Camino Santiago and Kumano Kodo with Ben and Jane

  Four misconceptions about training for the Kumano Kodo Even for relatively experienced hikers (e.g. hikers who have completed the Camino Santiago), the Kumano Kodo poses particular challenges that need training for. Myth #1 You can train in the gym Most of the trail is either steep uphill or steep downhill. It isn't just steep slopes, it consists of stone steps, wooden steps, or rocks, which are twice as tall (at least) than modern stairs. The steepest incline on a gym treadmill is not equivalent to these steep steps; better to train walking up and down stairs two at a time.  You also need to train on different terrains, to get used to slippery moss-covered stones, slippery gravel, walking on rocks, walking on mud, etc. Myth #2 You don't need sticks You must train with sticks. Most of the trail is steep uphill or steep downhill on stone or wooden steps , rocks, or forest trail, sometimes with a steep drop at the side, and you need sticks to stabilize yourself. Often for safet

 We walked the Camino Santiago, Portugese route, Spiritual Variant, from Vigo to Santiago Day 1 Vigo up 400m and down again to Redondela Day 2 Redondela to Pontevedra (1st 8km up to the river) on the Camino Santiago Day 3 Churches of Pontevedra to seaside town Combarro Day 4 from seaside Combarro, hilltop lookout, down to the Monastery, along the river to Barrantes Day 5 Barrantes by Route of Vines & Rivers, across towns, Capela San Miguel, to coastal Villanova Day 6 boat to Pontesecures, inland to Rua Francos Day 7 the Road to Santiago is a Camino in itself Day 7 arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago Compostela

5 Days on the Kumano Kodo These are short video clips of our walks and other travels over five days.  For more detailed directions and information, refer to the navigation menu above, or this list of pages. Kumano Kodo Day 1  - The intense start. We show you the terrain and the markers to watch out for. Kumano Kodo Day 2  - The guidebook calls it an easier day. Are they correct? See for yourself. Kumano Kodo Day 3 -The most intense day. We show you the steep parts to watch out for. Kumano Kodo Day 4 - The most relaxed day. We show you the sights that you can enjoy if you opt to take the bus(es) from one town to another. Kumano Kodo Day 5 - The final day. Having (almost) recovered from the strains of Day 3, we show how we tackled a final set of climbs to reach Nachi Taisha. Day 1 Takijiri to Takahara (steep uphill 371m)   Day 2 Takahara to Chikatsuya (steep uphill to 600m) Day 3 Chikatsuya to Hongu (9 hours / 22 km)  Day 4 Yunomine to Hongu to Koguchi Day 3 had been an intensely str