MileHighPair
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Many, many Caminos, mostly past maybe some future.
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I think that is probably true. I have twice walked portions but not ended up in Santiago. Many of the walkers have done a number of Caminos (or portions) and are not too worried about the compostella.It could be that most of the pilgrims who walk the VDLP do not bother with a compostela.
There may be some truth in that. Many people walking the VDLP have already completed one of the northern routes. But I don't think that accounts for the tiny figures compared with the Frances or the Portugues. The VDLP's greater length, summer heat, long stages and limited infrastructure make it a challenging route. By contrast a large element in the phenomenal growth in numbers on the CF in recent years is that it is a remarkably simple and easy route to walk. Something that many people only fully appreciate when they walk other routes on their later caminos.It could be that most of the pilgrims who walk the VDLP do not bother with a compostela.
Based on these numbers, it doesn't look like the Via de la Plata will be overly crowded soon.
2013 = 9016
2014 = 8488
2015 = 9222
2016 = 9067
2017 = 9138
(From Pilgrim Office Statistics website)
Just a little data FYI.
I think the increase we are seeing on Camino in general is mostly from «the masses », people happy to go for a stroll, « bar hop », have their suitcases transported, people who want a Camino like the « the movie », people who would not be on the Frances, or Portuguese, if Jacotrans, cantines on wheels and the like had not been invented.But if pilgrims on the VdlP don't bother to get a Compostela (which I think is true), then they also didnt't bother to get one in 2013. It surprises me that the numbers are not rising. I loved that Camino.
From your lips to God’s ears. We can thank the sun and heat for preservong this route from the masses.So, I think the Silver Route is safe for the time being...
Holy Years (2004 and 2010) do make a difference.A few more numbers for the VdlP
2003 1845
2004 9309
2005 3140
2006 3523
2007 5871
2008 5104
2009 6254
2010 14197
2011 8061
2012 8163
That being said, it seems that these characteristics would be consistent from year to year, so the fact that the number of Compostelas has been fairly flat for these last few years is significant.
This low number of pilgrims midway through the VdlP is totally expected when compared to the number of Compostelas, because the numbers of pilgrims after Ourense increases dramatically due to it being the equivalent of Sarria on the Camino Frances. Gotta love those 100km-ers!
Buen Camino to all!
A good point. I don't think it's very scientific, but looking at December's statistics, I'd guess the 101 registered as coming on the VDLP would include the Sanabrés ones and probably also those who carried on to Astorga and then took the Francés. But I may well be wrong - and perhaps it depends on whoever is on duty at the time? - the figures should probably be treated with a little caution, as I see that there were "Camino de Invierno con 60 (2,07%);" and also "Invierno de Camino con 5 (0,17%)".Wouldn’t the people walking the last 100km from Ourense be qualified as coming from the Sanabres and not VDLP which ends in Astorga on the Frances? I wonder how the Pilgrim Office decides who gets tagged as Sanabres, VDLP or Frances.
Folks that start anywhere along the Sanabres (including Ourense) get counted as Via de la Plata pilgrims when receiving a compostela. There is no separate category for the Sanabres in the routes listed. My guess is that this is because the vast majority of VdlP pilgrims take the Sanabres option (maybe someone who has worked in the office can help us out here). I realize that some guides indicate the official VdlP continues north and joins the Frances at Astorga, but that is not how pilgrims are counted in the office, and it certainly is not how most pilgrims walk. (I've walked both, so I can tell you from experience that the number of pilgrims turning west is much higher than those continuing north). I realize, as alansykes mentions, this is not an exact science. I'm sure errors are made in the brief interview process in the pilgrim office. But again, these errors would be roughly equivalent from year to year. My main point was just that the total number of folks on the VdlP has been nearly static for the last few years.Wouldn’t the people walking the last 100km from Ourense be qualified as coming from the Sanabres and not VDLP which ends in Astorga on the Frances? I wonder how the Pilgrim Office decides who gets tagged as Sanabres, VDLP or Frances.
Folks that start anywhere along the Sanabres (including Ourense) get counted as Via de la Plata pilgrims when receiving a compostela. There is no separate category for the Sanabres in the routes listed. My guess is that this is because the vast majority of VdlP pilgrims take the Sanabres option (maybe someone who has worked in the office can help us out here). [Emphasis added by commentor] I realize that some guides indicate the official VdlP continues north and joins the Frances at Astorga, but that is not how pilgrims are counted in the office, and it certainly is not how most pilgrims walk. (I've walked both, so I can tell you from experience that the number of pilgrims turning west is much higher than those continuing north). I realize, as alansykes mentions, this is not an exact science. I'm sure errors are made in the brief interview process in the pilgrim office. But again, these errors would be roughly equivalent from year to year. My main point was just that the total number of folks on the VdlP has been nearly static for the last few years.
I'm curious to know this, too!I have two stupid questions?
1. Is anyone aware of a "map" of water fountains for the VdlP route other than the small towns along the way? I'm aware you can always ask locals as you walk by their houses, maybe they are working in the garden etc, etc, but I'm also aware most locals take their siesta seriously!
2. Is it Monday most museums etc are closed in Spain? I'ld like to plan hitting the bigger towns/citys on days that thing are open. Comments please
Not big numbers but I like it like that!!Based on these numbers, it doesn't look like the Via de la Plata will be overly crowded soon.
2013 = 9016
2014 = 8488
2015 = 9222
2016 = 9067
2017 = 9138
(From Pilgrim Office Statistics website)
Just a little data FYI.
I have two stupid questions?
1. Is anyone aware of a "map" of water fountains for the VdlP route other than the small towns along the way? I'm aware you can always ask locals as you walk by their houses, maybe they are working in the garden etc, etc, but I'm also aware most locals take their siesta seriously!
2. Is it Monday most museums etc are closed in Spain? I'ld like to plan hitting the bigger towns/citys on days that thing are open. Comments please
There may be some truth in that. Many people walking the VDLP have already completed one of the northern routes. But I don't think that accounts for the tiny figures compared with the Frances or the Portugues. The VDLP's greater length, summer heat, long stages and limited infrastructure make it a challenging route. By contrast a large element in the phenomenal growth in numbers on the CF in recent years is that it is a remarkably simple and easy route to walk. Something that many people only fully appreciate when they walk other routes on their later caminos.
You will love the VdlP which I have just completed. I am sure you are correct about the heat, however I walked through snow in late April! You just never know!!I wouldn't say that the Frances is completely easy, but having trekked it twice we, found the number of people dramatically increased between Sarria and Santiago from one year to the next ... the 100 k'ers. Hence in 2019, we are off to trek the Via de la Plata, a road less traveled
I think so too. In 2014 the girl behind the counter (I was picking up the Pro Vicario Compostela) knew absolutely nothing about Camino de Madrid and Invierno. When I started explaining two young men came and they were in awe. Funny.From memory the starting point defines the route assigned so anyone starting at any point along the VdlP/Sanabres route would be counted as VdlP. There is no separate number for Sanabres pilgrims in the statistics so I assume they are all counted as VdlP.
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