It is something I have wanted to do and am to the point where I am ready to start planning.

There are A LOT of routes and options from go with almost no plan to a strict daily plan and 4-star accommodations every night. I dont have the 40 or so days to give to do the entire thing on foot, but I DO want to get the Compostella. I could probably get away with ~18 days or so.

Any inputs or opinions appreciated.

Wife and I did the Primitvo route in 2021. Experience of a lifetime; physical and spiritual. We stayed mainly at bed and breakfast type places. PM me if want my contact info for our route planner there.

https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/2740806

https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/3175167

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I did 3 days (~43 miles) earlier this year starting in St. Jean Pied de Port and ending in Pamplona.
I was co-leading a travel study for college students and this was just a small portion of the overall trip, hence the short duration. I would love to do more some day.

No major advice other than do it. It was incredible.
Well, maybe a small amount of advice: stay in the hostels when you can, don't over-pack, drink plenty of water, listen to your body but know you always have a little extra in the tank, even when you feel empty.

Here's a recap (from my social media post):

Recap of walking a 43-mile portion of the Camino Frances over 3 days in May.

May 28: Stage 1 from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Roncesvalles, Spain follows Napoleon's route for 15.5 miles up and through the Pyrenees Mountains.
Elevation gain of 4593 ft over first 13 miles (this is insane!)
Ends with a steep 2133 ft descent over last 2.5 miles
5 out of 5 difficulty level
Out of this world views!
Saw lots of sheep, cows, and horses. Took pictures of 99% of them.
Stayed in a monastery turned hostel with 200 other pilgrims (better than it sounds)
100% The most physically challenging thing I have ever done but would 100% do it again!

May 29: Stage 2 goes from Roncesvalles, Spain to Zubiri, Spain covering nearly 14 miles of mostly level/gently rolling terrain but there's steep and rocky descent just before Zubiri.
3 out of 5 difficulty level
Most of the walk was through the forest and woods
Faster pace
Felt great mentally and physically
Stayed in a smaller hostel, very nice

May 30: Stage 3 from Zubiri, Spain to Pamplona, Spain covers 14 miles from countryside into the city
Supposed to be the easiest day of the 3 with a 2 out of 5 difficulty level.
Overdid it the day before. Iliotibial band pain in right knee and severe unknown pain in left ankle and foot. Questioned if I could or should keep going.
Stubborn as a mule. Powered through the pain and made it but only by praying for the Lord's strength, having the 2 best trail buddies (Amy and Anthony) encouraging me, and at times listening to my church family singing hymns (thankful we have a YouTube channel!).
Mentally and emotionally this was the toughest day for me.
Real hotel with tub and shower for soaking achy muscles and joints!
Completed what I set out to do. Would do it again.

I have a ton of pictures but don't feel Iike going through the extra effort to post here.

I did the English Route about 3 years ago. It is the shortest route you can do to still get the Compostela. It was a wonderful time. We did this route because we were working within a limited time frame and wanted to go see other parts of Spain while there. I would highly recommend it. The city of Santiago is just gorgeous. We didn't want to sleep in hostels or slog around everything we had every day, so we hired a group called Tea Travel. They made B&B arrangements for us, and picked up the luggage we didn't want to take along with us every day and dropped it off at the next stay. Walking into Santiago and seeing all the people in the plaza was magical. Picture outside Cathedral just after morning Mass

We did the last 114 km of the Camino Frances this past July. Basically 6 days walking starting from Sarria and ending in Santiago. We booked through Camino Ways online (would recommend).

Flew SAT to Madrid, then Iberian Air to Santiago. Private transfer was arranged by Camino Ways from Santiago airport to hotel in Sarria. Camino Ways booked our luggage transfer so each day left luggage at front desk and the luggage was at our new hotel that night.

We selected the "Superior" rooms which were quaint little Inns several of the nights. It was an awesome experience. Best vacation ever...

We are going back to do Camino Portugese this summer...Bucket list is to do the whole thing from St. Jean.

Please post reviews and pics if you do. I am considering another Camino, and I want to see Portugal anyway. If I do another, I'll probably incorporate with a visit to the Basque Country while I'm across the Pond. Possibly fall of '25 or '26. Buen Camino!

Following bc I recently added it to my bucket list.

Did the last 200km a few summers ago. Wonderful experience. So Introspective. Met very nice Spaniards and other pilgrims along the way. Very very safe, never felt worried. My daughter who was 16 at the time couldn't walk a couple of days due to blisters and she took a cab to the next town by herself. No worries. We used a service that carried our bags to the next town and booked our little hotels. Nice but not luxury. Could've done it cheaper if I'd booked everything myself but it would've been a pain in the butt. Even got to eat in a couple of 1* Michelin restaurants on the trip.

I'd like to return and go from Leon to Santiago. I think it would add another 100-150 km. I think I could find a less expensive service to cart my bags. I'd preferred a little more flexibility if I chose to not walk one day and rest or explore the town I was in.

But worth every minute and dollar spent. Standing in the square, in early morning, in front of the Compostela is amazing. Will never forget that.

Buen Camino.

I started in Leon and walked the 300+ km to Santiago in October 2024. I flew DFW to Madrid. Stayed and toured Madrid a day. Train to Leon following evening. Two nights in Leon and met up with my friends that started the Frances route in SJPP. It was 13 days of walking Leon to Santiago. If you are thinking about it, don't hesitate and do it. I took a suitcase for my 'non hiking clothes and poles' and sent that suitcase to Santiago from Leon. It was so nice to have it waiting for me at the end. We did not book ahead until Sarria - and that is where the trail got pretty busy, and we started booking 1-2 nights ahead. I would be happy to share anything else that could be of help.

I haven't done the Camino, but I've been to Santiago and I can say just watching people enter the plaza from all the different routes was one of the coolest travel experiences I've ever had. Someone above used the word magical and it truly fits here. Hopefully I will do it someday.