Sailing to Spain to start the Camino

[gigibarry]

I'm interested in literally walking out my front door and starting walking my Camino but without flying to France or Spain. As I live in Ireland, I would really like to walk to Dublin, get a berth on a merchant or fishing vessel, land somewhere in northern Spain and start walking again from there. Does anyone have any information on whether this is possible or has been done?

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi
Great idea! I think the Jeannie Johnson sailed a few times to Cee and La Coruna and that some of the crew made the short journey east or south (depending on the port) to Santiago. That would have been the traditional Irish Camino route sailing from Dublin or Cork.
From the sound of it you though want to make the longer pilgrimage so that would mean making it to one of the larger north eastern ports. Unless you know people in the sailing world I don't think you'd get passage to San Sebastian easily as it's a tidal dependent port mostly for recreational sailing and smaller fishing boats. However Bilbao is a good bet with heavy tanker traffic and it's pretty much on the Northern route so maybe you could join that Camino rather than the Camino Frances?
If you're absolutely intent on the Camino Frances you could bus it from Bilbao to Bayonne and get train up to SJPP or alternatively, if you're not too bothered about crossing the Pyrenees, then bus from Bilbao to Pamplona or Logrono these are both lovely cities with good choice of pilgrim accommodation.
Bonne route
Nell

 

[miguel_gp]

Hi,

One of the Amigo Volunteers at the Pilgrim's Office this summer attempted to do a similar thing. He was looking for sea transport from South of England to Coruna or Ferrol in order to walk the Ingles prior to his stint at the office. From the feelers he put out I understand the only responses he got were from Cruise ship operators, who would transport him but, of course, for the full (pro-rata'd) cruise fare. Unfortunately, I believe he ended up flying in the end.

A quick google search brought up this company that have a Dublin - Bilbao (somewhat indirect) route. Might be worth contacting them to see if they would take a passenger.

I wish you well in your quest.
Buen Voyage!

 

[mikevasey]

Hi at the moment there is a company trying to open a link between Swansea and Ilfracombe, if this happens then it would cut out about 8-10 days of walking on the British Side, and make the ports of Plymouth, Weymouth and Poole a lot more accessable, there is Ferry links from Dublin and Cork to Swansea http://www.severnlink.com. I hope it happens.

All the best

Mike

 

[Tia Valeria]

As Miguel says there are cruise ferries available. Depending on the time of year Brittany Ferries operates from Cork to either Bilbao or Santander (I am not sure which). They do have foot passenger rates which you can check out online, but may have to phone to book.

 

[Whalleyranger]

Have you thought about passage on a cargo ship? http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/ might be able to help you with this.

 

[gigibarry]

Thanks to everyone for the leads. The Jeannie Johnson sounds like my dream transport to Spain! I'll try to get in touch and see if they have any plans for future sailings and am currently checking with one of the cargo companies suggested. Sailing from England or Cork is a possibility but not the first preference as I wouldn't have a huge amount of time and would prefer to walk 30 km to Dublin from my home and then walk in Spain rather than do long distances in Ireland or England at the start (would be a grand walk but not what I'm really after at the moment). I'll keep everyone posted on what I find out. Thanks again!