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Hi,
I walked the variante last June, passing Rocaforte. It had been raining lately and the path was very muddy.
After falling ten times I managed to get to the other road near Liedena and walked along the carrtera to Izco. I advise to walk from Sanguesa to Lumbier, Izco, Monreal in case of...
Hi,
The Christmas lighting in Santiago is very sober. Just some items on the Obradoiro and quite a few lights on the Plaza Cervantes and another plaza nearby. De city of SDC spends only 27000 euros extra on X-mas lighting (the santiagosiete newspaper says) and does not want to waste energy like...
Hi Bart,
The albergues in Galicia are always open. If not, the pilgrims will be notified well ahead through the message boards in the albergues. However, do not expect much, just shelter, although some of them are fully operational: Sarria, Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzua, Pedrouzo...
The coments made by Sillydoll are right.
Whatever you do stay away from France: you cannot afford it. Take a bus from Madrid to Pamplona and a bus to Roncesvalles. This takes time but is cheap. There is only one bus per day from PAM (at 1800 hours on weekdays; earlier on Saturday; not on...
Somport can be reached from Jaca, but also from Pau in Southern France. Take a train or plane to Pau and take the regular bus whih leaves from the train station to Oloron St Marie or to Somport. From there you can reach Jaca in one day (its all down), then Arres, Artieda, Izco, Tiebas, Puente la...
The Camino Primitivo (from Oviedo to Lugo) is wonderful. But, do not walk alone in Winter because you will be on your own. Often the path is very far from housing so if you stumble ... No antennas so the phone does not work. Some refuges EXCELLENT (Penaseite, Cadavo Baleira, Polas de Allande...
I will be back on the camino in January. The weather can either be good or terrible. It will surely be cold in the morning. You just have to be lucky, and, like the other pilgrims already stated: not many services are open, so carry food and drinks in your backpack.
Yeah, walking in large groups is not advisable. You take on all the problems of anyone else. Walking alone or with one companion is the best. (Three is a crowd; it causes irritation; just try it out). I heard someone in a large group - taking a break - say: Is this a short or a long stop?
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