Crowding - an alternate view

[traveler]

We started the Camino on May 9 in SJPP and plan to end in Muxia. This the same route we did last year at the same time and it seems to us the crowds this year are the same and maybe a bit less. For example Orisson was accepting walk ups until about 4 pm and we've only talked to one group that couldn't find a place to stay one night. The number of people at mass is about the same, maybe a bit less. And two nights ago, Najera seemed empty compared to last year.

We book ahead (and we booked ahead last year), because we walk slowly, enjoy breakfast, look at too many birds, take a lot of pictures, and enjoy lunch and conversation--and so we don't want race ahead for beds or rooms. We try to arrive by 5 pm. But the only place we've seen where everything is "completo" by the time we arrived was Ventosa and we arrived about 6 pm. This seems typical compared to last year.

Last year we had a long walk into Burgos with a new friend and arrived about 7:30 pm. She did not have reservations and ended up staying at the Marriott for 70e -- not perfect but not a crisis. And last year in Portomarin there were people sleeping on the floor of the cafe.

And so my part of the anecdotal evidence says "walk the Camino, book ahead of you're slow or nervous, but whether you book ahead or not, it will work out." As always the Camino will provide.

 

[jsalt]

we walk slowly, enjoy breakfast, look at too many birds, take a lot of pictures, and enjoy lunch and conversation--and so we don't want race ahead for beds or rooms. We try to arrive by 5 pm.

And I thought I was the only one! So glad to see I am not alone
Enjoy the rest of your camino. Jill

 

[mcopeland]

Where are you now? We also walk slow. We started in St. Jean on April 26 and are in Boadillo del Camino tonight.

 

[dougfitz]

And so my part of the anecdotal evidence says "walk the Camino, book ahead of you're slow or nervous, but whether you book ahead or not, it will work out."

This has been our experience - if you are slow and haven't booked, expect to have to pay more. We have not gone without a bed, but we have gone without a low cost bed in an albergue several times.

 

[traveler]

Where are you now? We also walk slow. We started in St. Jean on April 26 and are in Boadillo del Camino tonight.

We're in Santo Domingo. It looks like you are about 1 week ahead of us.

 

[mcopeland]

Yes. I had foot trouble and we cut off a couple of days by taking a bus into Burgos. But you'll probably pass us by at some point! Everyone else has. We book ahead too. Almost got burned a couple of times.

 

[Rupe]

Yes. I had foot trouble and we cut off a couple of days by taking a bus into Burgos. But you'll probably pass us by at some point! Everyone else has. We book ahead too. Almost got burned a couple of times.

So...when you book ahead do you do this while you are at the previous alberques?

 

[mcopeland]

Yes. Working on it right now.

 

[susan harris]

We started the Camino on May 9 in SJPP and plan to end in Muxia. This the same route we did last year at the same time and it seems to us the crowds this year are the same and maybe a bit less. For example Orisson was accepting walk ups until about 4 pm and we've only talked to one group that couldn't find a place to stay one night. The number of people at mass is about the same, maybe a bit less. And two nights ago, Najera seemed empty compared to last year.

We book ahead (and we booked ahead last year), because we walk slowly, enjoy breakfast, look at too many birds, take a lot of pictures, and enjoy lunch and conversation--and so we don't want race ahead for beds or rooms. We try to arrive by 5 pm. But the only place we've seen where everything is "completo" by the time we arrived was Ventosa and we arrived about 6 pm. This seems typical compared to last year.

Last year we had a long walk into Burgos with a new friend and arrived about 7:30 pm. She did not have reservations and ended up staying at the Marriott for 70e -- not perfect but not a crisis. And last year in Portomarin there were people sleeping on the floor of the cafe.

And so my part of the anecdotal evidence says "walk the Camino, book ahead of you're slow or nervous, but whether you book ahead or not, it will work out." As always the Camino will provide.

Thank you so much for this commentary Traveler! Reading all those tales of woe ( and where does all that angry negativity come from?) about crowds on the camino made me very happy I had already walked my wonderful Camino Frances & Via Podiensis but also sad, that a spiritual path at its core had seemingly become so commercial and superficial - some sort of "happening" to check off one's bucket list. Your words of wisdom are positively healing and encouraging. I can let my friends go without worrying they will have a horrible time!!!!

 

[domigee]

It seems to me a non-brainer: You don't want crowds? Don't walk the camino francés! (unless it is mid-winter!)

 

[C clearly]

It seems to me a non-brainer: You don't want crowds? Don't walk the camino francés! (unless it is mid-winter!)

In fact, late October through to end of March (5 months!) is fine.

 

[dougfitz]

Reading all those tales of woe ( and where does all that angry negativity come from?)

I'm wondering where all these tales of angry negativity have come from. Some of us who were walking early in the month (ie May) and had difficulties finding accommodation reported those facts. Responses from members who weren't here at the time ranged from advice and solace, through to almost outright disbelief - is that the negativity you are referring to here?

Members who walked later and have not been affected have been reporting that too. These reports are no less ephemeral than earlier ones of people facing difficulties, but we seem to find some comfort in them - perhaps because they reflect how we want the Camino to be. And perhaps that is indeed how it will continue to be over most of the year still, with some short peaks in the numbers when low cost accommodation will be difficult to find.

 

[Lars Wetterstrom]

I walked my first camino frances in april 2012 and the second half in july 2013. My second one I walked in october 2014 and in 2 etapes in july and september 2015. Last year in september there were notably fewer pilgrims walking than I ever experienced. On my first night when I stayed in the lovely small village Santa Catalina Somoza just after Astorga there was only me and a german guy staying in the first nice albergue to the right. When I stayed at the same albergue in july 2013 it was filled with pilgrims. Why this is I really dont know.