I have had great success with socks that are double layered...they claim to be blister free...but i think there is a lot more than socks that help one remain blister free. I use Wrightsocks but there are other brands. Test a few out before you walk. Hope this helps
I just completed my Francis from Jean-Port to Finisterre, I disagree with everything you suggest! I am 64 and based upon your gear selection you obviously did not carry your own pack because it would have completely soaked thru. Anyone reading my comments Please do not purchase this gear not that it is not excellent gear but not if your doing the Camino in the traditional Way. Buy the Spanish made and purpose built and designed ALTUS Poncho as it will keep you and ! Your gear dry in horrific but challenging conditions in particular the 4 days of the Beautiful Mesita section. Buy your Altus prior to your trip as they could very well be sold out because that's how popular they are. Buen Camino PismoRichy back on Camino Primitivo April 2025.
Hi Pismorchy? and thx for your feedback. Nothing like healthy disagreement...if you read anything online /youtube about gear (shoes being the worst) they is always a battle between who wears what and what is the best. The Poncho vs Raincoat is right up there with passionate advocates for both. Having done 5 Caminos (was this your first?) and countless other LD walks I'm a raincoat guy...i like to be able to take my pack off or access it easily can't do that with a poncho on - and yes contrary to yiour accusation - i carry my bag, my back pack has a cover, my stuff inside is in waterproof bags and I have a strap on umbrella - I'm dry as tinder in a cave. Ponchos have their benefits no question but I'm talking about what works for me after years of walking (including the Norte last year to Muxia , 1,000km passing Finisterre enroute) . People are free to do their own research and figure out what works for them, my word is far from gospel. Buen Camino
so glad you enjoyed it, the for your feedback. I'm certain you will have a fabulous walk. Pick when you go carefully (spring or fall) as the Camino Francis is very very busy these days and it can be hard to get accommodation during peak times. Have a great Camino!
Love your videos. The Camino has been on my bucket list since 2016. Planning to do it next May possibly. A tip with the plug that I saw on another video. Use a silicone cup/ glass cover, fits most plug spots.
my husband and I did it in full in our 70s two years ago .1000 mile socks and good boots ment we did it in full without getting any blisters .We did train and travelled light.
Just want to say thank you, I'm 71and I'm going on the 23th of August the French way.i walk every day 10k and 20k .I just hope I'll be ok, it's in my head 4years so I have to try.
You’re very welcome Patrick. Was in my head too so I’m sure you will do fine . Have a wonderful walk - book accommodation ahead of time the camino Francis is very busy!! Buen Camino
We too, were shocked at the disgusting amount of toilet paper trailside when we walked the Portuguese Camino in 2019. It got so that could even predict the hidden spots along the trail where there would be piles and piles of toilet paper. This needs to be talked about more so pilgrims can be prepared. My wife has IBS so “emergencies” occur periodically and sometimes with very little warning. She treated it just like many people do when walking their dogs; she cleaned it up, put it in a bag and carried it until she could dispose of it properly. Thanks for doing this video. Let’s get the word out so the locals don’t start to turn on the Pilgrims and make journey harder. Bom Camino!
Thx Steve - I’m hiking in France and have not seen a single piece of toilet paper in almost 30 days. Let’s hope it stays that way!! Buen Camino to you as well
Thank you - really helpful to learn from your experience. As a future ‘senior’, budget conscious (have to be if its actually going to happen!) walker of the Camino there is a lot if stuff you could invest in and its good to know what the priorities are. I’ve got a bit of a tricky ankle / Achilles that’s a bit tricky and ‘senior knees 😂- so trekking poles seem an essential. Thanks
Glad you found the info helpful. I’m hiking in France and they have been critical! FYI “most” airlines will not allow you to take hiking poles on plane so to avoid having confiscated, you’ll probably have to check your bag. Also good rain gear is a must / jacket and pants or a good poncho Have a great walk!
Thanks Ginger. I just landed in Europe and we are about to start three connecting walks. The first being The Stevenson which begins in Le Puy. Happy walking!
Hi. You didn't mention the Camino Ingles, which is ~100 km and can be done in 5 to 7 days. The route is fairly easy too. It's also well supported. I think it's a good option for 1st timers who have limited time and/ or budget. Cheers!
True good feedback. I find even for first timers it's pretty short walk less than a week and yet has a couple of big days 28km (2 of them) so not an ideal first time Camino experience. In fact if one only wants to walk a week I would pick somewhere in England, maybe the last 100km from Sarria or some other section of the Portuguese from Porto. Anyway thx for the feedback
The guy says there is a lot of information on the internet about boots and shoes for the Caminos. Unfortunately most of it is rubbish. I never get blisters when walking up to 40 plus kms. My tip is when trying Camino footwear take out the insoles and stand on them. If your feet overlap the soles you can almost guarantee getting blisters Next you must buy your footwear a size bigger than your normal size. Your feet will swell whilst walking. Next, I suggest wearing toe socks with lightweight merino wool sock on top. This advice has stood me in good stead for many years. Lastly, amuse yourself whilst walking by counting the number of top brand shoes, such as Solomon, Nike and Merrell, you see discarded along the trail....all very narrow fit shoes. Ultreia et Suseia.
I am 75 yrs old and will fly into Seville next month in order to walk the Camino de la Plata. I walked my first Camino in 2007 starting from Poitiers. The Plata/Sanabres will be my 11th Camino. Last year I walked the Frances for the 4th time followed immediately by the Ingles. I always walk the complete route and always stay in albergues. I never train for walking a Camino believing that the walk is 90% in the mind. I frequently see people half my age giving up because they lack the motivation to push on through. I have had health issues but prefer to walk rather than sit at home feeling sorry for myself. After a long Camino I always feel physically, mentally and spiritually refreshed. In recent years there has been a growing number of people in their 80s and beyond walking Caminos. With some research you should be able to find a Camino that will suit your ability. Buen Camino. .
I started training now for my last 114km of the camino in Oktober. I agree. I couldnt walk much the last 3 month due to a nose surgery. I didnt get good air after it. After I started with 20km the first thing that happen my food nail got inflammation and i lost the nail. Never happen before on hikes. But I never walked 20 km only like 10km. So yes I agree, you learn all about food injuries and food care😂. I am 43.
Thank you for this video. My wife and I will be starting the Camino in May. I will be76 and she will be 66. We love walking. I find the more information a person has the better. Thank you again for the video and the comments as well.
I've been using a singular wooden walking stick and have never tripped; I've tripped several times with aluminum walking sticks, bending the stick. At 78, I now prefer a walking stick to a cane. A walking stick maintains the center of gravity while a cane forces the person to walk into the cane, thus altering the center of gravity.
I have discovered a better quality stand to pee device for women, I suggest you look for a 'pibella'. It's designed to seal well around the necessary area and not flood, compact to carry and is very easy to use and clean.
It's a fixed rate per bag and there is a strict weight limit...the Francis used to be 15kg and Caminos in France like Le Puy, allowed only 13km. Best to check and weigh your bag. In my experience they want bags no bigger than medium (i.e. can be bigger than carry on but not the large ones people visiting their relatives for months use) The carrier will give you specs. Hope this helps
Hello, thank you for your videos. So helpful. We would be very interested if you could do one on the Camino for more elderly walkers..ie late 70s and 80s. Based on any observations you might have.
Hi Mrs Bouch, thanks for your kind feedback. I will certainly think about your request, I must get back to making my videos! In the interim one thing I would strongly suggest is using a baggage transfer service, this can really help with the overall experience (i.e. makes a long hard walk a little easier) and the additional cost is usually quite manageable. Hope this helps
I don't know why there is snobbery about how people do the journey. Even in medieval times the journey would have been different for individuals. There would have been those with minimal resources and those that had pack animals or even a horse to ride. Pilgrim just means person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons. Nothing about the mode and discomfort level.
Sir, thanks a lot for this. Most videos about preparing for the Camino don't talk about this and, in my case, it is a very serious thing because I'm a very private person and a woman, so it's serious business. This will be my 1rst time doing the Camino and I'll probably be going alone, I am a little scare but it is something I feel I have to do, specially at this time of my life. I'll follow your tips for sure.😊
You are welcome Serral, there are many solo female walkers on the Camino, there is also a "solo female walkers" group on Facebook. I hope you have a wonderful walk
Hi Susan...well the path is well marked and there are lots of other walkers...that being said you can easily miss a turn in the forest, at a road split or in town...it happens to everyone at least a couple of times. Usually you don't walk too far as you become attuned to seeing the markers and others, so you realize you're off the path. Most walkers download an app like "Buen Camino" have it on your phone and it does an excellent job of keeping you ion the path. Hope this helps
i m 81 did the Camino. took me50 days it was awesome since i walk slow idy stop and enjoyed the Moment. carried my backpack .... Blessed trip.. want to do it in May 24 less is best, train before trip . oh! not one blister....
Hi Sandy, I've just found your videos & think they are great! Thank you for giving so much advice & support for all of us muture walkers who want to challenge ourselves at this time of life. I was looking to do the Camino Frances next spring from Sarria to Santiagio, but after watching your videos I am really tempted to do the Camino Portuguese. It looks stunning and feel it would give me a good start on my Camino walks. Thank you 🙂
Hi Lorraine, thx for your very kind feedback. I'm so glad you found the videos and they are helpful. Personally I would not do Sarria to Santiago as my first...now more than ever is is so busy, almost a road train of people and it really isn't the Camino experience. I loved the Portuguese - longer but oh so beautiful. I also heard (have not walked it) but the Camino Inglese is less busy and lovely. If you have any questions let me know i will do my best! Buen Camino!
Hi Sandy, I've been researching the coastal & the central Camino Portuguese & would love to know which one you did or if you did both? Also would you recommend staying in albergues or did you stay in different accommodation? Any information would be gratefully recieved. I will be travelling solo. @@seniorswalkingthecamino
I did the Coastal Route which was lovely. I may go back and do the inland route (after I tackle a few others (just finished the Norte) but I think when you get the rare chance to walk a Camino along the Atlantic Ocean you have to grab it. Almost all the Caminos and other walks are inland so take that unique opportunity. I stayed in a mix but mostly 2 star hotels, my Albergues days are done - i need my own space and bathroom! after a long day on the trail. I would do the Portuguese Camino way, way over Sarria to Santiago. Hope this helps
@@lorrainecrosse6788hi Lorraine. Have you done your camino already? If you're still undecided (whether Sarria, Portugues or Ingles), I suggest that you watch the vid of "Ellie & Senci' -" vid is "last 60 km" where the Norte route met the Frances. You'll see how busy it was & their impressions. For the Portugues Coastal & Ingles, I suggest to watch the vids of "Walk with Efren". For the Portugues route, you can start at Tui if you have only a week or so (do 100+ km). The Ingles route is ~100 km too and can be done in a week or so.
Buen Camino.. I was totally grossed out with the amount of toilet paper… even when I went to (what I thought) a secret path off the way.. UGH.. YES.. take it with you! We do it with our dogs… so humans need to do it too! Thanks so much for the video.
thank you for these videos - very helpful - my partner and i want to do the Portuguese route from Porto...hopefully within the next few years...lots of training yet to do but i want to do this very much before i turn 60 - i am 55 now...something to aim for and a goal to train for... :)
Hi Dawn, so glad you found the videos helpful, and thx for your kind feedback. The Portuguese is a beautiful walk I do hope you do it, you will be thrilled you did!
I just finished the French Way, out of shape, bad knees, and slow! It took me 40 days. I began on my 67th birthday. I did not plan to walk. I did not train. I did not have my gear fitted (got shoes in Armenia 🇦🇲 on my way to France)! Carried my backpack for the final 100 km. Used the transfer service earlier. I stayed in hostels or private rooms in hostels. It took me 12 hours to walk the scheduled route, each day. I was always the last person arriving (hence booking private hotels)! I couldn’t race, to get to a hostel, for a bed. I walked the final 100 km really slowly (retired with no job to rush home to)!
