Safe for women alone on Via de la Plata?

[BeckyYukon]

Hi there,
I'm planning to walk the Via de la Plata starting in Seville at the end of March. Wondering about safety for a woman walking alone with no Spanish! What are the main safety considerations?
Appreciate your tips and help.
Becky

 

[C clearly]

! What are the main safety considerations?

They are exactly the same as your considerations for walking through your home town and a local park. Read this thread and this one.

 

[Jersey]

I can't speak for the safety but I was in Spain last year for almost a month.
Didn't walk the Camino. I spent 1 week in Madrid and two weeks in Coruna. I know very little Spanish but I did learn to order wine & beer, say hello & thank you & enough to somewhat understand a menu.
( pollo is chicken. Pulpo is octopus, etc )
My experience was they appreciate us trying & meeting them halfway.
Hope this helps a little

 

[C clearly]

They are exactly the same as your considerations for walking through your home town and a local park. Read this thread and this one.

Sorry if I seemed a little abrupt with my reply. Just use normal good sense. I will be on the path, starting in Seville around March 20. There should be a fair number of other people walking at that time.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've walked most of it alone.
No problems.
A bit of Spanish would be helpful, but they're used to pilgrims.

 

[mla1]

The end of March is the start of the early 'high season' on the VDLP, so C Clearly is right - there will definitely be people around. I walked last year at that time and had as much company - or as little - as I wanted. When you are walking on your own, other pilgrims do tend to watch out for you -- if you make yourself seem open to them (and if it seems like that kind of regard would be something you would like). Sticking to the fairly standard stages will increase the number of people in the albergues at night. Eventually you may find yourself looking for a bit more time on your own!
Walking a camino is a good exercise in getting more confidence about doing things that women are often told are too risky.
I am a teacher and I often despair at the things that my female students (who are usually around 20 years old) think they cannot do because it would be 'too dangerous' -- things like go for a walk or a run in a nature park.
I remind them that most violence against women happens in women's own homes and, in Canada and the U.S., the statistics show that more than 80% of violence against women is commited by people they know. I always try to take those statistics as a reminder not to make my life smaller than it needs to be. A camino is a great way to make life bigger.

 

[Harington]

Hi there,
I'm planning to walk the Via de la Plata starting in Seville at the end of March. Wondering about safety for a woman walking alone with no Spanish! What are the main safety considerations?
Appreciate your tips and help.
Becky

The safety concerns are the same as they would be anywhere. When I walked alone (2013) there had been robberies just outside Seville (Camas, I think), but keep your wits about you. I carried a whistle, a marking spray, and an alarm. I also had a dummy wallet with €20, old credit cards and fake passport. Really none of it was necessary! be aware in cities that there might be pickpockets. As for sexual safety I never felt threatened, but then I'm probably too old!

 

[bsewall]

The VdlP is safe, provided you use common sense. One suggestion, when you walk through the industrial areas near the cities, try to walk with another pilgrim.

 

[mmm042]

I've always walked alone and never had a problem, other than with a few dogs.

Melanie

 

[Jersey]

I love & get along great with dogs.
That being said, my biggest fear is wild dogs.
Is it OK to carry a dog spray ( Pepper Spray ) in Spain?
After I retired I worked for the US Postal service for a bit and still have several cans of dog spray but I doubt I should pack it in my luggage?

 

[C clearly]

my biggest fear is wild dogs

Then you'll be glad to learn that there aren't any wild dogs on the camino. There are lazy dogs sunning on the streets, fenced/tied dogs barking (occasionally), and working dogs doing their jobs under farmers' supervision.

 

[Jersey]

No wild dogs? Absolutely none? You sure? LOL
There has to be a few wild dogs in Spain?

 

[Trude]

Hi there,
I'm planning to walk the Via de la Plata starting in Seville at the end of March. Wondering about safety for a woman walking alone with no Spanish! What are the main safety considerations?
Appreciate your tips and help.
Becky

Becky I have walked the Francais and Norde alone and have never been scared in fact I love walking alone. I will be starting the Via de La Plata with a friend on the 26th March. Hope to see you along the way.

 

[domigee]

No wild dogs? Absolutely none? You sure? LOL
There has to be a few wild dogs in Spain?

There used to be , when I was a little girl, in Andalucia anyway but it's a long time ago! Not any more.
I haven't seen any wild dogs on the VdlP (or anywhere else on the Camino in Spain).
Buen camino

 

[Jersey]

I feel much better
Buen Camino