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 unencumbered 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.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

From SJPdP to SdC took us 58 days, 48 days walking. A touring day each in Burgos and León, an extra night in two albergues due to illness and later tendonitis. Three days in Sahagún recovering from the illness but including being tourists and three days in Astorga recovering from the tendonitis but also doing touristing (in a wheelchair borrowed from the Red Cross).

 

[Tincatinker]

Also, how hard is it to do walk everyday and complete it in 33 days?

I think that to walk the Camino Frances in precisely 33 days requires more effort than I am prepared to put into the venture. Those determined to follow St John’s stages and timetable will walk some over-long and some oddly short stages. Far better to just walk and see how long it takes.

I’ve walked it in 26 days and I’ve spent 40 days on the same route. I probably enjoyed more good lunches and considerably more beer on the longer trip. I don’t do rest-days. I do do lunch. And the odd diversion to see something worth seeing or, occasionally, just stopping. Stopping as in: this looks fun/interesting/different/rainy - I think I’ll just stop here.

@Mackcrabs, the hardest bit of venturing Camino for most people is the daily grind of walk, eat, sleep, repeat. So yours is a good question, just one without an answer. My Scout Master’s answer to the question “how long is a piece of string?” was always “6 inches too short but that doesn’t matter because you can always tie a different knot”.

 

[Kirkie]

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

I took no days off. I repeat what the poster above wrote: how long is a piece of string? From Roncesvalles to Santiago, 29 days, averaging 25km per day. You are you. Make your plans and be ready to change them.

 

[trecile]

Make your plans and be ready to change them

I agree, and it's easier to change your plans if you have given yourself plenty of time.

 

[J Willhaus]

None, I walk short days rather than taking a whole rest day usually.

Edit: We walked 50+ days. Only about 10 miles or 16 km per day on average. Gives time to enjoy the towns. Also we are slow walkers.

 

[dreaming]

I walked the CF seven years ago in 28 days however it was in August. I found it easier because the days were longer and I could start walking at 630am.
Last year I walked in 33 days in October.
The first two weeks were hot and yes I was exhausted but soldiered on. I only started walking at 8 am in the dark. I walked much shorter days 17 k when the rain came for the last two weeks. One day I walked 5 k as I was unwell. Extra time is a buffer if you have it. I am 70.

 

[Robo]

It's a very personal thing and there are too many variables really.

1. Fitness
2. Health
3. Bodyweight
4. Gearweight
5. Condition of feet and joints
6. Preferred walking speed / daily distance
7. Injuries that might occur
8. Places you want to spend time in.
9. People you want to spend time with
10. Weather
11. Gear failure
12. Mood/emotional state

I think all you can do is establish your likely average daily distance and add some buffer.
I usually add 1 rest day per 7 walking days.
Plus 2-3 extra 'just in case'.
I may or may not take a rest day.
Often I prefer just a short day.

I've walked from St Jean twice, both times in 40 days.
That was right...........for us.
I think that was with 3 rest days taken when needed, rather than any specific place.

 

[robbiesybico]

I walked the CF in 38 days. I could've finished it in less, but I took it slow at that time. I also had some back issues and sciatica (but surprisingly, that went away as I was walking). I took some shorter days of walking on a few days when I caught a cold. Took two days off in Burgos and Sarria to explore. My biggest lesson last year was that I needed body awareness. I recommend paying attention to your body, how you're walking, and how you're tensing up in different parts and finding ways to relax more. I also realized that we're here to take care of ourselves, love ourselves, and know our limitations. You'll be just fine!

 

[CWBuff]

I planned on 3 days off to "play tourist". I wound taking just one (1st one) in Burgos and was glad that I had that pre-planned 2 days reservation because instead of playing tourist I spent it laying in bed nursing my blisters (Well to be fair I did ventured out - how could I not! - but just not as intense as I planned).
I chalked up the other 2 days to couple of shorter stages like others did and stated in some of the above posts.

I spent 2 5 days in SdC after meeting my wife there and then we both walked to Finisterre in 3.5 days.

All in all I started from SJPDP on May 21st and arrived at Finisterre on July 1st

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Walkerooni]

I walked SJPdP to SdC at age 64 in a very comfortable 35 days of walking. I took a day off in both Burgos and Leon, not because I needed rest days, but because they were interesting places to explore. The cathedrals, Museum of Human Evolution in B. On my "days off" I averaged about 15k/day in my flip flops, so not exactly "rest" days.

 

[Sirage]

An example of a good "day off" is to start walking at about 6am and arrive at the destination about 8 or 9 which then allows a full day of being there, ideally leaving your pack at the Albergue when you arrive whilst the Hospitalero or cleaner is still there.

 

[dick bird]

Also, how hard is it to do walk everyday and complete it in 33 days?

Most people could do it. I´m pretty sure you could The question is, do you want to? If you allow extra time you can:

1. Take a day or two off if you have a niggling little injury or bad blisters or get sick
2. Enjoy a day lolling around in a private room
3. Explore a particularly interesting town (of which there are several)
4. Do a side excursion to e.g. St Maria Eunate church
5. Wait for the weather to get better (starting in March? Strong likelihood of bad weather)
6. If you get to Santiago early, walk out to Fisterra or even hang out in Santiago
7. Relax and not worry about missing the plane home

So lots of reasons to factor in more then 33 days. Or not. It´s up to you.

 

[Mackcrabs]

Most people could do it. I´m pretty sure you could The question is, do you want to? If you allow extra time you can:

1. Take a day or two off if you have a niggling little injury or bad blisters or get sick
2. Enjoy a day lolling around in a private room
3. Explore a particularly interesting town (of which there are several)
4. Do a side excursion to e.g. St Maria Eunate church
5. Wait for the weather to get better (starting in March? Strong likelihood of bad weather)
6. If you get to Santiago early, walk out to Fisterra or even hang out in Santiago
7. Relax and not worry about missing the plane home

So lots of reasons to factor in more then 33 days. Or not. It´s up to you.

Thanks so much for all that responded. A lot of great advice. I always planned to spend an extra day in Leon and Pamplona. I might incorporate a total of 6 extra days. It seems prudent to do so. My goal was to arrive in Santiago just before Easter. I will have to count backwards and figure my new start date.

Again, thanks for all the advice!

Mack

 

[dick bird]

Again, thanks for all the advice!

You´re welcome. It´s what we are here for. We´ll leave the thread open so that more people can read it and add to it. Buen camino.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Whilst we use ‘days’ as the metric I guess that is somewhat ‘iffy’ as many people walk, say 5 hours (maybe quickly or even slowly) a day and some walk 10 (which is me, very slowly!).

I guess consider what your interests are. So for me the priority is to have a nice lunch and stop at a few bars in the afternoon. I like to get a copy of Marca (the Spanish daily sports paper) and read it in a bar and that tends to be a conversation starter with the old fellas, who line the bar. I don’t, say, go inside churches, or really stop anywhere for any other reasons than eating, drinking, and talking. I like walking into the evening and don’t have blogs to write, or photos to download, so consider what your ‘obligations’ will be too! Just laundry I guess.

I know I need a very light pack as I have poor upper body strength and ‘travelling light’ tends to release the ‘free spirit’ in me. A much heavier pack would double my time! I tend to be fine walking day after day which is tough for some, and am also a morning person so that all helps on a Camino. I am not fit but have always walked as never owned a car so that will obviously help too. Also I was on a time schedule so that motivated me to ‘crack on’.

When I walked most people were doing around 26-30 days but it was during Covid and it was mainly younger Europeans. I think we have an older demographic on here, so factor that in.

You sound quite fit so it sounds like you have the luxury of choosing how you want to progress.

 

[bestfootforward]

SJPdP to SdC in 32 days then 3 more to Finesterre. Like many other posters, some days were short giving me time to explore, others longer with less free time. No, designated rest days. Luckily I remained blister/injury/illness free. About half way, I met a guy who, to win a bet was walking SJPdP - SdC in 19 days. He said he was focused on the ground in front of his feet and not really enjoying it because he wasn't able to connect with the country/people/experience. It was all about the bet. A shame really, but that was his Camino. I have no idea if he made it.

Next year I'm walking SJPdP to Muxia with 44 days in the kitty so I can see more, do more, enjoy more - and I'm soooo excited!!

Plan, bend with the wind and enjoy it all. Buen Camino!

 

[David Tallan]

In my 2016 Camino (Roncesvalles to Finisterre) with my son, we took a rest day in Burgos. Then in Astorga we took another, when he desperately needed it to heal his feet. From that we learned not to walk so far each day. All in all it was 37 days (35 walking) to Santiago and another 4 to Finisterre.

On my 2018 Camino Portugues there were no resting days, but some shorter ones. On my grand 2023 Camino there was 1 resting day (stomach issues) and 51 walking days, but some of those walking days were short (as short as 6 km).

 

[MikeJS]

Fortunately, I have never felt the need to take a rest day. I just like walking…..

 

[efdoucette]

LOts of great points in the comments above. Just one more I would like to add for consideration. Taking a rest day also means that your new found friends may become a day ahead of you. May sound odd but Camino friendships become real, intense, hard to let go. On the other hand, you may all rest together.

 

[montyhiker]

I did my 1st Camino this past April/May, 2024. I am 60 now, but 59 at the time. I did it solo from SJPdP to SdC. I did some days of 18-20 km (very few), and some where I did 30-32 km. Overall, I averaged right at 25 km/day for the entire journey with a final day of 40 km (I was really excited). I took a rest day probably once a week just to re-charge. Never had any blisters or joint problems, although my lower back was sore the first 2 weeks (backpack was only about 13 lbs. or about 6kg). Taking rest days helped re-charge and slow me down. Only downside was I lost track of several acquaintances I had made along the way. Buen Camino!

 

[dick bird]

LOts of great points in the comments above. Just one more I would like to add for consideration. Taking a rest day also means that your new found friends may become a day ahead of you. May sound odd but Camino friendships become real, intense, hard to let go. On the other hand, you may all rest together.

Alternatively, you may feel that you want to escape your ´camino family´. Another reason to take a day out.

 

[jpcnd78]

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

Took three. Could have done only 2. Burgos Leon and Saiia. Would have skipped the Sarria stop