- Time of past OR future Camino
- June 2023
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) |
---|
Two caminos in Spain that fit your bill in terms of length and, at least in my recollection, don't have much paving comparatively, are the Camino de Madrid and the Camino Primitivo.
I'm interested in the Nascente and Wise Pilgrim appears to be working on a route guidebook but the app says "coming soon". Is there another guide off the top of your head?Most caminos are a combination of several different types of surfaces, including unpaved, paved, gravel, cobblestones etc. It would be hard to find a path of 200 miles / 320km (consecutive) that is entirely unpaved or even where the vast majority is unpaved.
The most popular caminos, such as the Francés and Portugués, have the most facilities and are recommended for first-time pilgrims, but with this often comes more paved walking. The more remote caminos have more unpaved roads but also have less facilities (by which I mean: fewer accommodation options, fewer eating options, fewer way-marking signs etc).
Off the top of my head, the camino with the least paving that I can remember (except for one day in particular) was the Caminho Nascente in eastern Portugal. This is also my favourite camino for what it's worth, but it's quite remote in parts and the practical aspects can be difficult, especially if you don't speak Portuguese, so I wouldn't recommend it as your first walk.
Two caminos in Spain that fit your bill in terms of length and, at least in my recollection, don't have much paving comparatively, are the Camino de Madrid and the Camino Primitivo. A lot of the Madrid takes place in sandy pine forests and then on dirt roads on the Meseta, while the Primitivo goes through plenty of forests in Asturias and Galicia.
The @wisepilgrim app should work, I have it on iPhone. Just be aware that it's a community app, which means that it's free but that it hasn't gone through Wise Pilgrim's usual editorial procedures. I wrote the content for the app.I'm interested in the Nascente and Wise Pilgrim appears to be working on a route guidebook but the app says "coming soon". Is there another guide off the top of your head?
That's very helpful!The @wisepilgrim app should work, I have it on iPhone. Just be aware that it's a community app, which means that it's free but that it hasn't gone through Wise Pilgrim's usual editorial procedures. I wrote the content for the app.
There is also a free official guidebook for download here: https://www.caminhosdesantiagoalentejoribatejo.pt/en/
To make a long story short, the official guide begins on Day 4 (from Alcoutim) because the first three days take place in a different government region of Portugal. But the long unpaved sections begin in Alcoutim anyway. The one day with a lot of paving after this (15km straight on a road) is between Viana do Alentejo and Évora.
I agree. The Camino routes are not wilderness paths. There may be greater or lesser amounts of pavement on the various routes, but people go into cities and villages along the way to find food and shelter.You might cumulatively find 200 unpaved miles on a Spanish Camino but not continuously. All the Camino routes I have walked include paved sections to a greater or lesser degree. They are paths which connect many towns and villages rather than wilderness trails.
Hi again Alex and speaking about the VDLP. I was going to give the same advice so I second your motion!The Via de la Plata is the Camino with most unpaved surface. Start in Merida IMHO.
That's very helpful!
Looks like a wonderful route. I'm looking at Rota Vicentina and Caminho Nascente but interested in VDLP for the future.Hi again Alex and speaking about the VDLP. I was going to give the same advice so I second your motion!
It is a wonderful route but as many of us who have walked it will tell you, much of the route is not a celebration of nature and beauty. It has some very long stages often with little more than rows and rows of olive trees. Some would call it monotonous, others like myself love the solitude and usually silence (lots of times you will hear farm equipment). It is a camino that needs some level of planning. If you have never done long distance walking or caminos you may have some difficulty but of course it is definitely doable. There are lots of us to help here on the forum. Remember in November (I have walked in November on the VDLP) do not expect meeting many people, precious few. Also knowing some Spanish will be a big plus. This is not a camino that is an economic boost to the local populations. The people are wonderful and kind but they do not "cater" to pilgrims and outside of a few albergue owners and hospitalarios I can count on one hand the number of locals that spoke Spanish. If you know some Spanish the people really appreciate it. If you do not and respect that they don't speak English and you use google translate I am sure they will be helpful too.Looks like a wonderful route. I'm looking at Rota Vicentina and Caminho Nascente but interested in VDLP for the future.
I hope the number of Spanish-speaking locals will improve...The people are wonderful and kind but they do not "cater" to pilgrims and outside of a few albergue owners and hospitalarios I can count on one hand the number of locals that spoke Spanish.
It’s on my list and I have the guidebook and maps but it could be a lot to take on in November.The C to C in England has virtually no road walk.
Great walk, but likely to be wet, cold and windy in November. Fantastic variety of scenery and supported by hostels, Bunk barns and B&B's.It’s on my list and I have the guidebook and maps but it could be a lot to take on in November.
I'm looking at Rota Vicentina and Caminho Nascente
If you’re looking for unpaved than a GR (grand randonnee) in France or Spain can be a good option. They intersect sometimes with the Camino but are more dedicated long distance hiking routes. They often pass close to towns so you can get services if needed.Friends
This is my first post. I am looking for 200 miles of unpaved camino to walk in November.
I haven't walked in Spain or Portugal, however, Spain and Portugal seem to be best suited, given the time of year.
I'm sure that I can find some help here! I have enjoyed the forum!
Cordially
Herman (Chuck) Watson
Hoping to walk GR 65 from Lausanne or Geneva or GR 5 Voges Jura section, soon.If you’re looking for unpaved than a GR (grand randonnee) in France or Spain can be a good option. They intersect sometimes with the Camino but are more dedicated long distance hiking routes. They often pass close to towns so you can get services if needed.
My travel companion is a ten year old German Shepherd and he drags his back feet occasionally when he’s done in. It’s simply easier for him to walk on unpaved trails. We recently walked the Gallatin Crest from Yellowstone National Park north, spending several days above tree line.Why the pavement allergy?
If you don't want pavement of any kind, there are other routes in other countries which can satisfy you.
PCT in USA, Pennine Way in UK, Bibbulman track in Oz ...
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?