WestKirsty
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Next up: Viejo/Olvidado
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Hi! I'm not sure where to post this but would really appreciate any ideas from experienced Camino walkers. I am a Canadian living in Spain and, due to Covid, will probably not be flying home for Christmas this year but staying in Spain instead. I've already walked the Norte, Primitivo, Finisterre/Muxia and San Salvador and miss the walking! So, if I am here over the holidays, I figure why not try a winter Camino
As I've been to Santiago a few times, I don't need to go again. I'd like to be able to pre-book accommodation so am thinking that the Frances might be the best option but not sure which section would be best for a week of walking? I live in Bilbao so have easy access to Pamplona, Lorgrono, Burgos and Leon so figure choosing from those places to start and end might work well.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which section of the Frances would be good for a week of winter walking? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Thiking of possible snow? And lots of places that will be closed, especially on the Meseta where it seems to be difficult to find a bed even in non Covid times in winter.
I 'm suggesting a leisurely walk on the Camino Ingles ? Five or six days.
Or starting in Pamplona on the Frances to Logroño or Belorado?
Whatever you decide ; happy planning.
Thiking of possible snow? And lots of places that will be closed, especially on the Meseta where it seems to be difficult to find a bed even in non Covid times in winter.
I 'm suggesting a leisurely walk on the Camino Ingles ? Five or six days.
Or starting in Pamplona on the Frances to Logroño or Belorado?
Whatever you decide ; happy planning.
Was wondering if a good tent etc. might make the Meseta magical? Taking all appropriate considerations of course, especially weather.
Buen Camino
Samarkand.
Thanks for the ideas! I hadn't thought of doing the Ingles. I'll definitely look into that
I have tagged your thread with "winter". If you click on that tag, you will find many threads that might help you make your decision.
I have walked the Camino Frances, arriving in Santiago at the start of December, and would happily consider a winter Camino!
For winter walking I'd suggest starting no further east than Pamplona. The snow between SJPDP and Pamplona gets to be a limiting factor and keeps you on the roads more often than not. I am very partial to the stretch from Pamplona to Logroño and you may make it to Santo Domingo del Calzada (or better yet, Granon) with the time you have. This is as long as the snow on Alto del Perdon isn't too bad. If so, take a bus to Puenta la Reina and start there. I'd personally skip the Meseta that time of the year if I only had limited time to walk. The mud I've encountered there has been very unpleasant and when you get driving snow storms across the plains, you might as well be back in SaskatchewanHave fun, wish I could be there too but I guess the snow is always whiter on the other side of the Atlantic...!
Good bet and terrifically envious of you WestKirsty.Thanks very much! Based on all the comments here I am leaning towards Pamplona to Santo Domingo del Calzada and then maybe a days walk north on the Vasco del Interior to Haro (has been on my list of places to go for ages). Of course, all weather dependent and yes, I'll look up bus options along the route in case things turn. I grew up on the prairies so feel I don't need to experience more winter weather than necessary
Hi Kirsty, have you considered doing a section on one of the more southern routes? The Camino Mozarabe or Camino Levante might be worth looking into, for example.Hi! I'm not sure where to post this but would really appreciate any ideas from experienced Camino walkers. I am a Canadian living in Spain and, due to Covid, will probably not be flying home for Christmas this year but staying in Spain instead. I've already walked the Norte, Primitivo, Finisterre/Muxia and San Salvador and miss the walking! So, if I am here over the holidays, I figure why not try a winter Camino
As I've been to Santiago a few times, I don't need to go again. I'd like to be able to pre-book accommodation so am thinking that the Frances might be the best option but not sure which section would be best for a week of walking? I live in Bilbao so have easy access to Pamplona, Lorgrono, Burgos and Leon so figure choosing from those places to start and end might work well.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which section of the Frances would be good for a week of winter walking? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
It is a beautiful walk, but you are coming to some serious altitude at some stages, there could be a few fairly cold stages North of Granada (I live in Granada myself).From Almería to Granada. It was beautiful ! Just 1 week and hilly
A given the weather will be much warmer but curious if you think accommodation would be readily available over the Christmas period? How about bars/restaurants/tiendas? My Spanish is very limited so find myself hesitant to go on the lesser travelled routes with less established support for fear of not being able to communicate with locals...I did Pamplona to Santo Domingo in winter and it was lovely. But, the Via de la Plata, or Mozarabic from Malaga or Almeria would be my first choices as the weather in the south is so pleasant, and they're beautiful caminos. If you chose to walk from Almeria, the association there is incredibly helpful and welcoming which makes that one even more enjoyable.
A given the weather will be much warmer but curious if you think accommodation would be readily available over the Christmas period? How about bars/restaurants/tiendas? My Spanish is very limited so find myself hesitant to go on the lesser travelled routes with less established support for fear of not being able to communicate with locals...
It being winter, I would suggest a Camino in Southern Spain, where weather should be more benigne and the landscape should be fairly green. And where chances of snow are remarkably smaller.
Given that premise, I can think of Via Serrana, that goes from Gibraltar to Seville, where it joins Via de la Plata after crossing the Ronda area and a couple of Natural Parks (Alcornocales and Grazalema).
Also the Malaga branch of Mozarabe, to Cordoba via Antequera and the valley of might Guadalquivir river springs to mind.
This said, mobility is more and more restricted by the week, I am not sure you will find open places to stay over the Christmas season in any of the caminos, beware!
I did Pamplona to Santo Domingo in winter and it was lovely. But, the Via de la Plata, or Mozarabic from Malaga or Almeria would be my first choices as the weather in the south is so pleasant, and they're beautiful caminos. If you chose to walk from Almeria, the association there is incredibly helpful and welcoming which makes that one even more enjoyable.
Pamplona to Burgos would be my suggestion - Puente La Reina, Estella, Sansol, Logroño, Najera, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Belorado, Ages and Burgos.. It was my first ever Camino walk and I have a huge desire to do it again - with my village neighbours or even better with my wife´s grandchildren although the small detail that all 3 live in Australia complicates matters. If you don't mind getting to Santiago again then Tuy to Santiago is a great 5/6 day walk.Hi! I'm not sure where to post this but would really appreciate any ideas from experienced Camino walkers. I am a Canadian living in Spain and, due to Covid, will probably not be flying home for Christmas this year but staying in Spain instead. I've already walked the Norte, Primitivo, Finisterre/Muxia and San Salvador and miss the walking! So, if I am here over the holidays, I figure why not try a winter Camino
As I've been to Santiago a few times, I don't need to go again. I'd like to be able to pre-book accommodation so am thinking that the Frances might be the best option but not sure which section would be best for a week of walking? I live in Bilbao so have easy access to Pamplona, Lorgrono, Burgos and Leon so figure choosing from those places to start and end might work well.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which section of the Frances would be good for a week of winter walking? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
I would be wary of sleeping out in dec. because of weather . Also carting that extra weight . An albergue would be much more comfortable , no crowds and easy conversationWas wondering if a good tent etc. might make the Meseta magical? Taking all appropriate considerations of course, especially weather.
Buen Camino
Samarkand.
Hi! I'm not sure where to post this but would really appreciate any ideas from experienced Camino walkers. I am a Canadian living in Spain and, due to Covid, will probably not be flying home for Christmas this year but staying in Spain instead. I've already walked the Norte, Primitivo, Finisterre/Muxia and San Salvador and miss the walking! So, if I am here over the holidays, I figure why not try a winter Camino
As I've been to Santiago a few times, I don't need to go again. I'd like to be able to pre-book accommodation so am thinking that the Frances might be the best option but not sure which section would be best for a week of walking? I live in Bilbao so have easy access to Pamplona, Lorgrono, Burgos and Leon so figure choosing from those places to start and end might work well.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which section of the Frances would be good for a week of winter walking? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Siena to Rome ?
Hi Westkirsty
Best of luck on ithe walk.
I would be interested to see what you learn as I am looking at doing this also probably in November and trying to assess the possibility of it with Covid.
If you could share any insights that would be great. I can share also.
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