Madrid Camino Guide - Recommendations please

[AmandaW]

Hi Everyone, I'm a newbie and will be setting off at the end of the month on my journey along the Madrid Camino, planning to join the Camino Frances around Sahagun. I have John Brierley's guide book for the St. Jean - Roncesvalles - Santiago and was planning to use the Confraternity of St James guide book for the Madrid route but unfortunately their website is down and I cannot purchase it. I'd really like to hear from anyone who could help me by recommending a guide book for the Madrid route as I understand that this route may not be as well travelled/sign posted etc. and if there is anything that I am worried about it is my useless sense of direction!! One of my hopes is to improve my direction problems and fear of getting lost through taking this journey - amongst a multitude of other things of course!! Any help/advice from you more experienced people is greatly appreciated as I'm sure you can remember your nerves the first time you set out on your journeys!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - download the best and most up to date guide to this route here:

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/pdf-guide-camino-de-madrid-madrid-to-sahagún.11/

 

[AmandaW]

Thanks so much, you're a star!!

 

[lynnejohn]

And in my experience, the route is very well signposted! I really enjoyed the Madrid camino, and I think you will too! It's one of the only caminos I've walked where I haven't got lost at least once, so don't worry about your directional abilities!
Buen Camino!

 

[AmandaW]

You don't know how reassuring that is regarding not getting lost!!! Smiling very much thanks

 

[Roger Hogstrom]

I have walked it 2012 and 2013. You need to here it once again, you will not get lost . It was better in 2013 compared to 2012. Take a day of in Segovia it´s a beautiful city. If you haven´t seen my pictures on youtube search for "roger hogstrom". Good luck / Roger

 

[Al the optimist]

Well worth considering starting at Tres Cantos after getting metro there to avoid a lot of city streets

 

[AmandaW]

Thank you lovely people! What would you say the toughest section would be so that I can prepare for that? I am reading that there are quite long sections with no amenities so I am planning on carrying provisions for most of the way, would you agree. I haven't read everything yet but this is my first impression. It sounds beautiful! Yesterday I put myself off slightly by walking too far with heavy weight to prepare but I'm not giving in

 

[AmandaW]

Well worth considering starting at Tres Cantos after getting metro there to avoid a lot of city streets

That's great advice thank you? City streets hurt the feet!!! Haha!

 

[AmandaW]

I have walked it 2012 and 2013. You need to here it once again, you will not get lost . It was better in 2013 compared to 2012. Take a day of in Segovia it´s a beautiful city. If you haven´t seen my pictures on youtube search for "roger hogstrom". Good luck / Roger

Thanks again for reassurance Roger, I am no longer concerned about that thanks to you guys! More concerned about my feet now haha!

 

[Roger Hogstrom]

Hi Amanda
About feet. Alway 2 socks on each foot. Bola "tentoes" + thin wool sock fantastic. Your shoes 1 size bigger than your normal size, ½ size if it isn´t hot.

Roger

 

[MarianneGardner]

I walked the Camino Madrid in late September/early October 2013.
I followed the stages here:
http://www.mundicamino.com/rutas.cfm?id=40

The first 3 days I did a little differently - I based myself in Madrid
Day 1 - got the train to Colmenar de Veijo from Chamartin. Took the bus (724) from Manzanares el Real back to Plaza Castilla in Madrid.
Day 2 - bus from Plaza Castilla to Manzanares (724). Returned to Madrid on train from Cercedilla.
2 weeks later - (its complicated) - train to Cercedilla in the late afternoon. Overnight in Cercedilla.
Day 3 - Cercedilla to Segovia. A long steep walk up to Puerto de Fuenfria but much easier going down the other side through forest then open countryside. I agree with Roger, Segovia is a wonderful town. I returned for another night on my return to Madrid from Sahugun.

I found the long days of over 30km tough, but was always recovered by the next morning.
There were lots of highlights - the beautiful open countryside, the farms, the towns - especially Segovia, Simincas, Medina de Rioseco, Margarita's bakery in Nova de la Asuncion.

I have a blog here:
http://www.mariannecamino.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/camino-madrid-september-2013.html

Marianne

 

[giorgio]

Amanda, check the thread 'Camino di Madrid', you' ll find all the updates you need.
It will be quite a change once you get on the Camino Frances at Sahagun