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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Future - April 2022.
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I’m sure there will be recommendations inbound shortly. In the meantime could you give some idea of your intended route? If it were, for example, the Frances from Sarria; you will not be without company for a moment, in fact you might want some space to yourself. Set off on the bottom ends of the Madrid, Mozárabe or RD la Plata and other walkers might be few and far between.
I can understand your uncertainty; but there’s rather less to the Camino Frances than you might think; apart from the multiple consecutive days walking. The hospitaleros have seen it all before and every nationality under the sun - often operating with nothing but sign language - has gone before you.
thank youOk, that helps.
As my alter-ego on here purports to be canine I speak with some authority.
There are dogs in Spain; there are great slavering hounds in Spain and the historic (and slowly changing) Spanish attitude to dogs is that they are either effective livestock guardians or useless.
The risk which Spanish dogs pose on the Frances is no more or less than a walk through Richmond Park on a summers morning. I appreciate that’s a wholly unhelpful statement to someone with dog issues, but there it is.
I’d repeat that the advantages of a pre-arrranged group on (for example the CF from Sarria) are minimal as you’ll be ‘in company’ from the minute you arrive, but each to their own. There are many reputable operators offering to facilitate walkers on the Frances.
I think it would almost impossible to be solo, unless you walk in winter. From Sarria onwards the numbers walking increase hugely. Having walked through that section several times I dont recall any places where you would have issues with dogs. Most of the places where you come into contact with dogs (ie no barrier between) is prior to Sarria.thank you
so i think what you are saying, is if i turned up in Sarria mid April, i would meet people there and along the way easily, i.e. i would rarely be solo?
If i were to do that, and actually it would be preferable, do you prebook lodging along the way or just turn up? particularly now given covid etc?
thanks
Yesso i think what you are saying, is if i turned up in Sarria mid April, i would meet people there and along the way easily, i.e. i would rarely be solo?
I'd be inclined to pre-book lodging since there are likely to still be Covid protocols in place limiting the number of available beds in albergue dorms. You canIf i were to do that, and actually it would be preferable, do you prebook lodging along the way or just turn up? particularly now given covid etc?
A good way to know if you have wandered off the trail is if a dog isn't bored by you and keeps barking.On the Camino Frances, dogs are totally bored by passing pilgrims.
I'd be inclined to pre-book lodging since there are likely to still be Covid protocols in place limiting the number of available beds in albergue dorms.
Something important to keep in mind... in 2022, April 9-18 covers Easter week plus the two weekends. It will be very busy from Sarria to Santiago.Likely doing it from Sarria, for the 7-8 day trek, around mid - April
Have you seen this thread?If you had one book to read on planning the trip / finding hostels - do you have a recommendation
I, too, am afraid of unleashed dogs on the camino. A trick I found very effective is to spread out your arms holding your trekking poles - guaranteed to silence any barking dogs, at least long enough for you to get away.thank you for that, i have edited my original post on the basis of what you have said. Still finding my feet with this, and working out my plans.
i also have an issue with dogs, so i have added that, which is part of the solo walk driver
Dog owner here... Without the trekking poles, the act of spreading my arms out and wide is the non-verbal cue for my dog to come charging at me. Usually after a prolonged stay when I was too far out that she couldn't hear me shout "Okay". I found the easiest way to avoid an interested dog is by completely ignoring them, avoid any eye contact and just keep on walking, oblivious to their presence. When you don't give them any attention they would get bored and choose something else to do very swiftly. I have found that the avoidance actions, which are completely natural human thing to do, actually are misunderstood by dogs as invitation to play (e.g. waving hands, using hands to push them away... dogs see the moving hands as rather like toys) and often have the exact opposite effect.I, too, am afraid of unleashed dogs on the camino. A trick I found very effective is to spread out your arms holding your trekking poles - guaranteed to silence any barking dogs, at least long enough for you to get away.
I think you'll find that the seasoned pilgrims on the forum are far from unanimous in their predictions for 2022. Nobody knows how the various factors will play out. Where did you check about the bookings? The booking sites have only a fraction of the available beds/rooms in their listings. (I do think it is wise to book for that section in June, but no need for panic yet!I have been warned by various seasoned peregrinos that this year will be exceptionally busy, as most pilgrims couldn't do their journey last year, and it's an extended Holy Year. I just checked this week and in the smaller towns, some private albuergues are already fully booked,
I am doing it with my dog, so I’m working from a much reduced list of dog friendly accommodation listed on APACA/travel sites/booking.com. I am optimistic and hope to see many other peregrinos this summer!I think you'll find that the seasoned pilgrims on the forum are far from unanimous in their predictions for 2022. Nobody knows how the various factors will play out. Where did you check about the bookings? The booking sites have only a fraction of the available beds/rooms in their listings. (I do think it is wise to book for that section in June, but no need for panic yet!)
In my experience we grizzled veterans were definitely in the minority, but I did notice that some the people who started at Sarria had a different demographic.And you understand (I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet) that you will be walking from Sarria onward with some grizzled veterans who started hundreds of kilometers before you, a few of whom might consider you as a kind of newbie who cannot really share the experience they have gained...
These are the starting points for the pilgrims who received Compostelas in 2020. By far the largest number of those who had walked the Camino Frances began their walk in Sarria. I wouldn't take too much notice of any grumpy long-distance grizzlies you meet on your journey. Distance walked does not make you any more or less of a pilgrim.In my experience we grizzled veterans were definitely in the minority, but I did notice that some the people who started at Sarria had a different demographic.
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