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Young people on the Camino Primitivo

JimCamino

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
28/08/2024
Hello everyone!
I am planning to begin the Primitivo in late August (29th) and am wondering if it’s a popular trek for other young hiking enthusiasts. I am a solo 22 year old and, while I love adventure, am worried I won’t find others to share the experience with
 
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And older people don't count?
(That's not entirely serious, but some. You might be surprised that people the age of your parents or grandparents can actually be very good company - and they may even be as fit as you are, too...)

And the short answer to your question is yes.
 
On my Primitivo this May there has been a wide mix of ages. From the early twenties to the early eighties. Maybe depending on the season theres a few more younger people on the Camino Frances (thos doing it after graduating school or college), but not that big of a difference.
Depending on what "bubble" you get into, your experience may vary ofc.
 
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Go on mate: what are you scared of? Wrinklies squandering their children’s inheritance and laughing at your youth? Middle aged cushties blagging the better restaurant seats and drinking all the good stuff? Ex-students with nothing to do all summer and to loved-up to notice you?

You’ll be able to share your experience with anyone you choose to share it with. All you have to do is share
 
Haha I was thinking of putting something in brackets so as not to offend the older folk. l guess part of me wanted a gentle reminder that age is just a number. Cheers for the prompt reply; so cool that there is such a strong support base for the Camino
 
JimCamino said:
Cheers for the prompt reply; so cool that there is such a strong support base for the Camino
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Buen camino, @JimCamino !
One of the best things about the camino is how it throws us all together and friendships form - never mind age, gender, race, social status, nationality, whatever. If you're friendly (and you seem so), you get it back.

The more challenging caminos (like the Primitivo) do tend to attract a fitter bunch, so there's a good chance you'll find someone closer to your age than mine.
 
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We walked the Primitivo in mid May this year. My significant other and I are in our 60s, my 20 year old niece came with us. I felt bad for my niece as there were not many young people at all for her to hang out with.
 
There were quite a few young people (20s) when I walked in July 2023. But others have reported differently. I guess there is no predicting, it depends on the cohort you are in.
 
I walked in mid-late September 2023. I remember a few mid-20s, but not in the private albergues I stayed in.

I strongly suspect the prevalence of young 20s depends on school and/ or work schedules.
 
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@JimCamino , welcome to the forum. When I walked mid July last year, as per above there was a real mix, everything from eight years to over 80. (Hardly surprising, July is often the start of the school holidays). A handful of people in your age bracket. It can vary day by day, let alone week by week. There's only one City along the way, Lugo, so no nightlife anyway!
Young teens seem to be the ones that struggle the most, 18 and up just walk/talk with whomever they feel like.
 
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From my observation, pilgrims on the Camino Primitivo are on average probably 20 years younger than on the Via de la Plata. You're in luck...
 
Walked with many youngsters while on Camino and here in the Uk , mostly they are welcome to join in as long as they can keep up with the pace.

You'll meet all sorts and find common ground with them all. Try and stop staring at your screen and you'll meet loads of nice peeps
 
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Hmm, that final sentence was unnecessary. Jim Camino your gracious reply to the earlier ribbing on this thread reassures me that you will meet all sorts of people who will be delighted by your company. Buen Camino - it is a beautiful way.
 
Remember! The plus side of meeting older people is they know how to have a conversation and don’t spend all their time looking at a phone ! . On a serious note , I found that I met and spoke to all age groups and your only on your own if you want to be . Have a great time .
 
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Hi Jim,
My grandson, at the time a couple of days short of 16, walked the first two weeks of the Frances a couple of years ago, and loved it. Due to our differences in abilities on the hills he often strode on (with my blessing) and met up with other younger pilgrims. He called me last week (now a couple of weeks off 18) to say that he was going to save to walk the complete Frances in a couple of years, so he'll be 20. He wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't fun for youngsters. Stay open, friendly and people will chat to you (even us old wrinkles )
 
VNwalking said:
Yeah, totally. As though none of us is doing that right now?
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Yeah, but only cause I can't flipping walk!

My phone stays in my bag unless absolutely necessary on Camino. Until I started doing the Jacobsweg I'd never used an app other than booking. The Primitivo is extremely well signed posted, no app necessary.
 
We are NOT "older folk." We are the much more experienced cadre. Pay attention, and learn.
 
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I have been on 4 different caminos in the past 10 years. I am now 65 and what stood out for me on my experiences were all the young people we met who became really good friends. They were fantastic. Mostly Europeans. Don't know if it's cultural to be more inclusive of different age groups? Not knowing your culture.
 
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Jan Jones said:
Hmm, that final sentence was unnecessary. Jim Camino your gracious reply to the earlier ribbing on this thread reassures me that you will meet all sorts of people who will be delighted by your company. Buen Camino - it is a beautiful way.
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tongue sticking out emoji is more often than not used in a playful way ....

youngsters will probably understand it more than the oldies though
 
Walked the Primitivo a couple of days together with a young guy (21) from the Czech Republic. We both are reasonable fit and had great days together. The same also for the Via de la Plata, with a young guy (25) from Germany. Great conversations about past and future
 
Welcome @JimCamino

There was a recent thread on the same topic


It is fair to say not everyone's experience is the same, and there is the possibility of finding oneself in a group with an age distribution which my be an outlier. But mostly (I think statistically) that would not be the case. The Primitivo is not the busiest route, but it has much to commend it (and not being the busiest is one of them for many people). I met a very varied group mostly younger than me and we got on very well.

I think your friendly good humour (as much as one can tell from text on a screen ) will see you through. Enjoy it, and let us know!
 
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What a fabulous conversation! I salute your courage Jim as you rise to the challenge of the primitive Camino. Your curiosity to ask such important questions and take with dignity the feedback shows wisdom. As a recent 22-year-old, if you consider 43 years on recent, I value the life experiences from young to older equally. Pensioners like me need younger friends. I don't know who said it before Ted Lasso, if anybody, but these are still words to seriously consider "be curious not judgmental." Thus, I continually strive to be a better man. It's the journey I live for, not a destination. I hope to see you on the primitive way.
 
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My wife and I in our mid sixties found with our super early 6:30 AM starts on the Primitivo rarely encountered many young people during the day as we were usually two hours ahead or more setting out each morning.
We did meet many though at the albergues in the evenings though when they rolled in late.
We usually like to done walking by 2 or 3 so as to have time to explore our destination.
 

Got back 2 weeks ago from el primitivo, where we were SURROUNDED by young people (I was walking with a friend from home, both of us 20) so we had a great time. We had a great time with everyone we met, young and old, but made our closest bonds with a group of about 8 people aged between 19 and 23, and there were plenty between 23 and 33 aswell.

In short, yes. I had the same question as you before I left, and "yes" is the only answer I could have needed.

That being said, it is chance based. You might not see a single person over 30. You might not see any under 50, its all luck, but chances are there will be enough of every age group. I found the primitivo had much more young people than the Portuguese, and I found young people were drawn to the hiking aspect.
 
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I am an 80 year old female - last seen on a Camino during last 2023 October storms - and having as much fun and interesting discussions with 22 year olds as I have with my many adventurous grandchildren.
Drop all your expectations, - and the Camino will reward you
 
it will be interesting to hear your take on it after you finish. doing mine in october. age never crossed my mind. buen camino!
 
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I finished the Primitivo 2 days ago and yes, there were lots of young people. For a while I was in a nice friendship group with a man of 61 and a young woman of 24. I'm 62 and female.
 
My family finished the Primitivo in early June, including my 17yo son and 14yo daughter. I felt like there were lots of 20-something’s on the Primitivo at that time.
 
I did the primitivo in Sept a year ago and walked with a ton of young people, mostly from Europe. So much fun. We walked together all the way into Santiago. No worries!!!
 
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Hey Jimcamino! My wife and I started our Primitivo last year on 31 Aug. We started in Amandi (just north of Oviedo). You will meet all kinds of people on the Primitivo, including younger folks. As others have said, the Camino is the great equalizer…it somehow makes everyone the same. Age (or whatever descriptor you want to use) becomes irrelevant.

We loved the Primitivo. One of our favorite hostels was Bodenaya…you should attempt to stay there.

Buen Camino, my friend!

 
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I walked the Primitivo in May 2016 and although not a very busy route back then, I thought there was a nice smattering of both young and older pilgrims.
 
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