Distances between albergues

[Viggo]

Can you still find albergues if you decide to walk farther than the daily average?
It seems that one starts walking early morning and quits at an albergue, covering between 20 t0 30 km. What if you decide to walk an extra 10km or more, would you still be able to find an albergue?

 

[ebrandt]

Can you still find albergues if you decide to walk farther than the daily average?
It seems that one starts walking early morning and quits at an albergue, covering between 20 t0 30 km. What if you decide to walk an extra 10km or more, would you still be able to find an albergue?

Hi Viggen, welcome to the forum. The albergues are spread out about every 5-10k. You don't have to worry and can walk your own pace. Check out a good guide (online, Gronz.com or eroskiconsumer.es are great. I used the Brierly guide. These shou show you how the albergues are situated on the route. Liz

 

[Viggo]

Hi Viggen, welcome to the forum. The albergues are spread out about every 5-10k. You don't have to worry and can walk your own pace. Check out a good guide (online, Gronz.com or eroskiconsumer.es are great. I used the Brierly guide. These shou show you how the albergues are situated on the route. Liz

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Pelgrimpaul]

Well, ofcourse it depends on the camino!
But on the Frances or Portugues Liz is correct.
I believe their are only some stages where you have to be careful as an albergue isn't nearby. Just look at your guides or ask other pilgrims or albergues. Generally: no problem.
By not staying in the usual 'endplaces', perhaps it's also not as crowded.
And besides municipal or private albergues their are other places to stay (along side of the river, hostels, casa rural, etc...).
And while walking you'll find out what your preferred distance is. Walking a day is something else as walking for many days.
And perhaps you see it as a pilgrimage, perhaps as a London marathon.
I liked about 24 km a day. About 4 km an hour. After walking several days of 30 and more km my body tells me that it has other plans.

 

[KinkyOne]

Can you still find albergues if you decide to walk farther than the daily average?
It seems that one starts walking early morning and quits at an albergue, covering between 20 t0 30 km. What if you decide to walk an extra 10km or more, would you still be able to find an albergue?

I don't think you should have much problems with that. The longest stretch without an albergue or any other means of acommodation is 17kms between Carrion de los Condes and Calzadilla de la Cueza. But there shoud be a camper bar about in the middle of this stretch in the shady area.
I remember only once that I found free bed in the third albergue I've asked. And that was exactly in Carrion de los Condes. I came in at 7PM though

Ultreia!

 

[Rajy62]

Can you still find albergues if you decide to walk farther than the daily average?
It seems that one starts walking early morning and quits at an albergue, covering between 20 t0 30 km. What if you decide to walk an extra 10km or more, would you still be able to find an albergue?

The list of all the alberques on the frances is in one pdf. You can download that from here.

 

[Viggo]

You veterans are terrific, thanks for all your advice.
I have planned this walk for more than a year now, I will arrive in Bilbao on June 12, originally had 37 days (airport to airport) for Camino Frances, but I found out my daughter's graduation is on the 14th of July in UK, (I am in California). I will have to fly to UK on the 13th of July, which leaves me with 31 days. That is cutting it really close and no room for error. Hence my original question about distances between albergues, whether I could walk a little longer to make up for lost days. My mind is set on SJPDP as the starting point, unless I am convinced otherwise. I would appreciate you input.

 

[ebrandt]

You veterans are terrific, thanks for all your advice.
I have planned this walk for more than a year now, I will arrive in Bilbao on June 12, originally had 37 days (airport to airport) for Camino Frances, but I found out my daughter's graduation is on the 14th of July in UK, (I am in California). I will have to fly to UK on the 13th of July, which leaves me with 31 days. That is cutting it really close and no room for error. Hence my original question about distances between albergues, whether I could walk a little longer to make up for lost days. My mind is set on SJPDP as the starting point, unless I am convinced otherwise. I would appreciate you input.

Viggen -- I totally understand the lure of starting at SJPP. But you really will only have 29 - 30 days to walk since Day one will be getting from Bilbao to SJPP and you might need a day at the end to make your return connection. Think about starting in Pamplona. Others will disagree with me, but I think there really is no magic starting place. And I also think its the journey itself that makes the Camino so wonderful. I would encourage you to give yourself time so you don't have to rush and you can take a bit of time to meet people and enjoy the walk itself. I know folks walk in 29 days and have great experiences, but still..... Just my 2 cents! Liz

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

You do not have to WALK every step of the way. For example, take a bus in and out of Leon; take a bus the last 9 kilometers into Logrono. This will allow you to miss a lot of industrial suburbs.

 

[Rajy62]

My mind is set on SJPDP as the starting point, unless I am convinced otherwise. I would appreciate you input.

It all depends on your "fitness" level.
-The pyrenees section is stunning. If do that in one go, it is between 950 - 1250 m elevation gain, depending on the route you take. If you doubt your fitness then you can start in Pamplona and gain 3 days.
- I found the section between Burgos and Leon, 8 days of meseta, flat and predictable scenery. I would consider shortening this section by few days to make up your time, When you get to Burgos you will know your pace and then decide how much to shorten by. Buen Camino.