How busy is Ourense - Santiago in August?

[Luka]

Hola amig@s peregrin@s, I would like to walk the Sanabrés in August. I figured that this Camino would most likely not be too busy as hardly anyone will start the Via de la Plata in Sevilla in scorching July. But what about the last 100 kms from Ourense on? Does anyone know if I should expect crowds there in August? I know it will be busier than before Ourense anyway, but should August be considered as high season on that part of the Sanabrés?

 

[geraldkelly]

I would imagine there'll be very few people. Ourense isn't a popular starting point at any time of year. I certainly hear of very few people walking it. Buen Camino!

 

[Luka]

To answer my own question I looked at the statistics of August 2022. A total of 1697 pilgrims who got a Compostela started in Ourense. So that is quite a lot, about 55 a day, without counting all those pilgrims who didn't go after a Compostela...

In 2019 that number was 690, so the increase is impressive...

 

[Bradypus]

So that is quite a lot, about 55 a day, without counting all those pilgrims who didn't go after a Compostela...

It is quite a lot given the number of albergues along that route. But compared to the 1000+ per day on the final stages of the Frances in August it probably won't seem so bad!

 

[Luka]

It is quite a lot given the number of albergues along that route. But compared to the 1000+ per day on the final stages of the Frances in August it probably won't seem so bad!

That is why I always compare it with the number of beds. My worry is not that the stages will look like the Ramblas in Barcelona, but that there aren't enough beds for this amount of pilgrims.

 

[geraldkelly]

I had a look at the statistics and (as is often the case when I look at pilgrims office statistics) I'm sceptical.

2135 pilgrims arrived on the Via in August 2022 (all starting points). That's 68 or so a day.

With that number of pilgrims all the albergues would be jammed. I've never heard about people complaining about full albergues on this stretch. But what do I know?

Please come back and tell us how you get on. I'm interested to know if this is really the case.

Gerald

 

[Luka]

@geraldkelly is Ourense in those statistics a starting point on the Via de la Plata? Or is it considered Camino Sanabrés? It is of course very unlikely that so many pilgrims would walk the Plata in August, but if the 55 or so from Ourense are included that number is possible of course.

 

[jimmyc]

I walked the Sanabres from G de M in September 2019 and never ever booked ahead. Certainly no problem after Ourense.

 

[grayland]

I walked the VdlP in August of 2013. (it was very hot ) There were no other pilgrims until Salamanca and then a few each day.
Actually, the albergue in Ourense was nearly full... after a pretty empty walk from Seville.

From Ourense, there were pilgrims walking every day into Santiago and the albergues were well populated. I do not recall anyone being completo..but pretty full.

 

[Luka]

I walked the Sanabres from G de M in September 2019 and never ever booked ahead. Certainly no problem after Ourense.

I am not surprised that it was quiet in September. But August is holiday month in Spain, so very different I assume.

 

[Luka]

I walked the VdlP in August of 2013. (it was very hot ) There were no other pilgrims until Salamanca and then a few each day.
Actually, the albergue in Ourense was nearly full... after a pretty empty walk from Seville.

From Ourense, there were pilgrims walking every day into Santiago and the albergues were well populated. I do not recall anyone being completo..but pretty full.

Wow, and that was back in 2013. It is of course very likely that there are more albergues now, but so far it looks like I should be prepared for a possible bed shortage in August after Ourense.

P.S: I walked part of the Via de la Pata in August 2014 (from Salamanca to Benavente, from there I travelled to León and continued on the Francés). I recall a couple of cyclists, but hardly any pilgrims walking.

 

[williamlittig]

I've walked many camino and the Sanabre is my favorite if you have a week. We haven't been back since 2016 but it was beautiful and quiet, lovely and remember there are two routes for part of the way so pilgrims can be dispersed. Be prepared, you will adapt, your on pilgrimage, not a packaged tour. Ultreya!

 

[dd581]

I'm going to walk from A Gudiña with my wife and our 2-year old son this September. Do I need to worry about free beds on that part?

 

[Bradypus]

I'm going to walk from A Gudiña with my wife and our 2-year old son this September. Do I need to worry about free beds on that part?

I don't think it will be an issue until Ourense. Most people passing through A Gudina in September will be long-distance walkers from the Via de la Plata and not many will have been walking it during August.

 

[grayland]

Perhaps an explantion for those not familiar with the Sanabres....
Ourense is the 100km point on this route (to qualify for the Compostela) ...thus it is the starting point for many pilgrims in the same way that Sarria is for the Camino Frances.

 

[Luka]

Perhaps an explantion for those not familiar with the Sanabres....
Ourense is the 100km point on this route (to qualify for the Compostela) ...thus it is the starting point for many pilgrims in the same way that Sarria is for the Camino Frances.

Exactly. That is why I am a bit concerned about August, which is also the busiest month on the Sarria - Santiago part of the Francés. I wouldn't expect many problems in September though. But it also depends on where you want to (and are allowed to) stay with a 2-year-old.

 

[dd581]

Exactly. ... (and are allowed to) stay with a 2-year-old.

Should I expect some difficulties with that?

Edit: Ok, in terms of numbers the statistics for September 2022 looks really relaxed with <600 arrivals from Ourense.

 

[Stivandrer]

Exactly. That is why I am a bit concerned about August, which is also the busiest month on the Sarria - Santiago part of the Francés. I wouldn't expect many problems in September though. But it also depends on where you want to (and are allowed to) stay with a 2-year-old.

with that in mind, here´s a golden tip:

Do stop in at a last leg before Santiago, and book in at Albergue Reina Lupa. This will be a short 10 km before the end. It is new and good and it will be a better, shorter stretch the next day w/ a twoyearold....
The residing Mama runs a very tidy ship
Good food in the restaurant at the roadside, Albergue set a little back from the road, good rooms also private ones, soundproof from the noise of the road. A good night´s sleep before SdC!

Albergue REINA LUPA

Albergue REINA LUPA, Boqueixón. 990 likes · 64 talking about this · 129 were here. Albergue a 100m del Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a pie de nacional. Somos un albergue de titularidad privada...

www.facebook.com

on the map, notice it is on the N-525, very near to the route ( 200 metres )

Albergue Reina Lupa · Deseiro, Rúa Sergude, Concello de Boqueixón, 15881 Boqueixón, A Coruña, Spain

★★★★★ · Lodge

www.google.com

info@alberguereinalupa.com

+34 981 51 18 03

 

[dd581]

with that in mind, here´s a golden tip:
Albergue Reina Lupa.

Great! Thank you very much! Funny enough, I have planned it like that, though just looking at the distances. Now I know, that this is a good choice for other ascpects, too!

 

[Luka]

Should I expect some difficulties with that?

Edit: Ok, in terms of numbers the statistics for September 2022 looks really relaxed with <600 arrivals from Ourense.

I don't know to be honest, but I can imagine that small children are not allowed dorms (but I might be wrong).

 

[jimmyc]

I am not surprised that it was quiet in September. But August is holiday month in Spain, so very different I assume.

I always left early in the mornings and consequently arrived at the next albergue around 2pm. i was usually the first one in so never had any problems. If you intend arriving late in the afternoons perhaps you should book ahead.
However, please bear in mind that most municipals do not take bookings.

 

[Luka]

@jimmyc, did you walk Ourense - Santiago in August?

 

[jimmyc]

@jimmyc, did you walk Ourense - Santiago in August?

September 2019

 

[MARSKA]

Hola amig@s peregrin@s, I would like to walk the Sanabrés in August. I figured that this Camino would most likely not be too busy as hardly anyone will start the Via de la Plata in Sevilla in scorching July. But what about the last 100 kms from Ourense on? Does anyone know if I should expect crowds there in August? I know it will be busier than before Ourense anyway, but should August be considered as high season on that part of the Sanabrés?

Hola! I am considering dropping off the CF and heading to Ourense to finish in SDC . I would arrive Ourense in mid-Oct. I am interested in more information regarding the route if anyone wishes to speak. Gracias!

 

[Luka]

I can now somehow answer my own question (however I wasn't able to walk this part as I got injured before Ourense).

Also before Ourense there were more pilgrims on the road than I would have thought in August. No crowds at all, but we were mostly with 6-10 pilgrims in the albergues (of which 2 bicigrinos).

In Albergueria I spoke with 2 pilgrims who were walking the Sanabres backwards. They said they met quite a lot of pilgrims in between Santiago and Ourense (mostly walking in groups). Sometimes they had trouble finding a bed.

I am in the Grelo hostel in Ourense now (so not in the Xunta albergue). It has been quiet here yesterday and today, still beds available tomorrow (Friday night), but I saw the albergue is sold out on Booking on Saturday night. So that might suggest that the biggest wave of pilgrims walks out of Ourense on a Sunday.

 

[geraldkelly]

I can now somehow answer my own question (however I wasn't able to walk this part as I got injured before Ourense).

Also before Ourense there were more pilgrims on the road than I would have thought in August. No crowds at all, but we were mostly with 6-10 pilgrims in the albergues (of which 2 bicigrinos).

In Albergueria I spoke with 2 pilgrims who were walking the Sanabres backwards. They said they met quite a lot of pilgrims in between Santiago and Ourense (mostly walking in groups). Sometimes they had trouble finding a bed.

I am in the Grelo hostel in Ourense now (so not in the Xunta albergue). It has been quiet here yesterday and today, still beds available tomorrow (Friday night), but I saw the albergue is sold out on Booking on Saturday night. So that might suggest that the biggest wave of pilgrims walks out of Ourense on a Sunday.

Interesting.
Are you not able to continue walking?

 

[Stivandrer]

I am in the Grelo hostel in Ourense now (so not in the Xunta albergue). It has been quiet here yesterday and today, still beds available tomorrow (Friday night), but I saw the albergue is sold out on Booking on Saturday night. So that might suggest that the biggest wave of pilgrims walks out of Ourense on a Sunday.

Grelo is nice when there is only few staying and very loud when bikers arrive en masse...

 

[Luka]

Interesting.
Are you not able to continue walking?

Nope. Old Achilles tendons problems returned. Recovery will take months....

 

[nycwalking]

Nope. Old Achilles tendons problems returned. Recovery will take months....

Sorry.

Take care of yourself going forward.

Buen camino.

 

[geraldkelly]

Nope. Old Achilles tendons problems returned. Recovery will take months....

Sorry to hear that. Hope you have a swift recovery.