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I think this is the absolute key, much more than any concerns about personal safety. I will hazard the unsolicited opinion that anyone who walks alone without a cell phone is taking a big risk on these untraveled caminos. Knowing that emergency services are 3 numbers away (112) is a huge source of confidence.I remember feeling - and said to him - that I was glad I was not walking alone - not because of any particular fear but that it would, for me, have felt a bit lonely and isolated.
I walked Granada - Cordoba in March 2019 and it was fantastic. The first day was testing because to Piños Puente it is pretty much tarmac all the way. Between Moclin and Alcala La Real you have walk through olive groves and the route is not well signed. Otherwise I met no unfriendly dogs and there is no difficulty with finding water. It is not a Camino well travelled but the Spaniards and Belgians that I met on the way were all real peregrinos, i.e. open, friendly and unthreatening. When my friend and I got to Cordoba we arrived at about 13:15 and so went directly to the Mezquita to get our credenciales stamped. As they used to be the queue was about 100 metres long but as we had no choice we joined it. The security guard came up to us to say that we could not go into the Mezquita with our backpacks. When we told him that we just wanted our stamps, he went to the ticket office and insisted that they open a new window and took us to be the first in the queue. It was great.I am planning a little Camino the first half of April (just before Semana Santa) in Andalucía. The Granada - Córdoba stretch is tempting because of these two wonderful cities. And because I have never walked there before. But I am a bit reluctant about walking there on my own. I have walked quite a few quiet Camino's, but somehow I don't feel as brave anymore as I used to do. Fear of dogs, of getting lost in the middle of nowhere without water, of unwanted company from lonely men...
My escape would be part of the Via de la Plata, which I walked about 9 years ago. I loved it back then. Knowing there will be more pilgrims there and more pilgrim infrastructure, it would feel much safer. But not new.
Anything encouraging to say? Any experiences? Do's and don'ts? Anyone else planning to walk around that time?
your reasons are why I not just like the vdlp but why I feel at home both in it and on it.I think this is the absolute key, much more than any concerns about personal safety. I will hazard the unsolicited opinion that anyone who walks alone without a cell phone is taking a big risk on these untraveled caminos. Knowing that emergency services are 3 numbers away (112) is a huge source of confidence.
@Jenny’s words about feeling lonely or isolated are much more fundamental for @Luka, I think. I don’t know why I have morphed into someone who truly feels in the groove when I’m walking alone, when it’s remote, and when I can just soak up whatever the Spanish landscape has to offer me as a backdrop for my thoughts. But if this isn’t you, I think you just won’t enjoy this camino, even though I think you will be safe.
Yes, my brother knew where I was, although he didn't watch all the time. The limitations were heavy cloud cover - device is satellite based - and my forgetting to turn it on occasionally.Wow @Bernice M, another woman not scared of a solitary adventure! So your brother literally always knew where you were? I have a GPS-tracker for my cats that I could use for that purpose, but I wonder if I really want to be tracked like that. However I can imagine it feels rather safe.
And yes, I found that guide. It is great! And yes, I have the paid version of Wikiloc. For years already.
... mea culpa... erratum. Should read BRENAN.Lovely reading this blog as I was set to hike from Almeria in April of this year.... now planned for mid-May ‘22. Reading your excellent ‘Pengiun’ report Laurie, I now realise I can make it easily to Córdoba.
May I recommend reading a short biography of life in the Sierra Nevada pre WW2 - Gerald Brennan’s ‘South from Granada’.
I’d love to have the spreadsheet. Did I miss where you’ve posted it?Hi ... am sure it has been all said and so can just confirm it is a lovely walk . We (3) walked 2018 and didn't see many others tho staying in small hotels, AirBnB etc didn't help for socialising. Those we met were great. It is worth getting the bus or taxi out of Granada to Pinos Puente as makes the first day to Moclin a 15km walk with big climb at the end. We did Granada to Merida with regular days off to enjoy the bigger cities etc. Happy to send our route as still have the excel spread sheet with accom details etc.
We had no problems with loose dogs. There were some locked inside yards (securitry) but none out.
Oh to get the chance to walk again instead of being held hostage here in New Zealand by a government not letting anyone back in.
I will try to, and otherwise I'll post them after I am back homeHeeeeeey Luka! I hope you will post your lodgings/experience as you walk.
I'll look forward to following you. This is a route I have not yet walked.
YAY!
Hi... did I send this ?? I sent it to someome but having a senior moment .. If not email me on marketedgenz@gmail.comI’d love to have the spreadsheet. Did I miss where you’ve posted it?
I’ll email now. Thanks!Hi... did I send this ?? I sent it to someome but having a senior moment .. If not email me on marketedgenz@gmail.com
Cheers bruce
Having a second set of eyes is welcome when walking untrodden Caminos. The signage has improved since 2014 (I've been told) when I walked Granada - Mérida. Good to hear since I bitched to myself on several occasions during the first few stages. I even called the Amigos in Granada on day two when the arrows stopped in an olive grove. Apparently I was following an old route! I had to backtrack adding too many km to my already long stage.Just a little update. In the end I am not going to walk alone. A friend will join me. We will walk Granada - Córdoba from April 4th till April 10th (covidvirus willing)
As I said, I've heard that the signage has improved.Thanks for the headsup, @LTfit! Maybe it would be a good idea to search for tracks on wikiloc.
I would take tracks on my phone. There are lots on wikiloc. I know you are used to dreary days walking out of cities, but Granada is one of the most dreary. I have a memory of millions of plastic bags and garbage along a gloomy grey canal. But things improve dramatically after Pinos Puente!Thanks for the headsup, @LTfit! Maybe it would be a good idea to search for tracks on wikiloc.
Sorry for my late reply! Thanks for the heads up, I already thought about catching a bus from Granada to Pinos Puente and start walking from there. And I will have a closer look at that river crossing. Found all the tracks on wikiloc.I would take tracks on my phone. There are lots on wikiloc. I know you are used to dreary days walking out of cities, but Granada is one of the most dreary. I have a memory of millions of plastic bags and garbage along a gloomy grey canal. But things improve dramatically after Pinos Puente!
I did not stay in Pinos Puente, and I was not aware that it had the reputation that one forum member mentioned above. Some members of the “Mozárabe mob” took public transport or a taxi and walked from Pinos Puente, but I’m stubborn and walked it. Granada to Moclín would be a tough first day, though — 19 flat boring kms followed by olive groves and a short but steep ascent at the end.
I remember that @jpflavin1 had some rough going after Pinos Puente that involved crossing the river. I never did figure out how he got where he got. But he made it. He describes it in this post .
Are you going to start with a visit to the Alhambra? The ticket system is now much improved, and numbers have been reduced because of covid. I went there last June as a tourist and it was absolutely glorious to walk around the grounds without crowds!
I remember that @jpflavin1 had some rough going after Pinos Puente that involved crossing the river. I never did figure out how he got where he got. But he made it. He describes it in this post .
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