Wandering Winter
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés 2020
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There has been that atmosphere for over a decade, but the general experience is that there is almost always a bed to be found.a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed
With the new system for issuing Compostelas there is now a sense of urgency and a race to arrive in Santiago.
With the new system for issuing Compostelas there is now a sense of urgency and a race to arrive in Santiago.
I always walk the Camino Frances from late April through almost all of May. I never have a problem finding a bed when I stop.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
We walked into Santiago on 12 April 2014, having started in early March in SJPdP. It was not overcrowded at all. But that was 5 years ago.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
I have walked the Camino three times now Aug, 2017 April 2018 and April2019. It is getting busier. I think only once did I see some one that could not get a bed in the town we were all in and had to move onto the next town or village with all the stress that that brings with it. However there is an elephant in the room that I am going to raise. Last time 2019 April my daughter and I encountered a group of people from a highly Catholic country ( As I am Catholic also). There were twenty five of them all traveling on mass pardon the pun. Along the walk they had layed down on the roads and paths their own direction markers. This I thought was a little in contrast to the trust you need to show on the Camino. Then try getting at the kitchen to make your evening meal. We ended up eating out. I also walked into a town to find a sign on the municipal albergue, saying sold out. this was at 12.30 pm I am very suspicious that this large party may have been getting preferential treatment.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
That can be avoided by planning for an extra day in Santiago. I'm sure one can find something to do with the time there.With the new system for issuing Compostelas there is now a sense of urgency and a race to arrive in Santiago.
I wonder how true this really is? The great majority of pilgrims are from non-English speaking countries and my impression is that most of those use other guides in their own languages. Being an English language forum I think we tend to credit the Blessed JB with rather more impact on the Caminos than is really the case.Try and stay "Off" the Brierly stages. Most first timers swallow the guide book whole, and plan so many days with so many end points as specified in the rule book. Everyone does it the first time, and its both nonsense and a mistake. If you are in a bulge, you can bet that the bed race will move on to the next Brierly town tomorrow.
I wonder how true this really is? The great majority of pilgrims are from non-English speaking countries and my impression is that most of those use other guides in their own languages. Being an English language forum I think we tend to credit the Blessed JB with rather more impact on the Caminos than is really the case.
Every year has its own characteristic vibe but after 13 caminos over 15 years I can not recall once having to sleep outside.But Tinky, my only fear is having to sleep outdoors...is that so bad? I don't have to have the fluff of sheets, a warm bed (I layer my clothes if need be to sleep), a perfect meal, or yada, yada. This coming spring two newbies are tagging along and after five caminos and telling people how much I love walking, I don't want them to be disappointed, so my new stress is to worry about their comfort level...not mine. Keep me off a park bench and I am easy to please...just sayin'. Oh, and I use cheap shampoo for hair, body and clothing on camino...no fancy stuff for me.
But am I on a walk or a pilgrimage...I'm still trying to decide.
Great information, Tom...you always help!
May I ask, can we pick up the tickets for others in our family or must each person stand in line for themselves?
I figured it was probably a "no no", but just wanted to be sure. Thanks for your answer.I think it is still one each. A staff person or volunteer usually works at the kiosks, answering questions, assisting pilgrims to understand the system, and enforcing the one to a live person “house rule.”
Befote I left last August I helped management on the correct wording for instruction signs in all eight or nine supported languages, on how to configure Android and Apple smartphones to scan QR code’s remotely. I did the web research to obtain and print out the correct instructions, in English. We worked together on phrasing and word use to make the instructions easy to follow.
Just as background... last August, they turned this system on, on a Friday morning last. By the following week, persons unknown were trying to “scalp” (sell) these QR numbered tickets on the street outside.
Most were just discarded tickets, already used earlier that day and no longer valid. But, it was observed that occasionally someone would get into the pilgrim office campus, past security, and to try to take multiple tickets directly from the kiosk. Staff put an immediate stop to this.
Hope this answers the question.
Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
If people were allowed to take multiple tickets I'm sure that someone would decide that selling them would make them a few Euros.I figured it was probably a "no no", but just wanted to be sure. Thanks for your answer.
Thank you for your response however it is not very helpful. These are genuine questions people ask for help so you quoting definitions does not help. Everyone wants a bed at the end of a long walk, I'm sure you aren't sleeping outdoors on a nightly basis.Hmm, interesting question. A "Rat Race" dear old Wikipedia has that as: "A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward, such as cheese, in vain. The term is commonly associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment". I guess there are some for whom that accurately defines camino.
It was also the title of a (not very good) Jerry Zucker film about a race to win $2 million. Which is obviously totally unlike camino unless the value of a compostella has seriously inflated since my last acquisition.
If anyone is worried about competition for scarce beds then there has been some sound advice given above. I'm just a little perturbed that the purpose of camino is equated so much with the journey - comfy bed, wow Albergue, best bar / tapa / communal cultural exchange - that just getting to Santiago in comfort occupies more of our attention than just getting to Santiago.
I know, I know, the journey, the camino, the Road, the Way. But its either a walk or a pilgrimage.
Probably like scalping sport's tickets.If people were allowed to take multiple tickets I'm sure that someone would decide that selling them would make them a few Euros.
I have. After I walked my 2016 Camino I wrote an article on "5 lessons from the Camino" for the staff newsletter where I work. I later met someone who works there and had read the newsletter. She told me that it wasn't until she had read the article that shen realized that she didn't have to walk the Brierley stages and could adjust them to her needs. If she had known that, she said, she might not have had to cut her Camino short in Leon due to back issues.But well, I have never met anyone in real life who felt compelled to walk the stages as prescribed in any guidebook.
All was okay. But last 100k too many people compared to previous 400k.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
A good reason to join a forum, such as Ivar's, in order to learn from others as much as possible before getting on that airplane to France. But, no matter how well prepared we think we may be, the unexpected always has a way of showing up...I met quite a few people who were following the stages of whatever guide they had - and quite a few more that started off following the stages, but realized part way through that they didn't have to. I do think a lot has to do with inexperience - the Camino is the first long walk that a lot of people do and many people who walk the Camino have never really travelled before, so it's a doubly new experience for them.
Incredibly, I do not see any mention that 2020 is a Holy Year, and, consequently, you can expect MANY more pilgrims on the Camino. Look at past holy years and you will see a remarkable spike in numbers for those years. Proceed with cautionThank you for your response however it is not very helpful. These are genuine questions people ask for help so you quoting definitions does not help. Everyone wants a bed at the end of a long walk, I'm sure you aren't sleeping outdoors on a nightly basis.
The next Holy Year is not 2020 - it is 2021.Incredibly, I do not see any mention that 2020 is a Holy Year, and, consequently, you can expect MANY more pilgrims on the Camino.
Whoops! Thank youThe next Holy Year is not 2020 - it is 2021.
You didn’t ask for help and I wasn’t trying to be helpful. You asked for advice and I offered some: change your perspective. Camino is not a “rat-race” it’s a pilgrimage. And sometimes it doesn’t work out quite like we’d like it to.Thank you for your response however it is not very helpful. These are genuine questions people ask for help so you quoting definitions does not help. Everyone wants a bed at the end of a long walk, I'm sure you aren't sleeping outdoors on a nightly basis.
A slight twist to this question: I will be returning to finish the Camino Frances which I started this year. In 2020 will start in Leon in early May. I am not particularly worried about finding a bed, but am wondering what the "crowd" size will be at this time of the year from Leon to Santiago. Also wonder what the weather will be like - no one has a crystal ball on this but, generally, any ideas?Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
This makes no sense?is being young and fit a good reason to get a bed?
just wondering
Hi Rick M. I am a newbie planning to do the Camino Frances June/July 2020 (it's the only time I can get off work). I have just purchased the Brierly book and was planning to follow the stages suggested in the book. Are you suggesting that's it's best to stop short every day/go a little further than the stages in the book? Is there another guide book with different stages?You have received some good advice, but there is room for a little more. Try and stay "Off" the Brierly stages. Most first timers swallow the guide book whole, and plan so many days with so many end points as specified in the rule book. Everyone does it the first time, and its both nonsense and a mistake. If you are in a bulge, you can bet that the bed race will move on to the next Brierly town tomorrow. By going a little further, or stopping short, you often will find a much more relaxed albergue situation.
Buen Camino
Hi Rick M. I am a newbie planning to do the Camino Frances June/July 2020 (it's the only time I can get off work). I have just purchased the Brierly book and was planning to follow the stages suggested in the book. Are you suggesting that's it's best to stop short every day/go a little further than the stages in the book? Is there another guide book with different stages?
I am a 43 year old female planning to walk the Camino alone and my three main concerns are blisters, bed bugs and not finding a bed for the night.
I started on 14th April 2019. I took two days to cross the Pyrenees (returning to SJPdP via transport) and arrived in Roncesvalles at 12:50. I queued for 35 minutes and got a bed, those arriving after 2pm did not get a bed and walked on tired and in the rain. I left late the next morning and got the second to last bed in Zubiri. There was flooding along the trail.I walked the Frances from SJPDP to Santiago and on to Muxia, starting 14 April 2019 and finishing 21 May. I didn't book ahead or plan any stops, staying mostly in municipal albergues. I had little trouble finding a bed in most places, the hardest being in Zubiri where I tried 3 different albergues before finding a bed. Some places were full, others half empty. In one place there were only 3 pilgrims. I did not use the Brierly guide and walked about 20-25ks per day, stopping where fancy took me. No 'rat race' that I noticed, however I did meet a few people who had to walk on to the next town or pay for a hotel after arriving late in the afternoon.
Thank you for these links. I will check them out now.Just follow your own pace, don't bother with Brierley.
Some days you might be able to walk 30k . Another day you might want to stop after ten k. and smell the roses.
Some other interesting links for planning.
Camino Francés | Gronze.com
El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...www.gronze.com
Planificador - Camino de Santiago - Godesalco.com
Perfiles altitudinales, planificación de etapas y archivos GPS para el Camino de Santiago.godesalco.com
TheWisepilgrim app.
Wise Pilgrim Guides and Apps
Guidebooks for the Camino de Santiago, the Camino Portugués, and the Camino del Norte. Mobile app for the Camino de Santiago along the Camino Primitivo.shop.wisepilgrim.com
How far in advance so you book your accommodation? Do you have to pay when you book? What happens if you plan and book a week in advance but something happens and you don't reach your accommodation in time?I started on 14th April 2019. I took two days to cross the Pyrenees (returning to SJPdP via transport) and arrived in Roncesvalles at 12:50. I queued for 35 minutes and got a bed, those arriving after 2pm did not get a bed and walked on tired and in the rain. I left late the next morning and got the second to last bed in Zubiri. There was flooding along the trail.
The discussion in the Alberque that night was that Pamplona was fully booked the next day (Saturday) because of a soccer game and pilgrims. I needed to be in Pamplona on the Monday morning for personal reasons and so I stopped at the very delightful Zabaldika on Saturday night where I had no problems getting a bed and apparently missed the extreme flooding that closed part of the trail into Pamplona. On Sunday I did the short walk into Pamplona and was first in line for a bed at the very nice, very Germanic, German Alberque in Pamplona.
I left Pamplona around 11 am on Monday, after completing my business, and walked to Uterga where I had no problem getting a bed. The next night I got the last bed and the trail was crowded but after a few days the crowds thinned as people spread out. I was walking around 27-28 klms per day at this point. The only other times that I had a problem was at weekends that coincided with a larger town/city and O Cebreiro where a lot of Spanish people seem to start, but I always eventually found a bed.
I anticipated problems in Sarria and booked ahead and so I don't know if it would have been a problem or not. Funnily, I didn't book ahead between Sarria and Santiago and had no problems finding a bed, even though it was crowded on the trail. I think that I stayed in towns that were not the established break points.
Before I start the Camino I usually book my first night or maybe two ahead. When I book ahead while I'm on the Camino it's usually just a day ahead. Sometimes when I stop for breakfast or lunch I'll book something, especially if I've decided on a long day of walking. Other times I just "wing it" and show up and look for a bed.How far in advance so you book your accommodation?
I often use Booking.com. You need to check the cancellation policy for each property. I also email or call the properties directly. They usually don't require any advance payment.Do you have to pay when you book?
This is why I don't book more than a day ahead, so that I can remain flexible.What happens if you plan and book a week in advance but something happens and you don't reach your accommodation in time?
As others have said, its best to walk at your own pace without doing too much planning. That includes not planning to actively avoid the Brierly stages.....until that makes sense. If you are in a "pilgrim bubble" and are having trouble finding lodging, getting off the Brierly stages has worked for me before. As an aside, go through your packing list, and throw out your worries. They are heavy, and do not wind up being very useful. Having done this a few times, I would use the following method:Hi Rick M. I am a newbie planning to do the Camino Frances June/July 2020 (it's the only time I can get off work). I have just purchased the Brierly book and was planning to follow the stages suggested in the book. Are you suggesting that's it's best to stop short every day/go a little further than the stages in the book? Is there another guide book with different stages?
I am a 43 year old female planning to walk the Camino alone and my three main concerns are blisters, bed bugs and not finding a bed for the night.
What a helpful reply Rick M. Thank you so SO much! What you have written makes so much sense now from the research that I have done and I will take on board everything you advised.As others have said, its best to walk at your own pace without doing too much planning. That includes not planning to actively avoid the Brierly stages.....until that makes sense. If you are in a "pilgrim bubble" and are having trouble finding lodging, getting off the Brierly stages has worked for me before. As an aside, go through your packing list, and throw out your worries. They are heavy, and do not wind up being very useful. Having done this a few times, I would use the following method:
Book SJPP, Roncesvalles, Zubiri, and Pamplona before you leave. Unless you are thinking shorter stages (like Orrison) these stages are fairly fixed and you will do them with everyone else. You can book these any time before you go. After Pamplona, the crowd starts to string out and diffuse a little bit. You may need or want an off day in Pamplona, discovering that three days in a row of mountain walking with a pack is pretty tiring. I don't take any off days, I find they feel weird. Instead, I will walk a short day of about 10 K when I need one, and then resume my pace. You won't know what your natural Camino pace is until you are there. For me its 25K a day. Many do 20 or less, and a few hardy souls consistently do more than 30K.
You can't predict the weather, injuries, people you meet and like (or dislike!), and how your body adjusts to the time zone, food, water, sleep deprivation, etc. Don't plan too far ahead. After Pamplona, I judge how I'm feeling and book the next day or two. The next day, I book another, and play by ear booking the next day as I go. You can't book a municipal albergue ahead of time - walk up and see if they have space. Most private albergues will take you at your word and book you over the phone or via email. I have never met a hospitalero or barman who would not phone an albergue for you if language was a problem. Hostels, Hotels, Casa Rurals and the like can be done via booking.com. I use all of these options, depending on how things go.
Worry about blisters, that one is for real. Train, and train some more, and look after your feet. Don't worry about not getting a bed. The people who live on the Camino do this every day. When a place is full, they will send you to one that isn't. They know where it is, they had lunch with the owner a few hours ago. When a town is full, they will send you to the next town....they know the albergue operators there too. I arrived in one full town and the hospitalero offered to have his aunt pick us up and take us to her casa rural about 8K off the Camino. I have also taken taxis to alternate lodging a few times when I was tired or the weather was awful. Trust in the Camino to provide, it will. They do this every day, and know how to find you to a bed.
Buen Camino
I agree. @Rick M said everything that I would say, but much better.What a helpful reply Rick M. Thank you so SO much! What you have written makes so much sense now from the research that I have done and I will take on board everything you advised.
I started my walk April 9th, finished mid May 2018, never book ahead. Never had any trouble finding a bed, sometimes stayed at the end of a stage sometimes not. I averaged 24kms a day and stopped walking by about 1400 each day.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
I will expand with another question. Is being slow and old a good reason to not join a lifetime pilgrimage because there may be a shortage of beds? I hope you see where I am going with this. On mass transit it is common to give up your seat to pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly.This makes no sense?
I left SJPP April 1, 2019 and never found a bed difficult to find. I will say I knocked off no later than 3pm daily. Most alberges I stayed at did fill up by the end of the day.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
I walked starting April 6th to May 15th and it was mainly fine. We did start about midway to book a bed the night before as a couple people I started to walk with were sending their bags ahead and since we needed to plan our stop for the day anyhow it made sense to stay where the bags were headed. I think the later in the month the more challenging it gets. That being said there was still a bit of snow and so we were not able to walk over the Pyrenees and had to talk the alternate route. I suppose every year will be different and if I were to go again I would choose early April again.Hi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
What's the new system?With the new system for issuing Compostelas there is now a sense of urgency and a race to arrive in Santiago.
On arriving at the pilgrim office you now take a numbered ticket and enter a queue system. You can then leave the office, check online to see when your turn is near and return to the office to receive your Compostela. However the total number of tickets being issued per day is limited to the number the office are able to process. In busy times this summer and autumn it was occasionally impossible to receive a ticket after noon or 1pm and anyone arriving at the office after that had to return the next day simply to enter the queue.What's the new system?
Arriving in Zubiri on Easter Sunday (April 21, 2019) without a reservation was a problem - maybe anywhere on the Camino that day. Having the security of reservations in SJPDP and Roncesvalles was good but I should have reserved also in Zubiri. I went without reservations the rest of the way except for Santiago.On the Camino Frances, from after Easter, it can be a bit dicey on some days, at some places. The best strategy is to avoid arriving at the transportation nodes on Friday or Saturday.
There is usually always a surge of new pilgrims planning to start from these places the following morning. These place are significant in that they have good rail and or bus connections. Or, in the case of St. Jean Pied de Port, it is simply the beginning of the traditional 'full Frances" route.
Yes, I know that the ORIGINAL, original starting place was in another nearby French village, but SJPdP has been sending pilgrims up and over the Pyrenees on pilgrimage into Spain for some 1,000 years. Why stand in the way of this tradition? Besides, this is where most of the pilgrims start from anyway.
So, the initial accommodation crunch is felt here, mostly on Friday and Saturday evenings. I always advise people to book someplace to stay for he first TWO nights, then rested, and supplied, sart the third morning.
In my experience on the Frances, these places to avoid arriving on Friday day or Saturday, UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONFIRMED LODGING RESERVATION, include:
Saint Jean Pied de Port
Pamplona
Logroño
Burgos
Leon
Astorga
Sarria
Santiago
As you plan your own walking or biking stages, try to arrive on Thursday or Sunday at these places, especially if you are just showing up, hoping to find an albergue bed. You are trying to avoid the “pig in the python” syndrome created by the weekend surge in new pilgrim arrivals.
Basically, and this resembles surfing, you are trying to time your departure from one place, and arrival at another to “catch the perfect wave.” Walk in the troughs between the weekend waves and you have good surfing from place to place. Time it wrong, and you suffer a wipe-out... no beds... Keep the big, scary waves in front of you or behind you.
Also, NEVER end up at Santiago without a confirmed reservation, especially if arriving on a Friday, Saturday, or any day before a national holiday or major religious feast day.
You will read many one-accounts from pilgrims who claim to have never had a problem. Some of these accounts may be true. But the methodology above WORKS.
Hope this helps.
Saint Jean Pied de Port
Pamplona
Logroño
Burgos
Leon
Astorga
Sarria
Santiago
As you plan your own walking or biking stages, try to arrive on Thursday or Sunday at these places, especially if you are just showing up, hoping to find an albergue bed. You are trying to avoid the “pig in the python” syndrome created by the weekend surge in new pilgrim arrivals.
I walked from the 10th April and even during Holy Week there was only one night when our auberge was full and they rang around to find an alternative accommodation. There is a lot of Spanish families who walk Holy Week but it was not a problem. And on the plus side during holy week the pageantry duringHi All,
I am just looking for advice from people that walked the Camino Frances in April/May of 2019.
Did you find there was a race to get to destinations in order to secure a bed or was there generally beds available? Im young and fit and have no problem walking at a fast pace but I would rather not have to rush so that i can make the most of the camino.
I appreciate any advice.
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