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Jirit,On the Camino Frances route, I am not aware of any areas that one might deem unsafe for a solo walker.
There are a couple of long stretches; one (17 km) leaving Carrion de los Condes and the other further east of Calzada del Coto that you should be prepared to carry enough water and some snacks since there is nothing in the terms of bars, cafes or food stores. And if you walking during the off season, through the mountains of the Pyrenees and hills of Galicia, you may encounter all types of cold and wet weather. Likewise the Meseta can get extremely hot during the summer months.
Probably the larger cities on Burgos and Leon might be more considered riskier but only due to risk of normal city vehicle traffic, etc.
That said stuff can happen (I fell and sliced my hand open requiring stitches) anywhere anytime but you will be rarely out of reach of immediate assistance.
Jirit,
Thank you so much and you have eased my tension with your post! I am looking forward to the journey and the experience!
Rosemary
Hi!
I will be walking the Camino next May/June 2014 and was wondering if there are any areas of danger for a solo walker? I have read where there are certain areas one must make sure they are with another Pilgrim(s). This was from a story of a 2002 Pilgrimage, so mabye it is not relevant anymore. (I believe it was specific to the dogs on the trail issue. ) None the less it has me a bit apprehensive. I know I will meet fellow Pilgrims, but I also want to be alone at times. Any thoughts or information will be helpful in my planning. Thank you so much in advance and
Buen Camino to all!
Rosemary
Darren,Hi Rosemary
I walked the Camino in May/June this year.
The Pyrenees was the most dangerous for me as it snowed heavily and I was not prepared for such severe temperatures.
The dogs I encountered were all tied up and I did not find any issues along "The Way"
There were many women walking alone and the few I spoke to had no issues at all.
You are going to love the Camino.
Buen Camino.
Hey....
Im on the Camino now.
I have had three interesting experiences...and I wasnt sure if I should post or not. As for the majority of the time I have been solo. Very realy walking with any one.
First was leaving Vanna after the detour. I had a guy pull up beside me in a burgundy sedan. He looked me up and down...and drove down the road. He stopped at a church (?) With trees. I got a bad vibe...his car door was open...and he started to walk towards me. I crossed over, kept my head down and grabbed my poles as if I knew how to use them as a weapon. ( I don't by the way). He got back in his car and followed me down the road...then all of a sudden speed past really close and took off down a lane.
The second happened out of Logorono. A young women appeared on the path in frobt of me. She had a pack...but it looked weird like it had been stuffed. She was fit and kept falling just behind me. At one stage at the lake she "demanded" I take a picture of her. So I did...then she demanded she take a picture of me. She stepped a long was back. Then holding my camera started asking about my gear. I got up and got my camera and kept walking. She followed. I let her go past and on the bridge she again demanded I look at the fish. Then take a photo of her. ..then she demanded to take one of me. I said no. And she seemed really angry. I tried to extend my lead...but she would stay just behind me. Until we got to the next village. I didnt see her after that.
The third was on the way to Zubiri. As I popped up a hill and had to cross the road these idiots in a van veered off the road towards me to give me a fright. It did.
Apart from that...I have felt really safe. I have had a rough Camino...and sadly it ends tomorrow in Leon with a torn calf muscel ( from getting out of a lift in Burgos) good grief.
Im not sad....I have witnesd so many miracles on my walk....and meet the most amazing angels. And....I will still make it to Santiago .....but just in a bus.
This walk is safe....but thats not to say that as a female you should let your guard down.
I suppose I am less sanguine that it completely safe than some earlier contributors. Technically, taking Route Napoleon can be dangerous if the weather turns bad, visibility falls and it becomes difficult to stay on the path crossing into Spain*. This is less likely at the time you plan to walk. Similarly the other stretches that might be snow clad in winter won't bother you. Walking alone always poses additional risks if you sustain an injury in marginal conditions. Heed the warnings by the authorities in SJPP, and walk Route Valcarlos or wait for the weather to clear if it becomes marginal.
* (This was the only part of the film 'The Way' that I thought realistic. All the rest tended to imaginative fiction, but that is what sells tickets and DVDs)
There are some difficult stretches of trail, most memorable on the descent into Molinaseca, but these are not in any sense remote, and travelling alone should not be a problem.
Your personal safety and security is another matter. Solo travellers need to observe fairly standard precautions to avoid theft and assault. Clearly a solo traveller is more vulnerable here. While there might be some risk walking in the country, the major risks here are no different to any other travel. Crowded places where you might be more relaxed are the most obvious places to be a little more alert. Walking the Camino might offer an indulgence, but it does not offer immunity!
When I walked, there were no aggressive dogs on the loose. There were a few who bounced around and barked at the end of a leash or behind a shut gate, but they weren't all that common either.
None of this should deter you from walking. I thought that walking the CF was relatively safe given my previous experiences trekking and travelling. Walk cautiously where required and take normal travel precautions and you should be fine.
Regards,
Great post! Thank you so much. Did you walk to Finisterre? I am taking off the last week of May and all of June (2014) as you did and hope to get that far!I went the last week of may and all of June. The first 2 days were horrid rain so no route Napoleon for me. Listen to the people in the camino office to which way you should go. But the rest of June was perfect. Not too hot on the meseta, maybe mid 80s at the hottest. And one other thing, if you are planning to watch the sunset in finisterre, make sure you have a group or a guy to walk back to your place with. It's dark and a little bit of a walk, a few kilos. That was the only time I was alone and got scared. But just use common sense and you will be fine
Cheryl,Hello
I walked the end of June and beginning of July from Sarria to Finisterre solo
I never once felt uncomfortable during my journey
Although I do remember walking by a dog on a cobbled street, then all of the sudden this intense noise arose behind me
I was convinced that the dog was running after me, when I turned it was a bicycle pounding over the cobblestones
It was a huge relief.
Be careful, be vigilant, but be open as well
Been Camino
Cheryl
Great...just when I think it is safe to go back into the water!!!Totally safe except one dog between Villafranca and O'Cebriero. I believe the village was Trabadelo, but it could be another during this day. My brother and I were walking through this village when we were funneled by buildings into the kill zone. I spotted a vicious looking German shepherd growling at us, baring his teeth. Thinking back to watching episodes of the Dog Whisperer, I acknowledged him quickly, puffed out my chest and walked bravely past, ignoring him. My elder brother, who obviously missed that show was following 5 yards behind. All of a sudden I hear him calling, "Larry, LARRY!" I turn to see him walking backwards with the dog lunging at him. I yelled "NO!" and prepared to defend myself with my baston. At that instant I heard a villager yell something to the dog, who laid off. Later my brother told me the dog had nipped at his rump before he called my name.
Up in O'Cebreiro, we shared a beer with some Camino friends who were also terrorized by this dog.
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