How busy is VDLP ?

[Bjarni Andersen]

I'm leaving to go to the camino for the second time this Wednesday, but I haven't decided which route to take yet. Seeing that people say the Frances is really busy this year I was wondering how busy the other routes were. Thanks.

 

[Zippety]

I have been the hospitelero at the muninciple albergue in Salamanca this past week and have had between 4 and 18 pilgrims at night.

I'm leaving to go to the camino for the second time this Wednesday, but I haven't decided which route to take yet. Seeing that people say the Frances is really busy this year I was wondering how busy the other routes were. Thanks.

As

 

[Anniesantiago]

I don't know about the VDLP but the Madrid route was wonderfully quiet with plenty of beds once past Cercedilla. A beautiful route.

 

[movinmaggie]

I don't know about the VDLP but the Madrid route was wonderfully quiet with plenty of beds once past Cercedilla. A beautiful route.

Annie this might be an odd question but what are the start and end points of the 'Madrid' route? I'm not familiar with it. Thanks. Maggie

 

[Anniesantiago]

Annie this might be an odd question but what are the start and end points of the 'Madrid' route? I'm not familiar with it. Thanks. Maggie

Starts at Madrid at the Church of Santiago and ends at Sagagun on the Camino Frances.

 

[Undermanager]

I'd be interested to hear from anyone on the VDLP at the moment. Is there a grand race on for beds, are people madly booking beds ahead or has it quietened down a bit from last month? Am fully recovered now after major feet problems but am thinking of returning to Aldeanueva de Camino and carrying on to Santiago from there in a week. I need warmer and sunnier weather than the Midlands!

Oh for the Camino Madrid again! I think I will do that route again next year!

 

[MikeJS]

In SdC now after walking the VdlP. No big crush at all although a few more people than I expected. There were clearly a couple of bubbles but I just walked through those as I tend to well about 30 kms a day. Only real issue was Caceres and Canaveral as the accommodation in between was closed which caused a bottle neck. As always there is more accommodation than shown in the guides and at more locations.

 

[Jas Asyiken]

With all the hype going on about the CF, I am drawn to change my route to VDLP instead. I plan to do Seville to SdC. Was a bit concerned if it will be too quiet and secluded for a lone woman pilgrim but reading all your good feedbacks, I am feeling more optimistic about this route. I am also intrigued by the more abundance of history and old cathedrals on this route. Am planning to commence early to mid June 2016. I come from the tropical climate and can adapt well with heat and rain.

I would like to seek kind advise from you experienced pilgrims. In terms of necessities i.e. things to bring, will this route require anything different from that of the CF as it will me my first pilgrimage and I have prepared according to recommendations for the CF. I still have time to make some modifications, in case required. Thanks in advance.

 

[domigee]

In terms of necessities i.e. things to bring, will this route require anything different from that of the CF as it will me my first pilgrimage and I have prepared according to recommendations for the CF. I still have time to make some modifications, in case required. Thanks in advance.

I don't know when you're walking the VdlP, I walked it in June/July. The only change I made was to bring...an umbrella! It was as protection against the heat really, my own portable shade when there wasn't any.... It worked perfectly.
I therefore didn't bring my trusted rain gear (poncho).
Otherwise no changes, I never walk without my sleeping bag (but that's just me...) nor a fleece (and I needed it in and around Salamanca when the weather turned cold).
Buen camino

 

[Jas Asyiken]

I don't know when you're walking the VdlP, I walked it in June/July. The only change I made was to bring...an umbrella! It was as protection against the heat really, my own portable shade when there wasn't any.... It worked perfectly.
I therefore didn't bring my trusted rain gear (poncho).
Otherwise no changes, I never walk without my sleeping bag (but that's just me...) nor a fleece (and I needed it in and around Salamanca when the weather turned cold).
Buen camino

Thank you. That is useful information. I appreciate it. Buen Camino!

 

[LTfit]

From experience on the Plata in July I would HIGHLY recommend a water bladder of at least 2 liters.

I leave from Sevilla on June 17th but will only be walking 2 weeks.

Happy preparing and Buen Camino!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Most places have been approaching full-ish but no race. We are currently a group of 8 family members so if we weren't here there would really be no problem!
We were the only ones who stopped at Aldeo del Cano, but then Valdesalor filled up completely (though there were also private lodgings available)

 

[MikeJS]

Found most of the municipal albergues to have space in May 16 and there is almost always other places to stay.

 

[SYates]

It wasn't busy at all in February/March and, more importantly not one hospitalero told me that there was ever a pilgrim in town that couldn't find a bed in past years. The most pilgrims I heard of were in Zafra (2 albergues) and the hospitalero of one told me that in all the years his albergue is open he only filled up every single bed (23 beds in total) one or two times. Buen Camino, SY