Holy Via de la Plata

[lt56ny]

Just a quick question. Want to walk VDLP in 2021. Like to walk every year now I am retired and figure that is the best one to walk during a holy year. Do not like lots of pilgrims and always wanted to walk it. I would think even in a holy year you will not get alot of pilgrims on the VDLP. Thinking of a mid to late March start. I also know that there are not that many albergues or services in general as compared to the more traveled caminos. Any guesses from veteran VDLP pilgrims if they think that existing albergues will be adequate. Should I consider a little earlier start? Thanks for your help.

 

[WildPlace]

I'm interested in the answers to this question too as I would also like to walk the VdlP in 2021, potentially setting off early April (but after Easter).

 

[NomadBoomer]

I walked the second half of the vdlp in 2018 starting late April from Salamanca. There were a few nights when the alburge got full and late comers slept on a mattress on the floor. Most nights there were was plenty of empty beds. I didn't book any night until santiago and I had zero issues. I can't comment on the first half. But even in the holy year I think that you would be fine. Last 100 km might be necessary to book or ensure that you do not arrive late.

 

[lt56ny]

I walked the second half of the vdlp in 2018 starting late April from Salamanca. There were a few nights when the alburge got full and late comers slept on a mattress on the floor. Most nights there were was plenty of empty beds. I didn't book any night until santiago and I had zero issues. I can't comment on the first half. But even in the holy year I think that you would be fine. Last 100 km might be necessary to book or ensure that you do not arrive late.

I usually don't have too many problems. I like to start early so I usually arrive early. Thanks.

 

[Sandra Riordan]

Just a quick question. Want to walk VDLP in 2021. Like to walk every year now I am retired and figure that is the best one to walk during a holy year. Do not like lots of pilgrims and always wanted to walk it. I would think even in a holy year you will not get alot of pilgrims on the VDLP. Thinking of a mid to late March start. I also know that there are not that many albergues or services in general as compared to the more traveled caminos. Any guesses from veteran VDLP pilgrims if they think that existing albergues will be adequate. Should I consider a little earlier start? Thanks for your help.

I walked VDLP this year in early May. There were a lot more people than I anticipated and often Albergue’s and hostels were full. While there is enough infrastructure there were more people than I anticipated. In saying this I loved the walk and would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Sandra Riordan]

I walked VDLP this year in early May. There were a lot more people than I anticipated and often Albergue’s and hostels were full. While there is enough infrastructure there were more people than I anticipated. In saying this I loved the walk and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I meant I walked in May 2019.

 

[André Walker]

After having walked the Frances twice, I now have become a Camino addict. And I like to meet people, but just not in vast numbers. So I'm avoiding Holy Years. Nevertheless, it's an interesting question.

The statistics provided by the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago might help.

The number of pilgrims walking the Via de la Plata in the last two Holy Years:
- 2004: 9300
- 2010: 14250
This means an increase of (a bit over) 50%. If this applies to 2021 as well, it would mean about 22.000 pilgrims on the VdlP.

Another way to look at the statistics of the not so Holy Years:
- 2005: 3100
- 2019: 9200
This means that the number of pilgrims on the VdlP has tripled.

It's safe to say that the popularity of the VdlP is increasing. Making a (candid?) assumption I'd guess that the number of pilgrims walking the VdlP in 2021 might be a bit over 22.000.

But, then again, it's a Holy Year, so: only God knows.

 

[André Walker]

 

[lt56ny]

I meant I walked in May 2019.

I figured you meant 2019. You would be an amazing pilgrim if you did the whole thing this year!!!!

 

[lt56ny]

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Another interesting stat is that while we saw steady increases on the other major caminos, really dramatic ones on the Portuguese routes, the VDLP has remained pretty flat, between about 8-9,200 since 2011.