April on VdlP

[Pangloss]

I am starting the Vdlp shortly, its my first. Planning to fly from UK to Madrid and train to Seville, arriving on 9 April. Still undecided whether to start from Seville on 10 April or travel up to Zafra and stride out from there the following day. Is anyone else considering starting around then ?
Patrick

 

[Alan Pearce]

I am starting the Vdlp shortly, its my first. Planning to fly from UK to Madrid and train to Seville, arriving on 9 April. Still undecided whether to start from Seville on 10 April or travel up to Zafra and stride out from there the following day. Is anyone else considering starting around then ?
Patrick

Patrick

Four years ago I walked the VdlP, beginning from Seville on April 1st. I was in early Spring for about 4 weeks, because I was going north at about the same rate that Spring was. I loved it, and would do this walk again in a flash, except that there are a few other caminos to do first.

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Saint Mike II]

I tend to agree with Alan - as your first Camino the VDLP is a tough one. At this time of the year it can be both cold and warm - just depends upon what weather comes in off the Nth Atlantic. You are in for many long lonely days - walking 20-25 (often 30) km. Do you speak much Spanish? If not then it could be even more lonely. Plan a couple of rest days - say Merida and Salamance. Buen Camino

 

[vinsman]

I arrive in Seville on April 7th and plan on beginning on April 10th. Hope to meet you along the way.
Andy

 

[liz70]

I'm starting from Guillena on 1st April. (Skipping stage 1). Planning on walking 10 days then bussing it back to Seville. You are worrying me Saint Mike. Is it really going to be that deserted at that time of year? On the up side that will mean no need for crack of dawn starts to get a bed for the night. Love the new app Ivar has released. I'm looking forward to using that to see who else is on the road.

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm starting from Guillena on 1st April. (Skipping stage 1). Planning on walking 10 days then bussing it back to Seville. You are worrying me Saint Mike. Is it really going to be that deserted at that time of year? On the up side that will mean no need for crack of dawn starts to get a bed for the night. Love the new app Ivar has released. I'm looking forward to using that to see who else is on the road.

I have walked twice from Sevilla, once in mid April, once in early May. I found there were more people in April than in May! I think you will find others, Liz, but don't worry about it being deserted. Even if there aren't many pilgrims, you are always walking within a few kms of either a road or towns. It should be lovely, I remember tons of wildflowers, hope they are in bloom for you. Given Spain's warm winter (at least in the parts that weren't blanketed with snow repeatedly), spring may be early. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[liz70]

Think you Laurie. You have reassured me. I am so looking forward to the long walk.

 

[CanPete]

I'd be interested to read how your trip went : I'm planning starting on the VDLP for April 4th, 2016. . .

 

[Richo]

I'd be interested to read how your trip went : I'm planning starting on the VDLP for April 4th, 2016. . .

me too Pete. See you on the trail.

 

[jjarnold]

Me too - planning to start from seville easter 2016. hoping it won't be too lonely!

 

[CanPete]

me too Pete. See you on the trail.

Sounds like a plan, Buen Camino !

 

[santiago_67]

And me too! I'll start from Seville on April 4th.

 

[Sailor]

My 30-days window is in early-mid March-April 2016, walking at a slow but steady pace with my wife. Possible starting point Salamanca or Zamora. Please slow down and say hello before you leave us behind! Que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[Pangloss]

My 30-days window is in early-mid March-April 2016, walking at a slow but steady pace with my wife. Possible starting point Salamanca or Zamora. Please slow down and say hello before you leave us behind! Que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

I started the VdlP in Zafra on 11 April and reached Santiago on 14 May this year, having taken a day off in each of Caceres, Salamanca and Zamora, all of which were well worth it. Weather was good, hottish in the South, cool in the mountains and slightly (but no more) wet in Galicia. A great time of year as plants were all coming into bloom. I walked alone quite a lot but always met plenty of people in the evenings and sometimes during the day: there were probably about 15-25 covering the same ground as me on any one day. Never a problem finding somewhere to stay though I did sometimes book ahead where I was likely to end up in a small village. Best guides are Gerald Kelly ( book published Jan 2015) and Eroski (on line and in Spanish) and, for those using iphones, Via de la Plata app by Melanie McManus (2012). I wrote a fairly lengthy journal which I am happy to share with anybody who sends me an e-mail address.
Patrick

 

[Sailor]

. . . I started the VdlP in Zafra on 11 April and reached Santiago on 14 May this year . . .

Thanks Patrick for all the good information.