5. Choose YOUR starting point
You may hear that the “starting point” for the Camino is St Jean Pied de Port, just over the French border. Although this is a very popular starting point, the reality is you can start and stop anywhere. You can mix it up a bit, or a lot, to meet your needs.
In days gone by, and you will discover it still happens, pilgrims walked from their front door, sometimes trundling thousands of kilometres through Europe to reach “the tomb of St James” in Santiago de Compostela. So technically, anywhere is the starting point so find a point that suits you. It may well be St Jean Pied de Port, but remember, it’s YOUR camino so feel free to choose what works best for you.
Become familiar with the topography of El Camino
Your Pilgrim’s Guide shows the profile of El Camino, broken down into 34 stages from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. It is not necessary to complete the camino according to each stage – stop at the town you want based on the distance and topography/elevation you have covered during the day.
Consider the length of time you have…
If you only have a week, do you place priority on walking the last 100km to have all your sins absolved? It could be an important decision if you’re doing it for religious or spiritual reasons. What about if the last 100km is, in my opinion, not the most lovable part of the journey? Would you prefer to do the most beautiful section? It’s hard to choose but I think one week walking from Pamplona is spectacular.
Consider your fitness level…
Let’s face it, if you’re working full-time and live in the middle of a flat desert, it’s going to be pretty hard for you to train for the Pyrenees. Like me, are you best to start somewhere like Pamplona and avoid the huge mountains on your first day? Or do you want to pick up the trail somewhere in France and walk for a week there before crossing the Pyrenees? It is possible, though it might be necessary to carry your own pack in France.
Mix it up a little, or a lot…
Many people from Europe and the UK do a week here and there, eventually conquering the 880km from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela in patches over years, and not in one go.
My starting point…
My starting point was Pamplona (it’s about three days walking from St Jean Pied de Port). My work plans changed while I was still at home and I had to cut my time a bit short, so I kicked off in the city most known for the ‘Running of the Bulls’. I was actually quite relieved I didn’t have to conquer the majestically awesome but devilishly demanding Pyrenees when I wasn’t physically prepared. As my training sessions always ended up in the local pub, I had resigned myself to getting fit WHILE I walked the camino. This had previously worked well for me when I trekked the Annapurna Circuit through Nepal. It feels a lot like hell, huffing and puffing through the first week, but before you know it you are almost skipping up the hills singing Swiss Heidi songs.
I also only walked about 500km, as I caught a train from Burgos so I could enjoy a long weekend in Leon, meeting my friends’ family. Such a brilliant decision. And let’s not forget the bus ride and taxi ride, just to break the Pilgrim Rules.