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no need at all...knock yourself out, but I highly doubt you'll find yourself in a situation where you need it, fwiw.hello everyone,
What do people think of bringing a bivvy bag on Camino ? As a just incase it’s full at the albergue? Also for easing that anxiety/must get up at 5am feel to race to albergue. And enjoying the camino at one’s own pace. Plus as this year(April/may) is still unsettled as regards to all albergues opening and numbers going and covid numbers. Also money constraints so need municipal albergues and unable to book an expensive hostel. Has anyone slept outside an albergue with a bivvy bag? What do people think and do?
Thankyou Lynn
Good advice on the taxi . The sleeping in church doorways actually sounds a good other solution!Perhaps budget an emergency €20 for a taxi? The more emergency kit you carry, the greater the chance that you’ll need it IMHO.
Other than intentional campers and dog owners who really struggle for accommodation I’ve never come across anyone in six years of walking 2x per annum who couldn’t have solved their problem with a taxi.
Stand by for grim tales of sleeping in church doorways …
Fears can get really, really heavy. Try to leave them at home. If you don't know that you need it, then don't take it. Keep your pack as light as possible.As a just incase
AND park benchesPerhaps budget an emergency €20 for a taxi? The more emergency kit you carry, the greater the chance that you’ll need it IMHO.
Other than intentional campers and dog owners who really struggle for accommodation I’ve never come across anyone in six years of walking 2x per annum who couldn’t have solved their problem with a taxi.
Stand by for grim tales of sleeping in church doorways …
Thankyou I am doing the north coast camino. I did the via de la plata and can see the use of one on that camino.I walked the Via de la Plata earlier this year and used a bivvy bag for five nights of my walk. That allowed me to divide up some of my days into stages I was comfortable with rather than ones dictated by awkwardly placed accommodation. I doubt that I would have done the same on the Camino Frances where accommodation is more plentiful and stages are routinely much shorter.
Park benches with a bottle of vino!AND park benches
samarkand.
You will find any sort of camping more difficult on the del Norte. Fewer albergues have yards or grass for camping, and almost all of the trail passes through farmland or urban areas or villages. Spots do exist, but I'm not sure that I would suggest relying on finding one.Thankyou I am doing the north coast camino. I did the via de la plata and can see the use of one on that camino.
hello everyone,
What do people think of bringing a bivvy bag on Camino ? As a just incase it’s full at the albergue? Also for easing that anxiety/must get up at 5am feel to race to albergue. And enjoying the camino at one’s own pace. Plus as this year(April/may) is still unsettled as regards to all albergues opening and numbers going and covid numbers. Also money constraints so need municipal albergues and unable to book an expensive hostel. Has anyone slept outside an albergue with a bivvy bag? What do people think and do?
Thankyou Lynn
Hello,hello everyone,
What do people think of bringing a bivvy bag on Camino ? As a just incase it’s full at the albergue? Also for easing that anxiety/must get up at 5am feel to race to albergue. And enjoying the camino at one’s own pace. Plus as this year(April/may) is still unsettled as regards to all albergues opening and numbers going and covid numbers. Also money constraints so need municipal albergues and unable to book an expensive hostel. Has anyone slept outside an albergue with a bivvy bag? What do people think and do?
Thankyou Lynn
I am proud to say that I once slept on a bench in a park on the Camino Frances. Or more accurately on a wooden table, in the plaza. In Arzua, on the Wednesday before before St James Day, 2004, which was a Sunday (a Holy Year). I doubt there was a taxi to be had that day, too busy. The whole of Spain was walking those last 100km into Santiago.
But that is the one and only time I had no-where to stay.
Ok . Yes that’s what I’m thinking looking at albergues … some Hugh distances between or not enough time to see all the great sites without rushing…on the via de la plata. So would you say easy enough to to find a place to bivvy? I must admit I wild camp with a tent in uk but never bivvy…. So a new experience!I walked the Via de la Plata earlier this year and used a bivvy bag for five nights of my walk. That allowed me to divide up some of my days into stages I was comfortable with rather than ones dictated by awkwardly placed accommodation. I doubt that I would have done the same on the Camino Frances where accommodation is more plentiful and stages are routinely much shorter.
Yes that’s what I’m thinking after looking more closely at the small bed numbers available at some stops with large distances involved…. I do wild camp but with a tent … slightly concerned it might be a bit spooky!I am a dedicated non-planner. Had no trouble finding a place to stay each night on the Frances three years ago, and anticipate none on the Portuguese in a week or so. However just to be prepared, this time I'm bringing an ultra light mattress and a bivvy bag. Weight is 561 grams, a very small penalty for the ability it gives me to adapt to the unexpected. I don't expect to have to use it, but good to know it's there.
As I was just taking a bivvy bag .Yes that’s what I’m thinking after looking more closely at the small bed numbers available at some stops with large distances involved…. I do wild camp but with a tent … slightly concerned it might be a bit spooky!
Do hostels allow pilgrims to sleep out on the floor somewhere if beds full?We had only one pilgrim who slept out on the VdlP due to not getting a bed. Its extra weight on an already long Camino. Camping is not usually allowed in Spain except in specified locations.
There can be problems with the hostel's insurance - fire I think. I encountered this some years ago on the Norte. Pilgrims wanted to sleep on the kitchen/lounge floor. This was not allowed. However there was a wide verandah outside the building and people were allowed to sleep there.Do hostels allow pilgrims to sleep out on the floor somewhere if beds full?
It depends. Some albergues everyone sleeps on the floor on mats. Right now many albergues are limited in capacity by COVID. I don't remember when you are walking? That might play role. The VdlP isn't as heavily traveled as many others. Check with the locals and hospitaleros to help you.Do hostels allow pilgrims to sleep out on the floor somewhere if beds full?
I've done caminos in albergues and caminos in hostales & hotels; the great difference is the absence of snorers, and the availability of a toilet in the small hours without disturbing others. Both felt like caminos to me, and the Cathedral's pilgrim office cheerfully gave me compostelas for both.hello I have seen a few people take a bivvy on the via de la plata camino and I’m thinking a good idea to take one? I’m getting worried when I study the route books at how many municipals are not open and how small many hostels are after long distances …. I think I would rather bivvy than book hostels because that completely changes it from a camino . What do pilgrims think?
Thank you for your advice. I’m going on 21 st april .It depends. Some albergues everyone sleeps on the floor on mats. Right now many albergues are limited in capacity by COVID. I don't remember when you are walking? That might play role. The VdlP isn't as heavily traveled as many others. Check with the locals and hospitaleros to help you.
Thank you I have changed to do the via de la plata now as was worried about albergue closures on norte by VDLP same!I don't think accommodation is going to be a problem along the Norte, especially in April/May. It is extra weight you can do without and in the unlikely case of places being full, you could probably get a room in a pension for about the price of a taxi.
Yes maybe the mat will be more useful than the bivvy because just a bivvy would be too uncomfortable to sleep on the groundCompromise. Carry a lightweight sleeping bag and a inflating ground pad. You're going to carry the sleeping bag anyway and if carrying the ground pad gives you piece of mind that enables you to relax when you walk knowing you can crash on the ground somewhere, it's worth the extra bit of weight. I have actually seen pilgrims sleeping in covered areas outside of a church and outside of albergues. It does happen. I've personally never done the taxi about bit on the Camino.
Hi everyone, I have not done a Camino and am just in the thinking planning stage - but, I sure have slept on the ground a lot - people think of bags, tents, hutchies, ponchos and god knows what - unless you get a blizzard or a cyclone - really? the thing that makes it or breaks it is - the mat. I like a quality self inflating insulation mat. It's a wonderful ground breaker. It can make the difference on a hard floor to a good night or not. It will save you on cold ground. I've slept on corrugated iron - NOT to be recommended - but, even there, an inflating mat would have saved the day. I'll do a Camino this year I think - I already walk 20 - 30 k a day easily. Good walking all. PintoI am a dedicated non-planner. Had no trouble finding a place to stay each night on the Frances three years ago, and anticipate none on the Portuguese in a week or so. However just to be prepared, this time I'm bringing an ultra light mattress and a bivvy bag. Weight is 561 grams, a very small penalty for the ability it gives me to adapt to the unexpected. I don't expect to have to use it, but good to know it's there.
I just don't think you will need it really. I have seen many mats left in the "donation" bin. The only ones I know who use their mats a lot are the large groups of school kids traveling in sponsored groups who may be housed in a church or something. The other people who I've seen use a mat are those who plan to routinely "wild camp" which is not really allowed in Spain. Most of those people were "living" on the Camino.Yes maybe the mat will be more useful than the bivvy because just a bivvy would be too uncomfortable to sleep on the ground
Thank you. I believe from what I can gather you can still sleep for one night along the way on the pilgrimage as it were , legally like the old pilgrims did .I just don't think you will need it really. I have seen many mats left in the "donation" bin. The only ones I know who use their mats a lot are the large groups of school kids traveling in sponsored groups who may be housed in a church or something. The other people who I've seen use a mat are those who plan to routinely "wild camp" which is not really allowed in Spain. Most of those people were "living" on the Camino.
The "legality" is a highly debated topic... but some people do it.Thank you. I believe from what I can gather you can still sleep for one night along the way on the pilgrimage as it were , legally like the old pilgrims did .
Agreed, but that’s a choice rather than emergency situationI walked the Via de la Plata earlier this year and used a bivvy bag for five nights of my walk. That allowed me to divide up some of my days into stages I was comfortable with rather than ones dictated by awkwardly placed accommodation. I doubt that I would have done the same on the Camino Frances where accommodation is more plentiful and stages are routinely much shorter.
Yes thank you perfect . I have an excellent idea now. Great information from experience too.Hi Lynn, this question or one very similar to it, comes up regularly, and I guess my view is re-informed each time!
But firstly.. I'd have a really close look at Gronze before deciding to switch from Norte to VdlP on the basis of albergue availability. Provided there's not another wave of COVID the Norte albergues should mostly be open by the time you walk. I think that any COVID safety issues affecting municipals' opening would be considered equally by those on the Norte and VdlP.
In terms of taking a bivy bag or a mat - much depends on your own preferences. Most people won't take either and will still end up finding a roof over their head every night, even if, possibly, once or twice it wasn't the option that they'd anticipated or hoped for.
If you do take one or both, how much sleep are you actually going to get? If you are not a sleeper-outer then probably not much difference to putting all your clothes on and sleep bag and resting for a few hours before starting very early, getting to the next place early and maybe catching up with sleep during the afternoon.
If on the other hand it makes little difference to you to add 600-700g and you can manage to sleep in a strange outdoor place, then go ahead and take a mat and/or bag for peace of mind.
I take extra kit as a matter of preference and don't resent arriving at Finisterre after 500 odd miles having carried an extra kilo of stuff I never used. I've slept in albergue gardens and campsites adjacent to albergues as a matter of choice in summer. And sometimes I've walked on late to the next town, knowing I have a Plan B in my pack (but actually always managing Plan A).
In terms of sleeping on albergue floors - I imagine it's harder to organise legitimately in these COVID times. But I recall municipal albergues on the Primitivo in particular that kept a stack of mattresses for extra pilgrims.
There's also a whole set of pilgrims, typically in their 20s, not represented on this forum at all, who, especially in summer aim to go from one 'free' albergue to another (i.e. using the donativo ones without making a donation) or else slipping into municipal albergues after the hospitalero has finished doing the stamps and has gone home.
Is any of this helping???
That is what got me a case of bed bugs at the municipal albergue at O Castro. I was too heavy for the bunk beds so had to sleep on an air mattress in the corridor. Took 2 days to realise I had bed bugs. Then while treating said problem i managed to poison myself (with insecticide) and ended up in hospital in Santiago.It depends. Some albergues everyone sleeps on the floor on mats.
So sorry for you...yes, bedbugs crawl instead of hop or fly so if you are on the floor you are easier to get to if they are hiding in cracks. I try to select a bunk away from the wall. Top bunk if possible.That is what got me a case of bed bugs at the municipal albergue at O Castro. I was too heavy for the bunk beds so had to sleep on an air mattress in the corridor. Took 2 days to realise I had bed bugs. Then while treating said problem i managed to poison myself (with insecticide) and ended up in hospital in Santiago.Good times.
I think a few nights church porches with shelter and a mat and sleep bag quite a nice sleep!That is what got me a case of bed bugs at the municipal albergue at O Castro. I was too heavy for the bunk beds so had to sleep on an air mattress in the corridor. Took 2 days to realise I had bed bugs. Then while treating said problem i managed to poison myself (with insecticide) and ended up in hospital in Santiago.Good times.
I would say to the OP. Either take a bivvy bag or go for a hammock and tarp. Both have pros and cons. For Norte, probably a Bivvy is better, especially if your strategy is to use churches as the primary camp spot.. For Frances or any route that is rural, a hammock might be a better bet.
Can’t believe you poisoned yourself! Did you drink it?I think a few nights church porches with shelter and a mat and sleep bag quite a nice sleep!
Hope the bed bugs died!Can’t believe you poisoned yourself! Did you drink it?
@Bradypus What did your bivvy bag look like / weigh?I walked the Via de la Plata earlier this year and used a bivvy bag for five nights of my walk. That allowed me to divide up some of my days into stages I was comfortable with rather than ones dictated by awkwardly placed accommodation. I doubt that I would have done the same on the Camino Frances where accommodation is more plentiful and stages are routinely much shorter.
For this trip I took a cheap small hooped bivvy which is essentially a very small tent. A little over 600g. My first time using it and it proved to be a poor choice. Too much condensation. I decided that I would have been better bringing my well tried Alpkit Hunka XL (500g) which is just a simple but breathable sleeping bag cover with a drawstring closure.@Bradypus What did your bivvy bag look like / weigh?
On my first Camino in 2006 I saw lots of pilgrims with one of those extremely light weight sleep mats. And their sleeping bags of course. Useful for floors when there were no beds. I love the idea of sleeping outside but i think these bones would prefer a bed.For this trip I took a cheap small hooped bivvy which is essentially a very small tent. A little over 600g. My first time using it and it proved to be a poor choice. Too much condensation. I decided that I would have been better bringing my well tried Alpkit Hunka XL (500g) which is just a simple but breathable sleeping bag cover with a drawstring closure.
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Ooh the concrete sounds really hard.Joe and I have been forced to sleep outside on the VDLP. Luckily, it was warm and we just spread our sleeping bags out on a concrete patio. I have slept outside on the Camino Frances in albergue yards due to fragrances. I would say no to taking a bivy on the Camino Frances but yes on the VDLP, especially if you plan on camping. It could be quite useful. If you plan on staying in private lodgings or albergues most of the time, I can probably only think of two or three places you might use a bivy, but if you WANTED to sleep out, I can think of many places it could be used.
Nope. One of the best nights in all my years on the Camino!Ooh the concrete sounds really hard.
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