Walking the Camino in the afternoon

[KellB]

Hello everyone, I will be walking the Camino for the third time this September. My sister is leaving the US tomorrow and starting her walk from Sarria to Portomarín on Saturday morning. I will be flying out Friday night and arriving to Santiago around 13:00 to surprise her in Portomarín. I am getting a taxi from Santiago to Sarria. Having walked the Camino twice, I kind of wanted to walk from Sarria to Portomarín, but I am not sure if it will be feasible. Based on the fact that from the airport to Sarria, it will take about 1:30h by taxi, I wouldn’t start walking till 15:00. We are staying in hotels along the way, so I don’t have to worry about finding a bed in one of the albergues. However, I would be arriving In Portomarin a little late. Has anyone have started walking this late? Should I just forget about the stage of the walk and just take the taxi to meet my sister in Portomarín instead?
Thank you!

 

[jeffnd]

Starting that late means you'll be walking in the dark for at least some of it. So make sure you have a headlight/flashlight and extra batteries just in case. The area you are walking in should be well marked, but stay alert. It's easy enough to take the wrong path in the daytime, and even more so at night, especially while trying to recover from the time change and a long flight.

Also, pack a meal or snacks so you don't have to stop to eat. And of course bring water and know where you can get more. I don't know what your fitness level is, but chances are you will be dead, dead, dead tired in the morning.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Hello everyone, I will be walking the Camino for the third time this September. My sister is leaving the US tomorrow and starting her walk from Sarria to Portomarín on Saturday morning. I will be flying out Friday night and arriving to Santiago around 13:00 to surprise her in Portomarín. I am getting a taxi from Santiago to Sarria. Having walked the Camino twice, I kind of wanted to walk from Sarria to Portomarín, but I am not sure if it will be feasible. Based on the fact that from the airport to Sarria, it will take about 1:30h by taxi, I wouldn’t start walking till 15:00. We are staying in hotels along the way, so I don’t have to worry about finding a bed in one of the albergues. However, I would be arriving In Portomarin a little late. Has anyone have started walking this late? Should I just forget about the stage of the walk and just take the taxi to meet my sister in Portomarín instead?
Thank you!

I walk in the evenings all the time. Yes it is doable, but you will be walking the last stage in the dark. I don't think it is too difficult. However, I would just cab it to Portomarin so you are nice and fresh next day. Up to you though!

Davey

 

[HeidiL]

If your sister has a cell phone, you could phone or text her when you get to Sarría - then stay in the taxi and take it to wherever she is and walk with her?

(I don't know how you's make her keep it ON while she's walking, but you know her best.)

 

[Pelegrin]

Today sunset in Portomarín willl be at 20: 46, so if you start at 15h you have 5 h 40m before sunset for doing 22,2 kms. I think is doable, but it will be dark at least under the forests so you need a headlight.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Unless you want to be in Sarria, have the taxi go to Ferreiros instead. It will be the same fare, and you will start just before the 100 km mark. It will save you 14 km compared to starting in Sarria, so you will not have a problem getting to Portomarin in three hours. It is virtually all road walking from Ferreiros.

 

[Camino3]

The last few kilometers into Portomarin are more open roads. Personally, I wouldn't walk that late all alone. Most pilgrims will already have finished for the day by the time you start walking, so less chances of being near one on the way. Quite different compared to walking early morning at dark when there are other pilgrims who are starting at the same time.

Also, keep in mind that the next morning is a 25-km day if you follow the typical stage towards Palas de Rei. If you need to have dinner and wash clothes in Portomarin, you will be heading to bed quite late.

You will also need to pace yourself consistently and not have very long breaks so you can arrive before sunset. Would recommend as well to start at the 100km mark instead of Sarria.

 

[David Tallan]

As a separate note, if I recall correctly there are several ways into Portomarin at the very end of the walk. Many people take the direct route, a steep and narrow rocky descent, I think before one reaches the bridge. Since my knees were very fragile in 2016, I took the left hand route, longer but more gradual along the road. If you are arriving after dark, you may want to consider the latter. Others who have taken the steeper descent can say whether or not it is likely to be treacherous in the dark.

 

[FLEUR]

I wouldn't consider that rocky route late in the day or after dark.

 

[Priscilla NC]

I concur with @David Tallan and @FLEUR. I understand that there is an alternative way other than that steep narrow rocky descent, but I missed the signs. I found that part the worst of all the CF. It was raining hard, which made it more slippery and difficult. I would not want to do that after dark. Or anytime, really!

And my prep for the CF was in rocky, steep mountains.

So my suggestion would be to really find out ahead of time where the way marks for the alternative route are so that you could avoid this.

 

[KellB]

Thank you all for your very helpful input. You all have made very good points, and I will take it all into consideration. I can’t recall how long it took me to walk that route, but I believe both times I did it was under 5 hours stopping for lunch. I certainly do not want to walk by myself in the dark. It was already a little scary to be in the woods during day light when no one was around. My worst nightmare would be getting lost in the middle of the night. I am deeply considering skipping this part and just meeting my sister in Portomarin. I won’t be getting a Compostela, but I already have two. I just thought getting a Compostela would give me a better sense of accomplishment, but if I can’t get it I will be ok.

 

[Camino3]

I believe that junction is this place in the map. I tried and failed to embed the picture so here is a link to the map and how it looks like when walking.

https://ibb.co/cqtRUp
https://ibb.co/kugD9p
https://ibb.co/mx29h9