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Santiago to Finisterre alone (woman)

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PNH

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Time of past OR future Camino
2021
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!
 
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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.
 
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!
It's a great walk.
 
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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 with the dog on this one. The hike to Finisterre is my favorite piece. Fewer pilgrims, yes, but those you do see are veterans, and I've never felt lonely on this piece. Its a lot busier than say, the Norte would be. The best of Galicia, a few small towns, lots of working farms, and absolutely no "sketchy" areas or industrial zones. I can't see any reason to expect trouble. Enjoy it!
 
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Again, like many others, I'm chiming in as a man here without the lived experience of a woman walking this route alone. I note that the women who have contributed, with their lived experience, haven't experienced any issues. That, of course, doesn't mean it is impossible. In general, the Camino routes in Spain seem to be fairly safe for solo women, especially compared to many other parts of the world. One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far in the thread is that the Spanish police. AlertCops has a number of functions and allows toy to communicate any alert or emergency from your mobile device in real time. Your position is automatically sent to the police operations centres and they promise that you will be quickly located and attended to. My hope is that, even though the route is very sage, having that available may also give you a little more confidence to undertake this extra addition to your Camino.
 
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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
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’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.
As former law enforcement, safety and gender aren’t mutually exclusive.
 
Adding my 2 cents - Just a suggestion - Please avoid wearing music pods in your ears as you walk to remain vigilant of your surroundings as to people and vehicles approaching.

Enjoy your trip !
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
As former law enforcement, safety and gender aren’t mutually exclusive.
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.
 
You 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.
 
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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.
Sounds like great advice for everyone, including us males.
 
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.

Use the same skills you have as a female living in the world, to monitor your environment, and respect the gift of fear if/when it emerges.

Have fun.
 
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!
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.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
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.
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!
 
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!
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.
 
In 2017 I became the unofficial escort to a frightened almost terrified Korean woman walking alone to Finisterra , I then accompanied her the entire way .
In what little language we shared she told me that she had been chased , not by locals but by two males that appeared to be pilgrims , somewhere near Piaxe.
Perhaps they had a noble motive but I think not .
A companion or two can sometimes make for a happier and probably safer walk .
Always listen to the little voice inside you , it is rarely wrong and when it seems that it is, it probably really isn't.
 
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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.
 
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?

I walked from Santiago to Finisterre and felt quite safe. Very quiet and peaceful.

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.
Thank you for stating this.
 
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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
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.
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.
We saw him walk up to another woman, and when we caught up with her, found she hadn't given him money - he had given her another suspect story about being hungry but had refused the food she offered.
Then a couple of days later on the final day we saw him again, walking up to a girl ahead of us outside a cafe. When her male companion came out of the cafe, he quickly walked off again.
I didn't see him as a physical threat, but he was obviously trying to scam people. Maybe his tactic as successful, for him to continue it.

So there is that to watch out for as well - he was very obviously targeting women.

Later on in Muxia, a pickpocket tried (unsuccessfully) to steal my husbands wallet, I whipped it away from him just as he reached out for it.
 
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I walked both Santiago - Dumbria - Muxía and Santiago - Fisterra - Muxía as a solo woman and never felt scared. But I try to avoid equipment and clothes which allow to identify me as a woman from afar.
 
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I echo the comment about walking with earbuds/earphones for music;big distraction!
In the recent warm weather the number of people listening to music oblivious to me and my G/dog approaching from behind(even though i constantly speak commands to my boy)
There's usually a loud squeal as a wet nose (the dogs not mine 🤣)makes contact with a leg!
Take care
Woody
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
You 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.
Thank you so much that would be very reassuring! Appreciate it
 
I don't have any information to share, but I understand your concern. As women, we are trained to be afraid. It is taught to us from the time we are very young and rears its ugly head every time we are in a parking garage alone at night or a man we don't know gets on an elevator with us. Going against that training is not easy. Walk by myself?! In a forest?! Yikes. I hope to do a solo Camino in the future and I wish you a path filled with freedom and peace.

Buen Camino!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
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.
I did the Norte alone and never felt afraid or had a problem.
 
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.
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.

Cheers.
 
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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
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