Advice Via de la Plata Salamanca to Astorga

[Rob Hooks]

I’m planning my 3rd Camino having done the Frances and Portugues. I’m now considering doing the V de la Plata from Salamanca to Astorga in September 2023 and then Astorga to SdC in 2024 because I love that section of the CF. I was just wondering if you have walked that section from Salamanca and if it’s worth doing?

 

[m108]

I was just wondering if you have walked that section from Salamanca and if it’s worth doing?

Salamanca - Astorga twice. And I will definitely go again. So - it's really worth it for me. CF is too crowded for me, and the Camino de Madrid is beautiful, but there is still a little less pilgrimage infrastructure than on the VdlP. From the part where the Camino splits into Sanabres and towards Astorga, the path to Astorga is a real opportunity for a meditative walk - beautiful nature, meeting another pilgrim would be a miracle , the locals are extremely friendly and happy for pilgrims. The only thing that "concerns" me in your question: you say that you really like the part from Astorga to SdC. Salamanca - Astorga is VERY different. Few people and Meseta (unlike Galicia). Everything is calmer, the atmosphere of local life prevails and not the atmosphere of mass pilgrimage.