Kcorbharas
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Future: Sept 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) |
---|
There will be lots of people walking in September so you will meet others traveling alone or in small groups. On the CF you will likely be in sight of other pilgrims most days, especially in the beginning.. Albergues are safe havens for any pilgrim.
This is so great! Thank you!!I have always walked alone and have not felt uneasy on the trail. Of course, take the usual precautions that you would anywhere and be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close.
"Camino families" are readily made and familiar faces will weave in and out of your walk. That is one of the delightful things about the Camino - the close connections that you can form with others. Make sure you have a Whatsapp account in order to connect and reconnect with kindred spirits and your "family" along the way.
There is a Fcbk group you may be interested in, to network with other women planning their walks.
CAMIGAS ~ A Buddy System for Women on the Camino
Good to know! Thank you!Yes, I agree you should keep your valuables with you at all times. You should also download the Alert Cops App to your phone. @MinaKamina is right and there have been occasional crimes against pilgrims although not often. If you feel unsafe somewhere, seek the company of other pilgrim groups or alert the hospitalera at the albergue or call the police using the app.
Although I am male I traveled solo on the Primitivo. I was fortunate to start making my Camino family at the Madrid Airport with a Polish guy and it only grew from there. I did walk alone some times and met up with them at the end of the day. My advice to you is to trust your gut, and keep you head on a swivel. Decide what is your hard stop is ( I mean what you WILL NEVER do). One day I woke up really early on started walking in the dark AND it was snowing. As I was walking along the road your "stereotypical" van slowly came upon me and stopped...with the motor running. I kept walking and I got off the road to walk down a trail to avoid the van. when I got back up on the road the van was ahead of me just idiling its engine. I wasn;t about to go near it. I turned around and began walking back where I came from. The van left. But my point is my hard stop is I will never let me take me away in a car van etc. and even though it probably was fine I trusted my gut not to go near that van. Just use common sense.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Relax, young woman with a difficult nickHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
No problems at all lots solo ladies doing Camino's from all over world although I'm a man have done 18 Camino's Camino's over years and going again this May and June women tend to join up very easily but do not worry you'll be fine all will work out ok Buen Camino enjoy what willbe a blast you'll never forget.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Thank you so muchNo problems at all lots solo ladies doing Camino's from all over world although I'm a man have done 18 Camino's Camino's over years and going again this May and June women tend to join up very easily but do not worry you'll be fine all will work out ok Buen Camino enjoy what willbe a blast you'll never forget.
I’m male and a nomadic traveller. I have been commenting to lots of people about how many single solo female travellers there are pretty much everywhere nowadays (with the odd exception). Many very young and older folks too. Especially noticeable in Europe, South America and SE Asia. I actually think there are more female single solo travellers than male, but it is an observation and I have no figures to back that up. Was talking to two Dutch girls, about 22 years old, on an 8 hour boat trip yesterday who I assumed were close friends but who had only met in a hostel a few days back. They talked about parents being worried but stated how safe and easy it has been.Thank you so much
But I not naive and nothing more annoying than men saying nothing to worry about! Of course there is probably not a female alive who has not been leered at, had inappropriate comments, and I know the extra precautions all females have to take are a constant source of shame for all ‘right thinking’ males but in 99.99% of cases all will be good
Very much appreciate you acknowledging this! The mental checklist I (and frankly, all women) go through when assessing our safety is quite the flowchart.
I walked my first Camino September 21 at 40 years older than you. I walked solo and never felt unsafe. I walked at a slow pace mainly on my own. I started at first light sometimes with other people but often slowed down as they were walking to fast for me. I did often meet up with people on the road and walked with them for a while. Although sometimes I couldn't see people Infront of behind me whenever I stopped to take a photo or have a drink someone always caught up with me. Enjoy your Camino as others have said be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables with you at all times.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Albergues are safe havens for any pilgrim.
Given the appearently contradictory advices, use your common sense and find a middle ground.Albergues aren't safe, safe, safe per se. All usual cautions apply. Keep your valuables on you, don't leave your phone while it is charging and there may be the occasional creepy person among the lovely pilgrims in albergues too.
My wife was a solo hiking, until we met on the Camino. LolHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
How wonderful to be doing this at your age. As a solo woman in her 70’s I walked the “ while” Camino Frances in 2021 and I will walk the Portuguese Camino soon. Mid September to October there were plenty of pilgrims around. I did have long stretches of walking alone which were some of the most moving and significant times of my walk. The paths in Galicia are magical when one is alone. I slept in albergues both municipal and private. I’m a bit deaf so that and judicious use of earplugs meant I always got a good night’s sleep. I was never afraid on the Camino even when I got lost. Other pilgrims were … helpful, charming, sexy, charismatic, boring, kooky, annoying, enchanting, tiresome …. Just like in “ real life” . My only advice, don’t “ hook up even in a friendly way too quickly or in a way that doesn’t give you an out. As a young woman you are probably worried about sexual harassment. As an old one I was more concerned with being a ‘ mark’ for theft. Never heard complaints of either as I walked. That said take normal precautions and trust your instincts.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I walked alone as a single female in September’21. I met a great trail family …some at cafes and some walking. I was completely alone only when I chose to be. I actually stayed in hotels but most of my trail family stayed in albergues. I think it will be much easier meeting people in albergues. I never felt unsafe. I will be walking again this fall. Maybe we will meet! Good Luck and Buen CaminoHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
....left me feeling very positive about other people, who are invariably kind if asked for help.
absolutely felt safe. I think the Camino is best done solo so you can go inward, reflect, and process. I can't wait to do another oneHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I belong to a Facebook group called Camigas. It was formed after a female pilgrim was lured off trail in 2015. Two women I walked with in 2015 met there and walked the entire Camino together. I walked “alone” after the friends I arrived with determined they weren’t enjoying themselves and went home from Pamplona. I met and walked with the most wonderful and remarkable people who are now like family. I have no doubt you will have the journey you desire.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
A little research on the difference between a albergue and a hostel is in order. An albergue welcomes pilgrims: one night stay, early lights out in the evening, limited access in the evening, very early mandatory checkout in the morning. An hostel is open to just about anyone with very little limited access and allows multiple nights stay. To make it simple, I never saw a padlock on a locker or a need for one in an albergue. In a hostel, I wondered if a padlock was enough.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Traveled alone mostly, occasionally someone else happened to appear at the same hostel and become a dinner companion. Felt "uneasy" a time or two, no genuine threat. Actually needed the time to simply "be", ruminate, enjoy the scenery, etc.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I'm walking my 3rd stage of the Francés right now, alone. I walked the other 2 bits alone also (June 2021 and October 2022). Even now which is low season there are people around. I have always felt quite safe but do keep my wits about me, like if I'm walking in a forest I don't wear headphones for example. If you walk in Sept there will be always people around, and you always end up with a group because everyone is walking the same way and many walk similar stages. It's really fun! I had a great group in October, I like to walk alone during the day but we always met up at the hostels at the end of the day and drank and cooked together. It really is a wonderful experience doing the camino (that's why I came back now in February to do my last 100km!), one of the best in my life.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
There are so many people walking the Francés at any given time. You will be very safe. The only suggestion I would make is to find a small front facing pack that you wear under your main pack. This would be big enough to hold your passport, wallet, phone and any other valuables you may have. This can stay with you at all times whether on a bathroom break at a cafe, or in your bed with you at night. Have a wonderful camino...they are
I’ve walked many different Camino routes alone, even the sparsely populated ones, and was fine, never any issues. There is a Facebook group called “Camigas” you might want to join. The members are all women and your questions, among many others, are addressed often. Things can and do happen on the Camino just as they do everywhere, but the overall sense is the Camino is generally quite safe. The advice from others in this thread is spot on. Never let your valuables (passport, money, etc.) out of your sight and always heed your intuition, just as you would anywhere.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
HelloHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
There is a female Pilgrims FB page and it is a wonderful source of information as we do have some questions and concerns that men would not.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
You will find a great many solo married and single women of all ages walking virtually every Camino. Some walk solo because, like you, they can’t find a buddy for the time they are walking. But many others like me walk solo because that is their preference.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Be also aware of the occasional male pilgrim "specializing" in seeking romantic adventures. Usually, they are harmless, but like the "families," they may take up a significant portion of your personal Camino experience if you become too involved.
Well done. This sort of awareness and intervention may seem second nature to you and many others but it’s really important in my view. Some do it naturally, some have to ‘learn’ it, but I don’t think the benefits can be overstated.I've done the camino both ways--first time sola and second time with spouse. With spouse, we were more closed-off, less approachable. Our paces (and moods) were different, so it required constant adjustment. That was good, but going by myself was definitely the best--it left me more open to the camino experience and friendships and I could make all my decisions based solely on how I felt. It's an immense freedom and very empowering,especially if you're not used to it. I never felt unsafe, although a few times I paid attention to my gut to avoid a potentially bad situation. One was where a local guy was hanging around a bar, fixated on my female pilgrim friend. Rather than leave her alone, I stayed with her until she was done with her coffee and then we left together and made sure he wasn't following. Another time, there was a guy ahead who seemed to be adjusting his pace so that I would catch up in a remote area. When I slowed my pace, he slowed his. I knew three Irish pilgrims were not far behind me, so I just took a break until they caught up. I don't know if either of those situations would have turned out badly, but for me paying attention to my personal radar was the right decision. Trust yourself, and Buen Camino!
I’m a solo female traveler, and have walked the French Camino twice now - once in 2019, and again in 2022. The second time, I continued on past Santiago to Finisterre and Muxía. I would say that never once did I feel unsafe on the Camino, and that includes all the times I was up early, walking in the dark. I stayed in albergues predominantly, with an occasional private room thrown in here or there. I would say you run more of a chance having too many friends on the Camino, than not enough. If you are able, I’d suggest staying at Orisson after leaving SJPDP, rather than walking on to Roncesvalles. It is an incredible experience, and you’ll meet, on your first day of walking, people that you will run into the remainder of the trip. I found many other solo female travelers as I walked, and have completed the Camino twice now with friends who I am still in touch with today. In fact, I’m planning on walking the Primitivo in September with one of the people I met this last trip!Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
HelloHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I walked solo in 2017. I had no issue with safety; there were times I was walking alone but never felt unsafe. I even got lost once but found my way back no problem. I met many people and ended up walking bits of the Camino with them. I am still in touch some to this day. I didn't walk later than 4 pm; and only once did I depart in the dark. Basically take normal precautions. One friend I met did have a flasher approach/harass her, he was on a bike; she kept walking and ignored him but called she police when she got to a safe spot - kiosk on the path. In hind sight she said she should have poked her walking pole in his spokes and then hit him with it - not sure that would have been a good idea or not. Just use common safety practices. A walking stick(s) are good defense also for stray dogs etc.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
HiHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Did the Norte alone and loved it. You meet fun people and walk alone at times which I liked. I stayed in albergues and the experience was good. However, personally I don't like the Frances because it is boring and crowded, but most people like it.Buen CaminoHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I have had a few Camino Frances treks and feel any solo walker can remain solo or casual join a group at their leisure. It is pretty easy to join a group, go out to eat from an albergue , stop for cafe Con leche on the trail and sit by a friendly face. If you start at SJPP stay at an albergue that offers a pilgrim meal and you will be introduced to a dozen or more people who you will see daily and speak to them if you wish. Most Pilgrims are just like youHello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Yes definately don’t think ‘old is safe’ with all due respect to older folks. Been doing a lot of backpacking over last few years often surrounded by people half my age (actually a third of my age) and one of the best things I have seen (alongside the number of young women travelling alone) is the often impeccable attitude of many young men towards women (as it should be of course, and shouldn’t be worthy of comment but I guess it is) and ease at which they form groups without any agendas. I have seen this on Camino too for that matter.I am a 67 yo woman who has walked the Camino twice with a partner. Each time we met other men and women walking alone or together and shared time—sometimes days—together on the trail.
We watched out for one another, and at the end of the day watched and wondered where others were. It would be good if someone you meet knows your destination to be able to watch out for you. Even if you don’t have trouble with another person, sprains and other issues sometimes delay us, and it’s nice for someone to know you’re “out there.”
We’ve seamlessly added another woman with us who was trying to stay clear of a man who seemed overly interested. When he thought she was with us, he moved on. A couple hours later she felt comfortable and did so, as well. Pilgrims are good at taking care of one another.
I was not well one day and my partner secured a ride with a sweet mid 70’s gentleman who offered a ride to our destination for a minimal cost. When we arrived there, he seemed to think he was entitled to more of us than we were interested in sharing but with some maneuvers we were able to slip away and he finally left.
But as a gentleman mentioned previously, stay away from rides (other than “real” taxi’s, if needed), and don’t assume “old” is safe!
You’ll have a great time.
Buen Camino!
I walked a couple years ago, late 30s by myself. From SJPDP through Santiago to Fisterra and Muxia. I never actually felt unsafe. I had a few early dark mornings that I was high on guard, esp if leaving very early through a bigger city, but never had an actual issue. I walked very few kms with anyone, by choice. With comrades you should be in a place you feel even safer.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
I went alone 22 years ago and will do so again this spring. I also have lived in Spain some years and some summers, unrelated to the Camino, and have always experienced it as blessedly safe. There are pickpockets on the subways, for which you just take the usual precautions, but violent crime is VERY rare, and there are no guns, so you don't have to worry about getting shot anywhere. I had no problems on the Camino. The only time I was remotely uncomfortable was this one day I was walking kind of up a hill along a country road, and there was this older man walking toward me (downhill) and he just seemed to be looking at me a little too much. As I passed him, I kept an eye on him by turning around to look back quite a bit, and he STILL seemed to be paying just too much attention to me, kept looking at me. Then I came face to face with the biggest cow I've ever seen, and behind that one, there were a couple dozen other cows. They'd just come over the hill and around a bend (so I hadn't seen them ahead). He was leading his cows back to his field and was probably just worried they would startle me, or concerned to keep them out of my way or something. There hadn't been any danger, even though something felt "off" about it to me at first.Hello all!
I am a 28 yo American female planning to walk the Camino Frances SOLO in September. I’ll be staying in communal dorms the entire time.
I am walking alone, bc I don’t know anyone interested in joining me, but I really want to make friends on this trip.
I am curious to know about other solo female pilgrim experiences. (Esp. If you stayed in dorms)
Did you feel safe the entire time? How often were you completely alone on the trail? Did you create a “trail family”?
Any bit of insight is welcome!
And if you weren’t a female solo traveler feel free to comment your own observations!
Buen Camino! I’m so excited!
Thanks, BarbaraW.One of the advantages of being an elderly solo female walker is that the sort of "attention" which can be very annoying if not frightening hardly affects you. When I was young and travelling alone in foreign places, if I encountered such attention I would ask a family, or a man old enough to be my father, to help if I ran into a persistent botherer. It happened rarely but the strategy always worked. And left me feeling very positive about other people, who are invariably kind if asked for help.
As others have said the Camino is very safe.
I entirely agree. I enjoy traveling now as a woman in my 70s more than I did in my 20s. I think your use of the word "attention" is very apt. You are not saying you are "safer", rather you are saying that a certain type of attention and threat is no longer there, and that is a relief.One of the advantages of being an elderly solo female walker is that the sort of "attention" which can be very annoying if not frightening hardly affects you.
"Old" may not be safer from certain types of danger, but it is definitely safer from the annoying constant threats sexual harrasment from a small percentage of men.Yes definately don’t think ‘old is safe’ with all due respect to older folks.
This is not good advice. Of course it is not a waste of precious time and well being for women to be cautious and aware of unknown men around them. Undue anxiety and fear is a totally different question.My personal advice to any female solo walkers is not to waste waste precious time and well being by feeling cautious over solo male participants.
I carried my passport and a credit card and/or cash in the special bag I had for the passport. Wore it under top layer of clothes, across my body. Less critical things in a fanny pack or very light back pack. Heavier pack sent each day.There are so many people walking the Francés at any given time. You will be very safe. The only suggestion I would make is to find a small front facing pack that you wear under your main pack. This would be big enough to hold your passport, wallet, phone and any other valuables you may have. This can stay with you at all times whether on a bathroom break at a cafe, or in your bed with you at night. Have a wonderful camino...they are life-changing!!
I don’t necessarily agree that younger men are more likely to be sexual harrasers than older ones and I think younger men ‘treat’ women far better than older ones, physically and verbally. But who knows it just a personal observation with no stats attached.I entirely agree. I enjoy traveling now as a woman in my 70s more than I did in my 20s. I think your use of the word "attention" is very apt. You are not saying you are "safer", rather you are saying that a certain type of attention and threat is no longer there, and that is a relief.
"Old" may not be safer from certain types of danger, but it is definitely safer from the annoying constant threats sexual harrasment from a small percentage of men.
This is not good advice. Of course it is not a waste of precious time and well being for women to be cautious and aware of unknown men around them. Undue anxiety and fear is a totally different question.
The bottom line is: take normal precautions, but enjoy the fact that the Camino is very safe.
Of course, but the point is that females have to do a lot more planning to excercise these these options.The Way gives you a choice, you can walk alone or with someone, you can start early or later, you can stop for coffee or not, sleep in an albergue or hotel, carry a backpack or send it by taxi .............
The choice is yours
I don't think I said that.I don’t necessarily agree that younger men are more likely to be sexual harrasers than older ones
Hi JaneI walked alone. On the Frances at 82; Portuguese at 85. No issues, though one time a man wanted to talk with me and I just walked on. Stayed in Municipal albergues and private ones. Frigid Muni was least pleasant experience. Pleasant conversations at meals occasionally. Decided my age gave me permission to take a local bus or train a time or two. Shared a taxi once. Many pleasant memories and wishing I were able to go again. Appreciate being able to lurk here in the background for vicarious pleasure. Wishing all of you great walks and memories.
Thank you for answering! I was seeing answer after answer from guys and thinking that the request was for answers from "all the single ladies". I can say how safe I felt and found it, but I think the experience of other women walking solo would be a lot more meaningful in this context. Thanks for stepping up.I have walked CF solo a few times and felt very, very safe.
Safe yes, but as others have said keep your wits about you.
Please take: passport, bank cards, phone, and money everywhere you go. Even take items into the shower in a waterproof bag.
I was surprised how often I felt cared for by locals and other pilgrims.
Take as much time and as many pictures as you are able.
Have a wonderful time.
Buen camino.
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?