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onimaC

Jackie Robinson

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
First Time this year
I did the Camino Frances from SJPP back in May 2015 and am hoping to maybe walk from Porto to SdC this year but if my plans to take a year out pan out, I was wondering whether to attempt to retrace my 2015 route back to SJPP afterwards - with maybe a detour or two to visit some of the places I missed first time around. However... I wonder whether the signage is as good heading in reverse as it is going forwards or whether it'll turn out to be a bit of a faff... Has anyone done CF --> SJPP themselves and if so, how did you find your journey? Cheers in anticipation..
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
I have walked Santiago to SJPdP three times now, including once in winter.

The Camino Frances is only marked to Santiago, not back again (unlike pilgrim routes in other countries that are marked both ways). There have been some unofficial attempts to marking a reverse route, there are a few blue spiral arrow markings but you cannot count on them.

However, walking back is not so difficult as you may think. Most times on the Frances if in doubt wait for a pilgrim heading towards you, this won't take long most months (not winter) and not late afternoons when no-one is walking.

Carry an app with the route marked on it (I use mapsme. with gpx files for instance) these really help.

Be prepared for locals to stop you more than once per day telling you you are going the wrong way!

The walk in my opinion in harder terrain wise - Out of Molinesca towards Cruz de Ferro is a killer, as is Alto de Perdon in reverse. However, I find the pyrenees crossings easier, Napoleon route but especially the Valcarlos route.

On sunny days the sun is in your eyes most of the morning, I needed sunglasse on the meseta. .

It is lonely, EVERY pilgrim will pass you for one second (that is hundreds of Buen Camino's a day)! But everyone will know everyone else in the albergues at night, you will know no-one all the way (unless you meet someone else walking back too, which I have done a few times). You will meet people in the evenings at the albergues who you really get on with knowing you will never see them again.

Other pilgrims may think you are either a weirdo, insane or a even a hero. Some will totally ignore you. One thought I was cheating! However hospitalero's have seen it all before and will understand you and many will give you a bit of kudos too. No problems staying in albergues, just use your credential as before.

So, if you know these things in advance it is very do-able. I enjoy it immensely, the pressure is off, the Way looks and feels totally different. Go for it!

Buen Camino
Davey
 
Thank you so much for sharing this with me Davey; I expected some of what you describe but am a solitary soul by nature so the decreased level of interaction with other pilgrims won't be an issue. I can still recall 2015's terrain but admit that I'd not thought of the change of direction with regards to sun rise and set. Others details, especially the lack of route marking and suggested app will prove invaluable in the event that I give it a go. I will certainly post if I do.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
I find it more relaxing, a good way to end a camino for me. Walking to Santiago/Fisterra I always feel a 'pull' and a sort of obligation to get 'there'. You walk with others doing the same. Its great, I love it, but going back I feel truly 'free'. No obligation any more, Ive just walked to Santiago, now I walk and relax. If I don't make it to St Jean who cares?

It is difficult to explain really, but walking back is different and wonderful. And the others you meet also walking back are true 'characters'! (Or we are all just plain nuts).

Davey
 

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