Advice for the VDLP

[Kym Michelle]

I'm considering the VDLP in 2018. Can anyone recommend a guidebook and any advice as a result of hindsight? Also, Seville or Granada as the start point - any preferences? Thx

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Gerald Kelly's guide does the job. But it is limited to starting in Sevilla.

If you want info starting in Granada, look for info about the Mozarabe, which joins VDLP in Merida.

 

[C clearly]

Welcome to the forum! It is hard to make recommendations when we don't know anything about you - pilgrim experience, fitness, interests, goals, available time, sociability, etc. If you tell us some of your interests/concerns, you'll get more useful answers.

I used the Gerald Kelly guide, along with a one-page listing of villages and some help from kml files on maps.me.

 

[handzondeck2]

Try this website www.godesalco.com or www.rutasasantiago.com to assist you in planning your stages.

Also if you carry a GPS try wikiloc maps https://www.wikiloc.com/ for routes.

 

[Caminata]

I finished the VDLP 6 weeks ago . Loved every step . I used the downloaded Gerald Kelly book on Kindle , so I did not have to carry a book . I also had an App you can download called Via de La Plata Premium . I think AUD$2.49 ....with both of these on my phone , I did not need anything else . But if you like to have a book , then the Gerald Kelly book is great .

 

[sharon w]

We started from Sevilla on 15th April, as we wanted to see the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. Both Granada and Sevilla are beautiful cities with much to see.
There are some amazing sights to see on the VdlP such as Roman ruins and thermal baths.

 

[StevethePlanner]

I and other pilgrims who used Gerald Kelly’s book thought it left a lot to be desired. A previous post mentioned Kennedy’s – haven’t heard of it – hopefully it’s good. If you read German, the German guidebook was great (especially compared to Kelly). I don’t mean to knock his book too much. If it weren’t for an English guidebook, I would not have been able to walk the VdlP.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I and other pilgrims who used Gerald Kelly’s book thought it left a lot to be desired. A previous post mentioned Kennedy’s – haven’t heard of it – hopefully it’s good. If you read German, the German guidebook was great (especially compared to Kelly). I don’t mean to knock his book too much. If it weren’t for an English guidebook, I would not have been able to walk the VdlP.

Ooops, used Kelly's and it had all I needed. Will go change Kennedyfor Kelly. My only recommendation would be scrapping or changing the maps, because as they are they really are not useful, but as they are also not needed...

 

[SYates]

I and other pilgrims who used Gerald Kelly’s book thought it left a lot to be desired. ... If you read German, the German guidebook was great (especially compared to Kelly). ....

Quite the opposite experience here, I found Gerald's guide far better (and far more up to date) than the German one (and yes, I do read German, it is my mother tongue).

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Old Gringo]

I did the VdlP in 2015 with a friend. Our blog might give you a flavor of the experience . . .

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ta-and-the-camino-sanabres.41690/#post-428141

 

[domigee]

I'm considering the VDLP in 2018. Can anyone recommend a guidebook and any advice as a result of hindsight? Also, Seville or Granada as the start point - any preferences? Thx

I used the Kelly guide but also the guidebook you can get in Sevilla from the 'amigos de la via de la plata' . That was very simple and did the job

 

[HenkSlb]

Quite the opposite experience here, I found Gerald's guide far better (and far more up to date) than the German one (and yes, I do read German, it is my mother tongue).

Buen Camino, SY

And then, of course, there is a pdf file with a description of the VdlP, made by S. Yates! Downloadable from this site. I used nothing on paper at all. The VdlP is not so hard to find--if you use the kml files with maps.me
Buen Camino!

 

[long trails]

If you are going solo and need company then I'd advise against it. I would put the Norte, Portuguese and the Frances way ahead of the VDLP.

This was from experience earlier in the year during the peak season. Very few other walkers, mainly retired men (who didn't speak any English but pretty much all snored) or couples.

Some people will have had different experiences. I appreciate that, but this was my take on it, and the best thing I did was to transfer to Portugal from Merida.

 

[SunFlower21]

I'm considering the VDLP in 2018. Can anyone recommend a guidebook and any advice as a result of hindsight? Also, Seville or Granada as the start point - any preferences? Thx

Hi! I am just wondering when you are planning to start your camino? I am thinking of starting the VdlP in march 2018 from Sevilla. I just bought me the german "Outdoor" guidebook for the VdlP. Hope it will work for me

 

[LesBrass]

Hello... I'm another VdlP fan. I guess it depends what you like... but I loved every step... even the ones I didn't like

This is my blog...
https://caminobrassblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/bordeaux-pizza-goodbyes/
https://caminobrassblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/bordeaux-pizza-goodbyes/

 

[sharon w]

Also suggest looking at the site: Gronze.com
It has good info for planning.

 

[long trails]

I made this simple guide to Seville last year with some useful stuff for the pilgrim.

http://longtrails.org/pilgrim-camino-seville/

Alas I did not get very far and ended up on the Portuguese. I have been a bit of a critic of the VDLP but everyone sees things differently and many loved it.

Had I met more pilgrims along the way I'd have stuck with it longer. I just never found the comradery that is all too present on other caminos.

That said, I think I will go back as it feels like unfinished business and Seville is always worth another visit or ten!

 

[C clearly]

I think I will go back as it feels like unfinished business and Seville is always worth another visit or ten!

I hope you do, but I would never try to talk someone into it! It is what it is - you might love it, you might still hate it, next time.

Just the other day I read your blog account. I walked a week or two ahead of you, and really enjoyed it. On many days I walked "with" others, on most days I met up with some of the dozen people who were within a day of me, and sometimes I was alone (especially in the part after the Sanabres turns off and I walked to Astorga). You had bad weather between Seville and Merida, which is a trial at any time, especially when other things are not going perfectly.

I liked the Merida to Salamanca portion best, so consider starting there.

 

[SunFlower21]

Thanks for all your information! I will go through them in the next weeks when I start with the preparation.
There is one thing which is making me worry a bit, it's the number of other pilgrims. I read different statements of other pilgrims when it comes to this point. Some of them were mostly alone and others refer to 10 - 15 pilgrims they have met.
I mean, the Frances was never an option to me because there are too many other pilgrims. I was first thinking about doing the Camino del Norte but then I read about the VdlP and I don't know, it really got me! I have no problem spending time alone but I would appreciate to be in good company now and then.

 

[sharon w]

We walked in April and there were plenty of pilgrims on VdlP( between 20 to 50). In fact, some albergues were completo. There were women walking alone, and some teamed up with others who spoke the same language. The weather was very good with little rain. I think if it had rained a lot it would be more difficult as there are many water crossings.

 

[long trails]

Yes it was very wet last March. Some of the worst mud I'd ever seen and this is after years of hiking in New Zealand!

I must have been a little early because Albergues were no where near full. There was one big place with just one other pilgrim.

Whenever I have walked the Frances it's been really fun. I just didn't find that on the Via, and to be honest the Portuguese wasn't anywhere as fun as the CF. Probably just me though, and I may see things differently next time as I'll have lower expectations.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

I walked in 2015, starting the end of March. In Sevilla it was already hot(32 Celsius) It sure was not a lonely experience, sometimes there was even a shortage of beds in Albergue. I walked alone most of the time but in the evenings there was always pleasant company. The last two years we had reunions with the "Caminofamily" that was formed spontaneously (10 persons from Germany. Belgium and the Netherlands) I liked the VdlP, for me it was my first camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

@sunflower,

I walked VDLP from Sevilla to Galisteo, starting April 1st. This was before and during Easter. The albergues were almost full, if not full at night, and on Easter long weekend numbers jumped up creating a problem in Galisteo, many having to taxi 40km to the next available bed.

So yes, you will most likely walk alone, and have nowhere and noone to share a cafe con leche with, but will meet up with the same cohort in the afternoon.

In terms of finding the “fun” or “social” aspect of the Camino, there’s the Frances, then the Portuguese, followed by the Norte and Primitivo equally and lastly VDLP. VDLP last because it has the least opportunities to catch up,with others duing the day in bars for a cafe con leche or tortilla. It’s a Camino for walkers.

But of course you may find someone you click with and walk well with, so that gives you company during the day, you will just start walking together and keep walking, not bumping into people at various watering holes.

Lovely afternoons with good food in many interesting cities, towns and villages.

If you don’t mind the heat, and welcome peace and quiet, I highly rcommend it.