Obtaining the compostela after walking off the "official" ro

[Former member 2537]

Two related questions:
If one arrives in Santiago having walked the required 100 km (or bicycles 200) but not on an "official" route and somehow has sellos to prove it, will he or she be awarded the compostela?

And just how easy is it generally to obtain sellos off the "official" routes? Yes, a fuzzy question but any comments?

Specifically the question relates to traveling the frances by bicycle to Villafranco del Bierzo and then heading northwest on the N-VI to Lugo and then on the primitivo to Santiago.

The site of the Acogida de Peregrinos makes no mention of this that I could find.

Thanks for any and all opinions and/or information.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola Gene

The staff of the Pilgrims' Office are much more used to spotting the usual sequence of sellos on the more traditional routes but I am certain that if you explain the route you have taken to them (perhaps with a map) and point out the sellos from the 100 kms point then all will be well. It is not unusual for pilgrims to walk from one route to the other.

I'm sure lots of places will have sellos on the route you are going to take - as well as hostals etc I'd try police stations, red cross posts, tourist offices of course. Churches will usually always have one.

I hope this helps - I'll pm you further.

John