Greetings kind pilgrims! Walking from Astorga in September

[RobOH]

Thank you everyone for your insights on these forums! I've learned so much. I'm planning my first camino and it's been super helpful. It's really great to see such an active and supportive community.

Because of my work schedule, time off, etc., I have about 2.5 weeks available this fall. I was able to snag a good flight and my plan right now is to start from Astorga on Sept. 22 (a Friday), planning on anything from 11 to 13 days walking. I want to be flexible on my daily distance. It's also a bit of a faith exercise for me not to overplan this trip. (I'm a compulsive planner by nature.)

I have contemplated trying to move my flight a week out since I've learned about the big wave that leaves SPDP at the beginning of September. I also thought maybe of starting somewhere else. But, I would like to see Santiago de Compostela and Galicia.

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

 

[SabsP]

Happy preparations and Buen Camino! All the best.

 

[alexwalker]

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

I would say you're right.

Stick to your plan: It sounds good.

Buen Caminno!

 

[trecile]

The main issue with the large numbers starting at the beginning of September from SJPdP is the fact that accommodations are pretty limited between SJPdP and Pamplona, so most people end up staying in the same towns on that stretch. After Pamplona there are more intermediate towns and the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out, so that by Astorga there shouldn't be a big clump of pilgrims in any given town

 

[henrythedog]

Thank you everyone for your insights on these forums! I've learned so much. I'm planning my first camino and it's been super helpful. It's really great to see such an active and supportive community.

Because of my work schedule, time off, etc., I have about 2.5 weeks available this fall. I was able to snag a good flight and my plan right now is to start from Astorga on Sept. 22 (a Friday), planning on anything from 11 to 13 days walking. I want to be flexible on my daily distance. It's also a bit of a faith exercise for me not to overplan this trip. (I'm a compulsive planner by nature.)

I have contemplated trying to move my flight a week out since I've learned about the big wave that leaves SPDP at the beginning of September. I also thought maybe of starting somewhere else. But, I would like to see Santiago de Compostela and Galicia.

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

You should be fine, although a fair number will have passed through Astorga the week before you arrive if history repeats itself. It’s a good time of year to walk, virtually everything will be open. There is really no need to plan.

 

[C clearly]

Also there are many more beds in the last 100 km to more easily accommodate the wave from SJPP.

 

[Anamiri]

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

I would book Astorga though (especially if you want to be in the city centre) - its a tourist town as well as a pilgrim town.

 

[David Tallan]

Thank you everyone for your insights on these forums! I've learned so much. I'm planning my first camino and it's been super helpful. It's really great to see such an active and supportive community.

Because of my work schedule, time off, etc., I have about 2.5 weeks available this fall. I was able to snag a good flight and my plan right now is to start from Astorga on Sept. 22 (a Friday), planning on anything from 11 to 13 days walking. I want to be flexible on my daily distance. It's also a bit of a faith exercise for me not to overplan this trip. (I'm a compulsive planner by nature.)

I have contemplated trying to move my flight a week out since I've learned about the big wave that leaves SPDP at the beginning of September. I also thought maybe of starting somewhere else. But, I would like to see Santiago de Compostela and Galicia.

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

I wouldn't worry too much about that earlier wave. By the time they reach Astorga, some will have dropped off and the rest will have spread out. And you will be well past the peak summer time for the Sarria to Santiago portion.

You say you have 2.5 weeks available and are planning on anything from 11 to 13 days. Astorga is about 257km from Santiago so that works out to 20-23km/day. I think this is a decent and doable range for a first Camino if nothing goes wrong. I always advise a few days cushion in case something takes you out of action for a few days. So if you have 2.5 weeks, I'd use most or all of them and give yourself a few extra days at the end you can spend in Santiago or visiting Finisterre/Muxia, but are available to eat into if things don't go as planned.

 

[RobOH]

I would book Astorga though (especially if you want to be in the city centre) - its a tourist town as well as a pilgrim town.

Oh yes, 100%. I’m planning to spend 2-nights there to get my bearings, see the town and recover a bit from the jet lag. I travel a lot so I know how it feels. I kind of subscribe to the power through it school, lol. But coming from the states, I’ll have a long travel day to recover from.

 

[RobOH]

I wouldn't worry too much about that earlier wave. By the time they reach Astorga, some will have dropped off and the rest will have spread out. And you will be well past the peak summer time for the Sarria to Santiago portion.

You say you have 2.5 weeks available and are planning on anything from 11 to 13 days. Astorga is about 257km from Santiago so that works out to 20-23km/day. I think this is a decent and doable range for a first Camino if nothing goes wrong. I always advise a few days cushion in case something takes you out of action for a few days. So if you have 2.5 weeks, I'd use most or all of them and give yourself a few extra days at the end you can spend in Santiago or visiting Finisterre/Muxia, but are available to eat into if things don't go as planned.

Perfect. Thanks so much. I have about 2-3 slack days built in just for those reasons. Whether it’s a recovery day, and extension, an extra day in SdP or maybe Madrid on my way out. Or if I’m just slow! Lol.

I gleaned lots of good insights from these discussions and they all went into my planning.

 

[vkimble]

Thank you everyone for your insights on these forums! I've learned so much. I'm planning my first camino and it's been super helpful. It's really great to see such an active and supportive community.

Because of my work schedule, time off, etc., I have about 2.5 weeks available this fall. I was able to snag a good flight and my plan right now is to start from Astorga on Sept. 22 (a Friday), planning on anything from 11 to 13 days walking. I want to be flexible on my daily distance. It's also a bit of a faith exercise for me not to overplan this trip. (I'm a compulsive planner by nature.)

I have contemplated trying to move my flight a week out since I've learned about the big wave that leaves SPDP at the beginning of September. I also thought maybe of starting somewhere else. But, I would like to see Santiago de Compostela and Galicia.

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that by the time that September wave reaches Astorga/Galicia, it will have stretched out a bit and finding accommodation won't be too challenging. I figure I'll learn as I go... but I couldn't resist asking.

You're asking many of the same questions I also have, along with my same concerns. However, I have not booked my flight as I am still deciding between 3rd or 4th week of Sept. starting from Leon on the CF and with similar time restrictions. I am looking forward to the responses to your thread...