Single women on Jakobsweg/Gebennensis- safe/will it be OK to

[camino_vida20]

Dear all,

Hi, do you guys know the safety of walking from Constance - Interlaken - Geneva - Le Puy? I would be starting in early May 2013, so this leg would take until the end of June 2013. I do plan to continue on from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostela.

I really want to do part of the Jakobsweg (Constance - Geneva), but I read that it isn't as popular. So, I'm a bit worried for my safety when it comes to the woods. Does anyone have any experience with this trek? Is it safe? Is it easy to follow?

Please let me know. I'm so grateful for your input.

Best,
Sylvia

 

[Kitsambler]

@Sylvia: I walked from Prague to Nuremberg (departed Prague about 15 May 2012) alone and will walk from Nuremberg to Einsiedeln in 2013 (departing May 9). You can read the details in my blog (link in the post signature). When you say "safety" there are really two separate issues: risk of assault (of various sorts) from other people, and inclement nature.
This is not a popular time of year for walking in central Europe: in the Czech Republic, I was the only walker that week; in eastern Bavaria, I was one of only two or three walkers that week. So one of the problems is being "too alone" - and not having others around should one need help. In Germany, I never felt in any physical danger, either while walking or in the lodgings -- in fact, everyone was friendly and very helpful.
The further you get into summer, the wetter the weather will be. But the walking routes in Germany are well maintained. A friend of mine was walking the Geneva-Le Puy segment during that same timeframe (she had a walking companion) and reported no safety issues, apart from their own tendency to overlook the route marks and wander off-track.

 

[camino_vida20]

Dear Kitsambler,

Thank you so much, that was helpful. There will always be tradeoffs, I suppose. I am currently planning to walk alone, so yes, my concerns are for assault and terrain-associated injury. I don't know much about Swiss hiking trails, so I don't know if these types of safety questions are pertinent.

I also contacted some of the Swiss pilgrim guides this week (on jakobsweg.ch) and hopefully I will get a response soon.

Thanks for letting me know that everyone in Germany was helpful and welcoming - that helps alleviate some of my concern.

Best,
Sylvia

 

[Kitsambler]

Oh, do please let me know how your conversation with the Swiss pilger-guide evolves. I noticed their guide service, but wasn't planning to use them, as I can manage some conversational German.

 

[reuver]

Hi Sylvia,

On May 1, 2013 I will start in Konstanz for my camino to Finisterre / Muxia.
I am from the Netherlands and I'm 61 years old.
You asked if it is safe for a woman alone.
I do not know. When reading the forums here, there are also women who decide to walk alone. If you think it is a problem to walk alone, do not hesitate to walk a few days with me. Perhaps you think after a few days it is safe to walk alone.
In Switzerland I will walk the pilgrimage to Geneva. The route is called the Via Jacobi. I have a good guide for this trip. The guide is in the German languages, but that is no problem for me.
For my hole camino see the topic: My Camino 2013.

Kind Regards,

Ger.

 

[camino_vida20]

Dear Ger,

Sure, I'll send you a PM! That is the same way I plan to walk as well starting in May, with some detours.

Dear Kitsambler,

Sure, I'll keep you posted.

Best wishes,
Sylvia

 

[Unexpected]

Hi, do you guys know the safety of walking from Constance - Interlaken - Geneva - Le Puy?

My first question to this would be, what dangers do you fear? I walked some parts of that way, but also walked, cycled, drove etc on many other routs in those regions as I live somewhere in the middle of your route. For us locals, if feels as it is the most safe place on Earth. I know it's just human nature, but often there is a feeling of as further away something is from home, as more dangerous it must be.

- To your chance of beeing attacked, robbed etc. There I can tell you that this chance is very low. 0% doesn't exist anywhere in the world, but the crime rate in most countries is a lot bigger. Also, I guess you wouldn't be walking at nighttime through strange places alone.
- Your chance of beeing attacked by an animal is also quite rear.
- I read of some routes having quite dangerous footpaths. Travel guides warn from taking those paths to untrained people. I did walk a few of those "dangerous" routes and for my life, I just couldn't see what they meant by this. However I walked there in dry conditions, and I know what it can be like in a wet forest, so I guess that's what they meant. I guess you are having forests too where you life. If you feel like you can walk up a hill there on a narrow foot path after some rain, you will be alright walking through the Via Jacobi too.
You will get accross some quite steep foot paths, rather adventure rocky bits, but also there, the dangerous parts all have railings or ropes to hold onto. Some places I would think twice of taking a small child with me, but as a grown responsible woman you should have no problems.

I recommend you to wear foot wear with a good grip also on wet rocks. There can't be any guarantees that you will be save anywhere, but I would say this route is pretty save. And if something does happen, there is a good health care system.

It's well signed, you find an mussle with an arrow at basically every intersection. To carry a map or a travel guide still is a good idea in case you miss one.
I wish you a great journey.