Looking for best Camino route for short timeframe (3-4 days)

[Unweekends]

I'm planning a Camino in mid-May 2025, a group of four Americans ( including me). We only want to walk 3 or 4 days, no certificate of completion needed. Would like to keep it under 13 miles (20 KM) or less daily. We want to experience Spanish countryside at a leisurely pace ( because we have a small group of mixed physical abilities).

Would like something scenic and/or at least interesting to visit. Terrain should be for beginners or moderate & not too challenging.

What would the best route to take be? Looking for suggestions so we can start planning the details.

 

[Robo]

Without wishing to get into the debate of hiking v pilgrimage, that's quite a difficult thing to advise on, as a 'Camino' would generally be a minimum distance of 100 kms on a recognised route, ending in Santiago. In turn, that kind of reduces your options.

But I sense, that you want to get a 'flavour' of the Camino, in terms of the countryside, culture and camaraderie of Pilgrims?

So that does open up your options considerably, in terms of routes and start / finish points. A couple of things that might help....

Do you want to end in Santiago?
Do you prefer a route that is quite busy/social, or one with more solitude?
Do you want to stay in Pilgrim hostels?

If it's more of a pleasant walk in nice landscapes with some interesting history, architecture etc, there are quite a few tour companies that organise such hikes of varying distances. We recently looked at one in Italy.

 

[domigee]

If it's more of a pleasant walk in nice landscapes with some interesting history, architecture etc, there are quite a few tour companies that organise such hikes of varying distances. We recently looked at one in Italy.

Italy is an excellent suggestion!

 

[Viva Terlingua]

Pamplona to Logrono will give you a good flavor in 4 days.

p.s. to the haters, what's wrong with an introduction to the Camino? I did 7 days on the Frances in 2019, got hooked, did the full Frances in 2022 and the full Primitivo in 2024.

 

[henrythedog]

It it possible, though unfashionable, to hold an opinion short of undiluted gushing approval which isn’t actually ‘hate’.

 

[SabsP]

I'm planning a Camino in mid-May 2025, a group of four Americans ( including me). We only want to walk 3 or 4 days, no certificate of completion needed. Would like to keep it under 13 miles (20 KM) or less daily. We want to experience Spanish countryside at a leisurely pace ( because we have a small group of mixed physical abilities).

Would like something scenic and/or at least interesting to visit. Terrain should be for beginners or moderate & not too challenging.

What would the best route to take be? Looking for suggestions so we can start planning the details.

I do not know how limiting the physical abilities of some of you are? This in combination with tiredness/ jetlag is also something to take into consideration.

I liked the part from Lalin to Santiago. Where the Invierno meets the Sanabres.
Lalin also has a trainstation.

O Castro (Dozón) - Silleda | Vía de la Plata | Gronze.com

Hoy cruzamos numerosos lugares y parroquias, en una etapa sin dificultades y con desniveles continuos pero moderados. Quienes prefieran acortar la etapa disponen de un albergue de peregrinos de la Xunta en la aldea de A Laxe, donde la Vía de la Plata confluye con el Camino de Invierno.

www.gronze.com

Lalín - Silleda | Camino de Invierno | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[Damien Reynolds]

If I wanted to introduce someone to the camino, and they only had 3 or 4 days, and wanted something "not so tough", I'd suggest SDC -> Fisterra. Now 3 days is pushing it on that route (medium-core), but 4 is totally doable. That way someone gets to see SDC, walk to the coast, and have a picnic on the cliffs at the end of the world.

I actually met a forever friend some years ago who enjoyed this introduction. She came back to enjoy the Norte later (where I met her).

 

[Steven Baggs]

The Ingles is nice and scenic. There’s a short version that’s about 80km. Getting to the start can be a challenge.

 

[lt56ny]

Pamplona to Logrono will give you a good flavor in 4 days.

p.s. to the haters, what's wrong with an introduction to the Camino? I did 7 days on the Frances in 2019, got hooked, did the full Frances in 2022 and the full Primitivo in 2024.

Having a different opinion than you does not make someone a "hater". It is beyond ridiculous and insulting to say the very least. I could care less what anyone does and if someone wants to walk on the camino I will not stop them or say anything to them. But walking 3 days is not as the person wrote "planning a camino". It blows me away how politically correct so many people are today and if we don't fit someone else's definition of what is correct than you get your own label. This time it is hater. Can't the same label be placed on you?
Enough with all this BS, can't we just voice an opinion that is not offensive without getting a bucket of s@#t dumped on our heads??????

 

[Anhalter]

Pamplona to Logrono will give you a good flavor in 4 days.

I second that recomendation. Two beautiful bigger towns for start and end, plenty of nice places in between. Doing that 95km in 4 days was no issue for me, but might be for others. Depends on the fitness of your group...

 

[frbobs]

I "3rd" the recommendation to look into Pamplona to Logrono. Train from Madrid to Pamplona, direct-speed train (or you could fly from Madrid to Pamplona...won't be too costly and it's a short trip). It's a beautiful section.
Also, you can be as leisurely as you would like due to the more available public transportation (even taxis in a pinch). Other sections may not allow for that as much. If it seems like it's too much, cut it short. Estella, particularly, is a beautiful little City. There are a bunch of 3-4 day chunks you could do on French way, and
the Portuguese (may favorite). Peace, and have fun Bob

 

[Annetom]

I do not know how limiting the physical abilities of some of you are? This in combination with tiredness/ jetlag is also something to take into consideration.

I liked the part from Lalin to Santiago. Where the Invierno meets the Sanabres.
Lalin also has a trainstation.

O Castro (Dozón) - Silleda | Vía de la Plata | Gronze.com

Hoy cruzamos numerosos lugares y parroquias, en una etapa sin dificultades y con desniveles continuos pero moderados. Quienes prefieran acortar la etapa disponen de un albergue de peregrinos de la Xunta en la aldea de A Laxe, donde la Vía de la Plata confluye con el Camino de Invierno.

www.gronze.com

Lalín - Silleda | Camino de Invierno | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

The walk from Sarria to Santiago is easy. Check it out!

 

[Varekai]

You could walk the Camino Ingles, but start in Betanzos instead of Ferrol. By starting in Betanzos, you would end up in Santiago de Compostela in 3 days. Betanzos is a decent sized town that is easily accessible by bus or train from other points in Spain.

 

[chinacat]

I second that recomendation. Two beautiful bigger towns for start and end, plenty of nice places in between. Doing that 95km in 4 days was no issue for me, but might be for others. Depends on the fitness of your group...

Perhaps Puente la Reina, or Estella, to Logrono might be better.
The ascent and descent of Alto de Perdon might be beyond the capabilities of the participants?

 

[J Willhaus]

Logroño to Santo Domingo de la Calzada is also nice and could be a 3 day walk also although many do it in two. Good bus connections from both towns to get to and from.

 

[Kiwi-family]

If you can squeeze a fifth day, Camino de Baztan is delightful

 

[Anamiri]

If I wanted to introduce someone to the camino, and they only had 3 or 4 days, and wanted something "not so tough", I'd suggest SDC -> Fisterra. Now 3 days is pushing it on that route (medium-core), but 4 is totally doable. That way someone gets to see SDC, walk to the coast, and have a picnic on the cliffs at the end of the world.

I actually met a forever friend some years ago who enjoyed this introduction. She came back to enjoy the Norte later (where I met her).

And another benefit of this walk, is that you wouldn't waste too many travel hours getting there

 

[SabsP]

If you can squeeze a fifth day, Camino de Baztan is delightful

But for people with limited physical abilities it might prove quite daunting?

 

[SYates]

I would suggest Santiago > Muxia. Nice walk, plenty of accomodation options and Muxia itself is lovely and the church at the end of Muxia is delightful.
BC SY

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I would suggest Santiago > Muxia. Nice walk, plenty of accomodation options and Muxia itself is lovely and the church at the end of Muxia is delightful.
BC SY

The whole Fisterre vs. Muxia question is always there for people who don't have the extra day to walk between the two. I can only speak from personal experience, there is something emotional about walking up to the cliffs at Fisterre and watching the sunset.

 

[Annw]

A friend and I used CaminoWays to plan a 3-day walk into Santiago some years ago; I took quite ill and only made the last day walking; returned 2 years later to walk from just beyond Sarria to Santiago over a week. Most recently, I (self-planned) a walk from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Pamplona but with weather/conditions I ended in Zubiri and taxied to Pamplona. I like the recommended sections mentioned above but for myself preferred the SJPDP start--I realize the ascent may be beyond everyone in your group, so my second best recommendation would be the last 3-4 days into Santiago. (You might just look at the "easy walking" option on CW's website to get an idea, even if you don't end up using them. Many will say "just plan it yourself it's easy" but under your circumstances the added infrastructure might be helpful.

 

[woody66]

Bit of a wild card!!
If your considering starting from Santiago; what about train to Pontevedra (fastest 37minutes) and walk the Espiritual Variant!
It's wonderful has everything I think.
Pontevedra, Combarro is pretty special, Armentiera with the Monastery and route of stone and water (beautiful walk) Villa Nova and the Pilgrim boat (gives you an easy day with only a 3km walk to Padron.
Nice final day in Santiago.
Would defo walk it again !!!!