Sevilla - Guillena safety

[susan76]

Hi all, I'm planning to leave Sevilla around the 1st of September and have read several reports of people taking the bus for the first part because of robberies. I was planning to walk in 2 parts, staying at Santiponce the first night (to get used to the heat, and because I haven't been training), and the next day to Guillena. Are both these parts a bit sketchy? Advisable not to walk alone there? I guess not a lot of people will leave from Santiponce as most do this part in one day...

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Hi all, I'm planning to leave Sevilla around the 1st of September and have read several reports of people taking the bus for the first part because of robberies. I was planning to walk in 2 parts, staying at Santiponce the first night (to get used to the heat, and because I haven't been training), and the next day to Guillena. Are both these parts a bit sketchy? Advisable not to walk alone there? I guess not a lot of people will leave from Santiponce as most do this part in one day...

Hi Susan,

I know there has been a few reports (one?) about robberies close to Guillena. That was several years ago, if I haven't missed some newer reports. Other Pilgrims better informed than me will tell you. Still, I have done that stretch twice (2012, 2013)and there was no problem. I think this fear has become exaggerated, partly by people debating it on the Forum. I for one wouldn't take a bus, and if I was worried about something happening I would perhaps walk with someone or with a group of people. Now of course you should do what feels best for you. Just saying that those robberies or hostile situations must have affected like no more than 0,001 percent of all the pilgrims passing there each day...

/BP

 

[jelle]

Hi Susan,

Like you I was worried about the reports. In the end I just walked it and didn't encouter any problems or have any feelings of unsafety. No weirdos on the road except us pilgrims .

I guess the advantage of you splitting up the stage is that you can walk on more "unusual" times...

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

If you start early from Santiponce, those criminals will still be sleeping when you arrive in Guillena so you will surely miss them! :O) :O)

 

[bsewall]

I've walked that stage twice (2013 & 2016) and never seen evidence of a threat. But if you are concerned, I would look out for other pilgrims when you start out in the morning and try to walk as a group.

I do have three concerns. You say you are leaving on September 1 and it will likely be very hot in Seville at that time of year (the average for September is 90 degrees F). Many pilgrims beat the mid-day heat by leaving very early in the morning before the sun comes up, which may influence your sense of security. Second, it is likely that there will not be a significant number of pilgrims walking then, so you may have to spend some time in Seville finding other pilgrims that you could walk with. Also, you say you haven't been training. The second stage after Guillena from Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata is 29.2 kilometers and one of the more difficult stages on the VdlP. I'd suggest doing some research on this site, if you haven't already, to get some tips (such as using a taxi) to minimize the physical strain.

Buen Camino.

 

[jirit]

Conditions are so dry and with temperatures breaking historical highs, there is also the risk of fires

http://spanishnewstoday.com/wild-fires-across-spain-as-july-heatwave-continues_77979-a.html

 

[notion900]

I agree with bsewall. Your biggest threat is the heat. Big sections of the Plata have no shade at all for miles. The stages are fixed. It can be very unforgiving. Have a look what's going on with the weather at the moment in Spain - it was 40c when I was in Lugo last week (hottest since 1961 I believe) and even hotter in Seville.

I got heat stroke and the beginnings of septicaemia in May 2014. Luckily I was pampered by lovely people in Fuente de Cantos but I had to see the doctor 4 days running, and was on strong antibiotics for 2 weeks.

 

[AZgirl]

I walked that section as well alone in 2014 and was fine, but it never hurts to find others to walk with if you feel more comfortable.

As to the heat, it definitely takes a while to get acclimated to. Sept 1 is still some time away, if you can I would recommend trying some practice walks , at the hotter times of the day. We have a dry heat similar, and it is easy to get dehydrated if you are not careful. I am a big fan of those cooling towels that get cold when wet. It's amazing how much better I feel when doing desert hikes, with one around my neck.

 

[susan76]

Thanks all. I haven't trained specifically for the camino, with backpack for example, but I am pretty fit and have done walks of 30 and 40 km. Also done quite some walks in the Amazon and am used to some heat. But I am planning to take it slow wherever it is possible.
Didn't know about those fires, hmm, hope the heat wave is over by september...If I wait much longer it will be too cold by the time I reach Santiago

 

[Old Gringo]

I did the VdlP in 2015. At that time there was a fair amount of blog chatter about, assaults, bad moments and robberies on this first leg. Although we were four men we decided to skip it. On a side note, Guillena is dirty and somewhat sketchy.

You may find this helpful-

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ta-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141

 

[susan76]

Thanks, I just booked my flight (so excited!) and will leave the 30th or 31th of August from Sevilla. I guess I will see if there are any other pilgrims. If I somehow don't feel comfortable I can always take the bus...
A bit off topic but as you walked in the same period @Old Gringo , I was wondering, did you need a sleeping bag?

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Here we are again creating a long thread about this. I still believe you need no more caution on this stage than on any other. Are robberies happpening frequently there, or has it been once or twice? Rumor spreads and people are avoiding this stage? Really?

BP

 

[Old Gringo]

Thanks, I just booked my flight (so excited!) and will leave the 30th or 31th of August from Sevilla. I guess I will see if there are any other pilgrims. If I somehow don't feel comfortable I can always take the bus...
A bit off topic but as you walked in the same period @Old Gringo , I was wondering, did you need a sleeping bag?

In our group of four, three had very light sleeping bags, one had a sleeping bag liner. Everyone was fine. I still favor a sleeping bag because when you get to Northern Castilla-León and Galicia it may be cold.

 

[DSouthard]

I walked that section as well alone in 2014 and was fine, but it never hurts to find others to walk with if you feel more comfortable.

As to the heat, it definitely takes a while to get acclimated to. Sept 1 is still some time away, if you can I would recommend trying some practice walks , at the hotter times of the day. We have a dry heat similar, and it is easy to get dehydrated if you are not careful. I am a big fan of those cooling towels that get cold when wet. It's amazing how much better I feel when doing desert hikes, with one around my neck.

I would especially protect the back of the neck. After 2 pilgrimages (it takes me a while) I figured out to wear a hat with a flap that hangs over the neck. The constant sun will burn through to your throat if you're not careful. My neck is now permanently tanned. Seems to have changed my DNA.