I am alittle concerned about safety as a solo woman. I am very smart and have traveled all over the world, so I definitely have my wits about me. However, just because it is such a new thing I am uneasy about the trek alone. I have heard people say that you will meet a "camino family" who will look out for you along away. Any thoughts?
Also, what is the first day like? I was thinking about stopping in orrisson at the hostel because the 20+ km seems a lot, however I bet I could push myself. Thoughts?
I am in the midst of my Camino, 2/3 of the way from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Finisterre. I am also a solo female traveller. The best tips I can give are to listen to your body, enjoy the journey, stop to look around and take photos and rest when you feel like it. And don't be too goal oriented about your mileage. That's how injuries happen. ( I met one woman who walked to Pamplona in three days. Her knees said no. She ended up hospitalized and had to go home after her third day. That is a tragedy.)
You may be travelling alone, but you are never really alone. There will always be new friends to meet and people you will keep seeing along the way, but also no obligation to be attached at the hip to anyone. It's your camino, and you need to be true to your own needs, your own pace and rhythm.
Stopping at Orisson on the first day is a grear experience. The sunrise there is phenomenal, the dinner is lovely, and we had a wonderful campfire type chat in the evening. Also, climbing that mountain is intense. I'm glad I did it in two days instead of one. The only stops between Orisson and Roncesvalles are at the egg man, a local farmer who sells boiled eggs and sheep cheese out of a truck by his farm, and a tiny emergency shelter a little further on at the top of the hill, an empty hut, basically.
One last thing... Injinji toe socks. The mid weight hiking ones. Best thing ever.
www.injinji.com/shop/trail
Buen Camino!