- Time of past OR future Camino
- Le Puy, Francis, Portugal, Norte, West Highland W,
Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
Yes, I have, and I highly recommend the Via Jacobi, especially the eastern half (Konstanz to Interlaken). Daily details in my blog (link in sig block below). Especially for a group, do book your lodgings well in advance, as you are competing with tourists for beds. Also plan to spend at least one night sleeping in straw.- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.
Larapinta in Australia is great. The shorter itinerary is fine…maybe 6-7 days. A selection of the total stages. Of course any of the NZ walks are also excellent. My top recommendation would be Routeburn but the Milford Track is also excellent.Hi all,
My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's
We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new
Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.
Questions:
- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.
- open to any part of Europe
- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too
Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike
Thanks!!
Thx Tom - sounds like what I am looking for - really appreciate it!Consider the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago. It takes nominally 10 days. This historic route mostly parallels the Camino Frances, but about 25 km to the south.
The Camino de Invierno tends to follow along, at lower altitudes, unlike the Frances, which seems to go from mountain top to mountain top. It is called the Winter Route (Camino de Invierno) because it typically has less snow blocking the route during the winter months, and is relatively more protected against the winter winds.
This route is beautiful and relatively unspoiled by too many pilgrims. Only officially recognized by the authorities as an official route in 2016, the services are still developing. But, after some eight years, the infrastructure is catching up to demand. Try it, you will not be sorry you did.
Hope this helps,
Tom
Thank you - i'm very eager to try Switzerland so really appreciate your perspective! How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...it looks like you walked it?Yes, I have, and I highly recommend the Via Jacobi, especially the eastern half (Konstanz to Interlaken). Daily details in my blog (link in sig block below). Especially for a group, do book your lodgings well in advance, as you are competing with tourists for beds. Also plan to spend at least one night sleeping in straw.
Thx Rick - really appreciate the suggestions (I did Milford Sound, Heafey, Routeburn and Able Tasman in my youth!)Larapinta in Australia is great. The shorter itinerary is fine…maybe 6-7 days. A selection of the total stages. Of course any of the NZ walks are also excellent. My top recommendation would be Routeburn but the Milford Track is also excellent.
I have not looked at this but now i will! Thank you!!!Have a look at the Via Degli Dei from Bologna to Florence 117km through rolling mountains with nice cities at either end
I walked Via Jacobi last year. The scenery is magnificent, the route mostly not too strenuous (but there are climbs and some steep descents), if it is important to you, it crosses all three important pilgrimage sites, and other historic towns, there is just enough pilgrim infrastructure. Weather can be very changeable and I only have one complaint, there was more asphalt then I would have liked.Thank you - i'm very eager to try Switzerland so really appreciate your perspective! How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...it looks like you walked it?
Hi Caminka - thank you very much, I'm very interested in this route. I don't mind some steep climbing or some steep descents but the last walk I did it was every day and that wears on you. I did the Norte - first 10 days were tough same with the Via Pondiensa but then you got some flat days . I would like a fun walk -some challenge but not where I'm dreading the next day or stressed thatI can't make the climb...can you add any more info on how hard? I know it's subjectiveI walked Via Jacobi last year. The scenery is magnificent, the route mostly not too strenuous (but there are climbs and some steep descents), if it is important to you, it crosses all three important pilgrimage sites, and other historic towns, there is just enough pilgrim infrastructure. Weather can be very changeable and I only have one complaint, there was more asphalt then I would have liked.
I completed it in three weeks, the last week mostly in 25-30km range.
sweet - I definitely need to look at thisThis is on my bucket list in Portugal
Fishermen's Trail - Rota Vicentina
Considered one of the best coastal trails in the world, Fishermen's Trail offers 226.5 km to hike in the Southwest of Portugal.rotavicentina.com
Try the Greek Island of Sifnos - 10 marked trails and 365 churchesHi all,
My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's
We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new
Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.
Questions:
- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.
- open to any part of Europe
- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too
Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike
Thanks!!
Quite nice, and much less expensive than Switzerland. As far as Lyon, you are still competing with tourists somewhat but there are gites. The home-stays listed in the "yellow book" from Les Amins tend to be suburban rather than in the heart of town, and expect one to speak French, which I don't. It's about 3-4 weeks (I ran into some very hot weather so had to cut short, is why it took me 3 years).How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...
Sure.Hi Caminka - thank you very much, I'm very interested in this route. I don't mind some steep climbing or some steep descents but the last walk I did it was every day and that wears on you. I did the Norte - first 10 days were tough same with the Via Pondiensa but then you got some flat days . I would like a fun walk -some challenge but not where I'm dreading the next day or stressed thatI can't make the climb...can you add any more info on how hard? I know it's subjective
Thank you - yes hot weather got us on Le Puy - this year same time in France rain and cold, single digitsQuite nice, and much less expensive than Switzerland. As far as Lyon, you are still competing with tourists somewhat but there are gites. The home-stays listed in the "yellow book" from Les Amins tend to be suburban rather than in the heart of town, and expect one to speak French, which I don't. It's about 3-4 weeks (I ran into some very hot weather so had to cut short, is why it took me 3 years).
Fantastic! I felt like i was there walking it! Really really appreciate all the time you took to help me out!Sure.
I don't mind steep climbs either, especially if they come with nice views. There was daily climbing and descending, but nothing mountain-like, and perfectly doable for a reasonably fit person. Overall, I liked VJ for the scenery, the greenness, views and waterfalls, the cleanliness and toilets. Not that many medieval gems, though there were some. I didn't expect and was not enamored with so much asphalt. For that reason, I wouldn't walk it again, certainly not the whole of it. Best part was from Rapperswil to Frieburg.
If you start at Bodensee, you start climbing right away. There is a steepish section but it's not too long. Another shortish steep down and up before St. Gallen. I took different route into St. Gallen through woods. Limited views on first day. Pilgerherberge.
After St. Gallens suburbs up to lake then to Herisau. Long but good climb out of Herisau on paths to panoramic ridges to Aemisegg with BB with small attic dorm.
From here to Bodenwies you cross several steep valleys, two big ones with St. Peterzell and Watwil and several smaller ones. Then it's mostly road walk to St. Gallenkappel. Nice straw lodging.
Flatish to Rapperswil with very nice pilgerherberge.
After lake long steep climb to St. Meinrad then mostly down to Einsiedeln. I detoured via lake then continued to Trachslau to even out the stages. Pilgrim homestay. In good weather superb views.
Flat start then beautiful climb to Hagenegg, with one short nearlt vertical section. Magnificent views. Very steep descent which I avoided by taking longer gravel road (on advice of Rapperswil's hospitalera). From Scwyz mostly flat and asphalt to Ingebohl/Brunnen. Nice straw lodging. In nice weather go to the lake for views.
Short lake crossing then good panoramic climb. In woods I detoured steep down to waterfalls and lake then along lake (mostly) to join VJ. Long flat asphalt section along then away from the lake then up into hills. I short-cutted down on paths to straw lodging outside Stans.
Good mixture of up and down paths and roads, but nothing too strenuous and good views. Short steep down to Bruder Klaus cell and chapels then up to Flueli-Ranft. Lovely down to lake then flat to Giswil. Homestay in my own appart and wad lucky to find a bed (was probably a weekend).
Flat start (I detoured to avoid asphalt), steepish climb to lake, VJ flat along lake (I detoured on up and down paths on other side of lake), alternative route up to chapel (VJ was closed here due to landslide), flat, then up to Brunigpass. Nice views all along. After detour to a very fine viewpoint, steepish descent to Brienzwiller. My favourite pilgerherberge.
Down to lake, then I detoured along south side of lake via waterfalls, but was told that VJ was very up and down. Hostel with pilgrim rate in Interlaken. I had some very nice views.
Because it was national holiday and everything in 40km range wad full, I had to take the train to Spiez and start from there. Good ups and downs with good views, especially back to Eiger, Monsch and Jungfrau. One insane short vertical. Nice pilgrim homestay in Uebeschli.
Flattish to Wattenwill, vertical climb out of it, then you are good to Riggisberg. Up to Rueggisberg then good ups and downs into Schwarzenburg, with two shortish steepish climbs and one fence-climbing. Still nice views. Another nice pilgrim homestay.
Ups and downs but all good, then steep descent to river and steep climb to Frieburg. Pilgerherberge in monastery. Worth a rest day.
Long asphalt day across rolling hills to Romont. Pilgrim homestay.
Up the steep down, then flat through Moudon. Rolling hills and steep short descent then climb to Montepreveyres. Long day. Nice gite d'etape.
VJ to Lausanne has been rerouted. I took the old route which was across rolling hills, mostly in shade, then down to Lausanne. Flat along lake Leman to St. Sulpice. Very nice pilgrim homestay.
Very cool along lake past Morges (peek at Mont Blanc if you are lucky) then rolling hills above lake to Gland. Long day. Nice pilgrim gite d'etape.
Rolling hills above lake, mostly on roads. I took the train from Versoix back to Gland because the few pilgrim homestays were full. I also detoured to lake via Coppet. Long day.
The route was well made through Geneve's agglomeration but it was still mostly asphalt. Geneva hostel in Paquis on the way and close to the lake into centre was a nice surprise.
If you are starting from Konstanz, you have mostly flat first two days to Marstetten (pilgerherberge) and Fishingen (monastery with dorms). Third day starts gently then steep long climb to Hornli with far-reaching views. Steep descent to valley then mostly down into Rapperswil. Good mixture of off-road and road walking.
You can also check my wikiloc tracks, I go by caminka there too. All VJ tracks start with camino2023.
Fantastic! I felt like i was there walking it! Really really appreciate all the time you took to help me out!
Thank - you!!Hi @Sanman
Two very recent threads you might find interesting..... though you will realise soon you are spoilt for choice
We don't know anyone who has done the Retico, yet, but the Cammino Materano has been enjoyed by several!
How about The Luther path in West Germany. Or the Pieterpad from north to Southwest Netherland. Or the Kustpad in ther Netherlands.
You might find this interactive map useful. All the routes are clickable links.I have not heard of these
Hi all,
My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's
We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new
Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.
Questions:
- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.
- open to any part of Europe
- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too
Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike
Thanks!!
Thank you so much - looks fabulous! Thx for taking the time to answer me and provide this reco.How about La Voie de Rocamadour in France it's about 260km from Bénévent-l'Abbaye to Rocamadour, a beautiful sanctuary to Our Lady built into the rocks. I did it in 2017 and don't recall it being particularly challenging. Lots of nice little French towns to stay in and I had no problem finding accommodation. All the info here and also a guidebook (All in French but I think you can translate using the browser)
Un Chemin de St Jacques : La Voie de Rocamadour en Limousin et Haut-Quercy
Ce site est le complément du guide pratique du randonneur 'La voie de Rocamadour vers Compostelle - un chemin de Saint Jacques en Limousin et Haut-Quercy'.www.chemin-de-st-jacques-voie-de-rocamadour-limousin-haut-quercy.fr
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?