Camino De Santiago, 800km hike

lizzyvera

I'm doing this for the third time in two weeks, it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I thought you might like to hear about it since you're all so fit and healthy.
It's an 800km pilgrimmage across Northern Spain.
You bring hardly anything with you, walk all morning and chat and enjoy the views and the silence. Then in the afternoon you can sleep and laze about and eat or whatever. I'm not religious but I think it changed me anyway. I NEVER appreciated the simple things in life so much, like flat ground and water...
Anyone who really enjoys hiking and the outdoors and culture would love it for a change from usual sun holidays.

aoa321

I didn't realise this was so long - you hardly did the whole route did you? I've heard about this many times before and it's definitely something I would love to do in the future, I think I remember something about a special passport that you get stamped at different point - did you do that?

I would imagine it's a huge tourist attraction?

Kinetic^

How long does it take OP?

spiral

I did about a week of it a couple of years ago . There are hostels every 3-4 hours along the route generally although in some areas there may be less. We usually walked about 20k a day took 6-7 hours tried to be out the door in the morning by 8 latest then generally finished by 3 the latest. It was very enjoyable met a lot of characters .
It is howver a pilgrimage and you may meet some very religious people and some of the hostels are run by religious orders.
However I didnt have any hassle .

olaola

Sounds like a great experience - have you read Spanish Steps by Tim Moore?
It's hilarious - he does it with a donkey that won't cross wooden bridges.
Well worth a read if you have done it or thinking about it. Or even just for the laugh.

lizzyvera

I read that too- he loved that donkey so much...
Takes about 35 days depending on whether you like to take a rest or go slow. Sometimes there's a hostel after 12km and then not one for another 18 km so you have to decide whether you'd be able for the 30km or shold you just have a half day.
It's not touristy in the way other popular places are touristy. Because you're walking all day in a fairly remote place, everyone at different paces, you don't see many people til you're in the hostel really. They're also very respectful of the villages and there isn't any drunkeness or anything like that.

Sneachta

Thinking of doing the Camino in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know if there will be many people walking it then?

xebec

Sneachta wrote:

Thinking of doing the Camino in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know if there will be many people walking it then?

Yes, it should be a fairly busy time on the route. AFAIK the only really quiet time is during the winter months. I did 200km of it in June 06 and met people of about 20 different nationalities which was pretty cool. One night at dinner, with 12 people at the table I think we had 10 nationalities.

Sneachta

xebec wrote:

Yes, it should be a fairly busy time on the route. AFAIK the only really quiet time is during the winter months. I did 200km of it in June 06 and met people of about 20 different nationalities which was pretty cool. One night at dinner, with 12 people at the table I think we had 10 nationalities.

Cool xebec thanks for reply. Any advice on what to bring? Not to bring?

xebec

Sneachta wrote:

Cool xebec thanks for reply. Any advice on what to bring? Not to bring?

Honestly, the less you bring the better, only bring the bare minimum that you'll need because you'll be carrying everything you're not wearing. Obviously a good, well broken in, pair of hiking boots is a must. Apart from that it's whatever you think you'll need. But remember that you will have the opportunity/need to hand wash every day so don't carry more than you have to.

lizzyvera

These are things you definitely need. Some things can be shared if you're with other people. It's a list I made myself and I've done it twice.

A good bag, 30L ish though I think 20L would do me. Has to have a raincover or be water resistant. Outside pocket in a handy place for a water bottle.

2 shorts, baggy is better. With a cord or belt.
4 t shirts or light shirts, not string tops
Nice underwear- they dry on the back of your bag while you walk so not sexy, torn or permanently stained...
Walking boots or good runners
Sandals or canvas shoes
Lots of socks, changed twice a day. Nice new soft ones if possible.
Pyjamas- remember you're in dorms with lots of people, sometimes they're cold
Warm jumper/fleece
Rainjacket/poncho
Towel
Swimwear for prudes like me in the shower



Ear plugs
A duvet cover to sleep in, sleeping bags are too heavy and hot
Hand washing detergent for clothes (share, in a shampoo bottle, not a whole box!)
Shampoo and soap (share between 2 or 3 people)
Sunblock (share between 2 or 3 people)
After sun
Clothes pegs
Plasters and mediswabs
Small thing of talc or better, athletes foot powder
Antiperspirant... it's a bit futile...

Pilgrim passport
Cirrus card (preferably) or somewhere secure for money/travellers cheques
Health insurance etc
Student ID for discounts

Medicine if you take any, toothbrush, sanitary things etc.
A good book, sometimes other people are asleep in the hostel so you can't talk
Playing cards


Weigh your bag before you bring anything else. I like mine about 7kg plus 1kg water. The heavier your bag is, the more likely you are to injure yourself.

I'm also bringing, as luxuries:
Long trousers (apparently those trousers that have zips at the knee so they can be shorts too are really handy)
Make up

Frankiestylee

This sounds pretty excellent. I was prepared to be amazingly impressed by the 800km, but 20km a day is very doable.
Do many people go the whole distance or what's the norm?

Do you need to speak Spanish to get by? Any Resident Evil 4 scenes as you go?

I've done some similar things before... I'd recommend spending money on very high quality socks, one of those ultra absorbant towels that rolls up really small, an aul microfibre fleece... all saves space and adds to comfort.

Athletes foot powder is a must for this kind of long term hiking, tis true.

Sneachta

Thanks a million guys for some very helpful posts.

Don't know if I'll do the whole thing. Might do half this time and spend some time on the coast after. Don't want to overdo it first time and not get to the end. Thing is though if I do the Camino and then do the coast I won't have much stuff with me... jeans etc but suppose I could buy that in Spain.

Any recommendations on where I should start if doing half the Camino?

Really good to hear your suggestions. Have only got interested in hiking lately but always wanted to do some of the Camino. I have Spanish so will be able to practice loads hopefull. Was talking to a guy in the great outdoors and he said I wouldn't need hiking boots as such but that the hiking "runners" i have would do the job so I didn't purchase.

Was just wondering though. I am taking a year out this year and I do want to hike in Ireland when I get back. I will be spending the winter in French alps. Would there be any point in getting hiking boots now? Would they be of any benefit in Alps?

Also was wondering about Health Insurance. I have the EHIC. Can anyone recommend anything else you think I should get?

The backpack: lizzyvera you said 20l would do you. Is there much difference in size in the two. Would I be better off long term with 30l for holidays etc do you think?

lizzyvera

No harm having extra space, it doesn't weight much more.

20L isn't really enough for normal holidays so if you're going to spend loads on a bag, maybe get a bigger one.

Microfleece is a brilliant idea too, sometimes slept in mine.

You need some Spanish or French.

Sneachta

Hi again,
Well I am off to santiago tomorrow. Gonna bus it to Leon and start walking from there. Thats two weeks of walking and if I still have the energy I might go on to Finisterre on the coast.

Anyway am packing at the moment and wondered if anyone could give some feedback on what i am packing?

3 t-shirts
1 light shirt
two pairs of shorts
3 pairs of socks (coolmax)
4 boxers
sandals
boots
hat
walking poles
toiletries to include blister plasters
1 raincoat
1 lightweight towel from great outdoors
1 lightweight jacket
(not sure whether to bring pair of jeans)
guide book

any feedback on this most welcome.

The FitnessDock

lizzyvera wrote:

I'm doing this for the third time in two weeks........
It's an 800km pilgrimmage across Northern Spain.

You must be able to walk very quickly indeed!

crotalus667

Sneachta wrote:

Hi again,
Well I am off to santiago tomorrow. Gonna bus it to Leon and start walking from there. Thats two weeks of walking and if I still have the energy I might go on to Finisterre on the coast.

Anyway am packing at the moment and wondered if anyone could give some feedback on what i am packing?

3 t-shirts
1 light shirt
two pairs of shorts
3 pairs of socks (coolmax)
4 boxers
sandals
boots
hat
walking poles
toiletries to include blister plasters
1 raincoat
1 lightweight towel from great outdoors
1 lightweight jacket
(not sure whether to bring pair of jeans)
guide book

any feedback on this most welcome.

more socks someone sais to use 2 pairs a day plus Id add an extra pair of shorts;)

Frankiestylee

You should get away with the socks you have if... the socks are high quality and are seamless etc (seams = blisters usually) and make sure your footwear is broken in and good quality. Loads of your feet problems are going to come from little seams,bumps and irregularities that you wouldn't normally notice but constant walking will cause problems. One of the best bit of advice I can give you is to air your feet out regularly, take off your shoes&socks and let them breath and get rid of any moisture on them. Sweaty feet is when your problems are going to strike.
When you have two pairs of socks on they can often rub off each other and that causes problems all of it's own. Avoid if possible.
Don't be afraid to pack more, I did similar distances with a 17.5kg rucksack on my back, including tent and cooking utensils ... it's not that hard to walk with, just make sure you have your pack securely on your back, don't mess around with stroll with it on one shoulder or straps being too long so that it hangs.

Glowing

Hi - i'm just lurking.

But Lizzyvera, I noticed you had a duvet cover on your list? I'd highly recommend a silk sleeping bag liner. Light as a feather, dries quickly, and is hygenic. Cotton is heavy and absorbs moisture .... silk is also extremely insulating for it's weight but will let you breath. You can get them for about 40 euro in any outdoor shop - i'd never leave the country without it!