How many days off did you take on the CF?

[Mackcrabs]

I plan to do the CF from SJPDP on March 2025. It appears the number of days is usually 32-33 days. I know people usually take more than 33 days for various reasons.

My question for people that have done the entire CF, what is your experience in regard to number of days? Did you take a day off because you wanted to explore and enjoy a town? Were you just plain exhausted and needed to recharge? Was it an injury? Also, how hard is it to do walk everyday and complete it in 33 days?

Thanks

 

[CarolamS]

My friend and I chose to walk 20km stages with 25km our max. We sometimes took 2 days of 10-12km rather than take a day off. We did have one extra day in Leon to explore the sights. We never felt the need for full rest days and we suffered no injuries or blisters. Both in our mid 60's we had plenty of time. Your circumstances might be entirely different but if you're able to take the time then do....savour every step.

 

[Mackcrabs]

My friend and I chose to walk 20km stages with 25km our max. We sometimes took 2 days of 10-12km rather than take a day off. We did have one extra day in Leon to explore the sights. We never felt the need for full rest days and we suffered no injuries or blisters. Both in our mid 60's we had plenty of time. Your circumstances might be entirely different but if you're able to take the time then do....savour every step.

Thanks Carolam! Yes, I am also 61 and doing it solo. I bike 20-40 mile 3 or 4 times a week. I feel as if I am in good shape to tackle the entire CF. Thanks for including your age. That was very helpful.

 

[CarolamS]

Thanks Carolam! Yes, I am also 61 and doing it solo. I bike 20-40 mile 3 or 4 times a week. I feel as if I am in good shape to tackle the entire CF. Thanks for including your age. That was very helpful.

We started in SJPdP and continued to Finisterre. We did take a day in Santiago too. We've both been to Santiago before but it's worth more than one day if you can.

Pace yourself at the beginning. Don't let enthusiasm speed you up...this is a marathon, not a sprint

 

[trecile]

For planning, my recommendation is to determine how many days you think that you will need to walk the Camino, then add a week. Now you've got a week "in the bank" to use if you get sick, injured, realize that you can't or don't want to walk the distances that you originally planned on, feel like spending an extra day in an interesting town, etc. If you don't use any of those days in your "bank" before you reach Santiago you can use them later to walk to Finisterre and/or Muxía, visit another town in the region, etc.

My friend and I chose to walk 20km stages with 25km our max. We sometimes took 2 days of 10-12km rather than take a day off

This is what I prefer doing instead of taking a full day off. I can arrive in a place like Burgos or León early enough in the day to see plenty of the local sites, stay out a little later then sleep in before walking another short stage. I book a private room where I can drop off my backpack upon arrival to go sightseeing unencumbured and sleep in without being disturbed by early risers.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I am of average fitness at best and walked it when 55 years old. Took 26 days walking, and I took 1 day off to stay to Leon as I had never been there before. I walk very slowly but like to walk into the late afternoon when the crowd seem to disappear.