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Im so sorry to hear you got hit with food poisoning and ended up in hospital. Are you able to rest up in a hotel in Santiago before you have to head home? It sounds like this decision was taken out of your hands because you were so sick. I think making it all the way to Padron is such good going, you should be proud of yourself for getting so close when you were ill. Now I have space and time from my decision to quit I know it was the right call. At the time I felt like I’d failed, but thankfully I no longer do ☺️ Rest up and you’ll be back again one day 💪🏻

Thanks, Gregory! Appreciate you saying that. With the benefit of some time and distance from it, it was totally the right call and meant my Primitivo trip could start gradually. Thanks for watching and I hope to have the next video out at the end of summer/early autumn. Buen Camino, buddy

By cutting it short we thankfully got two rest days in Oviedo

I’ve noticed the Camino can attract people who do not normally hike, which can be a good and a bad thing. It’s great that it appeals to such a broad spectrum of people, but like you note, without any training it can be tough going for them.

You are a true Camino Angel taking away that annoying tik tak sound 😄

Thanks! Yes, too far too soon and we paid the price for it. I may go back and like you say, take more time and not do such long days. Wow, 38km is a massive long days walking. I can imagine it went from feeling great to ‘I just want you to be there now’. Guessing you had a rest day after that? We had more time for the Primitivo after leaving the San Salvador so took it slow at first. It’s such a beautiful camino. I shot a lot of footage, so it may take me a while to edit it. I hope you get to go back and walk those two beautiful Camino’s again, my friend.

@@Caminohacks Yeah, I had a limited amount of vacation time so I had a schedule. My 38km day was on day 4, the stretch after you quit. I finished the S.Salvador in 5 days. I did take a 'rest day' in Oviedo, but I wanted to do that so I could explore some of the historical sites, so I still did 25kms of walking that day LOL!

That’s great going, I think building up to the big day and then knowing you had a rest day put you in a better place than we were - I know we had to keep doing big days. In retrospect I’m so glad I called time on that.

11 hours walking the first day and 10 hours the second - too much. It’s tough isn’t it, trying to push further and further. Ouch, I’m sorry to hear you had a sciatic attack, sounds very painful. I guess your bodies way of saying “no more”. Yes, the garbage is very sad to see from Sarria , no thought for nature and other pilgrims 😢 Cool that you’re going back! I think I know the bar on Finisterre, is it in the main square near the tourist office?

Thanks, Lenox 👍🏻

Thank you, Linda. Yes, I learnt a lot about myself by calling time on this Camino. I thankfully was able to take the lesson learned from this and do shorter days from Oviedo on the Primitivo

Thanks! You should be able to get away with camping as there’s more space and a lot less people on this route compared to the Frances

That's why I hiked Francis March 14th to April 20 than went back to Jean Port over Napoleon in fact I tented at. The Summit Brrrr and gusts​@@Caminohacks

Impressive views to wake up to sleeping at the summit!

😂 sarge?!

Yep, big one learnt on the San Salvador 😬

Such kind, beautiful words, thank you, buddy. I’m not crying, who said I’m crying?! 😭 I’ve picked up so many things from your wonderful travel logs. I look forward to your next masterpiece, my friend

P.S and thanks for the tip on day 2 to film everything, as it was going wrong.

@@Caminohacks oh that’s great to hear, that my small tip made a bit of an impact! 😅

Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that. The San Salvador hits you with such awe inspiring scenery on day 2. ☺️

The lack of community on the San Salvador was (in hindsight) a huge contributing factor to our decision to quit. We had exactly the opposite experience on the Primitivo (video coming soon, right Dan?) and it reminded me that the community is why I do caminos. The San Salvador is beautiful but too secluded for my taste.

@@dsus4th the Primitivo video will take a little while longer to edit, but yes it’s definitely coming (end of summer/fall). The lack of community did afford us more time and space to shoot video of just us and the landscape. The next video will be very different ☺️

@@dsus4th yes it certainly looked remote with some really tough climbs in just two days! Glad you enjoyed the Primitivo. I finished the Portuguese in June and was surprised how many pilgrims we met in Santiago who had just finished the Primitivo, they all loved it.

What did you think to the Portuguese Camino? Hope you enjoyed it. Maybe the Primitivo will have to be your next one :)

Yeah, you're right, I tried to ignore it but it came back and when I voiced my concerns to David he was thinking something similar. They say the mind goes well before the body does. The scenery was mind blowing! Hmm, well I'll let you into a secret...after some rest, we walked the Primitivo and it was such an amazing experience, mountain views, but with a lot more pilgrims. Such a different exprience and it reminded of why I love the Camino so much, the community. So, I may go back to walk it one day, but set aside more than 4 days. Or, I might search a route with a few more pilgrims.

@@Caminohacks looking forward to seeing your footage from the Primitivo. How would you compare the landscape with the San Salvador (which looked mind blowing)?

There were some stunning days on the Primitivo, but not those wide vistas like on the San Salvador. There’s a day on the Primitivo where you’re walking above the clouds which was pretty special. The San Salvador tops it for breathtaking views, with the Primitivo in close second.

@@Caminohacks sounds amazing. I really hope you have the chance to go back and complete the San Salvador

@@christiankreps5920 thank you ☺️

Love it, thanks! Turned out to be great prep.

Hi John, thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Yes, I had trained a bit prior to going, but in hindsight not enough for such big distance so early on. The San Salvador has such stunning scenery, I think you’d enjoy it…maybe don’t try do it in 4 days 😂 The Primitivo was amazing, I have so much footage so I hope to have a video out on that route later in the year. Buen Camino, buddy.

@@Caminohacks look forward to it. Do you think you could Camp along the San Salvador?

@@johnrodgers2018 There is quiet a lot of farm land along the way, but I think you could get away with it much more easily than on some of the more well travelled routes. I met a guy who camped along the Primitivo, so I if he can do it there I'd say you can do it on the San Salvador. You know the rule about pitching after dark and breaking down before sunset to get around the camping laws? That's basically a way to get around their no wild camping rules.

Me 2 That sign with arrows pointed 2 ways is a bit sketchy reminds me of Napolean before crossing over to Spain.

Luckily we had an app that pointed out that one of the ways the arrow was pointing to was so much longer, so we picked the shorter route

Gracias por ver el vídeo. Sí, entiendo tu punto de vista de que sólo se dedicó una pequeña cantidad de tiempo a Santiago, y como espectador quieres ver más. Pensándolo bien, debería haber incluido más secuencias, pero como he incluido Santiago en muchos de mis otros vídeos, como la oficina del peregrino, el casco antiguo y la catedral, no se me ocurrió incluirlo esta vez. A menudo es difícil encontrar el equilibrio entre estar presente en el viaje y, al mismo tiempo, ser director de cine, acordándose de tomar imágenes adicionales de cosas que la gente nueva en el canal aún no ha visto. Pensaré en tu comentario la próxima vez que filme en el Camino, así que gracias.

Thank you, Caroline. It was a bit scary being so open and vunerable, but I felt it important to I was honest about what was happening on the Camino, both on camera and in my head. It is such a beautiful route. I have a lot of Primitivo footage to edit, which was a very different experience :)

I was a bit bruised and battered by the time we rolled into Oviedo, but after a couple of days rest and some easier start days, we got onto the Primitivo. The San Salvador is a great way to get to the start of the Primitivo, but if you don't have your Camino legs I'd recommend trying it over more than 4 days, as the days are tough - but come with stunning views.

Hi Nancy, so pleased to hear my tips helped you on your Camino. Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad fall on the Camino. How soon into your Camino did it happen? It sounds like it was a nasty fall if you had to rest for 12 days in total. But, happy to hear you were able to carry on. Thank you, yes, deep down I was worried that if I kept on like that it would impact my next journey, and I wasn't enjoying myself. At first it shocked me, because I love Caminos, so the walk that day gave me time to pick that thought apart and work out why I wasn't enjoying. It ultimatley helped me to make the call to stop.

@@Caminohacks the camino keeps teaching us, doesn't it 🙂 I had the fall about 2 weeks after i left home. I had a pretty nasty headwound, required some soutures there, had a concussion, broke my finger in 2 places. At first they thougt my eyesocket was fractured aswell but it was just a bad bruise so that was good 🙂 I took a 4 month leave of absence so i had a bit of extra time, so i continued and it was great...crossing France, after that i did the camino Frances and after Santiago i continued to Muxia and Finisterre. Did over 2500km, it took me about 3 months.

Yes, I love that the Camino gives us time and space to listen, whereas in our day to day lives we often ignore what life is trying to teach us. Ouch, that does sound like a nasty fall :( Good on you for resting, recuperating and keeping going. So you arrived on the Frances a battle hardened pilgrim! Wow, 2500kms!!!! And there's me complaining about a 35km day, ha ha. That is very impressive, well done you. A journey of a lifetime

@@Caminohacks It certainly was 🙂 Believe me, i have complained over shorter days then a 35k one 😁

Phew! I don’t feel so bad now 😂

Thank you. I have heard that both of those places you describe are stunning. One day I would love to be able to get out that way and experience the amazing landscapes.

Thanks, David. Lots of lessons learned, and like you say it's best to put your health and happiness first. Buen Camino

It was an overly optimistic pace to try and get to Oviedo, lesson learned. Thanks, Martin.

I know you had timeline but do you think you did wayyyy too many miles on day 1? I always limit myself to 25 kilometers

At 64 and just did Francis to Finisterre tenting when feasible I'm literally frothing to do San Salvador April 2025 was going to finish section from Leon to Sarria but I'm changing my mind. The terrain is very similar to "my" California Sierras. I'm doing the John Muir for my 64 in September

Yes, I’m hindsight it was too far, we got in late and woke up tired because we had another big day ahead of us. Like David said at the end of day one, doing a 35km day in the middle of a Camino is so much easier as your body is used to the long distances by then. 25kms seems like the right way to go 😊

I’m sure you will have a brilliant time walking the San Salvador. If you have time, I’d recommend going onto the Primitivo too. I met a pilgrim who camped along that route. It’s got some stunning views too

Very true, when you stop listening to the body is when injuries start to happen. Thanks 👍🏻

Thanks buddy, so pleased to hear you enjoyed it. Good old (well new) Go Pro capturing the stunning scenery. Ha ha, he got first dibs on the shower which when combined with feeling like I'd just quit, tipped me over the edge!

Long Camino days call for vigorous showers!

@@dsus4th a well earned one too! 😂

Thank you for saying that. It took me a while, but eventually I listened to what my inner voice was trying to tell me.

@@Caminohacks That's always for the best. The ways won't go anywhere and there is always tomorrow. But I feel you. I realy felt the pain you displayed right before the sigh after the fall.... Beautiful documentation btw. I was just looking into that route when your video poped up! "camino provides".

@@AmgedphaLimael Yes, it's good to be reminded there will always be a tomorrow and another chance to go again. I'm glad we made the call, as it gave us time to rest and go onto have a more relaxed start to the Primitivo. Thank you for your kindness. It is a stunning route, but maybe don't try to rush it like David and I 😂. The Primitivo is also stunning in places, although that's a 2-week walk.

Thank you :) How cool, your very first Camino!!! I am sure you're going to have an amazing time on the Ingles, and soon it will be your turn to walk into Santiago - even more goosebumps I reckon! Thank you, and I wish you a Buen Camino. Do let me know how your Camino goes

Thank you 😊

Thank you for saying that, and for watching :) I'm so pleased to hear you're going to get to experience your first Camino this year, the Ingles is such a lovely shorter Camino. Do be careful on the Hospital De Bruma stage, as that can be a bit of a bottleneck. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time. If you need any advice, please do let me know. Buen Camino

@@Caminohacks Thank you. We have pre booked accommodation, it was a condition my wife insisted on haha

@@ooberonfire Ha ha, good on your wife! No stress finding a bed for you two then. Have an amazing time and if you get a chance, do let me know how you get on.

Exciting times, your first Camino! Which one are you doing? When do you start walking? The app is use for the live map feature is Wise Pilgrim, here’s a link to the Portuguese one - apps.apple.com/gb/app/wise-pilgrim-camino-portugu%C3%A9s/id983056779 You can plan your stages on the app and mark towns you start and want to stop in. You can also use a dedicated website to plan your stages, it’s featured near the end of this video I made - th-cam.com/video/EVIA1qzjXRE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=cls10HhnfUHW9TLr If you’re waking the Portuguese Camino you might want to book a day or so ahead if you’re staying ‘on stage’ as it can get busy in the summer, especially after Tui as that is the last 100kms. The Frances, for peace of mind you might want to book from St Jean to Pamplona and then it opens up. Let me know how you get on, if you have anymore questions then give me a shout. Buen Camino

​@@Caminohacks thanks for your response man. No one I know has done camino before, even people hear for the first time, when I tell them so thanks for giving me all details. I am flying to Lisbon on 12th Aug and then will start from Porto on 13th or 14th Aug. I see there is coastal way and central way as well from Porto to Santiago. So I am not sure which one should I do it? (I am coming from Northern California in US so I can tolerate heat a bit better :) ) But I want to take spiritual variant as well. I have 10-11 days and then need to head back to Lisbon to meet family. And In order to book ahead of time, I would need to know exact number of kms/miles I can walk. I am fit and active everyday running & hiking, but never walked like this, so I also don't know how to break down into stages of days. I have several other questions, it would be great to get your help: - => Which cellphone carrier/provider should I buy when I get to Portugal and later can I use it in Spain, France & Poland? (Because that's where we would travel next) => Do they have laundry in hostels, so I can pack only a few pairs of clothes? => Does it rain in end of the Aug there? => In worst case, if I get delayed, how easy is to find hostel on the spot? How easy is to find directions? I like your routine of waking up earlier and finishing distance earlier, I might do it as well. Thanks Again.

Hey, both inland and the coast are beautiful, so I guess it’s which you prefer scenery wise. You can walk the coastal half way, then cut in like i did in the video to Valenca. That way you can experience a couple of days on the central before turning off onto the spritual route. Here’s a Camimo thread on eSIMs which should help - caminoways.com/esims-on-the-camino-de-santiago#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20eSIMs%20for%20Pilgrims%20on%20the%20Camino&text=With%20an%20eSIM%2C%20you%20can,emergency%20services%20at%20all%20times. They normally have washing machines yes, or you can buy travel wash and hand wash your gear - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0037S0XZE/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_AVP9B8E2GD0406CT9FVD?linkCode=ml2&tag=dancamino-21 August should be good for weather, but take a lightweight poncho juts incase as some days could rain - amzn.to/4cZi7iy If you download the wise pilgrim app (or Buen Camino app) that will have all albergues listed. Municipal albergues cannot be booked in advance, so people just walk up and secure a bed on the day. After Tui it gets busier so you either have to be in town first or book if you want a bed in a private albergue. Waking up early, means you get into town quicker, secure a bed and can then relax and enjoy the afternoon ☺️

Thanks for watching. Hmm, that’s a difficult one as they all offer something slightly different. If I was looking for a complete camino experience then it’s the Camino ingles route for me. Have you walked a Camino before?

@@Caminohacks me and my girl friend will be doing our first Camino ever this coming September. Now that you mentioned Camino Englis offers a complete Camino experience, we are rethinking 😅. Were initially planned for Camino Portuguese starting from Oporto. (We only have two weeks time allocated including our flight travel to and from Asia) This is why I came across to your documentary which is very helpful for us. We still not sure if we are doing central or costal or combination. And as our first time experience we would like to make this experience memorable and probably come back for more. Do you have any recommendation for us? I almost watch all your videos and seems all the route you’ve taken were special and memorable.

You can walk the Portuguese in about 10 days from Porto, and the majority of people start there so it feels 100% like a complete Camino. It is totally doable for you and your friend. If you’re worried about having enough time, you can start a stage later to give yourself some breathing space (you can catch the metro out to the last stop and then start walking). An alternative could be the ingles and carry on walking to Finisterre and Muxia. That way you get a complete Camino experience, then get to walk to the coast and relax on the beach and see the KM 0 marker. The ingles is 5/6 days and Finisterre can be walked in 3/4 days. Maybe sit down and think about what you want to see and experience. The Portuguese from Porto will give you inland and coastal options, both of which are beautiful. The ingles isn’t as beautiful in my opinion, but I love the pilgrim spirit of this route. The walk to Finisterre is also a great way to unwind, meet pilgrims who have walked other routes and spend a day or two by the ocean at the end of your walk. Let me know if you need anymore advice ☺️

@@Caminohacks many thanks for your insight. I’m glad I bumped with your page and documentaries. I will surely comeback here and ask for any advice we could think of in the coming days. Really appreciated your advise.

Happy to help

It’s such a great short Camino route, and the perfect choice for your first one. Fingers crossed you get to go next year 🤞🏻

P.S my 1-week Camimo video has useful info on the route that might help you with your planning

@Caminohacks I got my wifes approval so it's just a matter of scheduling with work and getting myself into better shape.

@@davidpippin3460 That's good news, all systems go! You have time to train and get used to walking with weight on your back. My recommendation would be to start slow and build up the distances without weight on your back.

@@Caminohacks Flight booked from Frankfurt 27 Sep! Plan to take the train up that evening and start the Camino Ingles on the 28th. I looked at the weather charts and it shows historically fairly mild weather for the week of my walk. From what I have read and gathered, the rains do not really start until mid-Oct well after I am back home. Not to say there will not be any rain but I am debating bringing a rain jacket and hiking umbrella or just a light poncho, the disposable kind. What are your thoughts on the weather at that time?

That can defintely help people avoid being locked out.

Sadly no, I'd been told that spaces at the municipal were dwidnling, so had to pass straight by it. Have you popped in? The Bruma stage is a real bottle neck, the town could do with another albergue to accommodate both routes joining at this town.

technically you are not allowed to wild camp in Spain, but I have met a couple of pilgrims that have done it. A way around the rule is to put it up after sundown and take it down before sunrise. Almost all pilgrims stay in albergues or other accommodation available, but if you are after a quieter (and cheaper) experience then camping could work for you.

Thanks, Michael. I used to change socks midway through the day too, but now I take them off and let them dry in the sun for a bit. Do you have an anti-blister routine when you’re on Camino?

I wasn’t 100% sure what the services were like on that route, so I erred on the side of caution and didn’t include it. Have you walked it? If you have, what are the last 100kms like for accommodation and cafes, restaurants and bars? Thanks

@@Caminohacks That's a fair point. I walked it 2 weeks ago (which is almost off season, I guess). All types of infrastructure is there, but it comes in much fewer options, so one has to research the stages a bit more carefully in advance. Also, Via De la Plata is far less walked camino, so the community experience may not be found here.

Thanks for getting back to me on this, I’m keen to explore this route. The video is aimed at encouraging people with less time and possibly less experience to walk, so maybe this route is one for the future. Have you walked The Aragonese Way? That’s one I’ve heard lots of great things about.

Hi, you can walk the Portuguese camino in 10 to 12 days. I hope you do get to walk it

Hi David, many people walk the path for different reasons, which in my opinion is why the way is so special. You are given the opportunity to walk with people who are walking for spiritual, fitness, personal and religious reasons. So while it may have started out as a religious pilgrimage, today it is often walked by people for non-religious reasons. The Camino calls us all in different ways, which again is part of its beauty. My walk will be different to yours, but no less special or worthwhile. I wish you well, David and have a good way

That is very expensive, I do hope you are able to reach your financial goal and make it to the Camino. If and when you get here you can live quite cheaply on the Camino by staying in municipal albergues (€10) and eating food from the supermarket - this is what lots of people do.

@@Caminohacks I will be eating from the supermarkets. Thank you for the awesome tips.

Happy to help with more advice if you need it

Thank you ☺️

So pleased to hear that my video is helpful to you, thank you for letting me know. So many new pilgrims don’t realise that there are more options than just Sarria to Santiago. Do let me know if you need any advice

Fingers crossed for April 2025

Yes, great for keep angry 🐶 at bay. They’re also super useful going up and down steep hills, so first day on Frances, coming down from Cruz du fero.

I think you can still do large parts of the Frances ‘on the fly’. But, there are sections when it would be advisable to book, especially during busy periods. The general consensus is if you want to be safe and not worry about a bed race, book from st Jean until Pamplona, after that it opens up and there are lots mor options. You can also stay ‘off stage’, avoid the crowds and discover some lesser known towns and albergues. The last 100kms you may well want to book ahead a day or two. Busy periods are May, June, end of sept into October on the Camino Frances. I found the Portuguese Camino very busy during august and there were often not enough beds to go round in some towns for people who hadn’t booked

😂

Yes, for some that is a big reason for doing it too. I’m not religious so didn’t feel confident talking about that aspect