Via de La Plata from Cadiz to Muxia in Spring

[Daphne McDaid]

So I am thinking about doing the Via de la plata and would like to start in Cadiz. Has anyone walked from Cadiz Santiago or Muxia. I did the Camino Frances last year in September/October. I am thinking to do this camino in the spring. I would like to know your experiences and any advice you have. Thank you!

 

[bsewall]

Question - why did you choose starting in Cadiz versus Seville?

 

[Daphne McDaid]

It's just something I'm thinking about...an idea that is drawing me. Have you walked the vdlp? I think it would be interesting to walk from one coast to another and I want to visit cadiz so that is one of my reasons. I am also looking for a longer camino than the cf.

 

[mspath]

Have you checked the links in this thread?
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cadiz-to-seville-in-february.44322/

This web in English might also be useful.
https://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-Europe/countries-Pilgrims_Ways/trails-Via_Augusta_de_Cádiz_a_Sevilla

Good luck and Buen camino!

 

[sulu]

I haven't walked from Cadiz but I did the VdlP over 2 Springs. I walked in March, maybe you are thinking of later. I had 2 very different experiences. 2012 I walked Seville to Cacares, it was warm and mostly dry, 2013 I walked from Cacares to Zamora then took the Portuguese deviation, that year was horrendously wet, not just whilst I was walking but it had been a very wet winter and the cows were standing up to their knees in water, it was a constant paddle. You can see pictures in my blog, March 2012, March 2013. notdunroaminyet.blogspot.com

 

[Zoula]

Hi, I am also considering the VdlP as my next camino from Seville and then walking the Sanabres to Santiago. Still doing research and considering either March or April start date. It would be nice to have company while walking since this route is less busy.

 

[bsewall]

If I wanted to see Cadiz and walk the VdlP, I'd stay three or four nights in Seville and use one of the days for a day trip to Cadiz. Simply put - I like Cadiz, but I love Seville. Plus the VdlP is challenging enough starting from Seville. Keep it simple would be my advice.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

I can understand why you like the idea of walking from coast to coast. I started in Sevilla the end of marching 2015. Even this early in the year it was very hot in the first weeks. Later on, more to the north it got better.
There were a considerable number of people walking,so it sure was not a lonely Camino
I liked it very much,highlights being Sevilla, Merida and Salamanca

 

[federico]

This was what I thought, coast to coast starting in Cadiz, when I walked the route this year starting the last week of February. I used the information referenced as a guide and managed to make it to Las Cabezas de San Juan where I decided to bus into Seville and get started on the VDLP/Sanabres to Santiago. No regrets. Cadiz is a beautiful city and the walk to Jerez was nice. After that it's the flat agricultural plains and small towns which would have been fine but I grew impatient to begin the VDLP and be among other pilgrims. In my opinion the via Augusta is a challenging start to long Camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

I have started my Vdlps in Sevilla, so I can't offer first hand information (yet). But my impression from reading others' reports is that the Cadiz to Sevilla part is not particularly great. But starting from Málaga seems spectacular, so if you have the time you might want to consider a coastal start a bit further to the east.

 

[KinkyOne]

If I wanted to see Cadiz and walk the VdlP, I'd stay three or four nights in Seville and use one of the days for a day trip to Cadiz. Simply put - I like Cadiz, but I love Seville. Plus the VdlP is challenging enough starting from Seville. Keep it simple would be my advice.

I don't think the OP is complicating things for her. Cadiz - Seville stretch is known as Via Augusta and is marked Camino although not very interesting as I remember from other members posts.

 

[LTfit]

Walking from Sevilla you will already fulfill the km desire as Sevilla - Muxía is about 1.100 km.

I have done the Plata 2x, parts 3x and have thought about leaving from Cadiz but 2 people I know who started there said that they were alone until Sevilla (and actually were not enthusiastic about the Vía Augusta). As I have experienced what it is like to be on Caminos with no one around for weeks, I decided not to do it.

In deciding, it would be best to consider that you might very well do Cádiz - Sevilla by yourself. If that's OK with you then go for it!

 

[KinkyOne]

So I am thinking about doing the Via de la plata and would like to start in Cadiz. Has anyone walked from Cadiz Santiago or Muxia. I did the Camino Frances last year in September/October. I am thinking to do this camino in the spring. I would like to know your experiences and any advice you have. Thank you!

More info here:
http://www.caminosantiagoencadiz.org/index/ViaAugusta/ViaAugusta.php (Cadiz Amigos)
http://www.asociaciongaditanajacobea.org/ (Asociacion Gaetana page)
http://www.mundicamino.com/los-caminos/68/via-augusta/
https://pilgrimdb.github.io/cadiz.html (GPS tracks)
http://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/Ce...o;jsessionid=94F609B759990DF0E6D3DEFF62D25EA0 (GPS tracks)

Also take a look at Via Serrana, variante from Gibraltar:
http://www.asociaciongaditanajacobea.org/via_serrana.htm
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...&ll=36.673530633076815,-5.473637000000053&z=8
http://walkforwilliam2010.blogspot.si/?m=1 (interesting and useful blog)

Hope that helps

 

[terryenroute]

I started in Sevilla, but walked with another pilgrim who started in Cadiz. He said it was not marked, and very hard to know where you are going. After loosing his way for the 3 day straight, he abandoned it and skipped to Sevilla. He had no problems from there. Believe me, from sevilla is plenty challenging enough! Have a look at my blog, www.terryonthevdlp.weebly.com if you like.

Cheers

 

[alansykes]

I think it would be interesting to walk from one coast to another

Entirely agree - I find it strangely exciting to start a camino by swimming out of the Mediterranean, eventually ending it swimming into the Atlantic.

I have to admit I didn't like the sound of the Vía Augusta from Cádiz to Seville as it's apparently very flat, so this autumn I hope to emerge from the sea at Tarifa, and then take a right turn to follow the Vía Serrana (also marked by the Cádiz Jacobeo association) through the mountains round Jimena de la Frontera and Ronda on to Seville and the VdlP.

Hope your sea to shining sea walk is as enjoyable as my last three have been.

 

[peregrina2000]

Entirely agree - I find it strangely exciting to start a camino by swimming out of the Mediterranean, eventually ending it swimming into the Atlantic.

I have to admit I didn't like the sound of the Vía Augusta from Cádiz to Seville as it's apparently very flat, so this autumn I hope to emerge from the sea at Tarifa, and then take a right turn to follow the Vía Serrana (also marked by the Cádiz Jacobeo association) through the mountains round Jimena de la Frontera and Ronda on to Seville and the VdlP.

Hope your sea to shining sea walk is as enjoyable as my last three have been.

Don't mean to hijack yet another thread because of a tantalizing post by alansykes, , but now I am confused and wondering what those noises about learning Portuguese were about.

 

[george.g]

Why don't you look at the Via Augusta section ?
If you like the sound of it give it a go, you could, if you didn't like it you can bin it just about anywhere and be in Seville in less than a couple of hours.
Regards
George
PS I have walked the Via Augusta !

 

[Daphne McDaid]

Ok, maybe it is not worth it to walk from cadiz to sevilla. Maybe a better idea would be to visit cadiz and then bus it to sevilla and start there. Via de la plata sounds really amazing!

 

[Daphne McDaid]

Hi, I am also considering the VdlP as my next camino from Seville and then walking the Sanabres to Santiago. Still doing research and considering either March or April start date. It would be nice to have company while walking since this route is less busy.

Let me know what you decide. I am still in the dreaming stages but think that I will start in March or April!

 

[Zoula]

Let me know what you decide. I am still in the dreaming stages but think that I will start in March or April!

Lol, same here, thinking late March, since it is already warm in Seville, but it will be colder in the Mountains...

 

[hel&scott]

we loved the vdp and i am thinking of doing it again. Like you we were temped by the "coast to coast" aspect but when we looked into it the section from Cadiz was mainly road walking, with trucks, so we started in Seville. We did do another coast to coast walk when we started in Cartehenga... But that's another story.

 

[Daphne McDaid]

we loved the vdp and i am thinking of doing it again. Like you we were temped by the "coast to coast" aspect but when we looked into it the section from Cadiz was mainly road walking, with trucks, so we started in Seville. We did do another coast to coast walk when we started in Cartehenga... But that's another story.

Thank you for the reply. I am thinking maybe I will just visit Cadiz and then bus to Sevilla. I like that I could decide to change course and go through portugal instead, if decided. But I do love spain and enjoy being able to speak spanish. What did you like so much about the vdp? It is really drawing me for some reason. I could do the via del norte as well but it is not attracting me as much. I think you have to go with your feelings on these things.

 

[hel&scott]

We loved walking on Roman roads and the open expanse of it all, plus not nearly as crowded as the French route. You do need do be cabable of doing some long hauls though, check out our blog for details. Good infrastructure.

My memories of Portugal are flooded with rain and custard, but then we did it in winter

 

[Frans]

Last year I walked from Cadiz to Santiago. The way is not 100% waymarked, I used a GPS device. The first part of the Via Augusta is along a railway and the second part is along a canal. There are no albergues so you have to use hotels or hostels which is no problem. If I would walk the Plata again I would not start in Cadiz because the 180km's are boring! Why I did it? I thought why not walk the Camino like they did before when the pilgrims came ages ago, entering Spain by boat.
If you go: take a visit to the amigos of the Via Augusta in the beginning off the old town in Cadiz. They are very friendly and helpful. They are not allways open so find out on what evening you can visit them.
http://www.caminosantiagoencadiz.org/index/ViaAugusta/ViaAugusta.php
Good luck with your choice!

 

[george.g]

Yes I agree, not very well marked when I walked, but a couple of things, the route on day one is not along a railway line but beside it and is well separated. The irrigation canals come later after Jerez.
Regards
George

 

[Frans]

Yes I agree, not very well marked when I walked, but a couple of things, the route on day one is not along a railway line but beside it and is well separated. The irrigation canals come later after Jerez.
Regards
George

I meant with the first part; the first part of the five/six day trip. Not the fist part of the first day
The first day I took the boat to El Puerto de Santa Maria. It saved me a day and I think hundred years ago the would have done the same
Btw I am still glad I walked this Via but I would not do it again as I certainly walk the Plata again!

 

[hecate105]

We cycled it - from Cadiz this april. It was fantastic! Cadiz is one of the loveliest cities i have visited, the seafood tapas is awesome! A couple of days to explore before you start would be a must.
We took the ferry to Puerto Maria to avoid traffic/busy roads. It was a lovely route - although sometimes hard to follow - lots of signs - then none for a while... But - if you get the guide (spanish) from the pilgrim association in Cadiz (if you can catch them open you can get a stamp too!) it would help. The route is clearly marked on Via michelin maps online. All Caminos are marked as red dotted lines and you can zoom in or out for detail. You must click the 'outdoor' tab on the dropdown from the scrunched up map symbol on the right side of the page. Very useful.
We left Cadiz on 5th april and it was beautiful! Wildflowers all the way, lovely tracks, mostly flat to Seville - one unexpected hill! Yes, lots of canals with no shade, and sludge after rain... But wide open space and real Spain, kind locals and cheap wine, I say go for it! and don't miss the Bodega Tradicional in Jerez - it has lush sherry (50 yr old!) but also one of the greatest Spanish Art collections ever!

 

[El Condor 2014]

Hi, I am also considering the VdlP as my next camino from Seville and then walking the Sanabres to Santiago. Still doing research and considering either March or April start date. It would be nice to have company while walking since this route is less busy.

Hi @Zoula , I am also planning doing VdlP starting April 2018 I have walked 2 French Camino and one Camino Del Norte.
I will be starting from Seville. keep in touch and let me know of your planning , Buen Camino !

 

[William Marques]

Entirely agree - I find it strangely exciting to start a camino by swimming out of the Mediterranean, eventually ending it swimming into the Atlantic.

I have to admit I didn't like the sound of the Vía Augusta from Cádiz to Seville as it's apparently very flat, so this autumn I hope to emerge from the sea at Tarifa, and then take a right turn to follow the Vía Serrana (also marked by the Cádiz Jacobeo association) through the mountains round Jimena de la Frontera and Ronda on to Seville and the VdlP.

Hope your sea to shining sea walk is as enjoyable as my last three have been.

Alan - Both Cadiz and Tarifa are on the Atlantic coast of Spain on the Costa de la Luz. Tarifa could be considered on the border as it is the most Southerly point in Spain but its climate is definitely Atlantic!

I know the area very well and we cycled from Seville to the coast at Conil many years ago to add the coast to coast section to our VDLP which we had completed earlier. As many have said the countryside south of Seville is mostly pan flat. We diverted left at Cabesas de San Juan via Villamartin, Arcos, Medina Sindona and Vejer.

Ronda seems well out of your way if starting in Tarifa and you will have plenty of climbing to do but good luck.

We drove last year along a very quiet road from Alcala de los Gazules to Ubrique which would be wonderful cycling for a fit rider though there were only a couple of parking spots between the two towns and no other facilities

 

[Zoula]

Hi @Zoula , I am also planning doing VdlP starting April 2018 I have walked 2 French Camino and one Camino Del Norte.
I will be starting from Seville. keep in touch and let me know of your planning , Buen Camino !

Thanks El Condor! I have been away for the summer with bad internet, so,upon my return in September I will be checking the details, as I walk 20 km average on my caminos and I know some days are longer... I would enjoy the company, so PM for more info.

 

[Matchu]

So I am thinking about doing the Via de la plata and would like to start in Cadiz. Has anyone walked from Cadiz Santiago or Muxia. I did the Camino Frances last year in September/October. I am thinking to do this camino in the spring. I would like to know your experiences and any advice you have. Thank you!

Hi all, this is my first post and will be my first Camino.
I am planning to start the Augusta in the last week in Apr 18. I plan to use this as a final test of my equipment and to understand the people I am liable to deal with over the following weeks on the VDLP as I make my way to Finesterre, Muxia, and then probably bus it up to see Hercules at La Caruna.
Whilst not a religious pilgrimage I am very keen to replicate the journey of the original people who made this journey, well the route at least. It is my personal challenge to go coast to coast and I am reminded of what a priest friend of mine once said: "when you say the Lord's Prayer you say all of it. When you take on a personal challenge you do the same - you don't skip the boring or hard bits".
No-one else will know if I cheat a little; but I will, forever.

 

[hecate105]

I cycled it last april and that is a great time to be there. The weather was fabulous (except a day of snow in Galicia which was horrific!) Warm enough to want a siesta, but lovely long days and wild flowers all the way. A really pretty, (but tough) route. There were plenty of walkers in april - hardly saw many on the 'way' but always a few at the albergues, sometimes lots! Plenty of places to visit and wonderful food and locals. Important to have enough water on the longer stretches (those canals - hot!) and a hat. There are some long sections with no shade. But most of the way has enough trees/scrub etc. Some French pilgrims i met sensibly had umbrellas!
Cadiz is a fantastic city - if you have some time there you can walk almost all the way around - and luscious seafood! The 'Augusta' was not boring... We got the ferry from Cadiz to El Puerto de Santa Maria and started pedalling there, stopping at the Eglesia Espiritu Santo for our first 'stamp' from the nuns (their blessings work!) which is near the river as you go out of town. Everyone says the Augusta is flat - but we found a hill just out the back of town - and a huge Alsatian that wanted to run with us for miles! Worth it for the flowers on the top tho'. In Jerez, the Bodegas Tradicional (in Calle Cordobeses) has tours -( almost impossible to walk/cycle after several 50 yr old sherries!) should be booked beforehand - but they may take pity on pilgrims... They have an unrivalled Spanish art collection that is unmissable!
The canal part after Jerez can be challenging - but had a beauty of its own. Signs were not overly good...
Most of the villages had small shops and you could get enough food, always a small bar too.
We found the locals to be very helpful - even with 5 of us cluttering up their bars/cafes wanting water bottles filled and monopolising the loos! No albergues till Seville. But we stayed at some lovely ones - from ancient one-room stone bothy - to state-of-the-art modern with all facilities!
Make time to see the sites in Zamorra/Salamanca/Seville - all the towns en route are fabulous!
Have a wonderful Camino, tis tough but beautiful!!!

 

[Matchu]

Mucho gracias for your positive and encouraging post. I will certainly include the salient points into my notes. ;-)