maps?

[cat1]

Is having a map absolutely necessary or is the route pretty easy to follow and well marked out? Also have been checking out the weather stats for the Camino for next month and would I be right in saying its pretty wet in April .. :wink:

 

[William Marques]

A map is not absolutely necessary. The route is well marked and pretty easy to follow.

With regards to the weather "There are lie, damn lies and statistics." You can only say that it may be wet, the mountains could be snowy, but then again you may have sun all the way.

Buen Camino
William

 

[cat1]

cheers, i guess its expect the unexpected! : 8)

 

[sillydoll]

Maps

Some of the guide books include strip maps which you can use as daily schedules. If you are a map person, the best maps, in my opinion, are
by "Ediciones Way" who publish pocket maps of the Camino. They fold into a 3 ½" by 3 ½" square and are chock-full of information: distances, altitudes, albergues (with their telephone numbers) and even bicycle shops. There is one that covers the Camino from St Jean to Burgos, and Somport to Burgos; another from Burgos to O Cebreiro and another from O Cebreiro to Santiago.
The name of the map series is "El Camino Jacobeo en tu Bolsillo” (The Way of St. James in your Pocket); ISBN 84-930395-2-7 they are printed in Spanish, French, English and German. They cost about $2-3 and may be ordered from the publisher: Ediciones Way, S. L. c/ San Anselmo No. 1 2818 Madrid Spain
I took a chance and sent them Euros in an envelope and they sent me two sets of each map.

 

[leslie]

i walked with a guidebook the first time and with nothing the second time

guidebooks are good
1) they can help you plan your day by providing you with practical information like where to buy bread or mail a letter
2) they can help you choose what you want to do or see by providing you with cultural and historical information

maps are okay but
1) most if not all of the provinces publish pamphlets you can pick up at albergues or tourist offices that show the route through that area
2) the hospitalero at the albergue can usually provide you with information about the next day's route

as far as finding the way goes
it's simple
every time you arrive at a point where you need to make a decision
left right or straight ahead
stop and look around until you see the arrow