Planning to do Via de la Plata in October

[jerry kabat]

Hi, I'm planning to walk the 2nd half of the Via de la Plata starting in October and beginning the journey in or near Salamanca. I will be going directly to Santiago and not toward Astorga as I already did the Way of St Francis last year and want to do a different route. Can anyone give me an idea of what the terrain is like? Also, will there be albergues open at each stage with beds or should I prepare to sleep outside or on floors? I read somewhere that I will always find a place with a roof over my head but perhaps not a bed. Anything out of the ordinary that I should prepare for?

 

[domigee]

Can anyone give me an idea of what the terrain is like? Also, will there be albergues open at each stage with beds or should I prepare to sleep outside or on floors? ?

Hi Jerry,
The terrain is varied, sometimes mostly uphill I recall
For more useful info, have a look at these :

http://www.gronze.com/via-plata

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/mobile/los-caminos-de-santiago/sanabres/

It'll give you details about albergues and when they are open, also what to expect each day re difficulty etc.
Hope it helps, buen camino

 

[Latecomer]

I agree with domigee that the terrain is varied. There are some rocky downhill sections, like coming into Campobecerros where you will be happy to have boots and poles.

In general, the terrain becomes more attractive after you pass into Galicia.

A friend and I walked the VdlP last September / October, passing through Salamanca about September 28. It started to get very cold, in the mornings only for the most part, when we left Asturianos - it became a high priority to find warm headcovers and gloves.

In general, you should not have problem getting a bed, and usually even a blanket if you need it. We did have some bad luck / competition for beds from Tábara to Asturianos because we were competing with a group of approximately 18 who were supported by at least one car and trailer who would beat us to the albergues. We were always able to find some type of alternative (hostel or floor).

You might find the elevation profiles in a single file useful (if you are taking a smartphone or tablet, take this and other info):
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...aps-with-elevation-profiles-in-one-pdf.33382/

I used the free (on Android anyway, not sure about iOS) Maps.me App Offline Maps and path information from: http://www.elcaminosantiago.com/Camino-Santiago-Maps.htm

I was very happy that I had the maps available and could tell where I was. The paths were not completely up-to-date because of some changes since they were created but still were very useful (sometimes just being sure we were leaving town correctly).

I also made some detailed comments at this post which might be of interest:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/general-advice.38152/#post-373993

Buen Camino!

 

[Michael Glennon]

Hi, I'm planning to walk the 2nd half of the Via de la Plata starting in October and beginning the journey in or near Salamanca. I will be going directly to Santiago and not toward Astorga as I already did the Way of St Francis last year and want to do a different route. Can anyone give me an idea of what the terrain is like? Also, will there be albergues open at each stage with beds or should I prepare to sleep outside or on floors? I read somewhere that I will always find a place with a roof over my head but perhaps not a bed. Anything out of the ordinary that I should prepare for?

Hi Jerry between cheap hotels and albergues you'll be fine, I went through there in November 2009 with no problem. Sometimes the albergue would be closed on arrival but there'd be a mud map or a note on the door telling where to find someone to open up. In all the nights I stayed in albergues there was only one night where there were other pilgrims staying.
I speak no Spanish, so all good, you'll be fine.
Prepare yourself for absolute beauty and there will probably be plenty of wind and rain too.

 

[Lavdrum]

Hi Jerry,
I walked the entire Via de la Plata beginning in Seville on Oct. 14th 2015 and finishing in Santiago on Nov. 19th taking no rest days. The things I remember clearly were:
1/ the uphill climb out of Ourense
2/ the mornings in Nov. which were often very foggy and cold until it lifted usually around 11 or 12 midday.
3/the camaraderie along the Camino, there were usually about 7/8 other pilgrims in my Camino 'family'
4/ never any need to book Albergues in advance, I just arrived and always got a place.
5/ I was only on my own in an Albergue on one occasion.
6/ how cheap one could do the Camino staying in Albergues and having the 'menu del dia' each day.
Overall it was a great experience, the Plata is not commercialised (yet!) and the scenery is beautiful.
Buen Camino.
John

 

[jerry kabat]

Hi Jerry between cheap hotels and albergues you'll be fine, I went through there in November 2009 with no problem. Sometimes the albergue would be closed on arrival but there'd be a mud map or a note on the door telling where to find someone to open up. In all the nights I stayed in albergues there was only one night where there were other pilgrims staying.
I speak no Spanish, so all good, you'll be fine.
Prepare yourself for absolute beauty and there will probably be plenty of wind and rain too.

Thanks for the information. Already excited about going. Will I need a sleeping pad or were you able to sleep on a mattress each night?

 

[jerry kabat]

Hi Jerry,
I walked the entire Via de la Plata beginning in Seville on Oct. 14th 2015 and finishing in Santiago on Nov. 19th taking no rest days. The things I remember clearly were:
1/ the uphill climb out of Ourense
2/ the mornings in Nov. which were often very foggy and cold until it lifted usually around 11 or 12 midday.
3/the camaraderie along the Camino, there were usually about 7/8 other pilgrims in my Camino 'family'
4/ never any need to book Albergues in advance, I just arrived and always got a place.
5/ I was only on my own in an Albergue on one occasion.
6/ how cheap one could do the Camino staying in Albergues and having the 'menu del dia' each day.
Overall it was a great experience, the Plata is not commercialised (yet!) and the scenery is beautiful.
Buen Camino.
John

Thanks for the response. The cold does not bother me. It's the heat. Were there many mountains to climb on the trail? I'm still nursing a sore knee from the Camino Frances.

 

[jerry kabat]

I agree with domigee that the terrain is varied. There are some rocky downhill sections, like coming into Campobecerros where you will be happy to have boots and poles.

In general, the terrain becomes more attractive after you pass into Galicia.

A friend and I walked the VdlP last September / October, passing through Salamanca about September 28. It started to get very cold, in the mornings only for the most part, when we left Asturianos - it became a high priority to find warm headcovers and gloves.

In general, you should not have problem getting a bed, and usually even a blanket if you need it. We did have some bad luck / competition for beds from Tábara to Asturianos because we were competing with a group of approximately 18 who were supported by at least one car and trailer who would beat us to the albergues. We were always able to find some type of alternative (hostel or floor).

You might find the elevation profiles in a single file useful (if you are taking a smartphone or tablet, take this and other info):
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...aps-with-elevation-profiles-in-one-pdf.33382/

I used the free (on Android anyway, not sure about iOS) Maps.me App Offline Maps and path information from: http://www.elcaminosantiago.com/Camino-Santiago-Maps.htm
Thanks for the information. I was not planning to take a smartphone or tablet. Will I never be heard from again if I don't? How many nights did you sleep on a floor?
I was very happy that I had the maps available and could tell where I was. The paths were not completely up-to-date because of some changes since they were created but still were very useful (sometimes just being sure we were leaving town correctly).

I also made some detailed comments at this post which might be of interest:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/general-advice.38152/#post-373993

Buen Camino!

 

[Michael Glennon]

Thanks for the information. Already excited about going. Will I need a sleeping pad or were you able to sleep on a mattress each night?

Hi Jerry you will not need a sleeping pad unless you choose to bring a tent which is not necessary as beds with a mattress are available every night.

 

[jerbear]

Lots of détours due to the ave train they are making way for! Just finished the route not sure if it will go back to the way. Mileage as well as elevation not correct in any notes I have seen.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Hi Jerry,
I walked the entire Via de la Plata beginning in Seville on Oct. 14th 2015 and finishing in Santiago on Nov. 19th taking no rest days. The things I remember clearly were:
1/ the uphill climb out of Ourense
2/ the mornings in Nov. which were often very foggy and cold until it lifted usually around 11 or 12 midday.
3/the camaraderie along the Camino, there were usually about 7/8 other pilgrims in my Camino 'family'
4/ never any need to book Albergues in advance, I just arrived and always got a place.
5/ I was only on my own in an Albergue on one occasion.
6/ how cheap one could do the Camino staying in Albergues and having the 'menu del dia' each day.
Overall it was a great experience, the Plata is not commercialised (yet!) and the scenery is beautiful.
Buen Camino.
John

John, I would like to do the Plata starting from Seville late October.
Hearing how bad the weather may be at the "northern" end of the Plata, I have changed plans.

Now considering walking from Porto to Santiago.

What do you think about walking the entire Plata starting late October??

Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Since I never know and totally depend on a inside place to sleep, I always have in my pack: bivysac, pad and sleeping bag. Always.

Sleeping pad comes in handy even if you do not have a tent. Use to sleep out of the dorm (bed area). Gotten many a good night sleep doing that. Use it for napping on the trail. On benches waiting for that early morning bus...and more.

I do not like sleeping in snoreville. And early morning bag rattlers. like at 3 or 4 am!

So I try to sleep outside as much as possible. Use the Abergues for shower, clothes washing etc. Spent many a night in a Abergue but not in the dorm proper. Always find a cubby hole somewhere to put my pad down and get a good sleep.

Many Abergues have nice places outside to pitch tent or use bivysac.

 

[Lavdrum]

Hi Jerry,
If you start the plata in late Oct. you will not be in Santiago until early Dec. Last year the weather in Nov. Up until I arrived in Santiago on Nov. 19th was very good-dry, sunny but a bit chilly in the mornings. I don't know what the weather was like after that.
All Albergues were open while I was on the Plata so you would have no problem in that respect and there will be some other pilgrims on the path as well. Oct/Nov is a good time to do the Plata from what I experienced last year.
Buen Camino.
John

 

[LesBrass]

All this talk of Autumn on the plata is filling me with excitement! I leave Sevilla on the 21 September and am hoping on reaching Santiago very early November... And my bags are packed already