- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I've walked the CF twice, averaging 20K a day.
I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks.
I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.
Thanks for any input from recent walkers!
I've walked the CF twice, averaging 20K a day. A couple of times I walked 30, but I didn't enjoy it... I have some mechanical problems in my foot that start to act up at repeated, very long distances.
But I want to walk La Plata. People here use words like "challenging," "arduous," even "grueling." It doesn't look very hilly. Is this because of the stage distances? I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks.
I'm still perusing threads here, looking at others' experiences doing the VdlP in about 20K segments. I'm not opposed to occasional alternative transport (other than my feet) if necessary, and am fine with going off route to find places to stay.
I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.
Thanks for any input from recent walkers!
Jill
I loved this route - and I'm not some super strong walker. You just need to be a little more independent and self reliant than you need to be on the Frances - so it is more challenging. But very beautiful. Most stages aren't so long.
Exactly my experience and advice.Set a target for your day based on where you intend to go and what is available along the way (food, water etc.). Execute that plan. Be prepared to adjust that plan should conditions change (weather, injury etc.)
I've been planning this route for over a year and have got the stages down to manageable distances assuming that the albergues on the winter list are open.
I start in 3 ½ weeks time and will be doing a "Live from the VDLP" for all those following, mainly about the route, river crossings and albergues.
I don't expect to meet many pilgrims on the way, but that suits me. I tend to walk in my own little world.
I think fitness could be the key to this camino because of the lonely stretches, I've been walking every day with my full pack around the 25km mark and will continue until a few days before I leave.
To me it seemed the least arduous of all the Caminos I've walked. There is very little by way of steep climbs (maybe after Lubián). There's a way round doing 40k from Carcaboso to Aldeanueva del Camino (hotels at Vilar de Plasencia will pick you up and drop you back next day at the Arco de Caparra). Otherwise, truly, it's not hard. I was 66 when I did it.I've walked the CF twice, averaging 20K a day. A couple of times I walked 30, but I didn't enjoy it... I have some mechanical problems in my foot that start to act up at repeated, very long distances.
But I want to walk La Plata. People here use words like "challenging," "arduous," even "grueling." It doesn't look very hilly. Is this because of the stage distances? I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks.
I'm still perusing threads here, looking at others' experiences doing the VdlP in about 20K segments. I'm not opposed to occasional alternative transport (other than my feet) if necessary, and am fine with going off route to find places to stay.
I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.
Thanks for any input from recent walkers!
Thank you for recommending the godesalco site. My computer automatically translated the Spanish to English.This is a great site for planning your stages according to the km you want to walk. You can then print out a day to stay list of stages and also an altitude map. I've used it on my three Plata walks:
https://godesalco.com/plan/plata
It is in Spanish but I believe doable if you don't. It also states what type of lodging available.
From my talks with hospitaleros along the route April is one of the busiest months. You certainly won't be alone and you will be walking during Easter. Semana Santa is a big deal in Spain. I've walked the Plata in June, July and February and we were only a handful walking.
I love the route but must preface that long distances nor heat deter me.
Ultreia!
I am thankful to have found this thread as I am also planning to do VDLP this year. I'm planning for my 4th Camino, after finishing CF, Portuguese and Primitivo for the past 3 consecutive years. I can do about 27-32km a day, and understand about when some say about long distance without food/drinks on some part of Primitivo. I only have about 2 weeks of walking time this year, and think I can cover about 400km within that time span.
Qn:
1. For those who have done VDLP and also Primitivo, I would like to hear your views and how you would compare these 2 routes in your opinion.
2. Besides VDLP, I am also looking at del Norte route. Has anyone who's done both VDLP and Norte, and care to comment?
Appreciate any advice please.
Ern
And there are buttons at the top of the website to choose your language.Thank you for recommending the godesalco site. My computer automatically translated the Spanish to English.
I will print it off. I found Gronze brilliant for the Seville -Salamanca section and had Gerald Kelly's book saved on my smart phone. Now planing from Salamanca on starting late April.
Buen Camino
Happymark
Is the godesalco site updated regularly?
Thank you very much for this site; it has led me to this: http://www.rutasasantiago.com/BDCaminos/camino-de-santiago?cam=Camino-de-Madrid, which I think will give me the info on the Camino de Madrid that I am looking for and have been unable to find. Unfortunately, this site is in Spanish, and my Spanish is not good enough.......I also found another nice planning-tool which even allows you to print out your planning and a "Microguía" (mini-guide) which shows all the infrastructure along the track.
Planificador RutasASantiago.com
If you have google chrome then you can open in GC, if you don't then just download it and do as I've said.Thank you very much for this site; it has led me to this: http://www.rutasasantiago.com/BDCaminos/camino-de-santiago?cam=Camino-de-Madrid, which I think will give me the info on the Camino de Madrid that I am looking for and have been unable to find. Unfortunately, this site is in Spanish, and my Spanish is not good enough.
My apologies, but I am not tech savvy - could someone please tell me if I can get this in English, and how? Thank you in advance.
I use the Editorial Buen Camino app, and I find it very easy to set up new stages. I believe that it is updated regularly. I haven't used it for the VdLP yet thoughIs the godesalco site updated regularly? I will sometimes be looking for options to shorten the longer stages and this and Gronze.com both show intermediate stops in between. By the way, I started a thread in this forum with a calendar to see when people here are planning to walk the VDLP in the next few months.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vdlp-spring-walkers-calendar.59779/
I used that site for the Norte, since Godelasco doesn't include that route.If you have google chrome then you can open in GC, if you don't then just download it and do as I've said.
Google Chrome will do the translation for you, very handy tool.
@Pilgrim PatriciaI hope it's OK to use the "H" word here.
My route was Zamora to Santiago in October/November one year, then from Seville with the goal of reaching Zamora the next April/May. A couple of times when I just couldn't walk any more (here it comes!) I hitchhiked alone with absolutely no qualms. I mailed some stuff to General Delivery at a post office in a town about two weeks further on my route to lighten the load a tiny bit.
Absolutely loved the VldP, especially through Galicia. Went via Ourense and opted for the long steep option first thing going out of Ourense and was so happy to reach the 99km marker at the top!
Hola JillGat,I've walked the CF twice, averaging 20K a day. A couple of times I walked 30, but I didn't enjoy it... I have some mechanical problems in my foot that start to act up at repeated, very long distances.
But I want to walk La Plata. People here use words like "challenging," "arduous," even "grueling." It doesn't look very hilly. Is this because of the stage distances? I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks.
I'm still perusing threads here, looking at others' experiences doing the VdlP in about 20K segments. I'm not opposed to occasional alternative transport (other than my feet) if necessary, and am fine with going off route to find places to stay.
I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.
Thanks for any input from recent walkers!
I had a bit of heat the first week or so when I started in early October, but after that, the weather - and the entire walk - was beautiful all the way to Santiago.I left Seville on 18 September. Very hot for the first 2/3 weeks! I think more people walk early in the year.
I started in early April last year and the weather was perfect for walking however I didn’t factor walking in the snow For a day! Although unprepared I felt exhilarated.mlike everyone has said, there are some long stages and not many options to split them in 2 and find somewhere to stay in between. Cafes that open early in the morning are scarce. The more Spanish you can speak, the better you will be. I loved this walk!I'm happy to run into this thread. I too am looking for an alternative to the Francés. @Levi, what time of the year did you walk this route?
Likewise I was convinced that I would hate walking in the rain. But last year on the Norte I had many rainy days, and it was actually kind of fun splish-sploshing along.Walked it and loved it. Before walking the VDLP I somehow formed a belief that I absolutely cannot walk with my pack more than 18 miles a day without collapsing. In walking the VDLP I habitually walked with my pack more than 18 miles a day up to 28 miles a day. I never collapsed. I enjoyed it. It was not a problem. Lesson learned: do not set artificial limits for yourself, just pace yourself. A note for the Easter walkers: On Easter Sunday restaurants and shops will be closed, except for gas station convenience stores. You need to have your food purchased on the day before or you likely will go hungry.
I agree with others, both the VdlP and the Primitivo are very different. I did part of the VdlP after walking the lovely Salvador in 2017, Í found both routes a bit challenging on a couple of days with climbs. In fact I joked about the Primitivo, up to Lugo, that you started the day with a hill and ended the day with a hill! But I loved the Primitivo, especially the walk over Hospitales, a day I will never forget.I am thankful to have found this thread as I am also planning to do VDLP this year. I'm planning for my 4th Camino, after finishing CF, Portuguese and Primitivo for the past 3 consecutive years. I can do about 27-32km a day, and understand about when some say about long distance without food/drinks on some part of Primitivo. I only have about 2 weeks of walking time this year, and think I can cover about 400km within that time span.
Qn:
1. For those who have done VDLP and also Primitivo, I would like to hear your views and how you would compare these 2 routes in your opinion.
2. Besides VDLP, I am also looking at del Norte route. Has anyone who's done both VDLP and Norte, and care to comment?
Appreciate any advice please.
Ern
Me too! Hoping to start the Via de la Plata in April....Looking forward to your posts as I’ll be behind you.
The Norte is much more crowded than the VDLP. Even the Primitivo is more crowded than the VDLP, but only slightly more so. The VDLP is the most physically and mentally demanding of the three, because it does have longer stages and is not as well marked. The Norte is better marked than the VDLP, but not as well marked as the Primitivo. In physical demands the Norte and Primitivo are about the same, but the Primitivo is more peaceful, more plush with more dirt to walk on, and is much cheaper because the tourists don't go there so much. With only two weeks, the primitivo would be ideal for you. It is not hard. The Hospital route is lovely and plush except for a stretch on the ridge that can be very windy, and a short stretch downhill that is steep so harder for those with knee problems. I no longer believe in the guide book authors' assessments on levels of difficulty. How difficult really depends on your experience and level of fitness. I felt intimidated before I walked each of these caminos, only to find that the intimidation is unjustified.I am thankful to have found this thread as I am also planning to do VDLP this year. I'm planning for my 4th Camino, after finishing CF, Portuguese and Primitivo for the past 3 consecutive years. I can do about 27-32km a day, and understand about when some say about long distance without food/drinks on some part of Primitivo. I only have about 2 weeks of walking time this year, and think I can cover about 400km within that time span.
Qn:
1. For those who have done VDLP and also Primitivo, I would like to hear your views and how you would compare these 2 routes in your opinion.
2. Besides VDLP, I am also looking at del Norte route. Has anyone who's done both VDLP and Norte, and care to comment?
Appreciate any advice please.
Ern
on the long stretches carry at least 2 litres preferably 3 if you can manage it. Of course there's the weight issue but at least that gets lighter as the day goes on. Only one day last September did I run out of water on the long walk to Alcantara, I was so glad to get to the Albergue to get some water and it was a much needed lesson for me that I should have carried another litre.
You are asking about walking in late March into April. I have never considered carrying 3 L of water. The most I have ever carried is 2 L, and that only because it was a warm day and a long stretch. I have not walked in very hot weather. It depends entirely on what your water needs normally are (mine are lower than many people), how hot it is that day, and how long the stage.I will be walking the VDLP starting from Seville late March. I walked the Frances 3 years ago when I was 60.
Can someone tell me how much is "enough" water on the long stretches? 1.5, 2 or 3 litres? or more?
thanks
Depends on what time of year you do it. I did it September/October last year. Very hot first till I got to Salamanca.I've walked the CF twice, averaging 20K a day. A couple of times I walked 30, but I didn't enjoy it... I have some mechanical problems in my foot that start to act up at repeated, very long distances.
But I want to walk La Plata. People here use words like "challenging," "arduous," even "grueling." It doesn't look very hilly. Is this because of the stage distances? I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks.
I'm still perusing threads here, looking at others' experiences doing the VdlP in about 20K segments. I'm not opposed to occasional alternative transport (other than my feet) if necessary, and am fine with going off route to find places to stay.
I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.
Thanks for any input from recent walkers!
If you look at the top right hand corner there is an icon with the British Union Jack and you can switch to English.This is a great site for planning your stages according to the km you want to walk. You can then print out a day to stay list of stages and also an altitude map. I've used it on my three Plata walks:
https://godesalco.com/plan/plata
It is in Spanish but I believe doable if you don't. It also states what type of lodging available.
From my talks with hospitaleros along the route April is one of the busiest months. You certainly won't be alone and you will be walking during Easter. Semana Santa is a big deal in Spain. I've walked the Plata in June, July and February and we were only a handful walking.
I love the route but must preface that long distances nor heat deter me.
Ultreia!
Very impressive that you can walk 45K in 7 hours with breaks. Hope I see you one day on the Camino we can wave to each other as you roll by!To C, regarding water: I walked the VDLP starting in the beginning of April from Seville, walked usually 30 up to max 45 Ks a day, 2 liters per day were enough for me. I started by 6:00 a.m. each day and usually got to my destination no later than 1:00 p.m., later if more Ks. You will start in March, I think 2 liters may be enough depending on your size, how early in the day you start and how much distance you cover. I met a young pilgrim on the VDLP. She's 6 feet and weighed about 200 lbs. She always started late, like 9:00 a.m. or later and took many breaks. So she walked during the warmest part of the day and did not get to the destination until about sundown. She carried 8 liters a day and drank it all. So it really depends on your size and how you do it.
@OzAnnie, at the moment, going skiing in Norway, I envy all of you planning to start walking Via de la Plata soon.Hi Jill
I haven’t yet walked this route but wanted to respond to your post as I’m in middle of planning Vdlp starting early April. Maybe you’ll be a couple of days ahead. I don’t arrive in Seville until the afternoon of 5th
“ I see some posts here listing long stages, but some others that have them broken down into smaller chunks. “
—— I’m planning mine now. I’ve reached out to a few by pm who have kindly given good tips and their stages etc. I’m working out mine based on earlier posts too with manageable chucks.
“I'm looking at starting from Sevilla the first week in April and walking to Salamanca or possibly Zamora. I will have 30 days.”
I have a few extra days and hope to reach Puebla de Sanabria on the Sanabrés.. then train back to Madrid.
Apart from being careful with preparation for day ahead with enough water and some snacks or even picnic ., or needing to ford streams (or go the long way( if there has been recent rain etc).. I have not seen any particular difficulty any harder than the CF myself.
If you’re already prepared yourself for possibility of a taxi if needed. (I’m thinking of that long day where pilgrims often share a cab to the park (cutting out the 16? odd k’s on the road. I know many walk that stage. I’ll decide closer to the stage. More than likely with my legs I’ll taxi that bit. )
Good luck Jill.
I hope I see you either in Seville or en route
Buen Camino.
Annie
Hi @ranthr@OzAnnie, at the moment, going skiing in Norway, I envy all of you planning to start walking Via de la Plata soon.
I would say that the hill at the end of the national parque day3 is not as bad as the guidebook says.
For me passing the arroyos in the parque was worse after a heavy rain the night before. I walked the whole way, and except from the froading arroyos it was not a big deal, I thought some of the days ahead was more exhausting, perhaps it was warmer then. I wish you and others on the way a buen camino.
Hi @ranthr
The thing that concerns me most is carrying enough water ... I’ve never started a day with 3litrs of water before?? Just don’t want to carry more than I’ll need., but not stupid enough to ignore warnings either.
Cheers.
Annie
Hi @ranthr
How lovely of you to send a cheer on !
Yes., only just over 2 weeks until I leave home.
It’s sunday morning here in Sydney and we’re getting some steady rain. Very welcome .
Be careful skiing - you needs those legs for the camino .. I had a knee reconstruction (due to skiing - in 2001) but I didn’t grow up doing it like you would have. Great way to keep fit !
Thanks for your thoughts on the climbs ahead. I’ve a feeling that taken slowly... they’ll be like most hills.
I don’t rush .. you’re right about the arroyos...I’m sure I’ll have cold wet feet at some stage., but it will pass.
The thing that concerns me most is carrying enough water ... I’ve never started a day with 3litrs of water before?? Just don’t want to carry more than I’ll need., but not stupid enough to ignore warnings either.
Cheers.
Annie
Speaking to a Spanish person walking with us now the weather is unseasonably hot right now...most days 20 to 24. She said it is more usual for 15 to 18. I don't like heat and prefer colder climates generally but am managing ok. Taking at the moment about 1.5 to 2 litres water and that has worked well for me and been enough.
The days coming up are perhaps the longest - going to Embalse El Cantara tomorrow - and will perhaps carry a little more.
I think hills so far have been very minor...in my opinion. Perhaps bigger on the Sanabres but I've yet to see. Most days long and flat with small uphills. The one uphill on day three was super short - but yes, steep.
Its a liong walk, and often very hot but so far not difficult.
Megg
Enjoying your posts. I want to walk Via June-July.
I like heat.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?