Beginner: Ourense to Santiago

[Estella Wong]

Hi, I'm from Malaysia and completely new to this Camino and decided to do it in mid August from Ourense (because I have a friend from there and we were supposed to do it together but she can't make it, so I am considering doing it alone.) I have a few questions:
1. How do I get a pilgrims passport from Ourense?
2. How do I know where the Alburges are in every stop from Ourense to Santiago?
3. Will I be qualified to get the Compostela in the end?


Estella

 

[SYates]

Hi and welcome to the forum @Estella Wong

1. Ourense is a well known starting point and the albergue has credenciales for exactly this reason. Alternatively you could ask your friend to get one for you beforehand.
2. There are guidebooks and websites like https://www.gronze.com/via-plata and http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/sanabres/
3. Yes, as long as you do the Camino for spiritual/religious reasons and have at least two stamps per day in your your Credencial.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Buy a guidebook, like Geral Kelly's, or ipuse the ones in line, like Eroski. That will tell you what the distance travelled is, and where the albergues are. Order your credencial from the forum shop or your local Camino Association, that way you won't have to worry about getting one when you arrive.

 

[maggiec]

Hi, I'm from Malaysia and completely new to this Camino and decided to do it in mid August from Ourense (because I have a friend from there and we were supposed to do it together but she can't make it, so I am considering doing it alone.) I have a few questions:
1. How do I get a pilgrims passport from Ourense?
2. How do I know where the Alburges are in every stop from Ourense to Santiago?
3. Will I be qualified to get the Compostela in the end?


Estella

I did the Sanabres last October and used a fabulous app called Sanabres Basic. It shows towns, elevations, amenities in each village and hostels etc. the BEST thing is that it has photos of along the way, so you can confirm that you are going in the right direction. It is the most fantastic walk. LOVED the Sanabres

 

[Tamsin Grainger]

Hi, I'm from Malaysia and completely new to this Camino and decided to do it in mid August from Ourense (because I have a friend from there and we were supposed to do it together but she can't make it, so I am considering doing it alone.) I have a few questions:
1. How do I get a pilgrims passport from Ourense?
2. How do I know where the Alburges are in every stop from Ourense to Santiago?
3. Will I be qualified to get the Compostela in the end?


Estella

Hi,
I only know the answer to question 2. I walked from Santiago to Ourense and beyond. It will not be hard for you to find the albergues. Here is a blog which details the stops in your direction: http://viadelaplata.canalblog.com/archives/p30-20.html and mine (going backwards) https://shiatsutamsin.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/walking-without-a-donkey-via-de-la-plata-day-7/ and here is the list of stops http://santiago-compostela.net/via-de-la-plata/. There are municipal albergues at each one, 8-10 euro a night (late 2016). Some are definitely better than others and in December many did not have cooking utensils, one didn't even have blankets, but all were clean and provided a bed. You can see the detail in the blog if you are interested.
Have a brilliant time. The scenery is stunning.

 

[AML]

Hi Estella,

Some good advice there from SY.......credential from the albergue in Ourense and I find https://www.gronze.com/via-plata provides all the info you need.

You have chosen a nice camino, in fact I consider this one the best 100k entry to Santiago.
I recommend the detour via Oseira to see the monasterio, also recommend http://albergueturisticosilleda.es/ and http://www.ocruceiro.es/ for a menu del dia!

Wishing you a wonderful camino!
Aidan

 

[sulu]

Hi and welcome,
good advice given already.
It is also possible to get the credencial from the cathedral, the path up to the albergue is signed from there but it is not the easiest place to find, try google maps it is between the auditorium and the San francisco station.
There are 2 routes out of Ourense, I'm not sure which is the easiest and both are signed so I suggest you look at some of the guides already recommended to be sure where you are going.
Ourense can be very hot in summer but, as you are from Malaysia I am sure this will not be a problem.
Buen camino