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I've never liked the idea of going to SJPDP from the Spanish side as you usually end up taking a taxi or something from Pamplona, which seems anti-climactic (since you are going to walk these stages anyways in a few days). I flew into Biarritz last time, but next time I told myself I'd take the...
When I did it in 2017, it opened on April 3rd I think, the day I started walking. Even then we encountered snow near the top for 90 minutes or so. So it's hit or miss depending on the snow and the weather.
I live in Spain, and I have a bit of time off starting next week. My plan was to head up to Burgos and walk some of the meseta. I briefly went to booking.com, and it looks like there is literally no accommodation for the first few days available. It could be there is accommodation, and they...
I was going to say this exactly same thing.. I was walking about 5km/hr this day, so when I approached 3.5 hours I expected to see the town, but there was nothing.. It wasn't until I was right upon it, looking down into the depression, that I knew I was there.. but it was a bit disconcerting...
Thanks everyone. Appreciate the perspective. I’m not judging either way, Just curious. I like the idea of just showing up and finding accommodation, but considering I’m five years older now, the idea of sleeping in an extra hour because I know I don’t have a race to a bed is also appealing too :)
I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 2017. Other than a few days where I wanted to upgrade to a nice hotel as a treat, I mostly just found accommodation when I arrived. On easter weekend that didn't work out so well, but the rest of the time I always found somewhere to sleep.
I walked a bit of...
There is lots of good food on the camino, but if I had to make a generalization, for me the food seemed to get worse the further I walked. It was still good, and often great, but I had a lot more "meh" meals towards the end, especially in the smaller towns. I had one hamburger with fries that...
I was pretty excited to start the camino, and I think I set off a bit too hard and fast. That first climb really sapped my strength and when I got to Orisson, I was totally out of steam. I asked inside if they had any beds, and they said they actually did have one. They asked me if I wanted...
Day 2 & 3 were my hardest days. I was sore from the climb over the pyranees, and had developed a few painful blisters. I have a bad knee, and it started to give out on the descent towards Zubiri. Zubiri wasn't my original destination, but I literally had no choice but to stop because of my...
I walked the camino in 2017 during easter. The albergues and hotels were so full one day that there were about 30 of us pilgrims with nowhere to go. I literally called every adjoining town and all hotels, even five stars, were packed as well. Eventually they opened the gymnasium so all of us...
I've had nothing but problems with compeed and would never use it again. I think it's ok for some types of blisters, but not all. For example if I get one on the bottom, and put compeed on it, the blister just grows and spreads inside as the compeed soaks up fluid and gets larger. It just...
This isn't a camino specific post, but I just wanted to solicit advice. I completed the Camino Frances in 2017 from SJPDP and have done several other long distance hikes. No matter what shoes I seem to get, or what insoles, I almost always get bad blisters after day 2 or 3. I don't...
I actually took advantage of a travel and vaccination window to see my family in Canada in July and August! But yes, I'm hoping to do another stage or two soon! I'll update my thread when I do!
Hey everyone,
Next year I plan to walk the Camino Portugues from Porto, but it just so happens I'm heading to Lisbon in November for a 4 day weekend. I was just wondering what people think of the first few days of walking out of Lisbon? I was debating walking for a few days, but I know at...
My feet were a tad sore today, so I purposefully slept in and then walked to Viana. As such I saw a different group of pilgrims today, maybe 10 or so along the trail. When I got to viana I had lunch and probably saw another 8-10 trickle by on their way to Logroño or to lunch as well.
I am...
So today was Los Arcos. Pretty great day of walking. And actually met enough people to form a real group for some pilgrim drinks later. We stopped at a bar in Villamayor earlier in the day and the owner was shocked there was a group of pilgrims. He had no food, since he hadn’t had much business...
Today - Puente de Reina to Estella. A bit of drizzle, but mostly nice walking. Hard to gauge because it’s Sunday, but most cafes along the route were closed. Much different experience than when I walked in 2017, but of course that’s expected. But saw 4-5 pilgrims today, and lots of people on...
Thanks! That's one of the nice parts about actually living in Spain - I can just slowly tackle the caminos I want over time. I literally have three credencials going right now with stamps: The norte, the frances, and the levante. And if I get tired of walking, I can just head back to my place...
To escape the rain I came down to Pamplona to walk some of the Frances for a few days. Nice to actually meet some pilgrims on the trail again. Made it to Puente La Reina today and saw 4-5 pilgrims walking. Stopped for a coffee right before Alto De Perdón and the lady there said we were the...
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