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If it ain't easy...I like it!!Which one did you like most
Hmmm ok so here's my HO!
Portuguese (from Tui)
Ingles
Frances
Del Norte (from Muros de Nalon)
Invierno (from Monforte de Lemos)
The only reason for the Invierno being marked "hardest" is because of markings...or lack there of! There are longer stretches too as there is so little infrastructure. But ask me which one I liked the most
I walked the second half from Salamanca. I didn't find it particularly hard. Compared to the Frances the gaps between shops / coffee / alburgues is much longer on average. The number of other walkers is much less. You need to be more self reliant than on the Frances but that suited me.Can someone explain me why the VDLP is thought to be hard? Is it hard mentally bc of long stretches or is it hilly? I thought it was rather flat. Maybe it's because of the distances between stages? I would like to do it someday and I'm trying to understand what makes it a 'harder' camino than say, the Francés.
There are fewer cafes, for instance. And sometimes, although your guidebook says there are 3, all 3 are closed... You need to carry more water... There are greater distances between albergues, too.Can someone explain me why the VDLP is thought to be hard? Is it hard mentally bc of long stretches or is it hilly? I thought it was rather flat. Maybe it's because of the distances between stages? I would like to do it someday and I'm trying to understand what makes it a 'harder' camino than say, the Francés.
I walked from Seville to Astorga as a moderately fit 69-year-old who prefers to do 20-25 km/day but can do 30-35 when necessary. The route is not difficult, as long as you avoid the hot season (I walked Mar-Apr) and you do a sensible amount of planning to avoid getting into a difficult situation. I recommend that you:Can someone explain me why the VDLP is thought to be hard? Is it hard mentally bc of long stretches or is it hilly? I thought it was rather flat. Maybe it's because of the distances between stages? I would like to do it someday and I'm trying to understand what makes it a 'harder' camino than say, the Francés.
Much, much more difficult than FrancesSalvador is easier than Frances?
The vdlp (including sanabres) may be my favorite walk of all. Absolutely not boring or monotonous. More meseta than the frances, but the meseta itself is wonderful.In my opinion...and it appears to be the opinion of others here who have walked the VdlP....
The second hand report that the Via de la Plata is monotonous reported above is far off line.
The 1000 km distance takes you virtually across Spain from the South to the North direction. It goes though Roman towns with ruins, through wonderful towns like Salamanca, cattle ranches, past rivers and lakes, through National Parks and countless small villages. It is a very different local culture than the Norte or CF.
Boring is the last word I would use to describe it.
The meseta is fantastic!I haven't walked Via de la Plata. But I've heard repeatedly how boring the Meseta is on the Frances. To the contrary, I've chosen to walk that section again because I love it so much. But talking about which is boring or most beautiful is like the answers you get to what kind of shoes. Ask 5 people and you will get 5 wildly different opinions.
That's been my fear too, but I keep hearing otherwise...there must be something to what they are saying. I'm keeping it "tucked away for another day".I liked the meseta, but I think I liked it as part of a larger whole that included the Pyrenees and Galicia.
I’ve been following friends on social media who are walking the VDLP this fall. It looks soooo flat. As much as I liked the meseta, I’m not sure I’d like it for weeks-on-end.
A tip - don't overthink this!That's been my fear too, but I keep hearing otherwise...there must be something to wgat they are saying. I'm keeping it "tucked away for another day".
I hated the one after Leon and would never go on anoyhet Camino that had one. To each his own. I need dramatic beauty so it’s Norte, Primitivo, San Salvador for meThe meseta is fantastic!
There's hardly any meseta after Leon. Maybe a couple of days to Astorga. That's not a lot to base such a judgement on. When most people talk about "the meseta" on the Camino Frances, they are talking about before Leon. There is also dramatic beauty in endless fields of wheat and enormous skyscapes.[On the meseta] I hated the one after Leon and would never go on [another] Camino that had one. To each his own. I need dramatic beauty so it’s Norte, Primitivo, San Salvador for me
Yes, just a "touch"!View attachment 66504
It was a touch more barren in October
Yes, time of year is a key factor.View attachment 66504
It was a touch more barren in October
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