possible to sleep outside without a tent?

[shen88]

Hey everyone I am planning to do the camino ingles on the 7th of may this year. I dont plan on prebooking any accommodation and am travelling very light. Is it possible/safe/allowed to just sleep outdoors with just a sleeping bag? I have 4 full days to walk aswel is this an achievable lenght of time do ye think? Sorry if this has been previously answered. Any advice is most appreciated!
Thankyou

 

[Anniesantiago]

It is possible, but you'll likely freeze. It's very cold and rainy in early May. Last year, there was snow in June, so you may want to rethink this.

 

[shen88]

It is possible, but you'll likely freeze. It's very cold and rainy in early May. Last year, there was snow in June, so you may want to rethink this.

Hi annie thanks so much for your reply, wow I really was expecting heat! Im from Ireland and the weather here has been just beautiful for the past 2 weeks so I was presuming spain would be better! How naive of me! Thanks a milion I must really rethink my packing!

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hola and welcome.
It is 120kms from Ferrol to Santiago, which can be shortened by starting at Neda/Narón - the last place for your first stamp and to receive a Compostela. As Annie says it could be cold and wet, or the warm weather could be good but maybe still wet. I would suggest downloading Johnnie's guide and checking out where to sleep for your Camino rather than sleeping out with all the problems that could bring - including food, toilets, washing facilities etc. It isn't really an area for sleeping/camping out.
Buen camino

 

[shen88]

Hola and welcome.
It is 120kms from Ferrol to Santiago, which can be shortened by starting at Neda/Narón - the last place for your first stamp and to receive a Compostela. As Annie says it could be cold and wet, or the warm weather could be good but maybe still wet. I would suggest downloading Johnnie's guide and checking out where to sleep for your Camino rather than sleeping out with all the problems that could bring - including food, toilets, washing facilities etc. It isn't really an area for sleeping/camping out.
Buen camino

Hey, thanks so much for your response. Okay I will. I like the idea of sleeping under the stars at least one night so perhaps weather will be kind to me and this can be a possibility! Just booked my flights so 2 weeks of perhaps a little more research is needed!
Thanks again

 

[shen88]

Also whats johnnies guide?!

 

[Ekelund]

It is nice to sleep outside and if you have a warm sleepingbag and a mat, you will be fine. I don't know the Spanish laws and regulations when it comes to sleeping outside in not designated areas, you better check it. In Bruma - maybe you could sleep in the garden of the Auberge if you get permission from the hospitalero.
You can downloade Johnnie Walkers guide to the Camino Ingles from the Forum - look in the Camino Ingles section. It is very helpful, I read it before leaving but didn't bring it. You won't get lost, there are yellow arrows showing the way everywhere.
Buen Camino to you.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Also whats johnnies guide?!

The downloadable guide to the Camino Inglés by Johnnie Walker of the forum. Donation requested for CSJ which also produces the printed version. We have temporarily taken out the pages we will not need (Coruna to Bruma) and removed the cover to lighten the paperwork a little, but would not walk without it. Excellent guide, lists accomodation as well as albergues and phone numbers which may be needed. The image shows 2012 version but it has been updated.
Buen Camino

 

[shen88]

It is nice to sleep outside and if you have a warm sleepingbag and a mat, you will be fine. I don't know the Spanish laws and regulations when it comes to sleeping outside in not designated areas, you better check it. In Bruma - maybe you could sleep in the garden of the Auberge if you get permission from the hospitalero.
You can downloade Johnnie Walkers guide to the Camino Ingles from the Forum - look in the Camino Ingles section. It is very helpful, I read it before leaving but didn't bring it. You won't get lost, there are yellow arrows showing the way everywhere.
Buen Camino to you.

Thankyou so much for your help, im very grateful for all of this information. Thats wonderful ill do that now.
Love and light

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi Shen
4 days you say? have you worked out your stages? I did it in 5, but met a few people going from Hospital to Santiago in one stretch which I think is about 38km and easy going. Working back from that, you're looking at reaching Pontedueme for day 1 (29k), Betanzos day 2 (20k) and Hospital de Bruma day 3 (27). Much of the way for the 1st two days is along small roads - and not fully rural - mainly people's gardens alongside the road and not really suitable for sleeping out. Further on you might find some suitable places a couple of km the other side of Betanzos - and some a few k before Hospital, but it's mainly farming land. A great pine plantation starts about 8km after Hospital, which I guess is a possibility. But I don't think it'd in any way improve the journey - and the albergues are all nice places to stay and really an important part of the Ingles experience.
If you really want to persevere with the idea then, provided it's not raining I think your main issue will not be cold but the heavy dew. Without some sort of bivy bag you may well get very damp.

 

[paul.ferris]

There is a positive experience about albergues.
It's hard to explain.
Yes they are crowded, scented with human odours, hot and or cold, loud. Bathroom facilities may be inadequate. You may get a top bunk. They may be short on places to dry clothes or charge devices. Then there's the snoring.
But, I guess, it is the sense of camaraderie. The 'sleeping over with friends' experience that makes it, well, fun.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Paul, so right you are.

But you forgot to mention the ones who go to bed at 3 pm and get up at 4 am or earlier. Met those type at Bruma albergue. Nice bunch. Rattled bags. Turned lights on. Moved chairs that made lots of noise. If you have stayed at the A'berg Bruma, you will know the noise the chairs make. Kitchen area is below the open windows of the second floor sleeping area. These guys slammed exit door going in and out to the bathroom across the patio. Such a nice bunch. Oh did I forget to mention, they are the same ones who will tell you to be quite when they are trying to sleep at 3 or 4 pm!

Another reason I like to tent or bivysac when doing the Caminos.

I have met some wonderful people in the Albergues... And had great times there too. When I do Caminos I use all types of sleeping arrangements. A'bergs, outside, camp grounds, B&B, room for rent, fire station, Hostels and more.

The guy who runs the A'burg Bruma is wonderful. He loves to talk. The new bar/cafe is wonderful too. Down the street between the A'berg and the church. Woman who runs the place is so nice. She will make what you want for breakfast. I ate dinner at 6 pm and breakfast at 730 am.