Stripey Socks
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2023
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Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
Sounds reasonable. I walked it in 38 days plus one rest day in September-October, 2011. Temperature on September 12, the day I left Seville, was +40C. Arriving in SdC around October 20 it was drizzly rain and cool.
Larry
In 2012 April/May I took 44 days to walk from Seville walking via Astorga and the Camino Frances. My longest walking day was to Zamora on day 28 that was 33kms and nearly killed me (It was very hot)
Two rest days included one in Salamanca and the other in Zamora.(3 new blisters)
Last year it took me 17 days to walk the Sanabres (wish I had done it with my VDLP) so that would be 45 days.
Heather
In 2010 i start to walk from Sevilla october 9th, pass by Ourense and arrive in Santiago november 18th. 39 days of walking plus 3 rest days along the way. The weather was agreable. I mean not too hot and got only 4 or 5 rainy days. Some cold ice rain coming in Galicia but otherwise really nice weather to walk. I don't know if you have made up your mind but my suggestion would be to pass by Ourense. Really nice albergues, friendly reception, no crowd, two places with therme, great food.
JPierre
Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
Hi Mel,
Interesting coincidence. I also walked camino Frances last year in 30 days ansd I plan to walk VdlP this year, starting in September 1. I am hoping to average 25 km/day. I am looking for some good guide books. So far I have only found a german book.
Regards
Tom
There is a Spanish guide book: La Via de la Plata a Pie y en Bicicleta. It covers the route from Seville to Astorga. It does not cover the route through Ourense. I used it in 2011, and although my knowledge of Spanish limited at best I found it very useful. It is available from www.amazon.es. Alison Raju's Via de la Plata is in English and describes both the Astorga and Ourense options.
Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
I meant to take the Sanabres way to Santiago. Just reread your original post where you wrote you want to go by Ourense. Great choice!Hi JPierre When you say to 'pass by Ourense', do you mean to stay in Ourense on the Sanabres way or continue to walk northwards join the Camino Frances at Astorga instead?
Thanks Mel
I'm an oldie of 66. Sevilla to Santiago was 39 walking days, plus one rest day in Salamanca. It was my best Camino, too. Just wonderful. However, even 18th September and for the week following temperatures rose to 40C, so walking after midday was almost impossible. Galicia, by the time I got there, was under constant deluge, and all the paths were torrents. Buen Camino!Hi Mel
In 2011 I started in Seville and walked to Compostela via Ourense [1000 km ] in 40 walking days i.e. an average of 25 km per day. I left Seville on April 2nd and it was a great experience walking north at about the same rate as Spring went north - I was in fields of flowers for several weeks! I timed my walk so that one of my rest days would be Easter Friday in Salamanca, where they have amazing processions through the streets as they carry the floats through the town and down to the cathedral. So glad I stopped there.I finished my camino by walking on to Muxia, and it was my best camino yet!
Buen Camino
Alan
Be brave. Life is joyous.
I'm an oldie of 66. Sevilla to Santiago was 39 walking days, plus one rest day in Salamanca. It was my best Camino, too. Just wonderful. However, even 18th September and for the week following temperatures rose to 40C, so walking after midday was almost impossible. Galicia, by the time I got there, was under constant deluge, and all the paths were torrents. Buen Camino!
Your plan sounds good and definitely doable. Make sure to save some time to explore a little in Puebla de Sanabria (great castle and a few other spots) and Zamora (wonderful Semana Santa museum, plus loads of beautiful churches). And you must take the little tourist train in Ourense to the free thermal baths. Fall on the VDLP is a really wonderful time.
Oh -- do pack some bug spray. I'm not sure if you'll need it, but when I walked Salamanca>Santiago one September/October, these tiny bugs they call mosquitoes (but they don't bite) were everyone in certain spots, and it was awful. They'd get in your ears, eyes, mouth, etc., they covered my entire body, my camera lens when I tried to take photos, etc.
Melanie
Where can I find the Alison Raju book?
Tom
The copy I have is pretty old -- published by Cicerone Press in 2005. I checked their website (www.cicerone.co.uk) and they don't list it. I've heard that there is a new addition in the works. The amazon.ca website lists a 2014 edition followed by the comment "we don't know when or if this item will be back in stock." If you check with Cicerone they can tell you "when or if" you can get one. Frankly, I'm not too impressed with the copy I have. It's difficult to follow and the maps are not as good as the German edition.
Larry
I think you're right. It's easy to get bogged down with paperwork and guide books, and in the end -- at least in my experience -- what you do is decide on your destination for the day, start walking, follow the signs and check into the accommodation at the end of the day.Thanks Larry - I have already downloaded that one plus a schedule from Godesalco.com - maybe I don't need anything else? Those two docs may be enough paperwork to get me through...
Your plan sounds good and definitely doable. Make sure to save some time to explore a little in Puebla de Sanabria (great castle and a few other spots) and Zamora (wonderful Semana Santa museum, plus loads of beautiful churches). And you must take the little tourist train in Ourense to the free thermal baths. Fall on the VDLP is a really wonderful time.
Oh -- do pack some bug spray. I'm not sure if you'll need it, but when I walked Salamanca>Santiago one September/October, these tiny bugs they call mosquitoes (but they don't bite) were everyone in certain spots, and it was awful. They'd get in your ears, eyes, mouth, etc., they covered my entire body, my camera lens when I tried to take photos, etc.
Melanie
Lowe Alpine has a hat with drop down netting. When there are not bugs, the net fits neatly inside the hat (and gets a bit sweaty).
View attachment 8329
Hi Tom, I've also being trying to track this down and I have send an email to Cicerone Press. I'll post the response when/if received. I understand this version has been improved and is lighter than earlier editions, so I'd like to have a look.Where can I find the Alison Raju book?
Tom
I used the CSJ guide Seville to Santiago also bought the Confraternity guide from another pilgrim who decided she had too much to carry.( It was great). I also inherited a German guide AND had printed out the Eroski pages . Overkill maybe!!
However the way is so well marked I 'm sure you won't get lost.
Heather
Hi Tom, I've also being trying to track this down and I have send an email to Cicerone Press. I'll post the response when/if received. I understand this version has been improved and is lighter than earlier editions, so I'd like to have a look.
Geoff
Thanks. That's unfortunate...so I guess I'll also look for the guide produced in Seville and download what I can find. Then like yourself - just go with the flow...something I'm working on.
In 2007 I walked from Seville to Santiago in 36 days. I recently walked from Seville to Salamanca in 22 days - but could have done it in 21 days.
The route is very well waymarked indeed with many more options for accommodation than before.
First time I took the Alison Raju guide and also sections of the guide from the Pila Pila Press.
This time carrying less than half of the weight of the first time I simply used the Eroski walking notes (ignoring their suggested stages) and the accommodation spreadsheet from this forum:
Accounts have started to appear here:
http://johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com.es/
Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
Hi,Definitely stop at Aqua Libera! They do offer pilgrim discounts on using their Roman spa, which is quite beautiful. They have a few apartments, too, and sometimes offer Roman dinners. Noemi, the owner, is one of my favorite Spaniards -- just a lovely woman (I've stayed their twice and used the spa both times). Tell her hello from Melanie with the guidebook app!
Mel
Most pilgrims on the VDLP walk no more than 30KMs a day as unlike the Camino Francaise there are not albergues every couple of KMs and if you struggle to walk 30KMs a day then the VDLP may not be for you. Not only have you to be able to walk 30KMs a day you have to be able to do it in challenging temperatures. I can walk up to 60KMs a day in mild conditions, not so many in hot temperatures. I would recommend that you give some consideration to your clothing, clothing that make for easier walking in the heat eg Frillneck head gear (heavy but cooling in hot conditions). A company called Sandbaggers in Scotland have some of their hats .... but only one colour which I did not like (you may get charged import VAT and other charges if you import from Australia ...... I was). I would also bring a good hydration system eg a platapus type system and use a product such as Nuun or Zero to add some electrolyte to the water. There is drink called Aquarius available in Spain that does a similar job. The terrain is pretty flat for the most part up to Zamora so consider wearing trail shoes eg brooks adrenaline with walking poles as opposed to big boots. When I walked it was during the rainy season so had to walk through lots of seasonal rivers. A pair of Crocks or scandals came in hand. There are not a huge number of cafes along the way so being some food with you, if only to enjoy a picnic in the stunning scenery. If you are lucky, you might get to see the Iberico pig chomping on acorns ...... Bring ear plugs as the pilgrims were of a snoring age and the hostals are smaller than on the Francaise.
If you are taking a day out in Merida it might be worth checking this place out http://www.aqualibera.com/en/enindex.html It is a Spa located a 1/2 or so walk from Merida. I have not been but it looked interesting .... might be worth checking to see if they offer a discount to pilgrims .....
Definitely stop at Aqua Libera! They do offer pilgrim discounts on using their Roman spa, which is quite beautiful. They have a few apartments, too, and sometimes offer Roman dinners. Noemi, the owner, is one of my favorite Spaniards -- just a lovely woman (I've stayed their twice and used the spa both times). Tell her hello from Melanie with the guidebook app!
My feet/ankles/legs swelled incredibly last year for the first two weeks and suspect that may have been due to the boot size (plus heat, plus my body wondering what the hell I was doing to it!!). Has anyone else had this experience???
Mel
Hi mel. I never found out why either, but mine started to swell up after about 8 days after leaving sjpdp. Probably in my case 'body revolt!' As I had not had a lot of training prior and that section does give it a good test. I can't say my legs were back to normal until after I returned home.
I too have just paid for flights but still deciding which route to walk. I arrive BCN 30aug14. Great that you're all sorted.
What do you plan to do differently this year to avoid the swelling ?? Annie
I'm keen to find out why and to avoid it next time. Not sure whether it is an inherited disposition or something I did wrong. Was it shin splints? So have been getting training under way earlier and reading the forum for hints. I guess stretching before and after each days walk, drink more fluid, more rests may help plus I will also check out my boots again but I did have them fitted by 'the experts' and they were broken in before I set out.
We are a couple of crocs aren't we?
Hi there
Worth talking to your doctor about what might be behind the swelling. Also talk to some sports trainers eg Ironman Triathlete athletes/trainers as they put their bodies through hell on a regular basis and live to tell the tale.
I think that the lack of salt and other key minerals through effort and sweating might have something to do with it. Again check with professionals to make sure you make a good prognosis before taking on corrective strategies.
So one idea would be to bring some electrolites such as Nuun or Zero tablets as water on its own may not be enough. Another idea would be to wear compression gear at night to help your body recover. Also sleep with your legs elevated above your heart. Also when you finish your day's walking, forget about showering etc until you have eaten some recovery food within 20 mins, lie on the ground with your feet rested up against a wall. This will provide a gentle stretch but also help fluids leave your legs. Do this for 20 or so mins before heading to the showers etc.
Regards
C
Thanks CISSA69. Not sure that the lack of liquid was a cause in my case as I downed a 2 litre camel back plus another litre or two from bottles each day and I had 3 Zero tablets in the camel back every day as minimum. I also wore compression shorts everyday too. I will try elevating my legs next time - that has to help. Maybe I was in too much of hurry to get to that first cervaza to worry about putting my legs up!! Thanks
Thanks for the feedback LT. I have started training already for a 4 September departure so I am hoping I will also be able to take the 30km-days in my stride. I am a bit worried about how hot it will at that time of year but I will just start extra early, drink plenty of fluids and pace myself. I have printed off Jirit's updated list, a few maps from Gronze.com and other bits and pieces so maybe I won't need the Amigo's book after all. I can't help but get excited even though it is still long time until September. Maybe I will need all those months to get my fitness to the right state.Hi Mel,
I missed your thread as I was walking the Vía de la Plata at the time (left Sevilla February 11). It took me 19 days to get to Salamanca.
Did Sevilla-Zamora July 2012 and it took 21 days, this past summer Zamora-Santiago in 12 days for a total of 33 days. I actually like walking stages of around 30 km and due to my pace I still have lots of time to rest and visit the town. I took a day off in Zamora and Salamanca to visit. I didn't take any days off after Zamora.
The first time around I used the Pila Press guide which is now out of print but this past summer and in February I only took Jirit's albergue list and used the information from the Godesalco site (plus current information from the forum). A walking buddy had the guide from the Amigos in Salamanca but I wasn't very impressed with it.
If you are interested I posted my stages and some pictures in the "Live" forum: http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vía-de-la-plata-in-february.24194/
Have fun planning!
Cheers,
LT
Interesting. I walked the Camino Frances last year in 30 days, average 25 km/day. This year I plan to walk VdlP, starting on September 1. I am planning for 40 days, including some restdays. My concern is the weather. Is it going to be too hot? Perhaps I have to start early in the morning.Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
Interesting. I walked the Camino Frances last year in 30 days, average 25 km/day. This year I plan to walk VdlP, starting on September 1. I am planning for 40 days, including some restdays. My concern is the weather. Is it going to be too hot? Perhaps I have to start early in the morning.
I think your estimate is realistic.
Perhaps we meet somewhere. You can check my blog tomscamino2013.wordpress.com
Tom
Hello Mel,
I finished it last year and did it in 32 days with no rest days. I did get blisters for the first time ever as I reached Salamanca and planned a rest day but the carried on. I had not broken in my new boots well AND I walked too far on some of the early days. Howver, I did walk over 30kms regularly and managed 50 kms one day when I did not like the accommodation...
A lovely varied walk, with peace and quiet and a chance to meet lie minded people or to stay alone. In retrospect I wish I had taken a few rest days to enjoy the superb towns.
There had been very HEAVY rain last year and crossing some fords was dangerous and at time barred completely. Take a compass as some of the marking is bizarre and upset by the high speed railway. Either way over the mountains is fine and was less demanding than I imagined. Remember too that it gets cooler as you go north - some very cold starts!!
regards - Philip
Just purchased, "Walking Guide to the Via de la Plata and the Camino Sanabres" by Gerald Kelly from Amazon. Publication date is February 2014. Perhaps this could help.Hello Fellow Pilgrims
I have changed my plan of attack and am now keen to walk the Via de la Plata - starting around 4 September. I realise that will probably still be a bit hot then but maybe a little warmer and drier when I hit Santiago d C????
Yes, the eternal optimist.
I am thinking to allow 37 days to walk plus 3 rest days (Merida, Salamanca and Ourense). This will average around 26km per day with a handful of +30km days in there.
Am I being realistic or overly ambitious?? Last year doing the Camino Frances we averaged 25km a day - the longest day was 37.8km to be precise!
Would appreciate your collective wisdom and also like to hear from anyone else who may be on the track around that time...
All the best
Mel
Thanks so much Stash for the tip. I have just ordered it. I hope it turns up before I fly out on 1 Sept. All the bestJust purchased, "Walking Guide to the Via de la Plata and the Camino Sanabres" by Gerald Kelly from Amazon. Publication date is February 2014. Perhaps this could help.
OK bsewall. I guess I will just have to see how I go but am now locked into flights etc. Fingers crossed I can do it 'relatively' easily and not arrived too banged up or I will never hear the end of it from my husband!I did it in 45 days (including rest days) last year http://camino.bsewall.com/Start/intinerary.html. I was probably average to slightly below average in terms of the ground I covered each day compared to other pilgrims. Put another way, my feet were pretty well banged up by the time I reached Santiago and, if I had tried to shave off 5 days from the itinerary, I doubt I would have been able to keep up that pace and remain upright.
Whoa - walking in the middle of summer must have been tough! It is going to be a bit of a shock to the system for me going from training in -2C temps currently to Summer/Autumn in southern Spain. Lots of early starts for me, lots of water in my camelbak and hopefully an ice cold cervaza waiting for me at the end of each day.Just finished and it took me a month. Some long days in there but often no choice but too do the distance due to albergues.oFten a few early starts, not the 'bed race' like on other caminos (quite the opposite) but a necessity. You really don't want to be walking past 2pm.
The diversion to get to Lubian will add about 6km to your walk. All on tarmac.
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