Please note that the 'transit' days I mention will vary on your departure port, port of entry, timing of flights, how you travel to your Camino start point etc etc. It's just an example. The point of this video is more about planning the Camino stages rather than travel 'to' the Camino.
Thank you for the excellent tips, Rob. The rest days recommendation - absolutely. Those will be crucial not only to rest the muscles and sore knees but to give hot spots and blisters a chance to recover. They're also a great opportunity to find a laundromat, especially if it's been wet and hand-washed clothes aren't drying. I'm also going to plan a delayed start once I arrive at my Camino starting city. For this year's Camino, the Camino del Norte, I'd forgotten to pack ANY shirts. I was too impatient that first morning, in San Sebastian, to wait for stores to open at 10 AM. I'd washed my long-sleeved cotton shirt in the room the night before but that was a horrible shirt to wear on the Camino. I also didn't want to wait until 10:30 for the cathedral office to open in order to pick up my Compostela. So, from now on I'm giving myself a day at the starting point to gather myself. Excellent suggestion to ease into the first couple of days as that gives me a chance to get my Camino legs back. Thanks for the Gronze recommendation. Likewise for the TH-cam viewing recommendation, if I can manage to temper my enthusiasm after watching a few. Great video, thanks!
On my first Camino I actually stayed in Burgette were Ernst Hemmingway and also at Akerreta only by chance. I realised were I was in Akerreta because I watched the movie so many times which set the motivation in motion. Thank you for your thoughts I personally believe in planning, I appreciate your Excel spreadsheet nice work.
I love the planning process for many reasons. It allows me to research the route, and make a note of any 'stand out' places I might want to see, places I might want to stay, places that might be worth a rest day (or short day). Because I tend to go into it in detail, I usually end up actually walking fairly 'close' to the plan, but am not 'driven' by it. Walking with Pat, I also want to make sure I have an idea of the route, potential stages, difficult sections, significant elevations, and so on. That allows me to at least think about 'alternates'. Rather like a pilot always knowing where they could divert to in emergency. It's just all part of the fascination of walking the Camino for me. And it allows me to walk with worry. (helpful on remote routes) One section of the VdlP had me a bit concerned last year. It was rather like that 17 kms stretch on the Frances after Carrion. No intermediate villages or services (though it has a mobile cafe now) The section in question was 27 kms straight, with nothing en route. Right at my upper limit. and in warm weather. So it made sense to me, to look at my options in case of injury or other problems. I had two "bale out" points in mind if required. In the end, it was easy! Well quite easy..........
Took me a bit to catch up with this video, but sure glad that I did. As a fellow planner, understanding and using the Gronze app is gonna be a cakewalk now. It might be interesting to hear about Mac’s gear/packing list for a March walk. Thanks.
Tx Rob another fantastic video. Alot of tips for staying at certain places. I enjoy all your posts and replies from the viewers never to long. I like the excel formula. You mentioned in another post that you might do a in depth, whats involved in volunteering at alburgues I'd be interested in that though l wouldn't volunteer yet, purely as l have to many walks to do, but later yes, no issue with the donation of time. Tx again for the post and look forward to the new Camino adventures Cheers buddy 👍 10/10
Sure I'll do that one. I've held off a bit as 'life' and 'work' has been getting in the way, and it looks like we might not get to volunteer till I actually retire. But maybe I can do a video at this stage about the training, and why people volunteer and why some of the Albergue 'rules' are there....
Hi Rob, Thank you for this great detailed information. I have a question for you. Do you use a navigator to guide you to where you are while doing the Camino or follow the marked route?
Firstly, most routes are very well marked! But Yes I do use navigation aids. I'm a bit of an over planner 🙄 It's not really necessary but I started using one just out of interest to see how far I had walked etc, (I used Strava) and then last time, being on a more remote route I used a mapping app. But I try to keep it simple. So at various stages I will use. (1) A camino guide with either 'static' maps that I use to plan my day. like Gronze website (2) A camino 'app' that has a map feature showing where I am on the trail. But I don't use these much. (3) Google Maps. When I reach a town to find my accommodation or to look for Bars, shops, Fisio etc. (4) My favourite now. Maps.me. I down load gps 'tracks' for each stage of a route onto my phone. I then click on the file that I want to use and it asks what app I want to open it in. Select Maps.me. It then opens the route for that stage on an interactive map. I can see the route and exactly where I am. Great on more remote routes. On the more popular routes like the Frances, it's actually hard to get lost! This is where I download the gps tracks. centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/loadCamSan.do
Just a quick point Rob...and I have NO IDEA if I'm correct in respect to the Cathedral...but...you said Easter Sunday is the 20th so two days before is the 18th. Bare in mind that is GOOD FRIDAY...and although there are church services...no MASS takes place in RC churches that day...is there a Pilgrim Mass that day?
I was just browing the Internet looking at Camino related stuff and there are a lot of different maps and posters of the different routes for the Camino de Santiago. I was particularly interested in the route across Northern Spain that a map called the Finesterre route. I was wondering if you have ever taken that route and if not why not? It appears from first glance to be a completely coastal route along the Bay of Biscay. Have you done any videos on that route? Found this blurb about it: Finisterre translates as the “end of the world” and for many pilgrims they feel that their journey is only complete when they can walk no more- hence the walk from Santiago to Finisterre on the Atlantic Coast. Starting from the magnificent cathedral in Santiago, walk through the Galician countryside and medieval villages to finish up at the ocean. It is here that pilgrims would traditionally burn their boots after completing their pilgrimage. Only the hardiest of pilgrims complete this quieter route and for this reason, the sense of camaraderie is incredible. Have you heard of burning your boots after completing a Camino? Probably not a great idea with today's plastic shoes. Glad to see you are still making videos.
Hi, good to see you again. The route across Northern Spain is likely the Norte. Quite coastal for a lot of it. I have not walked that one. I have walked from Santiago to Finisterre (Fisterra) and Muxia. A wonderful route! Next time I'm walking it in reverse with Pat. Muxia-Fisterra-Santiago. If including both Muxia and Fisterra it just qualifies as being over 100 kms. I have a vlog of that route. Here's the play list. studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLSU4euF3n3H_jFUuerwqR0DrPdMshp0Ws/videos and the Blog. robscamino.com/category/camino-to-fisterra-muxia/
Regarding the burning of boots or clothing. That is not a 'tradition' but a modern 'trend'. Sadly it is described as being a 'tradition' on a couple of Camino Tour websites. It's dangerous and has started wild fires in the past as well of course as being bad for the environment as you point out. There are signs highlighting that at Finisterre I think. Hopefully common sense prevails 😳
Norte. www.gronze.com/camino-norte And Muxia/Fisterra. www.gronze.com/santiago-finisterre You have to walk the bit between Muxia and Fisterra to make it over 100 kms! Do double check distances. According to the Pilgrims Office website it does 'count' though I have not tried it in 'reverse' to Santiago myself yet.
Kind of depends which route you plan to walk and where you plan to start. For example, if starting the Frances in St Jean, there are common options such as: (1) Fly to Paris, train to Bayonne/St Jean. (2) Fly to Madrid, Train to Pamplona, Bus to St Jean (only 1 per day I think). Lots of other options too. For a St Jean start I like Paris.
Hi Rob, thanks for all the planning tips. How many days should I allow to fly from Perth WA, to Paris then onto SJPD? From your spreadsheet, you have allowed 2 transit days before starting. Would jet lag, if any effect a start date? I'm planning to walk my 1st Camino Frances starting around the 4th May 2025.
All depends on flight times etc. In the past I have landed in Paris early morning. Stayed in Paris one night. Taken the train to Bayonne/St Jean the next day, stayed in St Jean one night, and started walking the next day. If you have the time and have not been to Paris before, maybe have 2-3 nights in Paris?
Please note that the 'transit' days I mention will vary on your departure port, port of entry, timing of flights, how you travel to your Camino start point etc etc. It's just an example. The point of this video is more about planning the Camino stages rather than travel 'to' the Camino.
I’d also check how your schedule aligns with national holidays and local festivals. Easter forgot might be crazy busy too
@@Dtiic5iyxixg YES, great point!
Hi Rob, thanks for sharing your process, it is really helpful. All the best for the Madrid.
Probably looking like 2026 now, as 'life' tends to get in the way a bit.......
Thank you for the excellent tips, Rob. The rest days recommendation - absolutely. Those will be crucial not only to rest the muscles and sore knees but to give hot spots and blisters a chance to recover. They're also a great opportunity to find a laundromat, especially if it's been wet and hand-washed clothes aren't drying. I'm also going to plan a delayed start once I arrive at my Camino starting city. For this year's Camino, the Camino del Norte, I'd forgotten to pack ANY shirts. I was too impatient that first morning, in San Sebastian, to wait for stores to open at 10 AM. I'd washed my long-sleeved cotton shirt in the room the night before but that was a horrible shirt to wear on the Camino. I also didn't want to wait until 10:30 for the cathedral office to open in order to pick up my Compostela. So, from now on I'm giving myself a day at the starting point to gather myself. Excellent suggestion to ease into the first couple of days as that gives me a chance to get my Camino legs back. Thanks for the Gronze recommendation. Likewise for the TH-cam viewing recommendation, if I can manage to temper my enthusiasm after watching a few. Great video, thanks!
Yep. Slow down. Stuff happens. It's never a totally smooth journey. 🙂
On my first Camino I actually stayed in Burgette were Ernst Hemmingway and also at Akerreta only by chance. I realised were I was in Akerreta because I watched the movie so many times which set the motivation in motion. Thank you for your thoughts I personally believe in planning, I appreciate your Excel spreadsheet nice work.
I love the planning process for many reasons. It allows me to research the route, and make a note of any 'stand out' places I might want to see, places I might want to stay, places that might be worth a rest day (or short day). Because I tend to go into it in detail, I usually end up actually walking fairly 'close' to the plan, but am not 'driven' by it. Walking with Pat, I also want to make sure I have an idea of the route, potential stages, difficult sections, significant elevations, and so on. That allows me to at least think about 'alternates'. Rather like a pilot always knowing where they could divert to in emergency. It's just all part of the fascination of walking the Camino for me. And it allows me to walk with worry. (helpful on remote routes)
One section of the VdlP had me a bit concerned last year. It was rather like that 17 kms stretch on the Frances after Carrion. No intermediate villages or services (though it has a mobile cafe now)
The section in question was 27 kms straight, with nothing en route. Right at my upper limit. and in warm weather.
So it made sense to me, to look at my options in case of injury or other problems. I had two "bale out" points in mind if required. In the end, it was easy! Well quite easy..........
Rob, Happy New Year for 2025 from Naas, Ireland. May it be as good as your best day on Camino.
Many thanks. Though that would be hard to beat! Happy New Year.
Took me a bit to catch up with this video, but sure glad that I did. As a fellow planner, understanding and using the Gronze app is gonna be a cakewalk now. It might be interesting to hear about Mac’s gear/packing list for a March walk. Thanks.
Yep. Gronze is my 'go to' for planning.
Good work. I’m an under planner but am trying to improve. Knowing when it’s the weekend and Easter etc. seems a great place to start.
And as someone else mentioned, local holidays! I always check those along with school holidays.
Could you talk about safety, particularly for a woman walking on their own? Any recommendations
Sure. I can do that. Though I have one on women walking alone specifically here, with Sara Dhooma. th-cam.com/video/ksyPpAfoR58/w-d-xo.html
Tx Rob another fantastic video.
Alot of tips for staying at certain places.
I enjoy all your posts and replies from the viewers never to long.
I like the excel formula.
You mentioned in another post that you might do a in depth, whats involved in volunteering at alburgues I'd be interested in that though l wouldn't volunteer yet, purely as l have to many walks to do, but later yes, no issue with the donation of time.
Tx again for the post and look forward to the new Camino adventures
Cheers buddy 👍 10/10
Sure I'll do that one. I've held off a bit as 'life' and 'work' has been getting in the way, and it looks like we might not get to volunteer till I actually retire. But maybe I can do a video at this stage about the training, and why people volunteer and why some of the Albergue 'rules' are there....
@robscamino perfect. Life can be a pain in the arse sometimes..... Cheers 👍
Hi Rob, Thank you for this great detailed information. I have a question for you. Do you use a navigator to guide you to where you are while doing the Camino or follow the marked route?
Firstly, most routes are very well marked! But Yes I do use navigation aids. I'm a bit of an over planner 🙄 It's not really necessary but I started using one just out of interest to see how far I had walked etc, (I used Strava) and then last time, being on a more remote route I used a mapping app. But I try to keep it simple. So at various stages I will use. (1) A camino guide with either 'static' maps that I use to plan my day. like Gronze website (2) A camino 'app' that has a map feature showing where I am on the trail. But I don't use these much. (3) Google Maps. When I reach a town to find my accommodation or to look for Bars, shops, Fisio etc. (4) My favourite now. Maps.me. I down load gps 'tracks' for each stage of a route onto my phone. I then click on the file that I want to use and it asks what app I want to open it in. Select Maps.me. It then opens the route for that stage on an interactive map. I can see the route and exactly where I am. Great on more remote routes. On the more popular routes like the Frances, it's actually hard to get lost! This is where I download the gps tracks. centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/loadCamSan.do
Just a quick point Rob...and I have NO IDEA if I'm correct in respect to the Cathedral...but...you said Easter Sunday is the 20th so two days before is the 18th. Bare in mind that is GOOD FRIDAY...and although there are church services...no MASS takes place in RC churches that day...is there a Pilgrim Mass that day?
Not sure, sorry. My comment was more about how close to Easter Sunday Mack might want to arrive. I'm not RC.
@robscamino ah I know that Rob.
.but I'd hate any pilgrim to be disappointed. Great video as always btw.
I was just browing the Internet looking at Camino related stuff and there are a lot of different maps and posters of the different routes for the Camino de Santiago. I was particularly interested in the route across Northern Spain that a map called the Finesterre route. I was wondering if you have ever taken that route and if not why not? It appears from first glance to be a completely coastal route along the Bay of Biscay. Have you done any videos on that route?
Found this blurb about it:
Finisterre translates as the “end of the world” and for many pilgrims they feel that their journey is only complete when they can walk no more- hence the walk from Santiago to Finisterre on the Atlantic Coast. Starting from the magnificent cathedral in Santiago, walk through the Galician countryside and medieval villages to finish up at the ocean. It is here that pilgrims would traditionally burn their boots after completing their pilgrimage. Only the hardiest of pilgrims complete this quieter route and for this reason, the sense of camaraderie is incredible.
Have you heard of burning your boots after completing a Camino? Probably not a great idea with today's plastic shoes.
Glad to see you are still making videos.
Hi, good to see you again. The route across Northern Spain is likely the Norte. Quite coastal for a lot of it. I have not walked that one. I have walked from Santiago to Finisterre (Fisterra) and Muxia. A wonderful route! Next time I'm walking it in reverse with Pat. Muxia-Fisterra-Santiago. If including both Muxia and Fisterra it just qualifies as being over 100 kms. I have a vlog of that route. Here's the play list. studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLSU4euF3n3H_jFUuerwqR0DrPdMshp0Ws/videos and the Blog. robscamino.com/category/camino-to-fisterra-muxia/
Regarding the burning of boots or clothing. That is not a 'tradition' but a modern 'trend'. Sadly it is described as being a 'tradition' on a couple of Camino Tour websites. It's dangerous and has started wild fires in the past as well of course as being bad for the environment as you point out. There are signs highlighting that at Finisterre I think. Hopefully common sense prevails 😳
Norte. www.gronze.com/camino-norte And Muxia/Fisterra. www.gronze.com/santiago-finisterre You have to walk the bit between Muxia and Fisterra to make it over 100 kms! Do double check distances. According to the Pilgrims Office website it does 'count' though I have not tried it in 'reverse' to Santiago myself yet.
@@robscamino
Not to mention, good boots are expensive!
Indeed they are!
Hello again Rob. Any tips for the best country to fly to from Australia?
Kind of depends which route you plan to walk and where you plan to start. For example, if starting the Frances in St Jean, there are common options such as: (1) Fly to Paris, train to Bayonne/St Jean. (2) Fly to Madrid, Train to Pamplona, Bus to St Jean (only 1 per day I think). Lots of other options too. For a St Jean start I like Paris.
Hi Rob, thanks for all the planning tips. How many days should I allow to fly from Perth WA, to Paris then onto SJPD? From your spreadsheet, you have allowed 2 transit days before starting. Would jet lag, if any effect a start date? I'm planning to walk my 1st Camino Frances starting around the 4th May 2025.
All depends on flight times etc. In the past I have landed in Paris early morning. Stayed in Paris one night. Taken the train to Bayonne/St Jean the next day, stayed in St Jean one night, and started walking the next day. If you have the time and have not been to Paris before, maybe have 2-3 nights in Paris?
Rember on the way back, you will lose a day! (time zones)
@@robscamino thanks for the heads up. I did not factor that in at all.