FORMER City of Busselton mayor Ian Stubbs is about to take off on the adventure of a lifetime and walk the Camino Trail from France to Spain.
Mr Stubbs will be joined by three Busselton residents Kevin Smith, Barry Green and Gary McGrath who will walk 800 kilometers from St Jean Pied du Port in France to Santiago in the north of Spain.
The Camino Trail is an ancient catholic pilgrimage over 1000 years old which leads to the relics of the apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela, and is often referred to as The Way which is the title of a movie starring Martin Sheen.
It is believed the bones of St James were buried under the city after they were brought to Spain by boat from Jerusalem.
When the group finish the trail they intend to go the extra 100kms to Finisterre, which was named by the Romans finis terrae, meaning the end of the earth.
“It is the western most point of Europe,” he said.
“We will decide whether to walk or bus to Finisterre when in Santiago but I think it would be a good guess that the bus will win.”
The group leave on Thursday and will carry everything in their backpacks except food which will be purchased along the way and they plan to sleep in dormitory hostels.
“I will give them a try but if I don’t get a good night’s sleep I will be heading for the hotels or bed and breakfasts, nothing like a bit of comfort,” he said.
Mr Stubbs said the group were aware they will endure blisters, aches and pains, cold and wet days and many other challenges which will test their strength and determination until the end.
“I’m told the first day is probably the hardest of the whole Camino, we will climb from 200 meters above sea level to just over 1400m then descend steeply back down to Roncesvalles at 900m.
“If we survive day one we should have a good chance of surviving the remaining 35 or so days.”
The group plan to start walking on May 1.
