Solo female walking first stage of camino frances in september

[Travel_lover]

Hello! I have a free week in september and i was wondering how safe it is for me to walk the first stage of the camino frances alone? I'm 21. Is it very busy in september? My parents are a little concerned for me.
I recently did some of the camino portuges with my cousin and i loved it!
Thanks!

 

[Rick M]

It will be very busy on the Frances in September, there is no risk of you finding yourself alone, unless you want to be. The vast majority of pilgrims are very nice people, like you, who look out for one another. Many pilgrims are single female walkers, and they especially tend to clump into groups. Like anywhere else, be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything foolish, but I would not hesitate to send my 21 year old daughter off on the Frances. Its a lot safer than the neighborhood she lives in now!

Buen Camino

 

[Glenshiro]

I have met lots of single female walkers (the youngest was 19) on the Camino, all enjoying themselves in a very safe and mutually supportive setting. I agree with Rick M that many of them tend to congregate into groups, but not all. Those who choose to walk alone know that there's usually another walker within hailing distance (often a lot closer than that!) and that they'll meet other women on their own in the albergues.
Towns are, statistically, less safe than the countryside, but even in places like Pamplona there are loads of other peregrinas.
And the walk over the Pyrenees from SJPdP will stay with you for the rest of your life. Go for it - you won't regret it.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello! I have a free week in september and i was wondering how safe it is for me to walk the first stage of the camino frances alone? I'm 21. Is it very busy in september? My parents are a little concerned for me.
I recently did some of the camino portuges with my cousin and i loved it!
Thanks!

Hi, my wife walked also alone in September from SJPdP to Santiago.
She walked alone but was never alone there where always other Pilgrims in sight .

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino ,Peter.

 

[Walking Lover]

Hello! I have a free week in september and i was wondering how safe it is for me to walk the first stage of the camino frances alone? I'm 21. Is it very busy in september? My parents are a little concerned for me.
I recently did some of the camino portuges with my cousin and i loved it!
Thanks!

We did the Frances in '16 and the Portuguese in July, '17. I highly recommend that no female go this alone or at the least, join a group in the beginning and hang with them. Multiple times on the Portuguese, men exposed themselves to women who were walking alone. Last year, we had an eerie experience between Rabanal and Molineseca. Don't go it alone. On a post last week, someone talked about the increased presence of patrols on the Camino. I doubt this was done for no other reason than to offset any criminality that is developing.

 

[Levi]

There are many women who walk alone - I am one of them. If I had taken advice to 'not walk alone' my life would be much poorer. Yes, there are risks everywhere ( including at home ) but we cannot allow fear to rule our lives. Don't be afraid. Enjoy your camino.

 

[Sheemill]

Hi, I am doing the Frances right now, and just arrived in Burgos. For the way up to now I have felt very safe as a solo female walker.

The exception is if you take the alternative route into Burgos, as described in the "Outdoor" Frances guide. Even though it is marked with yellow arrows they are more sparse, and once you reach the factory the wilderness is very isolated. There were quite a few scetchy old men along this route, one of them was nude and doing unmentionable things. Another one I noticed was following me. I would NEVER recommend doing this route. The suburbs may be boring, but at least you are safe!

Other than that adventure, it's been great! Buen Camino!

 

[MTtoCamino]

You will be fine I would suggest you openly communicate with those around you & how many others will be very open to talking. It does not take long to soon have walking companions. The youngest I met were 2 17 year olds 1 from California US & 1 from Germany both female & made their way alone to SJPDP. It did not take long for folks to keep an eye out for them & include them. If you have concerns simply communicate.
Buen Camino

 

[JSaito]

Hello Travel_lover!

I'm sure that there is no risk in walking Camino alone. My numerous female friends have completed their solo adventure, and they were happy.
I also plan my solo Camino adventure in 2019. I'm experienced solo hiker and traveler, but this is going to be a spiritual path for me. In my opinion going solo is the most natural way to complete Camino de Santiago journey.
I believe that this path is absolutely safe for female pilgrims, but for sure you need to get prepared. I have completed a huge guide based on my experience with 38 tips for female hiking alone.
I hope it will come in handy for you.

Buen Camino

 

[HedaP]

Hi, I am doing the Frances right now, and just arrived in Burgos. For the way up to now I have felt very safe as a solo female walker.

The exception is if you take the alternative route into Burgos, as described in the "Outdoor" Frances guide. Even though it is marked with yellow arrows they are more sparse, and once you reach the factory the wilderness is very isolated. There were quite a few scetchy old men along this route, one of them was nude and doing unmentionable things. Another one I noticed was following me. I would NEVER recommend doing this route. The suburbs may be boring, but at least you are safe!

Other than that adventure, it's been great! Buen Camino!

Hi @Sheemill. Something similar happened to me on that route in Spring this year. Like you, I do not recommend taking the river route into Burgos if a female and walking alone. Either wait for another pilgrim to walk with or take the other option and walk through the suburbs with the factories.
Enjoy the rest of your camino. Lovely time of the year to be walking.

 

[SYates]

Hello! I have a free week in september and i was wondering how safe it is for me to walk the first stage of the camino frances alone? I'm 21. Is it very busy in september? My parents are a little concerned for me.
I recently did some of the camino portuges with my cousin and i loved it!
Thanks!

Hi @Travel_lover Your Camino must be over by now - would you like to share your experiences for the benefit of others? BC SY