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Extended distances between towns, and fewer places to eat are a concern. Fewer/no pilgrims isn’t a concern. I misspoke when I said I wanted to show them what walking a Camino is like. What I really meant is I want to show them what spending time walking from town to town in a foreign country is like. I wouldn’t classify this as a pilgrimage per se. it’s more about getting them excited about spending part of a vacation practicing “slow tourism” and just appreciating the magic of walking in Spain.Sorry, one last thought.
You want to show them what walking a Camino is like?
Because the VdlP whilst remarkable is not what I would call Camino 101.
(that's really the Frances)
Much fewer places to eat and stay.
Very few Pilgrims for company.
You will know them all by name! You might meet 12-15 max.
It needs a little more planning re fid, water etc due to lack of facilities.
But..............it's amazing.
Option 1. Starting not far from Seville.
Start in Castilblanco de los Arroyos, but taxi the first 16 kms on the road.
This gives an easy walk through a stunning National Park to Almaden de la Plata
Maybe aim to finish in Zafra. that would be a bit under 100 kms.
On first thought, I think I'd go with @Robo's option 1, from Castilblanco (with taxi). For a first night, Almaden would be great - there are some nice accommodation options there. And El Real de la Jara is a favourite of mine.Hi - for those familiar with the route, would you say there are any 100km stretches that are the most scenic?
Seconder for that one. Particularly like El Real de la Jara which is a nice town. Then the ruins beyond. There is some road walking but not much.
There's also a catch in starting at the National Park as there is a significant climb towards the end. But every climb has a summit viewpoint.
Starting part 2 of the VDLP tomorrow.
Great Photos, thanks!This isn’t the VdlP but the Vía Serrana is nearby and there are four consecutive stages in the middle from El Colmenar to Coripe that are very beautiful. I have said that I think these would stack up against any four consecutive stages of any camino I have walked. Think canyons, mountain views, olive trees, whitewashed towns and a city perched impossibly on two cliffs (Ronda).
- El Colmenar - Estación Jimera de Líber 22.83km
- Estación Jimera de Líber - Ronda 16.43km
- Ronda - Olvera 27.68km
- Olvera - Coripe 24.63km
To add a fifth day I would probably do the day before these four, which is:
- Jimena de la Frontera - El Colmenar 18.42km
For some context, here’s my live thread and Flickr photo album.
Edit: And a short video from the Cañón de las Buitreras (Canyon of the Vulture Nests):
View attachment 155048
I highly suggest that you take Jungleboy's advice. I loved the VDLP and will walk it again. I never found it to be really "picturesque" for long stretches on southern part of the camino. It is striking for sure in many ways. This camino for me is a far more a camino of the mind and eventually the spirit as opposed to a camino of the body and of a visual feast. It is not a camino I would personally choose if I wanted to be ensconced in the glory of nature's beauty. I am not saying this sarcastically either. For me the VDLP is a camino of solitude and a choice or combination of reflection and/or the clearing out of one's mind and the relaxation of one's spirit.So just wondering if there happens to be a section in the southern half is particularly picturesque.
This isn’t the VdlP but the Vía Serrana is nearby and there are four consecutive stages in the middle from El Colmenar to Coripe that are very beautiful. I have said that I think these would stack up against any four consecutive stages of any camino I have walked. Think canyons, mountain views, olive trees, whitewashed towns and a city perched impossibly on two cliffs (Ronda).
- El Colmenar - Estación Jimera de Líber 22.83km
- Estación Jimera de Líber - Ronda 16.43km
- Ronda - Olvera 27.68km
- Olvera - Coripe 24.63km
To add a fifth day I would probably do the day before these four, which is:
- Jimena de la Frontera - El Colmenar 18.42km
For some context, here’s my live thread and Flickr photo album.
Edit: And a short video from the Cañón de las Buitreras (Canyon of the Vulture Nests):
I would definitely not recommend starting in Sevilla. The stages are long and not particularly scenic. Start from Mérida or Salamanca.Hi - for those familiar with the route, would you say there are any 100km stretches that are the most scenic?
Some context: I’m hoping to go to Seville with my wife and daughter next March during spring break. While there I’d love to spend around 5 days walking a Camino with them to give them a taste of it. Looking at some videos, it looks like the walk out of Seville for the first few days (or more?) is similar to the meseta (but perhaps not quite as impressive?). Having walked the CF this past spring it looks great to me, but I worry that my wife may find the landscape a bit bland and unimpressive. Certainly it’s not as bucolic and/or dramatic as the first few days out of SJPDP or all of Galicia.
So just wondering if there happens to be a section in the southern half is particularly picturesque.
Or perhaps there’s a particular city/town that shouldn’t be missed.
Basically the question is - if you were taking your wife and teenage daughter on a 100km “preview” of what walking a Camino is, and you wanted to show them the nicest or most interesting part, which section would you walk?
Note I’m focussing on the south of Spain for the better weather. The weather in the north will be too similar to Vancouver in March, otherwise I’d take them to somewhere along the CF.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I would start in Merida. Spectacular Roman city.I would definitely not recommend starting in Sevilla. The stages are long and not particularly scenic. Start from Mérida or Salamanca.
Well said! The VDLP might be my favourite Camino, but not because of the scenery. The joy of the VDLP is in being there for the long haul, and getting familiar with the landscapes. The attractions of the VDLP are subtle.It is not a camino I would personally choose if I wanted to be ensconced in the glory of nature's beauty.
Agree. The VdlP goes through a vast/endless landscape, and some days the whole day's walk can be seen in front of your eyes...Well said! The VDLP might be my favourite Camino, but not because of the scenery. The joy of the VDLP is in being there for the long haul, and getting familiar with the landscapes. The attractions of the VDLP are subtle.
DH wanted me to come here to stand up for some of the most beautiful countryside we have ever walked: the Dehesa of southern Spain.Hi - for those familiar with the route, would you say there are any 100km stretches that are the most scenic?
Some context: I’m hoping to go to Seville with my wife and daughter next March during spring break. While there I’d love to spend around 5 days walking a Camino with them to give them a taste of it. Looking at some videos, it looks like the walk out of Seville for the first few days (or more?) is similar to the meseta (but perhaps not quite as impressive?). Having walked the CF this past spring it looks great to me, but I worry that my wife may find the landscape a bit bland and unimpressive. Certainly it’s not as bucolic and/or dramatic as the first few days out of SJPDP or all of Galicia.
So just wondering if there happens to be a section in the southern half is particularly picturesque.
Or perhaps there’s a particular city/town that shouldn’t be missed.
Basically the question is - if you were taking your wife and teenage daughter on a 100km “preview” of what walking a Camino is, and you wanted to show them the nicest or most interesting part, which section would you walk?
Note I’m focussing on the south of Spain for the better weather. The weather in the north will be too similar to Vancouver in March, otherwise I’d take them to somewhere along the CF.
Thanks for your thoughts!
It is so interesting to me that the longer I am away from the VDLP the more I want to go back to it. There is something so special and unique. Granted not for everyone but if you walk it and it gets hold of you it doesn’t let you go.Well said! The VDLP might be my favourite Camino, but not because of the scenery. The joy of the VDLP is in being there for the long haul, and getting familiar with the landscapes. The attractions of the VDLP are subtle.
I'm not sure that it is a great idea to drop into the VDLP for 100 km with companions who aren't sure about their commitment to a Camino. You need to have the right shoes and training for 4 days as for a longer Camino, and 4 days seems like enough time to get frustrated rather than into the groove. The logistics might not be worth the effort.
Maybe just do some day walks - for example, walk out of Merida to the Proserpina Dam (10 km) and back. I particularly like the 2 or 3 days out of Merida. Or walk from Sevilla to Guillena (22 km) and get a taxi back. Visit Granada and/or Cordoba (but be sure to have the tickets reserved for the key attractions).
Do I remember correctly, though, that you were not really a VDLP fan at the time you were walking?It is so interesting to me that the longer I am away from the VDLP the more I want to go back to it. There is something so special and unique. Granted not for everyone but if you walk it and it gets hold of you it doesn’t let you go.
I had some struggles with it yes that is true. Then when I returned I still could not decide what I had experienced. But as I wrote, as time goes by I realized what happened and I started to realize how much I got out of the experience. Maybe that is the reason I want to get back sooner rather than later. Sometimes it takes a while to sit with life experiences, especially a camino experience.Do I remember correctly, though, that you were not really a VDLP fan at the time you were walking?
I completely agree with what you have written Rob. The VDLP would be a really difficult camino for most who have no long distance hiking or other caminos. (although I did meet a young Irishman who had never walked more than a few hour hike in his life and he really was enjoying his experience). I did more planning on this camino than any other. I did familiarize myself before I left to know when I really needed to be prepared. I checked every evening to check over the next few days to make sure I too could keep my stages manageable. I would call ahead (I was walking in late October/November) to make sure albergues were open. I was very careful to make sure if there was any doubt about my next day or so stages to have food and water just in case. etc etc. I too try to keep my stages at about 20-25k also. It all worked out just fine even though there were some hiccups along the way but there always are a few of those.Some great points being made.
And I would agree with those who say the VdlP is not a great Camino to get a taste of what the Camino is about. As I said before, it's not Camino 101.
One of the things that concerned me initially in my planning, was the long distances between villages.
We often read about having to walk 30+ kms quite frequently.
I managed to plan sections to my comfort level. 20-25 kms.
Only 4 days were a bit more, 27 - 29 ish.
For anyone considering the VdlP, I'd suggest with a bit of planning, you can break up most of those 'longer' stages that might be of concern. I just used Gronze in planning and on a daily basis when walking, to work out my distances.
Sure I came across people walking longer stages at times, up to 40 kms or more.
But they looked like 'pro' Pilgrims compared to me, and walked really fast.
Super fit, loads (10+) of Caminos walked, a fraction of my age, or all of the above
I had some struggles with it yes that is true. Then when I returned I still could not decide what I had experienced. But as I wrote, as time goes by I realized what happened and I started to realize how much I got out of the experience. Maybe that is the reason I want to get back sooner rather than later. Sometimes it takes a while to sit with life experiences, especially a camino experience.
Even though I am leaving for Spain I still am not 100% sure what route I am going to do. Right now I too am doing a "blended" camino also. Most likely I will walk the Vasco from Bayonne to Burgos. Than do the Meseta to Leon. From there bus to Porto and do the Coastal Portugues. If the long term weather outlook is really dismal on the coast I may fall back and walk the Central. But I know I can also cut over to the central if need be.The VdlP is different isn't it? As many are, I'm sure.
Hard to put your finger on, at least for me.
My last Camino was a blend of 4. VdlP to Astorga, CF to Ponferrada, Invierno to Santiago, then Finisterre/Muxia. I reflected recently on which was 'best' whatever that means. They were all great of course. But the answer surprised me as I neared the end. Bit hard to explain in a short post.
For anyone who might be interested...... Which was the Best
That Roman Theatre was my favorite Roman Ruins along the whole VDLP. Super cool.I would start in Merida. Spectacular Roman city.
Roman Theatre - Turismo Mérida
Web oficial de la Delegación de Turismo del Ayuntamiento de Méridaturismomerida.org
Spectacular. Merida is well worth a rest day to explore everything. A city for retired Roman soldiers back in those days..That Roman Theatre was my favorite Roman Ruins along the whole VDLP. Super cool.
I agree with @jungleboy. The Via Serrana has lots of villages close together so you can shorten stages as desired, there are plenty of stunning views, and the little train that runs through the valley gives you options if needed. Two other possibilities in Andalucia that are good for fall-winter-spring walks: the newly signposted Ruta del Argar that runs from Almeria around Cabo de Gata to Lorca (and then on to Santiago); and the Genal Valley route close to the Via Serrana. It's not a camino, but could provide 5-7 days of walking on a marvelous route that takes in 11 villages (journal here).I’ll keep looking at the different options for 5-7 days somewhere in the south of Spain. Some good options have been suggested above.
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