How Long? taster trips from 3 - 7 days

Update as Fatal-Bananas organises holiday tours.

Tour 1 - St Gien to Pamplona - Bordeaux or Bilbao airports work but Biarritz is best

Tour 2 - Pamplona to Logrono - Bilbao
Tour 3 - Logrono to Burgos- Santander or Bilbao
Tour 4 - The Meseta, Burgos to Leon- Santander or Bilbao
Tour 5 - The mountains Astorga to Ponferrade - Madrid or Santander
Tour 6 - Ponferrade to Sarria - Madrid, Porto or Santander
Tour 7 - Sarria to Santiago de Compostela - Santiago, Madrid or Porto

All include flights and you can mix and match depending on dates.
Accommodation is in apartments, hostels or hotels in twin rooms

After years doing the camino walks can be set up for whatever length of day you require from 3-10 hours.

Buses can be used for sections to avoid motorway walking.


Some past trips are below and scroll down to 2019 for Pamplona to Azofra. In 2020 James and John will be doing Azofra to hornillos del camino, and stopping points are loaded below.



How long is a piece of string, about as long as a Camino

I like the lifestyle of the Pilgrim, so I will always be an advocate for a longer journey, however there are many reasons why it just isnt possible, so I have my suggestions below, but first my previous caminos.

Simon & 2007 - 500m.wordpress.com the full 500 no short cuts except across fields. 31 days. Towards the end we did 53km and 2 x 42km, feeling fit and showing off. It hadn't been that way at 6am in St Gien pied du port as we traipsed out in the dark. By Hunto the nervous exhilaration had given way to exhaustion and by Roncesvalles we were aware it couldn't get any worse and thankfully it didn't!

Harry & 2011 - www.fatal-bananas.blogspot.co.uk yes this site, the full 500 and no short cuts across the fields. 34 days. Towards the end we did 11km and 23km days. Waiting for people and getting pissed. We took many happy birthday videos with fellow pilgrims greeting imaginary friends back home.

2013 - both blogs but main point was to get to Finisterre and go alone. Started in Pamplona but didnt have long enough. Superb craic in Los Arcos right through to Burgos and Hornillos. Took myself from Fromista to Leon and then up to Astorga before getting back on the hoof. Made it to Finisterre which was superb. stop go 19 days, and lost my community after Fromista. Met some new ones but not quite the same.

2014 - Logrono to Santiago. Kicked a football all the way (give or take a hill). Superb craic. A great community and 22 days. I took a bus twice. Leon to Astorga and later on Ponferrade to O'Cebriero. Both time I was rewarded with catching up with people who walked faster and as I slowed down met the ones from behind. 4am finish in a wee downstairs club in Santiago de Compostela with friends from Turkey, Switzerland and County Clare, followed the big swinging urn in the Cathedral, best finishing night yet. Next best highlight was meeting up with Aussie guy from Bali in O'Cebriero (we kept meeting up after I got a bus to catch Murray the machine!) and then a guy from Virginia, USA who had walked from Ponferrade, who I'd previously met in Templairios with his lady. This camino I probably met more people than ever before and so many signed my ball!

Stu & 2015 - Pamplona to Leon 17 days. Loads of time but only wrote another 5 pages of the Jose & Tommy love story.....its the first time I've moved from September / October and so I like April or May as months but I was gutted to see two of my favourite stopping points full. Its the first time I felt the booking.com people had won. I like walking and finding where I am when I am tired. It is refreshingly free. If its gets like this in September this year I will contemplate another route.

Paul & 2015 - St Gien - full 500 to Santiago. Stu will be putting in a guest appearance. He's done Pamplona to Santo Domnigo, now he'll do the St Gien to pamplona.....although I'm sure he'll reappear at Fromista.

Paul, Stu & 2016 - Burgos to Eirexe via the canyons on the train to monforte de lemos and Ourense. You can change trains at Monforte and train back up to Sarria or bus up from Ourense to Ventas de Naron as we did before walking the last part to our favourite bar Cafe Ligonde in Eirexe.

2017 might see a three day camino - as Stu fills the gaps in his with Santo Domingo to Burgos. My favourite 3 days is Burgos, Rabe, Hornillos, Hontanas, Castrojeriz, itero de la Vega and then 11:09 train from Fromista. Ryanair out of Edinburgh on April 2nd flying back on the evening flight on Wednesday 5th.

2017 - Maddest short camino ever as we flew to Bilbao got down Pamplona along to Burgos and back home

A different starting point saw us commence in Ponferrade, going to Bierzo then on
Sept 12 2017 Casa Polin, at the base of O'Cebriero, as Stu and I pummelled our way towards Santiago. We did well arriving in Sarria I got a great remedial massage and my knees were brand new. I got ill though after something I ate, or didn't at Casanova. I should've eaten more but I was either a bit sunstroked or just my stomach had gone. It happens. I made it to 11k from Arzua and had to stop. Puke and cold sweats were the order and I bussed the next day to Arzua and met stu for a mint tea. I then jumped the bus to lugo and back to Burgos to stay at the Pension Monjes de la Biblioteca on the 19th September. For whatever reason I got a room that slept 4 for 36euro. Sometimes there are perks that you just lay down at the door of St Jacques! I then met Jackie and we went to Vitoria-Gasteiz, Pamplona, Zaragoza and Burgos before flying home on the 1st October.

2018 - 2 caminos - Spring and Autumn. Meeting Cousins Fred & Heather in Barcelona was a masterstroke that April. Jackie loved it, the hotel was good then I jumped a bus to Zaragoza and Pamplona. By April 18th we were in Logrono in a nice 'luxury' apartment 77 euro near Calle Laurel. By 20th April a shabby but spacious apartment in Santo Domingo for only 42euro. Pension Monjes was 66 euro this time but that was two single rooms so fair play on April 21st Burgos, then home.

Autumn was a new experience as I criss-crossed Spain and Caminos. From Bilbao, to Pamplona, walked with Jimmy & John to Puente La Reina before heading to Burgos and then Salamanca to do the camino via de la plata to Zamora, benavente and then Astorga and Leon before taking a bus down the via de la plata to Sevilla via Merida and a night at Caceres. Joinging Jackie and Caitlin in Malaga for october sunshine.

2019 - April 3rd - 24th - gotta getaway before the Dylan dog hits Pamplona on April 25th!

2019 also saw the second leg with Jimmy and eventually John. We flew to Bilbao and went to cafe Iruna before getting bus down to Pamplona and another trip to another cafe iruna. I knew Jimmy would like the old style tiled walls and beautiful shaped wood, which master carpenter John really appreciates. Jimmy and I got 10am bus to puente la Reina and then stayed on it one stop to ensure we didn't have the 15 minute climb, getting off at the next Pueblo. John had missed the flight and caught us up in Estella. Their hotel was a good 800m out of town and after the long shift we'd had I appreciated my central gaff. It's a hostel that last had an upgrade under Franco but Spartan as it is the 40€ is right on the square. Reiki massage up the stairs if you like that. I did another time but this trip we were too busy.

Next day was an early start to get to the wine fountain at Irache. Then monjardin before the long haul to Los Arcos. The half house was closed for winter I guess or holidays, so the boys ran out of water. 12km with little shade does that. Los Arcos Sansol Torres del Rio and then Viana followed the next day. The hotel was fine and as we left viana we got offered a tomato from an allotment grower. It was superb. I took the boys to my favourite tapas street in Logrono and got close to getting a taxi! We went to paganos for the skewers in Calle Laurel. Superb as always. We walked out to the big park and had a last nite before the hour over to Navarette.  I love the place and the next day it was Azofra before taxi back. I should've got them on the bus as you see more and it's 9€ all in not 70!

The boys got their train to bilbao via the bus station - always good to check your travel docs as renfe usually means train not bus company!

I carried on and met Stu for a few days more before my poor wee mum died and I headed home from Fromista and Carrion de Los Condes.

November 2019 I'm over again to not quite finish the earlier Camino but plan the journey for 2020 September.

We fly into Bilbao on Sunday September 20th and get the train down to Logrono for a tapa or two. Next day we will bus to Azofra.
Monday walk to Santa Domingo de Las calzadas. Stay in the parador, a bit of luxury. The walk from Azofra is 3 hours to ciruena then a stop at the golf club before the 90 minutes walk over to Santo Domingo. It's a lovely stroll and after an enjoyable evening in the Calle Laurel will be just about right.
Tuesday will be a longer walk with a 9km stroll to Granon. It's near the road but far enough away to be ok. After Granon we walk to Redecilla del Camino where we will catch the 2pm bus from Santo Domingo and take it to Belorado or Tosantos. The weather will dictate. There are three towns on the way to Villafranca Montes des Oca and all deserve a coffee or wee beer. Tosantos, villambistia, Espinosa del Camino are all about 20 to 30 minutes apart. You can scoot through in just over an hour but if you want to smell the roses and aim for a 6pm finish they offer a great sociable distraction.

Wednesday sees us walk to St Juan over the montes des Oca. A great 3 hours hiking through the woods and as you enter St Juan de Ortega you are greeted first by the sunflowers and then the lovely renovated church. A magnificent building which with any luck we'll see one of the great design features of the equinox.

Shorter day caminos - for the very infirm

Arrive in St Gien pied du porte and get a taxi over the pyrenees. Stay in Roncesvalles and then walk to Burguete. Its only 3km. Then consider your options. If you choose to walk on its another 4km to the next town. Look back a lot, as you will see the Pyrenees. They are magnificent. Then take a taxi to Zubiri or Larassoana. If you have a 100 days dont. 100 days will allow you to CAMINO heaven, a long and happy journey, but most people rush it into 4-5 weeks!

If this is your Camino then do it this way and create your community.


Taster menu

Easy walking for the 90 year olds and the 5 years

Taster menu - 1 week - 2 weeks - dip into the camino and still get home in time for Christmas!

Day 1 in the Pyrenees is special so dont miss it unless you are not that healthy.

Day 1 evening Roncesvalles and the Pilgrims mass and the dorms. Take pics you'll never see them again!

Day 2 walk to Burguette and have breakfast and then walk to Zubiri for lunch, Taxi or bus to Pamplona

Day 2 evening Pamplona albegue or stay in a nice hotel

Day 3 Walk to Puente de Reina then get bus or taxi to Lorca/Estrella/Los Arcos or Torres Del Rio

Day 3 Enjoy evening in ..... Lorca/Estrella/Los Arcos or Torres Del Rio

Day 4 Leave Estrella by bus/taxi to Los Arcos/Torres del Rio and walk to Viana

Day 4 Enjoy evening in Viana or get bus to Logrono

Day 5 Get bus or taxi to Najera, walk to Azofra for lunch and stay or go to St Domingo del Calzadas

Day 6 Get Bus/taxi to Burgos look at Cathedral then get taxi to Rabe de las Calzadas

Day 6 Walk to Hornillos and then to Hontanas, taxi to Catrojeriz

Day 7 walk to Fromista then taxi or bus to Sahagun and train to Leon

Day 8 Leave Leon in a train get off at Astorga, then walk or taxi to Rabanal, climb to Cruz de ferro 

Day 8 Evening at El Acebo

day  9 Taxi from El Acebo to O'Cebreiro (or ealier if you want hill walk)

Day 9 Evening take taxi down to Sarria

Day 10 Walk to Portomarin, lunch and then taxi to Airexe or Palas Del Rei

Day 11 Palas del Rei to Arzua then taxi to Labacolla

Day 12 Walk into Santiago

Easy walking for the 90 year olds and the 5 year olds

This section will be only flat. I've done a bit of research and its easy to make the walk largely level, starting from Burgos you get the bus to Rabe and it is easy walking until Castrojeriz. Again take a bus around Castrojeriz and join the long flat walk again. Details will be publish by June 2013

Shorter day caminos - this is for those who live in Spain or are on holiday elsewhere in Spain and fancy a day out. You see many 'day pilgrims' especially on Sundays where they walk a stretch, have lunch and then go back to their homes. Mundicamino.com is a great site for this at it shows you the terrain and also notes places of interest. Depending on your interest and fitness you can choose something to suit. I'd always check the food!