For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
It's a great walk.Hello everyone! I am about to do my first Camino and am so excited!
Will walk with a group from Sarria to Santiago, then wanted to take a week and continue on my own. Was considering walking to Finisterre and Muxia, but I heard it is less busy, and especially now because of covid was wondering if it may be dangerous for a woman to do this route alone? Any thoughts or experiences?
Thank you very much!
Many women walk this way by themselves; there's not a 'perp' around every corner. Going adventuring away from the path is likewise pretty safe so long as you know where you intend to go and how you will get there. The main thing to remember is not to leave your wits and common 'spidey' sense at home, and to have a good map if you intend to wander about off the way.Anyone walking alone can be a target. A woman walking can be a target of choice. The Way to Finisterre and Muxia even at the height of traffic isn't anywhere near the numbers walking into Santiago. If you choose to walk alone, remain aware of your surroundings. You will likely meet other pilgrims at the albergues/hostels, etc. Make friends, let them know when you leave, or walk stretches with them. Carry a shrill whistle (Acme Thunderer/Fox 40) and let them know if they hear it to come running. It will likely scare away the perp. Remain on the major path. Don't go adventuring away from the path
As former law enforcement, safety and gender aren’t mutually exclusive.I’m male and hesitate to give advice to a woman as to safety. As my wife has reminded me occasionally, I’m not equipped to experience situations in the same way as she.
Setting that to one side, there is no reason why the F/M loop poses any particular risk and I’m not aware of any reports that you should be aware of.
With respect to advice on whistles, etc. I fear that all that accomplishes is to create an expectation of an issue when none may exist. Spain is generally a very safe country.
I’m former law enforcement (well …at least I tried; Military Police back in the 80’s) I’m not questioning your judgement, simply reflecting that the male and female perspective of safety in similar situations may differ.As former law enforcement, safety and gender aren’t mutually exclusive.
Sounds like great advice for everyone, including us males.Many women walk this way by themselves; there's not a 'perp' around every corner. Going adventuring away from the path is likewise pretty safe so long as you know where you intend to go and how you will get there. The main thing to remember is not to leave your wits and common 'spidey' sense at home, and to have a good map if you intend to wander about off the way.
I've done it in the Winter three times. Did the loop from from Santiago to Muxia and then over to Finisterra; very easy to follow the arrows. However, ,in late January 2019 went from Santiago to Finisterra and on to Muxia; easy! From Muxia to Dumbria ( through the mountains ) it is difficult to follow the arrows; had to back track several times; scary in isolated mountains; getting to the point: do it from Santiago to Muxia and on to Finisterra and back to Santiago, buen camino brendano.Hello everyone! I am about to do my first Camino and am so excited!
Will walk with a group from Sarria to Santiago, then wanted to take a week and continue on my own. Was considering walking to Finisterre and Muxia, but I heard it is less busy, and especially now because of covid was wondering if it may be dangerous for a woman to do this route alone? Any thoughts or experiences?
Thank you very much!
You reminded me to mention that as you leave Santiago you should definitely turn around to take a look - not because of the spidey-sense, but because it's the best view of the cathedral!I am female and I walked Santiago-Muxia-Finisterre by myself. The only time I felt my spidey-senses go ‘hey, pay attention’, was on the exit from Santiago. I stopped, took a good look around and decided it was safe to proceed. And it was.
I just did that walk over the last week from Santiago to fisterra then Muxia. I left Muxia yesterday morning. I was actually surprised at the number of women I saw walking alone. My friend and I commented on this subject as we were walking. Of course, I think you have to be careful but I saw women by themselves. Now I don't know if they just walking that day or the whole time by themselves. Some we would catch up to as they were taking a break and vice versa. Some were going the route backwards, maybe took the bus to Muxia then walked that route. My friends thinks maybe as many as 15.Hello everyone! I am about to do my first Camino and am so excited!
Will walk with a group from Sarria to Santiago, then wanted to take a week and continue on my own. Was considering walking to Finisterre and Muxia, but I heard it is less busy, and especially now because of covid was wondering if it may be dangerous for a woman to do this route alone? Any thoughts or experiences?
Thank you very much!
You don't have to be in law enforcement to understand the female experiences (compared to male counterparts) of safely moving about in this world are drastically different.As former law enforcement, safety and gender aren’t mutually exclusive
Was considering walking to Finisterre and Muxia, but I heard it is less busy, and especially now because of covid was wondering if it may be dangerous for a woman to do this route alone? Any thoughts or experiences?
Thank you for stating this.I’m male and hesitate to give advice to a woman as to safety. As my wife has reminded me occasionally, I’m not equipped to experience situations in the same way as she.
In 2019, in Arzua I was approached by a young guy spinning some tall tale about how he needed money to find his girlfriend (he spoke excellent English) - my husband caught up to me, and the young guy literally ran off, much to our amusement.I don’t think it’s any more or less dangerous than any other section. You might be shocked by how safe you feel in Spain compared to the US if you are from the US. Having said that, I repeat what others have said, keep your wits about you. Only once did I ever worry that something might get weird; I encountered a stranger on a lonely stretch who didn’t quite seem like a pilgrim. We chatted and then he began hinting that he needed money. I offered him food and told him I had to get going. I have always carried a whistle but honestly it was never handy. I highly suggest walking with poles, they are very useful and can be a weapon that is always in your hand.
Thank you so much that would be very reassuring! Appreciate itYou will be safe. Just look at the statistics of pilgrims who have problems. I dare say percentage wise it is probably much lower than the general population in Spain.
I recommend that everyone download an app called AlertCops:
It will put you in touch with an English speaking law enforcement representative. They can track your phone to locate exactly where you are. Call them if you feel unsafe, if you are injured or lost. I always have it on my phone when I am walking.
If I was a male doctor giving medical advice does that change it’s validity? Time and place can be the variable for all in many situations.You don't have to be in law enforcement to understand the female experiences (compared to male counterparts) of safely moving about in this world are drastically different.
I did the Norte alone and never felt afraid or had a problem.Anyone walking alone can be a target. A woman walking can be a target of choice. The Way to Finisterre and Muxia even at the height of traffic isn't anywhere near the numbers walking into Santiago. If you choose to walk alone, remain aware of your surroundings. You will likely meet other pilgrims at the albergues/hostels, etc. Make friends, let them know when you leave, or walk stretches with them. Carry a shrill whistle (Acme Thunderer/Fox 40) and let them know if they hear it to come running. It will likely scare away the perp. Remain on the major path. Don't go adventuring away from the path.
False equivalency. I'm not talking about time and place. *Editing to add:" And respectfully, I'm not interested in debating this topic with whataboutisms. I said what I said.If I was a male doctor giving medical advice does that change it’s validity? Time and place can be the variable for all in many situations.
Out!False equivalency. I'm not talking about time and place. *Editing to add:" Respectfully, I'm not interested in debating this topic with whataboutisms. I said what I said. Cheers.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?