a week. I don’t need to end in Santiago. I was hoping for input from fellow parent pilgrims.

I need to go in a school holiday obviously, thinking either end of August (too hot for my liking) or Easter.

Thanks in advance!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Pamplona to Logrono might be an Idea. It's roughly 100k, lots of nice little villages in between and pretty landscape. Should give some flexibility with daily distance, which i guess might be important with a 7yo. If you cover more ground and arrive with time to spare you can easily just continue from Logrono (and then take a bus or taxi back or forward to a town with a train station)
 
Pamplona to Logrono might be an Idea. It's roughly 100k, lots of nice little villages in between and pretty landscape. Should give some flexibility with daily distance, which i guess might be important with a 7yo. If you cover more ground and arrive with time to spare you can easily just continue from Logrono (and then take a bus or taxi back or forward to a town with a train station)

Great suggestion thank you! Pamplona and Logroño are two of my favorite cities alonf the French way!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Hello! I want to take my 7 year old son on his first camino for about a week. I don’t need to end in Santiago. I was hoping for input from fellow parent pilgrims.

I need to go in a school holiday obviously, thinking either end of August (too hot for my liking) or Easter.

Thanks in advance!
Congratulations! I can't give you any advice on that, but I love parents who start walking early with their sons!

7 years can be difficult, and you'll probably have to carry him on your shoulders at some point, and then they may or may not continue to do it as adults, but it's so important to have that kind of experience when they're still kids!
 
Congratulations! I can't give you any advice on that, but I love parents who start walking early with their sons!

7 years can be difficult, and you'll probably have to carry him on your shoulders at some point, and then they may or may not continue to do it as adults, but it's so important to have that kind of experience when they're still kids!
Thanks, I have always loved seeing families with young kids on the camino aswell!
I am confident he will not need to be carried. He is an energetic boy and does a lot of hiking and biking with me in Andorra aswell.

I believe this experience will do him a lot of good.
 
What are his interests? That may help you decide. There's the castle at Ponferrada or maybe walking along the beach at Finesterre? Between Portomarin and Palas de Rei there's an Iron Age hill fort and another cool castle a quick cab ride from Palas de Rei (Castillo de Pembre). You could break that up easily for a 7 year old as there's lots of lodging. Would he like the processions at Easter? If you walk at Easter, there will be less lodging open so be sure to reserve. Many places open for the season at that time or wait until after Easter.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
What are his interests? That may help you decide. There's the castle at Ponferrada or maybe walking along the beach at Finesterre? Between Portomarin and Palas de Rei there's an Iron Age hill fort and another cool castle a quick cab ride from Palas de Rei (Castillo de Pembre). You could break that up easily for a 7 year old as there's lots of lodging. Would he like the processions at Easter? If you walk at Easter, there will be less lodging open so be sure to reserve. Many places open for the season at that time or wait until after Easter.
Yea I was wondering about walking around easter.. Easter week is 13 to 19 april. I was thinking to start walking a few days later, but I am worried about how busy the albergues are. Ideally I prefer not to reserve any places ahead of time, but not sure that is a good idea around easter with a child in tow..

Great idea about thinking about special places for my son to see. I’m gonna keep that in mind. Thanks!
 
In Galicia all the Xunta albergues will be open and don't take reservations. The main towns usually have very large albergues and smaller towns in between have smaller ones that can be virtually empty.
 
These might be too long, but my favorite stretch might be:
Begin at Hospital de Órbigo Km 275. B&B Puente de Órbigo. Highly recommend this B&B: 3 private bedrooms, nice owner. Read about the old bridge (PUENTE DE ÓRBIGO (PASSO HONROSO)) and walk across it to have dinner in the old town.
TO:
Astorga, Km 257, Day 1. Here you will take first notice of the Maragato culture, the ancient tribe of red-headed Iberians that served as the muleteers between the coast and the interior of Spain. They maintain several curious customs by modern standards, doing most thing the exact opposite as we are accustomed. One of these is their cocido, a meal which is served meat first and greens last. Three buildings of note: 1. The Ayuntamiento (whose animatronic sculptures ring in the hours), 2. The Palacio Episcopal, which was never occupied by the Bishop and which was designed by Gaudi, and 3. the Catedral de Astorga. The last two can be visited on a joint ticket for 5 euros but the opening hours are not always clear. There is also a good Roman museum and a Chocolate Museum. I literally stopped in my tracks when I came around a corner and saw the Gaudi palace and Cathedral.

Day 2: Astorga to Rabanal del Camino Km 239. Rabanal is a common (and wise) stopping point along the way. Ahead is a high mountain pass that demands a bit of rest. Vespers are sung by the monks every night at 7pm at the small parish Iglesia de Santa María and a benediction for pilgrims is held afterward.

Day 3, Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca Km 213:
Cruz de Ferro Km 229: The Iron Cross marks the highest part of the mountain pass and has become the place where pilgrims the world over leave behind a stone brought with them from home or elsewhere on the camino. Read a bit about this spot. Another famous photo-op.
Molinaseca, Beautiful town, river, bridge, and old churches, etc. Narrow old pedestrian “Main Street” lined with cafes and restaurants. But also spend a night in Ponferrada.

Day 4, Molinaseca to Ponferrada. Km 205. Ponferrada’s Templar castle is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind and offers a glimpse into what castle life must have been like in the 12th and 13th centuries. This place looks practically new, like Walt Disney just built it. The Iglesia de Santa María de la Encina is named for a Templar legend according to which her image was found in the trunk of an Oak tree. It is located in the oldest part of town, near the castle. Check out the Templar’s castle, and dinner in the Plaza de la Virgen del Encina. And maybe on your way into Ponferrada, the sweet little old lady will still be handing-out cake and welcoming/chatting with pilgrims.

Day 5, Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo. Km 181. On the edge of Castilla y León, you’ll reach the town of Villafranca del Bierzo, one of the most important towns along the Camino in the region. Its grand monuments and elegant mansions down the Calle del Agua have earned it the heritage status of Property of Cultural Interest. San Francisco de Assisi passed through 800 years ago and is said to have founded the Iglesia de San Francisco, do pay it a visit as it often doubles as an exhibition hall (plus its elevation affords a good view as the sun sets in the valley). Definitely one of my favorite towns. Check out the garden, the Calle del Agua, and the Puente Medieval de Villafranca and pilgrim statue. There is a sidewalk café across the street from the garden, next to a playground and old church (Colegiata de Santa María de Cluni), with a view of the façade of the Iglesia de San Nicolás El Real being lit up and colored by the setting sun.
 
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
What are his interests? That may help you decide.

Great idea about thinking about special places for my son to see.
I completely agree with the above. While you may get tons of suggestions here (and you are already well on the way 🙂) its not what we suggest based on our interests or basically guessing what would be interesting for your son. Ask him and then play it from there.

7 years can be difficult, and you'll probably have to carry him on your shoulders at some point,
I really don't think it will be necessary. I saw enough kids around 7yo on my CF and everyone was walking.
at no point I saw anyone carry anyone...

Good Luck and Buen Camino
 
It happens - although she was only 6 years old and we had unexpectedly walked much farther than we had planned to (an extra 10km beyond what is comfortable for you is a lot when you legs are short). By the time she was eight, she could regularly walk 25-30km and one day even did a marathon (actually, we had only done 41km when we arrived at the albergue, so she went out and walked another kilometer so she could say she had walked a marathon!!)
2012-09-12 Joe Spain 020.JPG
 
These might be too long, but my favorite stretch might be:
Begin at Hospital de Órbigo Km 275. B&B Puente de Órbigo. Highly recommend this B&B: 3 private bedrooms, nice owner. Read about the old bridge (PUENTE DE ÓRBIGO (PASSO HONROSO)) and walk across it to have dinner in the old town.
TO:
Astorga, Km 257, Day 1. Here you will take first notice of the Maragato culture, the ancient tribe of red-headed Iberians that served as the muleteers between the coast and the interior of Spain. They maintain several curious customs by modern standards, doing most thing the exact opposite as we are accustomed. One of these is their cocido, a meal which is served meat first and greens last. Three buildings of note: 1. The Ayuntamiento (whose animatronic sculptures ring in the hours), 2. The Palacio Episcopal, which was never occupied by the Bishop and which was designed by Gaudi, and 3. the Catedral de Astorga. The last two can be visited on a joint ticket for 5 euros but the opening hours are not always clear. There is also a good Roman museum and a Chocolate Museum. I literally stopped in my tracks when I came around a corner and saw the Gaudi palace and Cathedral.

Day 2: Astorga to Rabanal del Camino Km 239. Rabanal is a common (and wise) stopping point along the way. Ahead is a high mountain pass that demands a bit of rest. Vespers are sung by the monks every night at 7pm at the small parish Iglesia de Santa María and a benediction for pilgrims is held afterward.

Day 3, Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca Km 213:
Cruz de Ferro Km 229: The Iron Cross marks the highest part of the mountain pass and has become the place where pilgrims the world over leave behind a stone brought with them from home or elsewhere on the camino. Read a bit about this spot. Another famous photo-op.
Molinaseca, Beautiful town, river, bridge, and old churches, etc. Narrow old pedestrian “Main Street” lined with cafes and restaurants. But also spend a night in Ponferrada.

Day 4, Molinaseca to Ponferrada. Km 205. Ponferrada’s Templar castle is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind and offers a glimpse into what castle life must have been like in the 12th and 13th centuries. This place looks practically new, like Walt Disney just built it. The Iglesia de Santa María de la Encina is named for a Templar legend according to which her image was found in the trunk of an Oak tree. It is located in the oldest part of town, near the castle. Check out the Templar’s castle, and dinner in the Plaza de la Virgen del Encina. And maybe on your way into Ponferrada, the sweet little old lady will still be handing-out cake and welcoming/chatting with pilgrims.

Day 5, Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo. Km 181. On the edge of Castilla y León, you’ll reach the town of Villafranca del Bierzo, one of the most important towns along the Camino in the region. Its grand monuments and elegant mansions down the Calle del Agua have earned it the heritage status of Property of Cultural Interest. San Francisco de Assisi passed through 800 years ago and is said to have founded the Iglesia de San Francisco, do pay it a visit as it often doubles as an exhibition hall (plus its elevation affords a good view as the sun sets in the valley). Definitely one of my favorite towns. Check out the garden, the Calle del Agua, and the Puente Medieval de Villafranca and pilgrim statue. There is a sidewalk café across the street from the garden, next to a playground and old church (Colegiata de Santa María de Cluni), with a view of the façade of the Iglesia de San Nicolás El Real being lit up and colored by the setting sun.
This is amazing thank you! I remember the gaudi palace and cathedral, great suggestions!
Reading all this it actually reminds me of an albergue I walked past that I would’ve loved to stay at: Albergue Indian Way.

Really appreciate you sharing this. These 5 days I could spread out into 8 days I think and that would be a great camino with my kid.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
It happens - although she was only 6 years old and we had unexpectedly walked much farther than we had planned to (an extra 10km beyond what is comfortable for you is a lot when you legs are short). By the time she was eight, she could regularly walk 25-30km and one day even did a marathon (actually, we had only done 41km when we arrived at the albergue, so she went out and walked another kilometer so she could say she had walked a marathon!!)
View attachment 178479
Wow amazing! 👏
 

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