Everything You Need to Know About Camino Women Fitness Levels

Picture this: ascending through clouds to witness soaring peaks in high definition; trekking through ancient, precious forests; or basking in the glory of a well-earned beverage after putting in a hard day’s hike. Any – or all – of these sound all right! They’re just a sample of what you might experience on a Camino Women trip.

If you happen to have read through our trip descriptions you may be asking yourself, “Am I prepared for a trip of this magnitude?”. All good though, because we’re here to help determine just that.

Each of our trips are unique – and uniquely demanding. These fitness ratings are here to ensure that your trip is unforgettable… for the right reasons! That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you better prepare and know what to expect from your adventures with Camino Women.

No matter the trek, Camino Women trips are all about contemplative time in captivating natural settings, spiced-up cultural adventures beyond the offering of a tourist brochure and companionship with fellow women trekkers that you can only achieve through the distinct spirit of a Camino. Whether you prefer to stroll at your leisure through picturesque town squares or are in search of a physically-demanding adventure to test your mettle, here’s our guide to help you determine which fitness level is right for you.

Level 1 trips are rated ‘easy’, and that’s exactly what you can expect. If you have a general level of health and fitness but aren’t looking to summit a mountain any time soon, you’ve found the right level of activity for you.

All Camino Women trips will have days where you’ll be walking and spending a lot of time on your feet – they are caminos after all! That being said, there’s no specific exercise planned for Level 1 trips. The most we require is that you’ll be able to get on and off various forms of transportation each day (such as a train or boat) and that you have a level of fitness where you can enjoy a city walk as these are an integral part of our itineraries and a highlight of many trips!

Some activities on Camino Women trips may be optional, meaning that if you aren’t feeling up to the day’s adventures you can use that time for yourself. Keep in mind, that it will be difficult to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. These elements are what make travelling with Camino Women so worth it! Unfortunately these tours cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.

If you’re comfortable trekking for 3 to 4 hours and over 7 to 10 kilometres continuously at a time, Level 2 is for you! Expect the terrain to be relatively flat, although it can be undulating in some areas. If you walk at a distance in varying terrain on a regular basis, you should be well prepared. Aside from trekking for a few hours each day, ‘moderate’ trips may include activities like a short cycle tour through beautiful countryside or around quaint towns.

Check out our 11-Day Laos Remote Village Trek for an in-depth look at the kind of activities you can expect and how much distance you’ll cover on a Level 2 trip. Some of the highlights include hiking along stunning yet craggy coastlines, winery visits and following in the footsteps of history. Trekkers on moderate-rated trips will always have the option to hike for only a portion of each day should the distances become too demanding, if you’re able to tear yourself away from the views that is!

A fair amount of endurance and a slightly more than moderate level of fitness is needed for our Level 3 rated pilgrimages. Expect to walk for between 4 and 7 hours a day, that’s somewhere between 10 and 15 kilometres. Also keep in mind that we’ll need to cover that distance at a fairly moderate pace through undulating terrain. Some days are solely devoted to trekking through isolated wilderness with jaw-dropping scenery, while others are dedicated to relaxation and cultural experiences. Half-day cycle tours are a regular addition to many of our trips – another somewhat challenging physical activity that allows you to see a destination in a whole new light!

Our Level 4, ‘strenuous’- rated trips are demanding. You’ll need to be in good enough shape to exercise vigorously for hours on end over back-to-back days, to keep a moderate pace and to partake in activities like cycling and kayaking. Although the days of trekking will be long and arduous, they’ll be punctuated by intrepid experiences and your ‘off-days’ will be closer to a Level 1 rating, with a comfortable amount of walking. Consider preparing well in advance of your trek by getting used to walking for hours at a time through hilly landscapes.

To truly enjoy our Level 5 trips, and squeeze out every last drop of adventure, you’ll need an advanced level of fitness. A ‘strenuous plus’-labelled trip can include challenging treks over steep mountainous terrain and other rigorous activities like cycling long distances and hours of idyllic, but arduous, kayaking. Many of the locations of Level 5 trips are remote and only reached through a hard-won journey.

You may need to prepare a few months or weeks in advance by training with long days of walking in varying terrain and testing your physical limits. Your body and mind should be prepared for consecutive days with hours of activities that can be difficult. Another element to consider with a Level 5 trip is altitude that can be significant. For example, our 20-Day Annapurna Base Camp trek reaches dizzying heights of 4,130 metres over 11 days of careful trekking! Camino Women’s Level 5 trips may take grit but you’ll be well rewarded with incredible views you can only reach through strenuous yet rewarding physical feats. A trip of this magnitude may also require specialised gear like sturdy hiking boots, clothes that are rated for freezing temperatures and trekking poles to cushion your knees.

Another example is our 16-Day Peaks of the Balkans trek that has seven consecutive days of rigorous hiking over rocky terrain and several steep ascents and descents. Some of the more intense days of trekking may also see steep cliffs that could be a bit daunting to those who are afraid of heights. The trip is balanced out with UNESCO World Heritage sites and Cold War-era monuments to help you recover from the more laborious days in the mountains. This is the perfect example of everything you can expect from a Level 5 rated trip with Camino Women. Be sure that your day pack isn’t weighed down with any unnecessary items as each ounce makes a difference in how the trek will impact you, and your feet!

If you’re feeling particularly called to a certain trip but are worried about the level of fitness it requires, don’t fret! There’s time to prepare and work up to the necessary fitness level required. Our team member Stevie is more than happy to chat with you to help determine if this adventure is right for your level of fitness and how you can plan in advance.

You can contact her at contact@caminowomen.com.au for more information. Remember, our trips are rated for your enjoyment. We want you to have the best, most memorable experience possible and walk away feeling inspired and motivated. And… maybe plan to ‘up’ your level for your next trip😉