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Given the dicey state of the Spanish government's finances expect many stops and starts ala the AVE to Santiago de Compostela and the one to Lisbon . . .
I've done both the CF and the VdlP and Sanabres. The later is notably harder. I did a blog about that outlined the difficulties (among other things)-
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/
Did it in September/October a couple years ago. You may find our blog helpful . . .
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/
I've never heard of it being full . . . but despite being called "express" it takes the whole damn day to get to Madrid, stopping five or six times, E39 airfare sounds like the way to go.
Did this Camino a two years ago at the same time of year. You might find our blog helpful . . .
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ta-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
This is olur blog for VdlP from a few years ago-
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
Did the Frances in March. Mud, rain and snow made me glad I had boots.
If you have low cuts, get gaiters as even in dry weather pebbles will end up in low cuts and make you miserable.
Fit is important. My observation was that foot problems were the number one problem that knocked people off...
It has several names, the one I've heard most commonly is Bersa Gallego . .I'm told it is related to cabbage and is used in Sopa Gallego . . . also one of my favorites on a cold night . .
We did the VdlP about the same time of year as you are planning. You may find our blog helpful-
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
Hi
This is our blog from waking it 2015, You might find it helpful.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
I did the VdlP in 2015 with a friend. Our blog might give you a flavor of the experience . . .
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
If you want a flavor for the VDLP and Sanabres you can check out our blog from two years ago-
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
I did the VdlP in 2015 with a friend. Except for some minor inconvieneces, we had a cracking good time. Our blog.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
BTW
This was the only aggressive dog we encountered-
Alright. I’ll throw in my five cents.
I’ve done two Caminos, VdlP and Frances.
The number one issue I observed, by far, that caused people to drop out of the Caminos were foot problems.
After about five miles your feet will start to swell. How much depends on the person so you’ll want to...
You may find this helpful. The blog has the stages and accommodations we used on the Sanabres in 2015.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-de-la-plata-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141
Without a doubt, I would pack rain gear, coat and pants. There is a fair possibility of getting a storm off the Atlantic. In that case the rain would be heavy.
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