Booking albergues??

Nathalie_r · Mar 18, 2014

Hi, I am planning to do the section between Sarria and Santiago in September and possibly go all the way to Finistere and Muxia.
Since we will be almost 6 persons travelling together, I am finding a bit of difficulty planning and figuring out if we should book the albergues ahead of time or not.
and I am also a bit puzzled out concerning the number of days this trip will take us... Since I am working for a company I need to make sure to sign in the exact days I will be taking.
Thank you all for your feedback!

scruffy1 · Mar 18, 2014

Six people is not a problem but it may be challenging. Brierley informs us that Sarria is 117.5 km from SdC. One friend may be a real fire-eater at walking and can do the distance in 3-4 days, another will dawdle and walk it in 5 or even 6, one will come down with blisters or diarrhea or the flu and will ride the bus the options are endless even before differences of opinion appear concerning where what and when to eat, start or stop walking who gets the top or bottom bunk. Any private albergue will allow you to reserve so check your guide book now and make a list for over there, municipal or pilgrim hostales, refugios, albergues de peregrinos are usually all first come first bedded many only have 12 or so beds so 6 people shouldn't count too much on that. All said, it's really much easier than you think as long as flexibility and compromise reign supreme.

Deleted member 3000 · Mar 18, 2014

I am also a bit puzzled out concerning the number of days this trip will take us

It will depend on the speed of your slowest walker. Five to six days is typical, but many do it in four, and leisurely walkers take longer. You can do a plan here:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

Choose Sarria in the left column, and Santiago in the right column. You will be shown the available stopping places and the type of accommodation available. Pick daily walking distances, and you will know how long the trip will take you.

Buen camino.

quietwun · Mar 19, 2014

Falcon, you would know this... Is it true that the alberques in that last portion..not sure how far I heard...require that a person walks 20 km ( some particular number..you get the point.)

Some of us decrepit slow types will find that impossible, and it makes me sad if true because I will be putting in a lot of effort to do what I can, even if it isn't up to some standard.

(Oops..leaky eyes....seems to be the "getting close to going" stress.)

indyinmaine · Mar 19, 2014

quietwun said:
Falcon, you would know this... Is it true that the alberques in that last portion..not sure how far I heard...require that a person walks 20 km ( some particular number..you get the point.)

Some of us decrepit slow types will find that impossible, and it makes me sad if true because I will be putting in a lot of effort to do what I can, even if it isn't up to some standard.

(Oops..leaky eyes....seems to be the "getting close to going" stress.)

My wife and I walked slowly (took us 7 days because of the rain) to get from Sarria to Santiago. Never heard anything like that.

quietwun · Mar 19, 2014

Thanks....that is encouraging. Time to quit thinking and GO.

Felipe · Mar 19, 2014

You can´t make reservations on public (Xunta de Galicia) or parochial albergues. So, if you want to be sure, opt for the private ones.
September may be still quite crowded, but I think that calling albergue owners the day before will do it; this also will give you more options about where to stop.
The only rule I have heard of is that, the last 100 km., you need to stamp twice a day to get the compostela.
Buen camino!

november_moon · Mar 19, 2014

Is it true that the alberques in that last portion..not sure how far I heard...require that a person walks 20 km ( some particular number..you get the point.)
Some of us decrepit slow types will find that impossible, and it makes me sad if true because I will be putting in a lot of effort to do what I can, even if it isn't up to some standard.
(Oops..leaky eyes....seems to be the "getting close to going" stress.)

I cannot imagine any universe where this would be true. People truly walking would be denied a bed because they hadn't walked far enough because they are slow walkers, decrepit, injured, etc.? No way. No one will say to you that because you are decrepit can didn't walk 20 km that day, that you don't qualify to stay in an alburgue. I suspect that what you heard about was that some people who DON'T walk are turned away to make sure there is room for those who do walk. There are people who get dropped of just outside of town and then walk in as though they have walked all day and then want to claim a bed at an alburgue . The person who told you about the 20km rule probably misspoke or wasn't clear and it made it seem like there was some minimum threshold.

One thing that I have heard, which I believe, is that for the last 100km, it is a good idea to get at least a couple stamps each day - one where you stay, others at bars, churches, etc. along the way. The rule is that to get your compostella, you have to walk at least the last 100km of the route. The Compostela office in Santiago really wants to make sure that people aren't just riding in taxis and vans and pretending to have walked, so multiple stamps per day can be helpful in showing your progress.

Anniesantiago · Mar 19, 2014

And if you are not Catholic and don't mind not getting the actual Compostela, there are two other very nice certificates you can get to commemorate your walk.

Deleted member 3000 · Mar 19, 2014

Two sellos a day is a requirement stamped on the credencial:

The Credencial issued by the Cathedral is printed on card and consists of 14 panels which open out for ease of use. Above is an illustration of the first and last pages. The first page functions as a letter of recommendation and should be filled in with the pilgrim’s details by the organisation issuing it.
The Credencial also clearly states that pilgrims should obtain at least two sellos per day. You must ensure that you do this at least in the last 100 kms from the Cathedral of Santiago if you are walking or on horseback and 200 kms if you are travelling by bicycle.

Nathalie_r · Mar 21, 2014

scruffy1 said:
Six people is not a problem but it may be challenging. Brierley informs us that Sarria is 117.5 km from SdC. One friend may be a real fire-eater at walking and can do the distance in 3-4 days, another will dawdle and walk it in 5 or even 6, one will come down with blisters or diarrhea or the flu and will ride the bus the options are endless even before differences of opinion appear concerning where what and when to eat, start or stop walking who gets the top or bottom bunk. Any private albergue will allow you to reserve so check your guide book now and make a list for over there, municipal or pilgrim hostales, refugios, albergues de peregrinos are usually all first come first bedded many only have 12 or so beds so 6 people shouldn't count too much on that. All said, it's really much easier than you think as long as flexibility and compromise reign supreme.

Thank you Scruffy for your message!!!! I am so much looking forward to this trip!!! Every day that passes brings me closer!!!!

Nathalie_r · Mar 21, 2014

falcon269 said:
It will depend on the speed of your slowest walker. Five to six days is typical, but many do it in four, and leisurely walkers take longer. You can do a plan here:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

Choose Sarria in the left column, and Santiago in the right column. You will be shown the available stopping places and the type of accommodation available. Pick daily walking distances, and you will know how long the trip will take you.

Buen camino.

Thank you Falcon for this precious tip!!!!

Nathalie_r · Mar 24, 2014

falcon269 said:
It will depend on the speed of your slowest walker. Five to six days is typical, but many do it in four, and leisurely walkers take longer. You can do a plan here:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

Choose Sarria in the left column, and Santiago in the right column. You will be shown the available stopping places and the type of accommodation available. Pick daily walking distances, and you will know how long the trip will take you.

Buen camino.

Muchas Gracias!!!

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Booking albergues??

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