Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[Mic]

I am wanting to do this route in Apri;l next year- trying to avoid the rush on the main camino. I want to get to Santiago and have 10 days walking time - looking to cover about 20 miles a day.
Anyone have any idea on a good place to start which is easy to get to? Also looking for, obviously, the church hostels to stay in along the way
Many thanks
Mic Webster

[fiddletree]

So, you'll want to walk just over 300 km, if you stick to 20 miles a day. Leon is 311 km from Santiago, so if you walk as fast as you are planning, you will have no problem making it to Santiago in 10 days. However, that isn't allowing any time for injury or other unexpected things that might delay you. If you are really fit and used to walking with a pack, that is what I would recommend!

The only thing you want to be careful of is that in the last 100 km, the trail can get very very very crowded. If you don't finish walking by noon, all of the beds can be taken, so you won't have time to walk 20 miles a day unless you reserve a bed ahead of time in a private albergue. It shouldn't be as busy in the beginning of April, if that is when you go, but it is something to keep in mind.

If you want to start closer, you could maybe start in Astorga, which is 260km from Santiago. The next closest town of any size that you could probably get to is Ponferrada, which is still pretty small, and it is 203 km from santiago.

Buen Camino!

[Mic]

I like the idea of Leon, though the idea of having to be in by noon is not as good (though I had heard this). I have left myself 4 days for delays, I heard that the main rush id for easter so my leaving date is easter Monday.

[bpondugula]

Hallo

Leon to Santiago in 10 days sounds too fast. We took 13 days and enjoyed all of it. I would not advise Leon.

But thats my opinion.

Kind Regards

[jeff001]

If you are going in April I don't think you need to be concerned about the albergues filling up by noon. While that does happen in July-August there are fewer than 1/3 the number of pilgrims in April than in those months. This past June there were spaces available in most places for those arriving at 3-4 PM. In Estella there were places available at 6:30.

[Mic]

I am used to cycling 10 miles a day and I was thinking of transiting to walking it from January. My main concern was that the caqmino would be bustling post easter, but from what you said I should still be ok in April? I am really keen on walking from Leon