• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Advanced search…

Search results for query: *

  1. G

    Zubiri hazardous path

    It was treacherous in 5 Jan 24 when we came through. Pouring rain and gushing water. Took 2 hours for 4 kms. The rocky trail iced up nicely in the cold. Baby steps but managed to get to Zubiri in one piece.
  2. G

    Weather in November on the Frances and the Portugues

    I started my 2017 Frances from SJPP on 13 Nov. No issues with albergues being open (and I’ve just got home from the Frances starting 3 January SJPP and no issues with albergues on that one either). Now the weather….who would know! We saw a lot more snow 2017 Nov/Dec than 2024 Jan/Feb. In 2017...
  3. G

    Pilgrim's office at SJPDP information - Christmas 2023 to New Years 2024

    I start from SJPP on 3 January. Given Pilgrim Office closed, I think I can get a Credential from Roncesvalles when I arrive there. Not having the SJPP stamp won't affect things.
  4. G

    A winter camino? Why not!

    I would do it again in winter at a heartbeat. 13 Nov - 17 Dec 2017. Weather obviously varies each year and probably worse later in the season but we had snow at Roncesvalles, Meseta and O'Cebriero. Weather generally magnificant - max 8 degrees C and coldest -8 degrees coming out of Burgos one...
  5. G

    Frances in 27 days?

    Good luck. 26 days is pushing pretty hard. I had 3 straight days of 35kms on the Meseta which is flat and my feet felt like mush by days end. You will be doing those sorts of kms on quite a few days to be finishing in 26 days. Once your feet harden up though it will be easier to do the long...
  6. G

    No albergues for 24 km on the first stage?

    Consider the Valcarlos route regardless of the time of year. I had to go that way because it was winter and Napoleon route was closed, but I think pilgrims need to consider it as a viable option all year round. It was really scenic, beautiful little towns and a great little Albergue in...
  7. G

    Planning my first Camino adventure - November?

    We flew from SdC to Piedmonte in Italy for Christmas. BTW the airport in Santiago is the best, most spacious airport terminal I’ve ever been to with virtually no people. Wait until you see it. Camino Portuguese next for me, March 2020. Buen Camino
  8. G

    Planning my first Camino adventure - November?

    G'day I left 13 Nov 2017 SJPP and finished 17 December SdC. 33 days of walking. Walked with a mate of mine from Sydney, and families then joined us for Christmas. One of the best experiences of my life, and you will have a ball. Wasn't too cold for Aussies (10 degrees C most days - coldest...
  9. G

    Christmas Camino?

    I finished in SdC 21 December 2017. Last 100kms (say from Sarria) no problems with Albergues being open, about 10-15 people each night. Temps say 2-10 degrees each day, and I got lucky with little rain or mud. More cafes seemed to be closed last 100kms than other parts of CF from SJPP. But...
  10. G

    SJPDP to Roncesvalles. Stop in Valcarlos? Or go the Napoleon Route?

    I went Valcarlos route because it was winter and Napoleon route was closed. SJPP to Valcarlos was a 4 hour or so walk and was very nice along country roads mostly. Bit hilly in places but not too bad. Great albergue in Valcarlos, down the stairs behind the square, and good bar / shop for food...
  11. G

    Extra day off

    I enjoyed the Meseta. You arrive there with the body feeling a whole lot better than those first few days. The Meseta is flat, and you can zone out for long periods - it provided thinking time and just had a different feeling to the days prior (I can’t quite put my finger on it but the long...
  12. G

    Kilometers walked at the beginning and towards the end

    I thought the first days SJPP to Valcarlos, and then to Roncesvalles, only 14kms each day, were two of the hardest days of my life. But on the 2nd last day into Santiago, we did 35kms easily. It took 3 weeks for my feet to harden up, and for my body generally to get past the initial aches and...
  13. G

    Brierley Guide ????

    I had a ceremonial burning of the Brierley Guide upon my return home. I carried it all the way across Spain and didn't use it, not even once. Yellow signs, Gronze.com, Booking.com and Buen Camino App served me well. Would never carry a book again. Too much weight for too little value.
  14. G

    Autumn on the Meseta

    Before I left Australia a few people said “don’t bother with the Meseta, it’s boring - catch the bus”. By the time I got there, I was suffering blistered heels and needed to do some long days (35kms) because I was under time pressure to catch the flight out of SdC, and wanted to make up some...
  15. G

    Autumn on the Meseta

    In typical Spanish and Camino fashion regarding distances, I looked at 3 sites; first says 51kms Sahagun to Leon; the next 55kms; and the road distance 62kms from the 3rd. Whichever one is right doesn't matter that much, its a long way in a single day. Good effort LT!
  16. G

    Day has finally arrived

    Hello All Its almost 12 months to the day since I posted this initial thread. A quick reflection. Firstly a Winter Camino was fantastic. Enjoyed every minute of it, even when some of those minutes were wet, snowy, muddy or cold (we actually had pretty good weather). Felt a great sense of...
  17. G

    Christmas/winter Camino 2019

    Re cafes. For us, there were only 10-15 other pilgrims with us for most of the way (at least until after Sarria). If breakfast was available, we ate it. But generally the pattern seemed to be to wake up, pack up, get going, put 2 hours or about 10kms under the belt and then find a stop about...
  18. G

    Christmas/winter Camino 2019

    Hi Gum Fellow Aussie here. Yes we are clueless about winter! I did CF last year about 4 weeks ahead of your schedule. Left 13 Nov and finished 17 Dec. SJPP to SdC. Every year will be different but my experience was; 1. I started with Merrill hiking boots, and ditched them in Leon for...
  19. G

    Camino Francés in October-November

    You will get a list of available Albergues in SJPP at the Pilgrims Office. Also use Gronze.com. No worries that time of year. I walked Nov and Dec last year and never had an issue. Everyone on the Camino seemed to know which ones were open ahead, and pilgrims generally discussed the next...
  20. G

    60th birthday on Camino where to stay

    My walking buddy from Sydney had his 60th birthday 11 Dec 2017 in O’Cebriero. Some of the “Camino family” who started with us in SJPP made sure they were there, so there was about 10 of us. Was driving with snow outside, freezing cold, and we sat in front of the fire having a few reds well into...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Latest posts

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top