Vdlp in december is a lonely way!

[Oscarvh]

Although the way is beautifull, the locals are amazing and the weather is really comfortable (20 degrees with no clouds) i havent eeen anybody. I ve been on my way for 10 days and it seems there are few or none other pelgrims.

 

[domigee]

Very envious! Enjoy!

 

[Bradypus]

I walked for 20 days in winter on the VdlP and met 5 other pilgrims in total. And shared an albergue with just one other person on only three of those nights. Not a route and time for those who think that companionship is an essential part of the pilgrimage experience. Personally I loved it!

 

[Oscarvh]

I walked for 20 days in winter on the VdlP and met 5 other pilgrims in total. And shared an albergue with just one other person on only three of those nights. Not a route and time for those who think that companionship is an essential part of the pilgrimage experience. Personally I loved it!

I dont mind experience alone, just a headsup for people who do. I also wouldnt mind seeing just one other pelgrim

 

[Stivandrer]

Castilblanco de los Arroyos ?

 

[Oscarvh]

Castilblanco de los Arroyos ?

Merida at this very moment!

 

[SYates]

Similar in February/March some years back ;-) I personally enjoyed the solitude ;-)
BC SY

 

[crackmrmac]

Although the way is beautifull, the locals are amazing and the weather is really comfortable (20 degrees with no clouds) i havent eeen anybody. I ve been on my way for 10 days and it seems there are few or none other pelgrims.

Best wishes to you at this time of year.
Enjoy.

Buen Camino.

 

[lovingkindness]

Buen camino!

 

[domigee]

I dont mind experience alone, just a headsup for people who do. I also wouldnt mind seeing just one other pelgrim

I walked it in June in a heatwave and we were only a handful if that.... The temperatures you are experiencing seem a lot more pleasant than when I was there

 

[malingerer]

I walked it in June in a heatwave and we were only a handful if that.... The temperatures you are experiencing seem a lot more pleasant than when I was there

I dealt with this a long time ago by simply removing the "l" from the beginning of the word. This gives me "onely " and "oneliness" which is a lovely spin It also means I can be solitary without lonely. I have never wished it otherwise. Buen Camino my friend and say hello to your winter shadow!

Yours aye,

The Malingerer.

 

[Viajero33]

I'm a ways behind you, but I landed in Seville today after hiking the Via Serrana from Gibraltar. I finally got a credential today and am looking forward to beginning the Via de la Plata tomorrow. I haven't encountered anyone else on this route so far, although I spent Christmas eve with approximately 1 thousand roosters.

 

[ranthr]

How are the arroyos in El Berrocal at the moment?

 

[lovingkindness]

I'm a ways behind you, but I landed in Seville today after hiking the Via Serrana from Gibraltar. I finally got a credential today and am looking forward to beginning the Via de la Plata tomorrow. I haven't encountered anyone else on this route so far, although I spent Christmas eve with approximately 1 thousand roosters.

Buen camino + Merry Christmas!


... almost a rooster... (un cadeau pour toi)

 

[Lindy Loo]

Although the way is beautifull, the locals are amazing and the weather is really comfortable (20 degrees with no clouds) i havent eeen anybody. I ve been on my way for 10 days and it seems there are few or none other pelgrims.

So would you recommend walking now or not - in one way it would be lovely but quite lonely I imagine. I've done two Caminos and can't think what it would be like not seeing any other walkers!

 

[Oscarvh]

So would you recommend walking now or not - in one way it would be lovely but quite lonely I imagine. I've done two Caminos and can't think what it would be like not seeing any other walkers!

I do recommend it, but i experienced somme dangerous things allready! Be sure you dont walk when its heavy raining! I encounter lighting 100 meters behind me, also i dont know if this is normal but i encounter wild cattle in fields i needed to pass.. but i do have a enjoyable time.. the weather is lovely and most of the alberques are open. But be sure you get somme food on christmas because everything was closed and i was stuck eating protein bars!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I walked for 20 days in winter on the VdlP and met 5 other pilgrims in total. And shared an albergue with just one other person on only three of those nights. Not a route and time for those who think that companionship is an essential part of the pilgrimage experience. Personally I loved it!

Bradypus, what month(s) did you walk?

 

[Bradypus]

Bradypus, what month(s) did you walk?

January and February. A couple of years ago.

 

[Josefus]

also i dont know if this is normal but i encounter wild cattle in fields i needed to pass..

Yes, that´s quiet normal in the Dehesas. This landscape is made for extensive stockbreeding. Just pass the cattle quiet but with determination and you will have no problems. (I never heard of serious incidents with agressive cattle and pilgrims.)

Ultreia!

 

[Oscarvh]

I am at aljucen right now, i heard about the 5 pelgrims.

 

[domigee]

also i dont know if this is normal but i encounter wild cattle in fields i needed to pass..

Yes there were plenty of cows around, loose. Not just 20 or 30 but hundreds (probably thousands ). They had calves with them when I walked it and frankly, I was terrified!
It is the only Camino I walked with my husband and I was very glad we were together, not sure I would wish to repeat it on my own
We didn’t come to any harm though

 

[Susan B Johnson]

Have any of you walked VDLP in March?

 

[henrythedog]

I'm a ways behind you, but I landed in Seville today after hiking the Via Serrana from Gibraltar. I finally got a credential today and am looking forward to beginning the Via de la Plata tomorrow. I haven't encountered anyone else on this route so far, although I spent Christmas eve with approximately 1 thousand roosters.

If you went back on boxing day there’s a fair chance it would have been quieter.

 

[wildrover]

I am at aljucen right now, i heard about the 5 pelgrims.

In aljucen, on Thursday, six pilgrims including myself! Another two reported yesterday. toremejcia, on Xmas eve the two albergues and the hostal were closed. The municipal on the river in Merida....is closed until 7/1/19. Great weather and as usual, the locals! No dangers though!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

The municipal on the river in Merida....is closed until 7/1/19.

7th Jan, 2020, probably.

Interestingly, both Gronze and Antonio Retamosa's guide say that the Merida albergue is open all year. I point this out not as a criticism, but rather as an observation that conditions on the ground can differ from the best sources of published information. Worth keeping in mind for anyone who is planning to walk the VdlP.

 

[PilgrimPillar]

Although the way is beautifull, the locals are amazing and the weather is really comfortable (20 degrees with no clouds) i havent eeen anybody. I ve been on my way for 10 days and it seems there are few or none other pelgrims.

I’m not sure where youre at.....but I know of 8 december walkers ......youre not alone....I left in Zamora for celebrations with family but will bee back in january.....pictured austria trooper walked towards Cadiz .....did you meet him??

 

[Ad van Brunschot]

This year I started on 31 March in Sevilla, and I was surely not the only pilgrim. I counted about 20 during my trip from Seville to Aljucen. Next year I will start at Aljucen on 20 April.You may check the post here named: Who walks the VdlP in 2020.

 

[geraldkelly]

I've heard from two people walking at the moment. Their feedback is that it's very quiet (surprise, surprise!) The weather is good now but a couple of weeks ago it was appalling, cold and raining. And lots of things are closed over Christmas. I was just thinking today that it's beautiful weather to be walking and the ten day forecast (at least for Seville) is for dry, sunny weather.

 

[Just1k]

Where on this website can we find who is on the Plata right now to meet them or who is leaving soon ?

 

[OzAnnie]

Where on this website can we find who is on the Plata right now to meet them or who is leaving soon ?

Hi @Just1k
There a lot of people who you’ll meet walking the way who can’t speak English and aren’t aware of this forum.
However on this forum, some people add their commencement date to the forum calendar. (One place to look).
Another place that is on a post (maintained/updated) by member @Ad van Brunschot
Title : Who is walking on VDLP in 2020

Here below, is the link to his post. Look at ist post for dates and names and where they will start .

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/who-is-walking-on-vdlp-in-2020.65673/

Buen camino
Annie