Need Recommendation

Valarie Griep said:

I want to walk at least part of the Via de la Plata and/or Sanabrés routes in the fall 2020. There are a few guidebooks available and I'd like to know your recommendation for the one you found most useful. I will stay in albergues with private rooms or casa rurales so info on both is helpful.
And if there was a section you especially enjoyed, please let me know that too. Thanks for your help!

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Hi Valarie
Guides / there are lots ! as you’ve mentioned.

I like to have these available on my phone :

My ‘go to’ Link in phone (to gronze)
https://www.gronze.com/

This has all the routes. On gronze you can see stages ., profile map , accommodation recommendations (including links to booking dot com). All the information is easy to understand even if the descriptions are in Spanish.

Also :
Gerald Kelly’s guide to Via de la plata. Has stage info , accommodation suggestions, eating etc. maps.
Look at his fb group for Via de la plata too. You’ll get all sorts of input/tips from there specific to Vdlp.

Also : free app: Maps.me
Download to your phone - helpful to show you where you are and can be used in ‘aeroplane mode ‘ so won’t eat into your data or need wifi. It uses gps but does use battery so close out of it when not needed.
Tracks are available on this forum to download onto maps.me also ; so very handy.

I used all three above last year and that will be enough for me when finishing it this year.


I didn’t take a hard cover guide book myself but I believe the Gerald Kelly one is available in this form.

All the best with planning
Annie

Ive walked the VDLP twice. April 2017 & 2019. Loved it.
I used Maps.me .... a great help... and continue to use it everywhere I travel.

I also had Gerald Kelly book on my phone along with the VDLP Premium App you can download.
Between Gerald Kelly that I had downloaded on my phone & the VDLP App, I didnt need anything else.

I enjoyed the south more on both the VdLP and the Sureste. In Salamanca there is so much beauty that you would be wise, if you have time, to stop and explore for a couple of days. On the VdLP I found the Kelly more than adequate.