1) You MUST start from St Jean Pied de Port, be a proper pilgrim! The part of the Camino between St Jean and Pamplona is by far the hardest but equally the most rewarding.
2) It is acceptable to miss bits out and cover some of the route by bus or train. Just remember that to get your certificate from the cathedral you must have walked the last 100km or cycled the last 200km into Santiago itself.
2) It is acceptable to miss bits out and cover some of the route by bus or train. Just remember that to get your certificate from the cathedral you must have walked the last 100km or cycled the last 200km into Santiago itself.
3) You will need to do some training before hand particularly for those first few days. Remember you don't get blisters from the treadmill at the gym! You will need to hike properly not just run on the spot in the warm.
4) Ignorance is bliss. Do some research about the route and what you will see etc but don't read any of those blogs that go into great detail as to how hard it was and how their feet fell to pieces. All that will do is sow seeds of doubt as to your capabilities.
5) In Roncesvalles stay at the Hotel Roncesvalles. After the climb over the Pyrenees you deserve it.
6) You are a pilgrim not a martyr - there is no shame in not carrying your bags. We only carried our rucksacks on one day. There are companies in St Jean that will carry your luggage to Roncesvalles and when in Spain the postal service Correos have a luggage transfer service for the whole of the Camino. They will pick up your luggage from one place of accommodation and transfer it to the next for about €5 or less a day. All bookable online - in English
7) Plan in some rest days - Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos and Leon are all cities that are too good to miss.
8) Make sure you are at the wine fountain early in the day - it's soul destroying to get there and find it empty.
9) Go at your own pace and interact with your fellow walkers. 10 minutes chat here and there with a passing walker will provide you with some of the best memories. You will find that you also look out for people each day, not to have a long friendship with, but just to check they are OK. People will be looking out for you too.
10) Plan to leave Sarria on a day other than a Sunday or Monday - the crowds on the trail will be less.
10) Plan to leave Sarria on a day other than a Sunday or Monday - the crowds on the trail will be less.
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