Anticipating a lonely month

[CPK]

Hi all, long time lurker of seven years here!

Since completing the CF in 2016, I've been contemplating my next camino. I knew I fancied something a little less populated while still being both beautiful and relatively well catered for. After a lot of research, I've decided to start the CPI - Camino Portugues Interior (Viseu - Santiago), extending the start from possibly Lisbon, Santarem or Coimbra.

One thing that bothers me a bit, while I am introverted and enjoy my own company, is the idea of meeting absolutely nobody for days on end. Is this a realistic worry for this route? I've heard of people having the entire albergue to themselves.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

 

[trecile]

I think that perhaps @jungleboy and @Wendy Werneth have done this route - I definitely would plan on being mostly alone. Last year I walked from Lisbon on the Central, and was mostly alone until I got to Tomar. The route that you are thinking about has much fewer pilgrims.

There is a subforum here for this route though:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/caminho-portugues-interior-viseu-verin.163/

 

[jungleboy]

I think that perhaps @jungleboy and @Wendy Werneth have done this route - I definitely would plan on being mostly alone.

Yes we have (May last year) and we didn’t see any other pilgrims on the CPI, so, yes, that’s a realistic worry for @CPK until reaching the Sanabrés.

 

[C clearly]

What month are you planning to walk?

 

[henrythedog]

Hi all, long time lurker of seven years here!

Since completing the CF in 2016, I've been contemplating my next camino. I knew I fancied something a little less populated while still being both beautiful and relatively well catered for. After a lot of research, I've decided to start the CPI - Camino Portugues Interior (Viseu - Santiago), extending the start from possibly Lisbon, Santarem or Coimbra.

One thing that bothers me a bit, while I am introverted and enjoy my own company, is the idea of meeting absolutely nobody for days on end. Is this a realistic worry for this route? I've heard of people having the entire albergue to themselves.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

I’d be fairly confident that you would meet some Portuguese people there. I’ve never travelled with the intention of meeting people from the place I’ve come from ..

I’d take Nick’s comment that Peregrinos are scarce on that stretch to be accurate.

 

[Former member 92300]

I can't comment on that route since I haven't done it. But I can totally relate. I am doing the first half of the Via Francigena this summer - Canterbury to Aosta. I don't expect to see other pilgrims until I reach Switzerland. Maybe a couple - but it is a pretty isolated route as far as pilgrims go. I am going to bring my daughter though - I just hope she can enjoy it as much as she did the Frances, despite not meeting other pilgrims. I am hoping she will meet others along the way though - even just while in towns.

I would expect that you might have a quiet first half of the Portuguese - but half way you should (I would think) start seeing more pilgrims. I would think the first couple weeks of it being quiet would be fine - as long as you start meeting more people the second half. At least - it would be for me. I don't start feeling "lonely" until after about 2 weeks of walking solo.

Perhaps bring some music or audiobooks just in case you need something to help keep you going? I listen to music on the days where I feel really lonely walking alone. I don't listen to it every day - but the days when I need it, it helps keep my mind from focusing on loneliness.

 

[K_Lynn]

Hi all, long time lurker of seven years here!

Since completing the CF in 2016, I've been contemplating my next camino. I knew I fancied something a little less populated while still being both beautiful and relatively well catered for. After a lot of research, I've decided to start the CPI - Camino Portugues Interior (Viseu - Santiago), extending the start from possibly Lisbon, Santarem or Coimbra.

One thing that bothers me a bit, while I am introverted and enjoy my own company, is the idea of meeting absolutely nobody for days on end. Is this a realistic worry for this route? I've heard of people having the entire albergue to themselves.

I'm fairly sure (ha!) that I will be starting my Camino in Faro, where I expect it will just be me the trees and sun for 2 weeks until I get to Lisbon. After that, I expect it will be me and the trees and the sun and the occasional pilgrim until I get to Porto.

It's daunting.

The idea of an empty albergue sounds like heaven to me. But walking entirely alone without the possibility of a walking conversation (or silent companion) does worry me. I have been mentally preparing myself for being alone and I think it will be fine.

But...I am giving myself permission to bail and pick up the trail closer to Lisbon if I am completely miserable by day 4. Sometimes, having the half-baked plan of a different route mentally available makes the current route easier.

Wherever you choose to walk, I hope you enjoy it! Bom Caminho!

 

[BarbaraW]

I too have been worried that I would feel lonely but have not been. I walked the central which is much busier, but quiet before Porto. I met people in albergues every night. Where possible I chose to stay in smaller albergues, those that offer communal meals, and outside cities. I think it is easier to get to meet people in those situations. And have overcome my natural reserve to ask others if they would like to eat together, or if I may join them.
I hope you have a happy Caminho.

 

[jungleboy]

I too have been worried that I would feel lonely but have not been. I walked the central which is much busier, but quiet before Porto. I met people in albergues every night.

The OP is talking about a different route though — the Interior, not the Central.

 

[peregrino_tom]

CPK, going back a few years I walked up from Lisbon in October and met very few pilgrims.
I think that if that had happened in Spain it would have been a pretty lonely time. But I found the Portuguese people I met to be much more open and friendly than the more reserved personality I've encountered typically in rural Spain. It made me re-evaluate my sense of who on a camino comprise the actors and who the supporting cast and back-drop. Many of the Portuguese people I met put themselves forward to be part of the main cast!
When I walked (nearly ten years ago) there were still a lot of the older people who had worked in France when younger, so we shared a basic grasp of French. And the younger generation often shot welcoming English at me before I'd opened my mouth. One particularly memorable morning was when all the small kids in the school playground spotted me walking by, and happily streamed over to the fence to wish me 'Good Morning!' and ask me where I was from.
So I'd guess that the welcome you receive along the Way will more than compensate for any lack of pilgrim brethren, and I wouldn't be anticipating a lonely month at all. Go for it.

 

[CPK]

Thank you all for the replies!

Yes we have (May last year) and we didn’t see any other pilgrims on the CPI, so, yes, that’s a realistic worry for @CPK until reaching the Sanabrés.

Ok, that confirms it! I'm still super excited, I'll just have to prepare a more introspective mindset.

What month are you planning to walk?

This month. I should start around May 22nd.

There is a subforum here for this route though:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/caminho-portugues-interior-viseu-verin.163/

Thanks, I've had a good read through that and will post some more specific questions there.

jeanineonthecamino and K_Lynn, your caminos both sound amazing!

 

[CPK]

CPK, going back a few years I walked up from Lisbon in October and met very few pilgrims.
I think that if that had happened in Spain it would have been a pretty lonely time. But I found the Portuguese people I met to be much more open and friendly than the more reserved personality I've encountered typically in rural Spain. It made me re-evaluate my sense of who on a camino comprise the actors and who the supporting cast and back-drop. Many of the Portuguese people I met put themselves forward to be part of the main cast!
When I walked (nearly ten years ago) there were still a lot of the older people who had worked in France when younger, so we shared a basic grasp of French. And the younger generation often shot welcoming English at me before I'd opened my mouth. One particularly memorable morning was when all the small kids in the school playground spotted me walking by, and happily streamed over to the fence to wish me 'Good Morning!' and ask me where I was from.
So I'd guess that the welcome you receive along the Way will more than compensate for any lack of pilgrim brethren, and I wouldn't be anticipating a lonely month at all. Go for it.

Thanks a lot Tom. When you say you walked from Lisbon, do you mean on the Central route through Porto or the Interior route through Veseu?

I'm really trying to prepare an open mindset now, free of expecations, with the help of messages like yours. It won't be a different version of the Camino Frances; it'll be something altogether different, the meaning of which I don't yet know.

Thank you!

 

[klimmo]

Music or podcasts are a good suggestion. I generally look for solitude but it did get a bit much on the Mozarabe. I ended up singing out loud to the music on my phone and that definitely lifted spirits.

Maybe in facing your fear, you can crack its hold and you may find something more behind it. It will probably not be that bad, and if it sometimes is, it will pass.

Buen camino!

 

[peregrino_tom]

CPK, I walked the central route, but thought it worth making (what I believe to be) a general point about walking in Portugal.

I'm really trying to prepare an open mindset now, free of expectations. It won't be a different version of the Camino Frances; it'll be something altogether different, the meaning of which I don't yet know.

Nice one! Buen camino

 

[David Tallan]

I’d be fairly confident that you would meet some Portuguese people there. I’ve never travelled with the intention of meeting people from the place I’ve come from ..

I agree that one can count on meeting Portuguese people ... once. I wouldn't count on meeting them again, at least not after that day.

While I generally don't travel with the intention of meeting people from the place I've come from, for many pilgrims the prospect of meeting other pilgrims from around the world and seeing them more than once is attractive. Not everyone is cut out for a pilgrimage where they will always walk alone and never see the same person twice. Some love that. Others would find it very difficult.

 

[Former member 92300]

While I generally don't travel with the intention of meeting people from the place I've come from, for many pilgrims the prospect of meeting other pilgrims from around the world and seeing them more than once is attractive. Not everyone is cut out for a pilgrimage where they will always walk alone and never see the same person twice. Some love that. Others would find it very difficult.

Yes - and many of us are in the middle of the spectrum. I walk alone, but when I get lonely I generally want to be able to find someone to either walk with for a km or more, or sit with them at a bar or restaurant for a snack or meal. I haven't been a core part of a "Camino Family" but I have been on the outer edges of a few that I joined in activities with when I was in the mood or lonely.

So yes - even for me - the prospect of a pilgrimage with very few pilgrims makes me nervous. But at the same time - excited to be in a smaller group of people who have completed the particular pilgrimage! Before planning the VF - I was wanting to do the Portuguese from Faro... that will probably happen in 2 years (Canterbury to Aosta this year, Aosta to Rome to Lecce or reverse)next year

 

[CPK]

I agree that one can count on meeting Portuguese people ... once. I wouldn't count on meeting them again, at least not after that day.

While I generally don't travel with the intention of meeting people from the place I've come from, for many pilgrims the prospect of meeting other pilgrims from around the world and seeing them more than once is attractive. Not everyone is cut out for a pilgrimage where they will always walk alone and never see the same person twice. Some love that. Others would find it very difficult.

That definitely was a big part of the CF; meeting the same people and getting to know them. I'd even say it was the single most memorable aspect of that camino. I'm working to change my mindset though. I know I'll be ok. I think caminos come at the right time to those of us who walk them and they each serve a purpose of which we're not yet aware.

In any case, I'll work on my Portuguese!

 

[CPK]

Yes - and many of us are in the middle of the spectrum. I walk alone, but when I get lonely I generally want to be able to find someone to either walk with for a km or more, or sit with them at a bar or restaurant for a snack or meal. I haven't been a core part of a "Camino Family" but I have been on the outer edges of a few that I joined in activities with when I was in the mood or lonely.

So yes - even for me - the prospect of a pilgrimage with very few pilgrims makes me nervous. But at the same time - excited to be in a smaller group of people who have completed the particular pilgrimage! Before planning the VF - I was wanting to do the Portuguese from Faro... that will probably happen in 2 years (Canterbury to Aosta this year, Aosta to Rome to Lecce or reverse)next year

I think you and I have a very similar lingering fear. We have to remember that something is drawing us to those more solitary routes. The chances are, if we opt out due to fear, we'll be missing out on some important lessons. I think it's best to follow the internal compass.

 

[David Tallan]

That definitely was a big part of the CF; meeting the same people and getting to know them. I'd even say it was the single most memorable aspect of that camino. I'm working to change my mindset though. I know I'll be ok. I think caminos come at the right time to those of us who walk them and they each serve a purpose of which we're not yet aware.

In any case, I'll work on my Portuguese!

I'm in a similar boat. My fellow pilgrims were something I definitely enjoyed on the Frances in 2016 and the Portugues from Porto in 2018 and yet I am off to the Camino de Madrid in under a month.

 

[Former member 92300]

I think you and I have a very similar lingering fear. We have to remember that something is drawing us to those more solitary routes. The chances are, if we opt out due to fear, we'll be missing out on some important lessons. I think it's best to follow the internal compass.

Yeah - not letting it stop me! But I will have my music in case I need it. Usually I only wear ear buds a couple days at most in a 4-5 week Camino. I will be hiking 6 1/2 weeks this time.

 

[JennLyons]

Hi all, long time lurker of seven years here!

Since completing the CF in 2016, I've been contemplating my next camino. I knew I fancied something a little less populated while still being both beautiful and relatively well catered for. After a lot of research, I've decided to start the CPI - Camino Portugues Interior (Viseu - Santiago), extending the start from possibly Lisbon, Santarem or Coimbra.

One thing that bothers me a bit, while I am introverted and enjoy my own company, is the idea of meeting absolutely nobody for days on end. Is this a realistic worry for this route? I've heard of people having the entire albergue to themselves.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

Hi there
I am on the Portuguese Coastal now and have done the interior both from Porto. A girlfriend of mine did from Lisbon and she said it was very quiet hardly a person on it. Maybe Porto to Fisterra? Buen Camino

 

[jungleboy]

Hi there
I am on the Portuguese Coastal now and have done the interior both from Porto. A girlfriend of mine did from Lisbon and she said it was very quiet hardly a person on it. Maybe Porto to Fisterra? Buen Camino

The OP is talking about a different route, the Portuguese Interior from Viseu, not the Central from Porto.

See my summary of Portuguese routes for more clarification:

The Camino de Santiago in Portugal