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).