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Do you mean the Camino Francés? It's about 800 km from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, but there's no requirement to start at St Jean - it's just an arbitrary starting point used by guide books and websites. You can start anywhere along the Camino that fits your time frame.My original plan was for the original 900km Camino,
There are plenty of pilgrim accommodations on the Primitivo - you can check Gronze to see what's available.Thanks for the replies - what would you say is the main difference between this route and the Frances? Does it come down to difficulty? This one attracts me as well because it seems less busy (less pilgrims), but also understand the downside is probably less developed infrastructure
If you have joint problems, I'm not sure this is the ideal Camino for you. It does go through the mountains with some pretty significant and steep descents, which can be quite challenging for the knees. It's a wonderful Camino, don't get me wrong. But I don't think I would recommend it as a first Camino, especially for someone dissuaded from the Frances by knee, hip, and arthritis issues. With the same 2-3 weeks, you might find that the Portugues Camino from Porto is a better choice. Then, when you see how you fare on that, you can consider coming back to the Primitivo for a second Camino in the future. If you're 42, you have time for lots of Caminos!Hi - was hoping to get the opinion of some people experienced with this route. My original plan was for the original 900km Camino, however this was 10 years ago when I was in better health and fitness. Since then 'life' has happened, knee injuries, bad hips, some arthritis. Also lack of available holidays to commit to such a journey.
I was dismayed until I discovered the Camino Primitivo route. It seems much more reasonable for me - I would only need to take off around 3 weeks it seems, and I have a window open mid September this year. I currently do around 3-4 10km walks each week, often up steep hills so I'm not too concerned about my fitness. However obviously I realise I will need to walk much longer each day.
Just wanted the experts opinion, is 2 months enough time to prepare for this? Mid September a decent time to start? Can anyone offer any advice for this route? I understand it looks a tad more challenging in terms of terrain. It's been a dream of mine to do the Camino since 2012, so I'm hoping I can at least do the short version in my lifetimeI'm 42.
Any advice welcome - feel free to be honest.
The Primitivo is a hilly walk through Lugo, where you have a gentle approach (and many more pilgrims) to Santiago.Thanks for the replies - what would you say is the main difference between this route and the Frances? Does it come down to difficulty? This one attracts me as well because it seems less busy (less pilgrims), but also understand the downside is probably less developed infrastructure. It's my first time doing a trek like this, so just want to set myself up for the best experience.
Hi - was hoping to get the opinion of some people experienced with this route. My original plan was for the original 900km Camino, however this was 10 years ago when I was in better health and fitness. Since then 'life' has happened, knee injuries, bad hips, some arthritis. Also lack of available holidays to commit to such a journey.
I was dismayed until I discovered the Camino Primitivo route. It seems much more reasonable for me - I would only need to take off around 3 weeks it seems, and I have a window open mid September this year. I currently do around 3-4 10km walks each week, often up steep hills so I'm not too concerned about my fitness. However obviously I realise I will need to walk much longer each day.
Just wanted the experts opinion, is 2 months enough time to prepare for this? Mid September a decent time to start? Can anyone offer any advice for this route? I understand it looks a tad more challenging in terms of terrain. It's been a dream of mine to do the Camino since 2012, so I'm hoping I can at least do the short version in my lifetimeI'm 42.
Any advice welcome - feel free to be honest.
I completely agree with David's assessment. I have not personally walked the Primitivo but I have walked the Norte. In the view of other pilgrims I have spoken to and read about the consensus is that it is more difficult than the Norte. When I walked the Norte I became friends with some young men and women (all fantastic people) who walked the Norte with me and then split off for the Primitivo. I stayed on the Norte and fantastically I met them all in a pizza place in Arzua. The first thing they said to me was "old man we were always worried we would have to cal SIlvia (my wife) and tell her we left you on the side of the camino. The Primitivo would have finished you!! I was 63 at the time.If you have joint problems, I'm not sure this is the ideal Camino for you. It does go through the mountains with some pretty significant and steep descents, which can be quite challenging for the knees. It's a wonderful Camino, don't get me wrong. But I don't think I would recommend it as a first Camino, especially for someone dissuaded from the Frances by knee, hip, and arthritis issues
The mindset is more important than the physical. To me, you have the mindset to do the Camino. As for the physical part of the Camino, you will find out when you actually walk the Camino. Will there be physical suffering; yes, of course as life itself is suffering. Physical suffering on the Camino is to be expected. You yourself will know when it has gone too far for you to continue. Go forward with your plans and God bless. ChuckHi - was hoping to get the opinion of some people experienced with this route. My original plan was for the original 900km Camino, however this was 10 years ago when I was in better health and fitness. Since then 'life' has happened, knee injuries, bad hips, some arthritis. Also lack of available holidays to commit to such a journey.
I was dismayed until I discovered the Camino Primitivo route. It seems much more reasonable for me - I would only need to take off around 3 weeks it seems, and I have a window open mid September this year. I currently do around 3-4 10km walks each week, often up steep hills so I'm not too concerned about my fitness. However obviously I realise I will need to walk much longer each day.
Just wanted the experts opinion, is 2 months enough time to prepare for this? Mid September a decent time to start? Can anyone offer any advice for this route? I understand it looks a tad more challenging in terms of terrain. It's been a dream of mine to do the Camino since 2012, so I'm hoping I can at least do the short version in my lifetimeI'm 42.
Any advice welcome - feel free to be honest.
I didn't find it crowded after Melide last year. And I wasn't walking at a quiet time of year (late July). All you need to do to avoid the crowds is to stop "off stage". After Melide I stayed in Salceda and Lavacolla instead of Arzua and O Pedrouzo and got plenty of solitude.As you know, after Melide the way will not much exciting because of the crowd but you could take an alternative route (or a bus).
As you know, after Melide the way will not much exciting because of the crowd but you could take an alternative route (
I had the same experience as @David Tallan on late June last year. Plus I enjoy the energy and joy that the new pilgrims that I meet in these final stages bring.I didn't find it crowded after Melide last year. And I wasn't walking at a quiet time of year (late July). All you need to do to avoid the crowds is to stop "off stage". After Melide I stayed in Salceda and Lavacolla instead of Arzua and O Pedrouzo and got plenty of solitude.
I walked from the dam, before Grandas de Salime to Santiago last August. I wasn't in super good shape and didn't find that half overly difficult, minus the heat, and running out of water during a section where everything was closed. If you search on YouTube there are videos of the whole way from Oviedoto SantiagoHi - was hoping to get the opinion of some people experienced with this route. My original plan was for the original 900km Camino, however this was 10 years ago when I was in better health and fitness. Since then 'life' has happened, knee injuries, bad hips, some arthritis. Also lack of available holidays to commit to such a journey.
I was dismayed until I discovered the Camino Primitivo route. It seems much more reasonable for me - I would only need to take off around 3 weeks it seems, and I have a window open mid September this year. I currently do around 3-4 10km walks each week, often up steep hills so I'm not too concerned about my fitness. However obviously I realise I will need to walk much longer each day.
Just wanted the experts opinion, is 2 months enough time to prepare for this? Mid September a decent time to start? Can anyone offer any advice for this route? I understand it looks a tad more challenging in terms of terrain. It's been a dream of mine to do the Camino since 2012, so I'm hoping I can at least do the short version in my lifetimeI'm 42.
Any advice welcome - feel free to be honest.
I walked it last August, it was a lot less busy, almost lonely. It depends on what experience you are looking for, once you get to Melide you do get into the crowds again, but depending on how you time your stops, it can be very introspective, I was alone most of the time, except for Lugo.Thanks for the replies - what would you say is the main difference between this route and the Frances? Does it come down to difficulty? This one attracts me as well because it seems less busy (less pilgrims), but also understand the downside is probably less developed infrastructure. It's my first time doing a trek like this, so just want to set myself up for the best experience.
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