1

This web (Spanish only, use an online translator if necessary) could help you to get an idea. You could break in two the stage that's well over 30 kms though. However, don't forget each person is different. We don't know how fit you are nor if you want to stop along the route to visit (some of) the places you are going to pass through...

2

Sorry i didn't really clarify. I am fit and frequently do weekend/day hikes. I will have also just climbed Kilimanjaro a couple of weeks before the Camino (not sure if this will work in my favour or not!) I will be setting off to Spain mid August and need to be back for Uni at the end of September, wasn't planning on booking transport home in advance so i have plenty of time i think. I'll stop off to see things, but i'm doing it more for the walk than the sight seeing as i've seen Spain so much before.

3

Thanks that link is really helpful!

4

Then, the standard stages described in the link I provided in #1 should be fine for you. Take a look at them and decide by yourself if you need rest day(s). Or even better, as you don't plan to book transport home in advance, decide it once on the ground (depending on how you feel along the route).
I'd suggest to visit Santiago (and rest) before continuing to Fisterra (BTW, you can consult here the standard stages to Fisterra).

5

I did it in 40 days...with a few rest/sightseeing stops along the way.

As anillos says,you can decide as you go...no need to decide or book anything in advance.

I had a week left at the end in Santiago.... which is a great place to spend some time....

6

Strong fit walkers can usually manage this distance in around 30 days, but other pilgrims will take their time even though they are fit. It's a pilgrimage after all, not a race. I'm much slower, walking aound 20 kms per day and took six weeks. But the distance you walk and the time you take is up to you.

There are quite a few pilgrim websites which will give you all the information you need to know about the Camino, the Confraternity of St James provides a good overview including maps, and where to get the pilgrim passport ( credencial) which allows you to stay in albergues, and have a guidebook to the Camino Frances which lists pilgrim albergues with number of beds and costs, distances between towns and villages, availability of bars and shops.

While you might be going alone you'll find plenty of other people on the Camino, you will only be alone if you chose to be.

7

I can only manage 20 kms per day while still enjoying the experience but am considerably older and disabled. I average 100 kms/week to allow for rests. I have met several in your bracket who were pounding 30 kms/day.

Dave

8

Many of the guide books have thirty stages, each a day's walk. Since you will be climbing the Pyrenees, I suggest going slower the first week to allow the muscles and feet to become accustomed to the long walks. Pushing too hard with too much weight too soon in the journey can cause injury, which can slow you down. As you pick up your stride, you can catch up on the mileage farther down the Camino.

After climbing the Pyrenees, I walked only a few miles the first several days. By the end of the Camino, I was walking 40 km ( about 26 mile) a day. It took me 43 days and I wish I had taken more time to see all the wonderful sites that I just walked past. I am in my 60s but age counts less than the mental state. I met many young women with whom I kept pace...ending up in the same albergues at night.

I had planned three rest days and took four. Three were all at once, when I developed tendonitis. The first day after the three-day rest, I only walked 10 km (about 7 mi.) and then slowly added mileage as my leg healed.

If you are planning on going to Finisterre, plan on an addition three days hike each way, unless you bus back to Santiago. We took the bus to Fistera and enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch behind the lighthouse.

You are in for a treat. Have a good walk.

Buen Camino.

9

I am so happy you are going to walk the Camino...you are in for a real treat! I walked the Camino Frances in 2011 and will walk the Camino Portuguese next year. If you want more info on the Camino Portuguese, check out , http://www.facebook.com/caminho.santiago?ref=ts&fref=ts , and look at this http://ow.ly/fBvfY .

Buen Camino

Edited by: janevblanchard

10

I hiked the Camino from St Jean in October and we averaged around 23 km per day. After the first week or so 20km or less seemed really short (and like we were done early), 26-27km was a test but not bad, and anything over 30km felt like a really long day. We never did any days longer than 35km (and wouldn't suggest it).

One caveat: we had fairly cool weather due to the time of year, would definitely be more exhausting in summer. Although if you leave earlier to beat the heat you may want to do longer days so as not to be done at noon.