Alternate way to get the compestela

[melissa516]

I want to walk quite a ways on el camino, but I don't want to do the last 100 km with the crowds. If I walk more than 100km or another part, can I still go to Santiago and receive a compestela?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

No.

Sorry.

 

[melissa516]

No.

Sorry.

Thanks for the reply!! I'm just curious, but if I get stamps on my credential the whole way, how would they know at the end the difference of the stamps? I don't want to cheat the system, but is there a way to tell them apart? Do they have the cities on them or something distinct?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I want to walk quite a ways on el camino, but I don't want to do the last 100 km with the crowds. If I walk more than 100km or another part, can I still go to Santiago and receive a compestela?

Hy , you have to walk the last 100km, sorry you have to walk with the crowds. I wish you a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[nidarosa]

@melissa516 : The rules state you have to have done the last 100 kms, and get two stamps a day to prove it. And yes, all the stamps are different, have a look at the pics on this forum and if you can search them, search for 'credencial', which is your pilgrim passport. If I were you I would recalibrate my want or need for a compostella, and instead find a frame which will fit your credencial with all its significant stamps! It is the more important document in my opinion, the one that reminds you of the places you have been along the way and allows you to start wherever you want. And who says you can only have one a day? Make it more personal, get a stamp from the restaurant where you had a nice meal, one from the bar where you met your friend from two days ago etc. Don't get hung up on the compostella, and don't cheat - you will feel awful. Enjoy your credencial instead!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Do they have the cities on them or something distinct?

Yes. Each is unique.

http://www.lossellosdelcamino.com/

 

[Tincatinker]

Thanks for the reply!! I'm just curious, but if I get stamps on my credential the whole way, how would they know at the end the difference of the stamps? I don't want to cheat the system, but is there a way to tell them apart? Do they have the cities on them or something distinct?

If you don't want to cheat the system why are you asking the question? Unless your intention is to avoid accidentally arriving in Santiago and discovering that the pilgrims office will not grant you a compostella.

Every Sello is distinct and unique to the provider and each is annotated with the date it is applied. If you do not walk the final 100k into Santiago you cannot claim a Compostella. Subject to correction I believe you could still apply for a certificate of distance. If you truly wish to avoid the "crowds" walk between October and March. But take care and pay attention to the guidance on winter walking. Walking in "high" season you will walk with many others who have the same goal, Santiago. They're not really "crowds", they are just pilgrims.

 

[melissa516]

If you don't want to cheat the system why are you asking the question? Unless your intention is to avoid accidentally arriving in Santiago and discovering that the pilgrims office will not grant you a compostella.

Every Sello is distinct and unique to the provider and each is annotated with the date it is applied. If you do not walk the final 100k into Santiago you cannot claim a Compostella. Subject to correction I believe you could still apply for a certificate of distance. If you truly wish to avoid the "crowds" walk between October and March. But take care and pay attention to the guidance on winter walking. Walking in "high" season you will walk with many others who have the same goal, Santiago. They're not really "crowds", they are just pilgrims.

Sounds good! Thanks everyone!!

 

[Mark Lee]

I want to walk quite a ways on el camino, but I don't want to do the last 100 km with the crowds. If I walk more than 100km or another part, can I still go to Santiago and receive a compestela?

Don't be put-off by the prospect of more people on the Camino for the last 100 km. I've walked it twice during the peak season (summer). It's really not that bad. It get's a bit, how do you say, exaggerated on this forum. In fact, a lot of things get exaggerated on this forum.
It's really cool when you pick up your compostela in Santiago. My best advice is to just go ahead and do it and have no worries.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hola and welcome Melissa.
You may wish to walk some sections of the Francés and then switch to another quieter Camino to fulfill the 100kms into Santiago. The Inglés from Ferrol qualifies, but not from Coruna. Also the final sections of the southern routes. The Primitivo joins the Francés at Melide so is back into the crowds for the final stages into Santiago. We like the quieter Caminos so if you want a Compostela the other routes are worth considering, even if you have to take public transport to reach their 100km to Santiago point. If you do this it is vital to get a stamp for the 100km+ place - eg in Ferrol itself and stamps in every place possible along the Way.
Buen camino

 

[Walter1407]

You can walk the Camino Invierno (& Sanabres), from Ponferrada. Longer and tougher than the Frances, with less infrastructure, and more quiet.
The guide you can download here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/invierno-guide-january-2015.273/
Map material you can find here:
http://maps.peterrobins.co.uk/google/overview/invierno.html
http://maps.peterrobins.co.uk/google/overview/sanabres.html

 

[waveprof]

They check the stamps from the last 100 km very closely (much, much more closely than the stamps from before that). You have to walk the last 100 km

And I've been pretty outspoken against the last 100 km, but even I would want to walk it the first time. Why stop 100 km short of Santiago? Get the full experience. If you ever decide to do a second camino then decide if you want to go all the way or (like me) skip the end. Plus, after having done it once, you'll have your own experience to judge by.

 

[jmcarp]

But the last 100km doesn't necessarily have to be on the CF. You could detour over to the Invierno at Ponferrada, or take abus to Ferrol from Sarria and do the Inglés, or hop over and do the last 100km of the Portugeuse. However, I agree with @waveproof that the crowds after Sarria are just a part of the Camino experience, and IMO it's not worth it to take one of the above alternates just to avoid the crowds. You could always do that if you go back for a second helping in the future.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

I want to walk quite a ways on el camino, but I don't want to do the last 100 km with the crowds. If I walk more than 100km or another part, can I still go to Santiago and receive a compestela?

nope, but you can 'cheat', awarding the Compostela based on the last 100 kms in itself is pretty random if you ask me. personally i believe that everyone on the Camino knows if he or she has accomplished his or her Camino

Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the last 100 kms in itself is pretty random if you ask me

But the Cathedral and Pilgrim Office disagree with you. They issue the compostela, so they get to set the rules.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

But the Cathedral and Pilgrim Office disagree with you. They issue the compostela, so they get to set the rules.

i am aware of this.

my point is, 100 km is a random rule (it really is, nothing in the Códex about this) and that to base one's pilgrimage on 100 km is fine and i respect that; but in my opinion it is just as valid to set your own standards as long as you are not ruining anyone else's pilgrimage (driving and staying at albergue's, for example).

 

[Deleted member 3000]

it is just as valid to set your own standards

For your personal contentment, but not for a compostela. Either you qualify or you do not, and qualification is set by the Cathedral.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

For your personal contentment, but not for a compostela. Either you qualify or you do not, and qualification is set by the Cathedral.

i am sure Santiago would understand but you're right, the rules say 100 km.

 

[CaptBuddy]

I cannot imagine not walking the last 100 km. I love that section.
I've said it before, until something changes, on the CF you walk the first 700 km for yourself, and the last 100 for the Compostela.
And I'm ok with that.

 

[Maryimelda]

Do you still have to have your credencial stamped twice a day for the last 100kms if you have walked all the way from SJPDP?

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Do you still have to have your credencial stamped twice a day for the last 100kms if you have walked all the way from SJPDP?

Yes you are supposed to. But it is not too difficult- in the last 100km many bars etc have stamps, though you might not really want bar stamps. However, I think if you have actually walked all the way from SJPP in a reasonable timeframe, if you miss a second stamp or two it is probably not so crucial.
Margaret

 

[SYates]

If you don't want to walk with many people there are two possible solutions:

- Choose another way, not the Camino Frances, to Santiago. For example the Camino Portugues.
- Walk off season, but be careful when winter hiking, it is a challenging but wonderful experience.

Buen Camino! SY

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Walk fast and the crowd will be behind you ;-)

I can recommend Camino Inglés a lovely route. Very few people as well.

 

[oursonpolaire]

I wouldn't worry about the crowds too much. Many of us repeat offenders complain about the crowds and how it is not like it was in 1994 (but it's also a lot easier to find a café and a toilet these days) so it can sound a bit more intimidating and problematic than it really is. Take one of the lesser-used routes, say the Primitivo, hang out with your small Camino family as you walk through the hills, and then enjoy the last few days eating pulpo with new friends. It is surprising how they are not a problem but just another gang of people. I even found the Spanish student groups a lot of fun. The Compostela is nice to have, especially for those doing the Camino for strong religious reasons, but if I can paraphrase the poet Cavafy-- the destination gives you the journey.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Thanks for the reply!! I'm just curious, but if I get stamps on my credential the whole way, how would they know at the end the difference of the stamps? I don't want to cheat the system, but is there a way to tell them apart? Do they have the cities on them or something distinct?

Aboslutely, and that's what makes credenciales such works for art. Some people put a lot of thought in their stamp to reflect their albergue, town or village, or philosophy.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Don't be put-off by the prospect of more people on the Camino for the last 100 km. I've walked it twice during the peak season (summer). It's really not that bad. It get's a bit, how do you say, exaggerated on this forum. In fact, a lot of things get exaggerated on this forum.
It's really cool when you pick up your compostela in Santiago. My best advice is to just go ahead and do it and have no worries.
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I have to agree, the last 100km are just fine.

I can't help but think that the "irk" about it is a matter of perception from people who have walked from much further, with a different feel to their experience so far, and have difficulty adapting. Change Management ;0)

Why not to see the last 100km as a wonderful opportunity for those who cannot take a lot of time of to also experience arriving in Santiago? Why not see it as a joyous opportunity for teenagers to discover their country and heritage? Why not see it as a way to test what you think you may have really learned by walking 700km: ceizing the day, appreciating what is in front of you, the chance to be part of something electric after a lot of introspection.

You are correct, introspection on the last 100k would be more difficult to practice, but when you read the recent thread on 'pilgrim socialization' I think one would have to admit that the first 700km may also not be all about introspection.

Just observe, don't juge: bould budhist meditation practice ;0)