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How often will we come across drinking water? Sizes of water bottles??

caminopeep

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
I plan to do my first Camino this year
Hi all,
We are getting close to our Camino - SJPP to Pamplona.

I’m wondering how often we will come across drinking water on this section?! Trying to figure out what size water bottles to carry- balancing the weight of them vs my need to drink lots of water and stay hydrated!!
 
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Kind of depends how much you like to drink ;)
I tend to carry 2 x 500 ml. Maybe a spare one over the Pyrenees, although you can top up at Roland's Fountain.

I generally do about 10 kms per litre....
If you are from the US, you'll have to work out what that is in MPG yourself :oops:

Are you using a guide book? Water fountains are generally marked on those.
You'll be passing through lots of villages too, with cafes...
Water is not really a problem on that section.
 
Water is a frequent topic in the forum. See this thread for example.
Basically, the only section without refilling options (fountains, bars) is the 17 km section after Carrión de los Condes.
As for size of bottles, it depends on your particular needs and the season.
 
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Water is a frequent topic in the forum. See this thread for example.
Basically, the only section without refilling options (fountains, bars) is the 17 km section after Carrión de los Condes.

At this time of year that may be true...but in the Winter months there were several areas where we could not find water easily. So if anyone decides to Go off season check ahead.
 
Hi Caminopeep,

Like @Robo says it kind of depends. I'm a big guy and I sweat a lot. On a hot day walking from SJPdP over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles I drank over 6 litres of water. This meant I was carrying as much as 2kg of water at any one time. On the other hand for someone much smaller on a cool easygoing day you just wouldn't want that extra weight.

There are plenty of refilling points along the section you're doing, I can't remember any stretches of more than about 7km without a tap, shop or bar but I would still recommend at a bare minimum having a litre and filling up whenever you get the chance, dehydration is not fun and can creep up on you.

Buen Camino,

Rob.
 
I carried a one-litre bottle on that section and there were enough places to fill up that I can't remember feeling that I needed more, even though it was hot.
 
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Hi,
usually I carry 2 of those 0.5 l plastic bottles, refilling them whenever possible. On the Camino Frances there are only few sections which offer no opportunity to refill or buy new water over a longer distance. When my guidebook mentioned a section of more than 10 km without a village (e. g. between Villamayor de Monjardín and Los Arcos, between Villafranca Montes d'Oca and San Juan de la Ortega or the 17 km after Carrion de los Condes) I took some additional water with me.

BC
Alexandra
 
Hi all,
We are getting close to our Camino - SJPP to Pamplona.

I’m wondering how often we will come across drinking water on this section?! Trying to figure out what size water bottles to carry- balancing the weight of them vs my need to drink lots of water and stay hydrated!!
Every couple of kilometers. In Spain tap water is 99% (or even more) safe for drinking. If the sign by the tap says "No potable" that means you don't drink it.
 
I carry ONE 8 ounce bottle and fill it up at every fountain.
There is drinking water all along the route.

Exceptions:
Watch for "NON POTABLE" signs. This means the water is not treated or not safe. Joe once drank from a "non potable" fountain. When he realized his mistake, we made a beeline to the nearest bar where he downed a few shots of whiskey. He was fine.

If it is raining so hard that the streams are "running brown" then I do not use the fountains, but rather will buy bottled water. That has only happened twice in all my years of walking.

The only route I've walked where water was an issue was the Via de la Plata, and I tried walking it in August (stupid, stupid, stupid!). The fountains listed in the guide books were often dry and we were rescued once by some nice firemen who brought us bottles of water so we could make it to the next village. But the Camino Frances is flush with good drinking water, so no worries.
 
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Food and water are essential to good health. It's always better to have too much. Too little can result is serious health issues.

If you are concerned about weight, leave something else out of your pack, but keep plenty of food and water.


-Paul
 
I went the same time as you last year. I carried two 16oz plastic disposable bottles. Granted they were not full at all times and I’m very good about dumping water to save weight when I know I’m approaching civilization that I know I can refill. No regrets and I’ll do the same again next year with my then wife. (Yes, I am a water hog. No, I don’t like being dehydrated while moving my body). I recall passing a few water fountains that I wouldn’t let my dog drink out of and was glad I didn’t desperately need to refill.
 
One solution is to drink from the public fountains in the smaller towns and villages. Carry a 'bota'.
 
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From a Christian and ethical POV what would you say if you were in a lifeboat in mid- Atlantic and one of your felliow survivors said that because he was bigger than you and sweated a lot that he needed a larger share of the available water?
???
 
I know that this might seem a queer question but can anyone tell/show me the 330-500ml bottles of water that they sell in the supermarket/grocery store in SJPdP?

I need a certain type of bottle shape in order to attach it to my backpack straps. This is the idea I’m following

So anyone know what water bottles are sold generally in SJPdP? Is it Evian or Volvic or some other brand? A picture would be great? Tks a mill
 
Last edited:
I know that this might seem a queer question but can anyone tell/show me the 330-500ml bottles of water that they sell in the supermarket/grocery store in SJPdP?

I need a certain type of bottle shape in order to attach it to my backpack straps. This is the idea I’m following

So anyone know what water bottles are sold generally in SJPdP? Is it Evian or Volvic or some other brand? A picture would be great? Tks a mill

My suggestion would be to bring your own bottles that you know fit, and fill them up along the way. Bottle variety changes as you travel through the regions.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Hi all,
We are getting close to our Camino - SJPP to Pamplona.

I’m wondering how often we will come across drinking water on this section?! Trying to figure out what size water bottles to carry- balancing the weight of them vs my need to drink lots of water and stay hydrated!!
With the exceuof a few legs, 1 litre is all you need. When villages are spaced at 5 - 10 km, that’s all you need to carry and at that, you’ll find it to be more than eough even when trekking in July and August. There sre a few sections with no serviced for 15+ km so you can take a couple of extra bottles
 
I found two 500ml bottles at either side of my bag were the best and easier to reach, i bought them here before I left in Lidl, my friend brought a hydration pack and ended up ditching it two days in as they are heavy, you cant tell when they are nearly empty, not as quick to fill and the water gets warm as its up against a hot body.... Keep topping up as you go along we went Valcarlos route first day and ran out about 4km to the end, we did see a water tap close by but it wasnt ok to drink . Buen Camino :)
 
My suggestion would be to bring your own bottles that you know fit, and fill them up along the way. Bottle variety changes as you travel through the regions.


Yep-that make completes sense. Your right. Why not take out the guess work and get it sorted beforehand?
Janey, I feel as if I’m trying to control everything before I leave. I’m planning for everything I can think of before I leave. Is it excitement or just a “need” to control?? I hope I don’t act like this on the Camino when I start in 3 weeks. I’m excited to plan now but
I have to remind myself to be flexible when I walk and be gentle with myself.

Oh wow....stop meandering there Paddy and accept that things mightn’t go always to plan. And if not, then who cares? Can I accept a “failure”? God, I sound really hard on myself.....I must be so..

Anyway, Tks for reading. I’ll be grand. Sorry for the moan
 
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Yep-that make completes sense. Your right. Why not take out the guess work and get it sorted beforehand?
Janey, I feel as if I’m trying to control everything before I leave. I’m planning for everything I can think of before I leave. Is it excitement or just a “need” to control?? I hope I don’t act like this on the Camino when I start in 3 weeks. I’m excited to plan now but
I have to remind myself to be flexible when I walk and be gentle with myself.

Oh wow....stop meandering there Paddy and accept that things mightn’t go always to plan. And if not, then who cares? Can I accept a “failure”? God, I sound really hard on myself.....I must be so..

Anyway, Tks for reading. I’ll be grand. Sorry for the moan
im so jealous that you are going, youl do fantastic and youl have the odd moan there too but the positives and the lols youl have will so outway them, its an amazing experience :)
 
I stop in Cisur Menor, buy two bottles of Aquarious, and refill at every fountain that is potable (drinkable). No fuzz. I have a space in both sides of my backpack for such bottles. Easy.

Yep, the Aquarious bottle looks like it has the grooves I need. Perfect. Tks a mill. Are these available in St Jean too?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I strongly recommend a drink tube for easy access to water while walking. This eliminates stopping and/or taking your pack off to access water.

Whatever you do for water, I recommend trying it out at home on multiple 4 hour hikes to see if it works for you. Don't wait until St. Jean to find out if your solution is too awkward to use. Revise and refine from every practice walk.

-Paul
 
I strongly recommend a drink tube for easy access to water while walking. This eliminates stopping and/or taking your pack off to access water... Revise and refine from every practice walk.

-Paul
Great advice. Whatever you choose must work for you. I am terrible at drinking water so the hydration bladder is a constant reminder with the "in my face" tube. My plan is to rinse it out and fill it up with two liters of fresh h20 every evening and then when I encounter water on the way, drink from the crumpled plastic bottle I'll be carrying from home. I will be drinking as much as I can from my "trash" plastic bottle at each stop. The 2 liters in the pack will get me through any dry spots and I won't have to worry about what's left as I'll start fresh with 2 liters each day. The people who complain about not knowing how much is in the hydration bladder and it being a "pain to get to in order to fill up" could easily employ this method for only the extra weight of a crumpled up half liter plastic bottle stuck in an easy to get to side pocket instead of throwing plastic away every day or carrying a heavier water bottle relying on refilling at every stop.

Just thought I would share what works for me. Regardless hydration is so important.
 
I usually carry a litre bottle that is continously filled and re-filled, and if I know I'm eating a picnic lunch or know I'm walking more than around 12 km before the next refill, I add another 1/2L.

I also have a full, unopened 0.2L bottle that I carry in reserve, pretend isn't there, and keep hidden in my backpack. The couple of times I've run out over the years it was worth every gramme, and I'm not a packing minimalist.
 
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I strongly recommend a drink tube for easy access to water while walking. This eliminates stopping and/or taking your pack off to access water.

Whatever you do for water, I recommend trying it out at home on multiple 4 hour hikes to see if it works for you. Don't wait until St. Jean to find out if your solution is too awkward to use. Revise and refine from every practice walk.

-Paul

Yeah tks Paul. I might give this a go
 
I go to a Spanish supermarket on arrival and buy a 40 cent (or as cheap as possible) 1 litre bottle - or a couple depending on the time of the year and heat, or a couple of smaller bottles. They are strong, reusable and easy. SJPdP to Pamplona - stacks of water and bars.
 
Great advice. Whatever you choose must work for you. I am terrible at drinking water so the hydration bladder is a constant reminder with the "in my face" tube. My plan is to rinse it out and fill it up with two liters of fresh h20 every evening and then when I encounter water on the way, drink from the crumpled plastic bottle I'll be carrying from home. I will be drinking as much as I can from my "trash" plastic bottle at each stop. The 2 liters in the pack will get me through any dry spots and I won't have to worry about what's left as I'll start fresh with 2 liters each day. The people who complain about not knowing how much is in the hydration bladder and it being a "pain to get to in order to fill up" could easily employ this method for only the extra weight of a crumpled up half liter plastic bottle stuck in an easy to get to side pocket instead of throwing plastic away every day or carrying a heavier water bottle relying on refilling at every stop.

Just thought I would share what works for me. Regardless hydration is so important.
I have a two liter hydration bladder, but I rarely ever fill it - water is heavy! I normally put about one to 1.5 liters in it in the morning, and I also carry a small partially filled "emergency" water bottle, in case the hydration bladder runs dry.
 
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I have a two liter hydration bladder, but I rarely ever fill it - water is heavy! I normally put about one to 1.5 liters in it in the morning, and I also carry a small partially filled "emergency" water bottle, in case the hydration bladder runs dry.
I have a fear of running out of water - whether it's a 5 mile hike or a 20 mile hike. I also look at water opportunities like I do bathroom opportunities. Never let an opportunity pass you by :)
 
I have a fear of running out of water - whether it's a 5 mile hike or a 20 mile hike. I also look at water opportunities like I do bathroom opportunities. Never let an opportunity pass you by :)
I'm right there with you on the bathroom opportunities. I've walked 3 Caminos and never have had to resort to going off trail.
 
Am I right to think that a water bladder is expensive? Say about 60-70 euro for a deuter 40+10 backpack?

I’d prefer the “bottle system” as it’s what I’m used to but I’m not sure it’s going to work out for my camino. I’m struggling to find the right bottle in Ireland that’s suited to be used as per the video above.....
 
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