Planning my first camino

[kwmetz88]

Hello all,

I am starting to plan my first camino and I was originally planning to do le puy route to finisterre (June 23ish to August 31ish), but realized my schedule would make things rushed and that's not what I want at all on the camino.

I've since brought myself to start near or around Lourdes. I have a friend in Oloron that I would like to stay with which brought me this way. How long would the trail typically take from Lourdes? I was hoping to get to Oloron and then cut south through col de somport-jaca-puente le reina where I can then join the main camino from SJPDP. I guess my question is will I have enough time, what are the names of the routes I'll be on. Is it worth starting maybe a little further than Lourdes to see more of france? If so, where would be reasonable?

Thanks everyone. And of course I'm open to any and all suggestions. including must have guidebooks, hostels to stay at, etc. (i also plan on possibly packing a one person tent)

THANK YOU!

-Kevin

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hello all,
I guess my question is will I have enough time, what are the names of the routes I'll be on. Is it worth starting maybe a little further than Lourdes to see more of france? If so, where would be reasonable?
-Kevin

In 2012, I walked from Lourdes. It was an incredibly beautiful walk in April/May.
Here is my blog where you can count the days:
http://caminosantiago2.blogspot.com/2012/05/lourdes-again.html

If you back up on the blog a few days you will see we flew into Barcelona and took a bus to Toulouse, then a train to Moissac, then a train to Lourdes. We walked to Jaca, where we began the Aragones Route, one of my favorite routes! Then walked to Pamplona. I skipped a few stages when we hit snow, but Joe walked most of them.

It's a wonderful wonderful walk!!!
If you need any info, let me know.
Annie