Old Camino Walkers

[Waka]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

 

[Ekelund]

Very inspiring, thank you for your post

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Waka you both give me a little extra confidence to my plans that start in Salamanca on May 12, 2025 to set out for Santiago. Buen Camino

 

[Dani7]

Well @Waka, this is inspiring me and dimming some of my fears for my next long walk. Thank you for sharing. Go Waka…go Waka…go Waka

 

[sillydoll]

In 2013 an 2014 I led Slow Camino groups from Sarria and from Ferrol respectively. The oldest in our groups was a man of 89 and then 90. He was amazing. We sent packs ahead and stayed in private rooms.

 

[MamaBear]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

So glad to hear this I’m 65 first Camino but a comfortable long distance backpacker experiences glad I’m going to see people retirement age

 

[Juspassinthru]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

I realize that there are physical limitations which prevent us from doing…whatever. There are also limitations we impose upon ourselves or society imposes or tries to impose upon us. While Henry Ford had many flaws, he at least got this right:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right,”

Keep doing, keep believing, keep dreaming.

 

[sillydoll]

The stats from the Pilgrim Office for 2023 shows the majority of pilgrims are between 46 and 65

 

[anaritasimoes]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

That's the spirit! Nobody is to old and everybody can do it! Thank you for your words!

 

[AK2112]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

Probably the best post I have ever read on this forum. I am in my late 50´s this means that I have many years left on the Camino!

 

[sillydoll]

The stats from the Pilgrim Office for 2023 shows the majority of pilgrims are between 46 and 65View attachment 182407

The stats from the Pilgrim Office for 2023 shows the majority of pilgrims are between 46 and 65

 

[TravellingMan22]

Agree with all this. I think the Caminos main selling point it that it is open to folks of all ages and abilities, which can’t be said of too many hikes I can think of.

 

[cindyjo]

I am in full agreement with Waka, “give it a try” regardless of age. My first Camino was at an unsure 64. Caminos are for everyone. There’s many to choose from and many ways to make accommodations based on preferences or needs. I’ve always carried my pack and now facing age 77 in a month, I feel confident I can make adjustments so there will be a Camino for me for many years to come.

 

[bullingtonce]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

I apologize but I do not see what you see; rather, I see Wise Camino walkers . . . a huge difference one might say. Knowledge is cool; wisdom is treasured. Chuck

 

[Bumpa]

The stats from the Pilgrim Office for 2023 shows the majority of pilgrims are between 46 and 65View attachment 182407

Thanks. Nice to see over 48,000 past the age of 65

 

[WisTom]

Age is just a number. My latest camino was the Levante last Feb/Mar from Valencia to Zamora. No other peregrinos (or any walkers of any sort). Longest day was 46km and the average was over 31km with a 10kg pack (I weigh 70.) However, I am still in my early 70s - 73. The trick is to just start walking.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

To quote Indiana Jones: “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage”

The heart says "Yeah!" but the knees say "Nooo!"

Buen Camino to those who still can

 

[TravellingMan22]

Age is just a number. My latest camino was the Levante last Feb/Mar from Valencia to Zamora. No other peregrinos (or any walkers of any sort). Longest day was 46km and the average was over 31km with a 10kg pack (I weigh 70.) However, I am still in my early 70s - 73. The trick is to just start walking.

Great effort esp the 10kg pack!

I do think that age can matter obv. in relationship to fitness. Plenty of hikes I wouldn’t recommend to say an unfit person of say 75+ but I think even most folks even of that category could do a Camino. The first few days might be tough! The accessibility of the Camino shouldn’t be overlooked. That’s the great thing to me!

 

[Madamjoy]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

Well done you and Granny Pat. ‘Old’ is not how I would have titled your post. But that’s just me, a young 70ish, refusing to accept reality. . In 2017 I had the good fortune to meet Dorothea, a 91 year old pilgrim, walking to SdDC. I often think of her and am inspired to keep following my dreams. May I be walking at 91.

 

[mattythedog]

It's now seven weeks since I returned from doing he Frances and what a wonderful 40 days it was. I'm sure there are possible pilgrims out there that worry that they may be too old to walk the camino, but I can assure you there is no age barrier.
Myself I am 76 yrs old and my walking friend is 83 yrs old (known as Granny Pat), we both carried our own packs, didn't book accommodation and never went without a bed at the stop of our choosing. We didn't take any days off and walked around 20-23 km a day.
So if you're wanting to go and are worried about age, give it a try.

I love to hear experiences like this! Keep up the good walk.

 

[Waka]

Thank you all for the positive comments. I did my first camino in 2015 and I have to say 10 years later it was a bit harder on the body and the brain. I'm hoping to go again next year, but will be doing a shorter on, maybe the Portuguese. I'd like to think I've still got it in me to plod along.