Northern Laurie
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Northern Way (2017)
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As an aside, there are a small number of places, like the wonderful albergue at San Anton, that normally welcome pilgrims from sunrise to sunset, and at least allow them to use the albergue facilities if not the dormitory. I know that doesn't help if you are on the Norte!I have walked in the pre-dawn dark, when things are going to get easier as the light increases, and only once after dusk. Difficult, but not impossible at those times. If you do want to walk after civil twilight, I would be less worried about the presence of zombies than the absence of bars, cafes and a place to stay when you want to stop. Irrespective of whether you plan to use an albergue, hostel or hotel, you won't be a welcome guest in the early morning when people are cleaning up the establishment and preparing it for the afternoon influx of pilgrims.
Please check with the spainish police. There are laws as to how and when to walk in spain. They are NOW enforcing them.
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road...and_cyclists/traffic_rules_for_pedestrians_enDo you have a link to this kind of information? The only law regarding the how and when of walking I know of is if you are walking alongside a road/road crossings in the dark/poor visibility. Then you are required to wear a high-visibility vest. Buen Camino, SY
Is there a stretch I should avoid at all costs (e.g. because the path is unusually dangerous and steep or other hazards would worry you).?
Do you have a link to this kind of information? The only law regarding the how and when of walking I know of is if you are walking alongside a road/road crossings in the dark/poor visibility. Then you are required to wear a high-visibility vest. Buen Camino, SY
I took your original point to be that there were laws about walking at night anywhere in Spain. This report is about walking on roads in Europe generally, and says nothing more than countries can make their own laws within the general pedestrian codes. What a remarkable revalation! I don't think it addresses @SYates' question. So if you do really want to be nice, perhaps you could find something that does address your original point.https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road...and_cyclists/traffic_rules_for_pedestrians_en
And i am trying to be nice. Lol bc
I took your original point to be that there were laws about walking at night anywhere in Spain. This report is about walking on roads in Europe generally, and says nothing more than countries can make their own laws within the general pedestrian codes. What a remarkable revalation! I don't think it addresses @SYates' question. So if you do really want to be nice, perhaps you could find something that does address your original point.
There is a nice infographic here (http://revista.dgt.es/images/Peatones-en-riesgo-actualizacion-detalle-mas.jpg) that addresses the major causes of pedestrian injury and death on Spanish roads. It might look like common sense, but that might not be as common as we think.Sorry walk as you wish
@poogeyejr that is a really good idea too - thank you.I found walking around the villages at night was enjoyable. I was on the Norte so the seaside towns often had numerous places to explore, I would arrive at the hostel, take a nap, then spend my evenings exploring the local surroundings, sometimes arriving back at the hostel just before curfew. I would walk 20km stages but another 2-6 km around the villages.
So - the night walking checklist (thank you to all - emphasis is my attempt to be funny):
1) Do not flash lights around in albergues and
2) Don't be noisy on departure (definitely sense a theme here through all the threads)
3) Walk facing traffic & single file (thank you @jerbear )
4) Expect to get lost and lose markers. Use navigation software (have to find the vibrating directional app)
5) Bring my own light
6) Wear something shiny and reflective
7) Try to time it for full moons and places without trees
8) and my personal favourite (not mentioned above)... don't walk down cliffs.
And waking up the neighbourhood in the process.and 9) be prepared to be attacked by unchained guard dogs.
Met a young peregrino in 2015 who told me about walking one night when he couldn't sleep. At one stage he turned around and saw two yellow eyes behind him. He yelled and waved his arms multiple times to no avail. Those yellow eyes followed him for a whole hour. He never walked at night again.
Hi all,
I've appreciated all the words of wisdom (and silliness) on this forum - I am much better prepared than I would be otherwise, and am terribly excited to be starting at the end of August.
I love walking at night. The world changes after sunset. In particular, I love walking in cities at night, outside of areas with nightlife. I know my hometown well, and know where to wander and feel comfortable and where to avoid. Vancouver is a very safe city and rarely have I felt threatened.
I have done a little bit of walking in the country or hiking on trails in the dark - but the call of the coyote tends to creep me out a bit - make me feel vulnerable. But overall, I feel more alive and at peace.
So, with that rambling preamble, have any of you walked after dark? If so, is there a stretch that is more or less amenable to night time walking - anywhere between Irun and Santiago. Or even Finisterra?
Is there a stretch I should avoid at all costs (e.g. because the path is unusually dangerous and steep or other hazards would worry you).?
Has anyone walked at night? What was your experience?
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