Meseta

[LizzieW]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

 

[Telelama]

Absolutely! There's good train connections at Astorga too. We loved the mesta, beautiful place, you'll love it!

 

[trecile]

This is a bit of a switch because so many people skip the Meseta. I'm happy that you want to experience it, and it's beautiful in June with the poppies and other wildflowers.

How many days do you have in total? Most people walk from Sarria to Santiago in about 5 days, so you may be able to walk farther each day than you are currently planning. It might be possible to walk a large part of the Meseta and not have to skip from Astorga to Sarria. You don't have to start in Burgos.

I'm a proponent of picking a starting point and doing a continuous walk to Santiago. It's hard to explain, but for me the Camino magic happens when I walk without skipping sections.

 

[Davido]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

I walked last month (Burgos to Santiago in about 22 days at a fairly relaxed pace). Sarria to Santiago should be about 6 days maximum, stopping for example in Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Melide, Azura, Amenal). Buen Camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, Burgos to Santiago is good. You will loose a day in transport so consider just walking from Burgos. You don't need 10 days from Sarria.

 

[trecile]

Yes, Burgos to Santiago is good. You will loose a day in transport so consider just walking from Burgos. You don't need 10 days from Sarria.

Or, if they don't have enough time they could start somewhere in the middle of the Meseta, like Carrión de los Condes, Sahagún, or Frómista.

 

[bestfootforward]

The Meseta is wonderful. You'll regret missing it IMHO. You've been given so many great options by previous posters, you should feel comfortable about achieving what you need to and having no regrets. Buen Camino!

 

[Anhalter]

It is not completely clear to me what your best options are. You initially planned the ~115km from Sarria to Santiago, because of time constraints. Thats fine. Now you want to add the ~240km Burgos to Astorga to it. Also a good idea, but a bit weird imho to add more than double to what you initially wanted... But i feel the more time you spend on the camino the better the experience, so if thats possible for you, go for it.
Then skipping ahead and doing the Sarria section in 10 days... again, if you want it like this, why not. But after having walked 240km already that roughly 12km a day (thats 3h of walking) might feel weird to you.
I don't want to tell you to do it in a specific way, but i think there can be some optimizations made to your planning. I also personally would always try to walk a camino with no interruptions in it.
Maybe provide a bit more context so we can help better.

 

[David]

The answer is yes you can.
Though .. ten days for Sarria to Santiago? That would be 10kms a day, 6 miles a day .. if that is due to your inability to walk distances it may be better to work out how far you can walk each day happily, not stressed, not overdoing it, then work out a plan from there - add in rest/injury days too.

 

[LizzieW]

It is not completely clear to me what your best options are. You initially planned the ~115km from Sarria to Santiago, because of time constraints. Thats fine. Now you want to add the ~240km Burgos to Astorga to it. Also a good idea, but a bit weird imho to add more than double to what you initially wanted... But i feel the more time you spend on the camino the better the experience, so if thats possible for you, go for it.
Then skipping ahead and doing the Sarria section in 10 days... again, if you want it like this, why not. But after having walked 240km already that roughly 12km a day (thats 3h of walking) might feel weird to you.
I don't want to tell you to do it in a specific way, but i think there can be some optimizations made to your planning. I also personally would always try to walk a camino with no interruptions in it.
Maybe provide a bit more context so we can help better.

We are looking to walk just 3-4 days on the Meseta. Then take a train or bus to Sarria. Then continue with our Camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

We are looking to walk just 3-4 days on the Meseta. Then take a train or bus to Sarria. Then continue with our Camino.

Ok, then I would look carefully at the connections to get to Sarria. The meseta does not have as many bus/train connections as other parts of the Frances. From Burgos the first town with a train station will be Fromista.

I looked quickly at the train and bus connections from Fromista to Sarria, and it will take 9 to 12 hours and two transfers depending on the route you take. You'll want to factor that into your plans.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

Walk the

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

Walk the Meseta and skip the walk from the mess from Sarria to Santiago.

 

[Anhalter]

We are looking to walk just 3-4 days on the Meseta. Then take a train or bus to Sarria. Then continue with our Camino.

Then maybe, maybe, Burgos to Fromista could be your thing. After leaving Burgos behind you get very much of that typical Meseta landscape.

However, as @J Willhaus pointed out, consider if it is worth the effort. You need to get to Burgos. You'll spend half a day to walk out of the town, then assuming Fromista as destination (which has the best public transport up until Sahagun) you'll spend another half day riding trains or buses to get to Sarria.
Not impossible, not necessarily unreasonable... but very dependent on what you want.

 

[t2andreo]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

I call this, a “leap frog” Camino. Of course it is legitimate, as each pilgrim walks their own pilgrimage - as they choose. That is Camino Rule #1.

Just remember that, to be eligible for a Compostela (if that interests you) you MYST walk the last bit from Sarria into Santiago - if doing the Camino Frances.

There are bus stations in the larger cities, with daily service along the Camino Frances. Check schedules at www.alsa.es. Or, search the forum for bus service on the Camino Frances. They also have an app for smartphones.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[LizzieW]

Ok, then I would look carefully at the connections to get to Sarria. The meseta does not have as many bus/train connections as other parts of the Frances. From Burgos the first town with a train station will be Fromista.

I looked quickly at the train and bus connections from Fromista to Sarria, and it will take 9 to 12 hours and two transfers depending on the route you take. You'll want to factor that into your plans.

 

[LizzieW]

You are so kind o have looked up a train schedule. Thank you!
I definitely have to revamp my thinking. Work out the routes.

I so appreciate everyone’s suggestions and ideas. Thank you all.

 

[gemdrag]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

My 2 sisters and I lived the meseta. We walked thru it in May this year. The wild flowers were fantastic

 

[Bellbutt]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

Do The Camino your way. What you have planned is fine. I loved the Mesea.

 

[Jodean]

If you feel like taking 10 days to walk from Sarria, go for it. Just because others do it in 5-6, doesn't mean you have to. I spent 9 days walking this section in 2015 and really enjoyed it. I would do it again like that. Some of us are not made to walk long distances each day.

Plan your Camino they way you want it to be. If walking from Burgos to Astorga, or perhaps Fromista fits your plan, go for it.

 

[trecile]

We are looking to walk just 3-4 days on the Meseta. Then take a train or bus to Sarria

In your original post it sounded like you wanted to walk from Burgos to Astorga, not just 3-4 days on the Meseta.

It would be helpful if you let us know how many days in total you have to walk to ve able to help you with the logistics.

 

[LizzieW]

Possibly 15 days total.

 

[trecile]

Possibly 15 days total.

While I like the Meseta, I value a continuous walk more. You could easily walk the 257km from Astorga in 15 days at a comfortable pace of about 17 km per day average.

Iconic places that you will miss if you skip Astorga to Sarria are Cruz de Ferro, O Cebreiro, and Rabanal del Camino.

 

[julia-t]

I walked from Burgos to Carrion de los Condes - I loved that section of the Meseta. But I did take the alternative path after Fromista- if you’re going to trudge for miles along a main road you might as well call it a day in Fromista.
From CdlC I took a bus to Palencia and then a train to Astorga via Leon. The train took less than 3 hours.
I’m pretty sure there’s a train from Fromista to Palencia, it’s not far.
The section from Astorga to Sarria includes several Camino ‘landmarks’ like Cruz de Ferro, O Cebreiro, Samos (a delightful alternative path), and I’d rather walk that section of the Camino over the second part of the Meseta.

 

[CWBuff]

I’m pretty sure there’s a train from Fromista to Palencia, it’s not far.

There is

 

[suseia]

Great idea walking the Meseta!! This summer I walked the Francès with my wife from SJPP to Burgos because we had only two weeks of vacation.. But I was a bit sad about missing the Meseta... next year we are planning to go from Burgos to Santiago starting at the end of August. I think that the Meseta is really a fascinating part of the Camino.. the heat during the summer worries me a bit but we have no choice...

 

[Tim Floyd]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

First of all, congratulations on going. It is a wonderful adventure.

I agree the Meseta is a unique experience. We loved it. We walked in the fall and the morning and sundown light on the fields was amazing. If you are pressed for time your plan can work, but the path between Astorga and Sarria has some amazing sections. You may regret missing those. Ponferrada. Cruz de Ferro. Molinaseca. Triacastella.

Something to consider. Start Burgos and do about three days of Meseta. You can probably get to Fromista easily. From Fromista you can catch a train to Leon or even Astorga. Leon is worth seeing, especially the Cathedral. You can catch a train or cab even from Leon to Astorga (my opinion the trail between them is forgetable). From Astorga on is wonderful, though it has some hard stretches. Others will probably tell you this but 10 days to do Sarria to Santiago is overkill. I did Ponferrada to Santiago last year with my 10 year old grandson.

A plan like this would give you a taste of Meseta, maximize time, and still give you the wide variety of the way.

Have fun. The planning is part of the adventure.

 

[alexwalker]

I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it.

You will. It is possibly the best part of the whole Camino.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Your plan is good, but I agree with @trecile : Start in Burgos and walk to Santiago. I will do the same next April/May.

 

[lt56ny]

You will. It is possibly the best part of the whole Camino.

I agree Alex!

In your original post it sounded like you wanted to walk from Burgos to Astorga, not just 3-4 days on the Meseta.

It would be helpful if you let us know how many days in total you have to walk to ve able to help you with the logistics.

Just a question to you. I think you know that now I walk combination caminos instead of only one long one like I used to. This year, Aragones, Madrid Portugues Coastal. AWESOME. I have been asked about the Meseta and I always say it is a powerful experience. But I have never started on the Meseta because I have felt like starting there would not allow me to feel the same power the Meseta offers if I hadn't already walked at the minimum of 10-14 days. I need that time to shed my s$%t and be in my camino rhythm. Does all this make sense to you or anyone reading this. Just wondering.

 

[trecile]

Your plan is good, but I agree with @trecile : Start in Burgos and walk to Santiago

Actually, with only 15 days to walk I recommend starting from Astorga, and doing a continuous walk to Santiago rather than a disjointed walk just to experience a couple of days on the Meseta.

 

[alexwalker]

I agree Alex!

Just a question to you. I think you know that now I walk combination caminos instead of only one long one like I used to. This year, Aragones, Madrid Portugues Coastal. AWESOME. I have been asked about the Meseta and I always say it is a powerful experience. But I have never started on the Meseta because I have felt like starting there would not allow me to feel the same power the Meseta offers if I hadn't already walked at the minimum of 10-14 days. I need that time to shed my s$%t and be in my camino rhythm. Does all this make sense to you or anyone reading this. Just wondering.

I have exactly the same feeling. Taking on the powerful experience of the Meseta requires some, what should I say; closeness, awareness, being in the now, having "settled in to the Camino", or whatever.

However, starting out from Burgos, I am ready for the experience. For me, the Meseta starts for real when I have climbed the hill after Castrojeriz, and can see the vast land waiting in front of me.

And the walk from Hornillos to Castrojeriz, with a good break in Hontanas and San Anton, is for me the best day of them all.

Jeez, I need to go again! Soon! At 71 years young.

 

[lt56ny]

However, starting out from Burgos, I am ready for the experience. For me, the Meseta starts for real when I have climbed the hill after Castrojeriz, and can see the vast land waiting in front of me.

Without a doubt seeing the vastness and power of the Meseta when you reach the top of the hill is almost overwhelming to me.
The longest lasting memory I have is from my first camino staying at this donativo:

Albergue parroquial Casa Rectoral | Albergue de Peregrinos en Bercianos del Real Camino | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue parroquial Casa Rectoral, en Bercianos del Real Camino: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

Unfortunately after my first experience there I have never walked early enough for the donativo to be open.
Yes for sure GO! I am 70 years young and we have got to keep walking to keep us young because the best way to insure our eternal youth is walking the camino!

 

[alexwalker]

Without a doubt seeing the vastness and power of the Meseta when you reach the top of the hill is almost overwhelming to me.

It cannot be described in words, actually: You have to see the magnitude to realise it. Those advising to skip the Meseta cannot possibly "get" it. JMHO. I am right with you.

 

[lt56ny]

It cannot be described in words, actually: You have to see the magnitude to realise it. Those advising to skip the Meseta cannot possibly "get" it. JMHO. I am right with you.

You are so right. It is indescribable. Overwhelming was the closest word I could think of to describe it.

 

[alexwalker]

You are so right. It is indescribable. Overwhelming was the closest word I could think of to describe it.

Indeed. Imagine all those "fasttrackers" advising to skip the Meseta. They are on another planet, without understanding the meaning of what a Camino is, really, and missing the very essense of the Camino: Solitude, reflection, afterthought, consolidation, rethinking, reconnection, etc. JMHO.

 

[lt56ny]

Indeed. Imagine all those "fasttrackers" advising to skip the Meseta. They are on another planet, without understanding the meaning of what a Camino is, really, and missing the very essense of the Camino: Solitude, reflection, afterthought, consolidation, rethinking, reconnection, etc. JMHO.

Just mine also, if I may say so most humbly.

 

[bestfootforward]

Indeed. Imagine all those "fasttrackers" advising to skip the Meseta. They are on another planet, without understanding the meaning of what a Camino is, really, and missing the very essense of the Camino: Solitude, reflection, afterthought, consolidation, rethinking, reconnection, etc. JMHO.

Agreed. All of the above plus the sheer physical beauty of its magical landscape. The Meseta tops my list of fave CF places. But then.....everyone's camino is different

 

[mikebet]

My husband and I are walking the Camino next June. We are currently booked into guest houses/hostels from Sarria to Santiago.
I feel if we miss doing the meseta, I think we will regret it. That being said, time and financial constraints do not allow us to walk the entire Camino from SJPdP. Can we start in Burgos, walk the Meseta, end up in Astorga, then take a bus to Sarria to finish our Camino? Once in Sarria, we are allowing ourselves 10 days to complete our Camino in Santiago.

Any suggestions as to whether this plan is feasible?

Thank you.

The website Rome2Rio.com is an invaluable tool for planning the walk you describe. It has detailed info on bus and train transportation between towns and cities -- including cost, schedules and even in some cases local stops. With it you can see a starting point reachable by public transport from your arrival point as well as a finishing point with train or bus to Sarria. Between that and Gronze to determine distances and accommodations you should be able to create a satisfactory itinerary.

 

[KDub]

I am always time limited, so I understand short/leap frog caminos. My first camino went from SJPdP to Pamplona and Astorga to SdC. I then went back to walk from Pamplona to Léon. This year I went specifically to walk from Burgos to Léon because it really is a wonderful section. At some point, hopefully, I will have the time to walk the whole Frances straight through!