- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF: 2001, 02, 04, 14. Ourense to Santiago 2019.
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And pigs too for some of the way. Proper jamon iberico on the hoofYou have to walk for miles through fields full of cows, in Extremadura. That I must admit freaked me out! I can cope with 10 to 12 cows, just, but not thousands of them!
Lol yes! But somehow they didn’t scare me as much - although they were very big and followed us!!!And pigs too for some of the way. Proper jamon iberico on the hoof
I walked Seville to Casar de Caceres in October and met other pilgrims every day. I felt quite safe whilst always alert as I would be on any walk. I am very happy to be going back mid March to complete (Astorga) and expecting to meet fewer at this time of year. If you walk in May most likely you’ll meet others every day, there are many more walking than we know of from this forum particularly Spanish.Hello everyone,
Is it safe to walk Via de la Plata as a solo woman?
Except for first camino with mom all subsequent ones have been solo. But those treks were on Frances and one Camino Sanabres Ourense to Santiago. Lots of infrastructure with many pilgrims.
I am doing a virtual camino on VdlP and there are many stretches of 15-20 kilometers without services or highways or anyplace where others congregate.
If possible and some miracles I would like to begin late May. I like heat.
Do let me know what you guys think.
I walked it solo in 2016. No problems apart from, like @domigee, being a bit freaked out by the cows. But I managed and would love to walk it again.
Ignore them. Unless there is a calf around they are not aggressive.So, what is the recommended way of dealing with cows 'en masse'?
I found a couple of videos that explained the cows will be curious and come to look at you.
And if you run, they'll run too, as it's fun! (so don't run)
If you turn and face them, they stop.
All sounds fairly harmless.
But what of Spanish cows?
And do you have to walk through fields of Bulls?
A whole different ball game I imagine?
Who is the Forum's resident cow 'expert'?
Great! VdlP is the right place then.. I like heat ...
Ignore them. Unless there is a calf around they are not aggressive.
I have had a lot of experiences involving cows and other livestock. I only remember one encounter with a huge herd on the Vdlp, on the re-routed camino into Carcaboso. I flattened myself against the fence as hundreds came walking uphill towards me. At the end came the shepherd on his moto, who predictably told me “no hacen nada” (which is also always what the owners of dogs that plant themselves in front of me and bark menacingly say!).But what of Spanish cows?
And do you have to walk through fields of Bulls?
A whole different ball game I imagine?
I have had a lot of experiences involving cows and other livestock. I only remember one encounter with a huge herd on the Vdlp, on the re-routed camino into Carcaboso. I flattened myself against the fence as hundreds came walking uphill towards me. At the end came the shepherd on his moto, who predictably told me “no hacen nada” (which is also always what the owners of dogs that plant themselves in front of me and bark menacingly say!).
There are forum threads on this topic - the one I remember most is this one. @Farmer John
qualifies as a bull expert, but unfortunately he is no longer active on the forum. Look at his post (number 17 in the thread). There is a difference between bulls and steer, I learned, and more importantly for Spain, there is a big difference between toros and toros bravos. The latter are probably what you are thinking of, @Robo. And a Spanish friend assured me that there is no chance that we will walk through those fields — for one thing, EU regulations; for another, the huge investment that these bulls represent. You will pass by a number of “bull farms” on the Vdlp, but not only will you not have to walk through them, you will find security cameras, impenetrable gates, and signs that you should stay far away.
I still stop and move aside when a large group comes towards me on the camino path, but I don’t freak out anymore. Even better, I now walk straight through the occasional group of grazing livestock without panic. I always tell myself that there have been no forum reports of pilgrims attacked or injured by livestock, so I am unlikely to be the first.
At the time of my first Camino Frances the route passed through a large field with cattle not far west of Roncesvalles. So on my very first morning in Spain I found myself face-to-face with a huge pale coloured bull which stood stock still right on the path staring at me. My mind was full of unhappy thoughts: "Spain?" "Bull?" He was probably a very placid beast but I made a very wide detour around him anywayThe point is, if you encounter ANY breed of dairy bull (Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey) with cows in a field, give them a very wide berth
I walked alone from Seville to Salamanca and was never aware of any possible threat. Everybody I met along the way could not have been more helpful or friendly. Of course this is from a male perspective. I met one female pilgrim who seemed very much at ease. It is a wonderful Camino and I how you enjoy it safely.I am hoping to finish later this year.Hello everyone,
Is it safe to walk Via de la Plata as a solo woman?
Except for first camino with mom all subsequent ones have been solo. But those treks were on Frances and one Camino Sanabres Ourense to Santiago. Lots of infrastructure with many pilgrims.
I am doing a virtual camino on VdlP and there are many stretches of 15-20 kilometers without services or highways or anyplace where others congregate.
If possible and some miracles I would like to begin late May. I like heat.
Do let me know what you guys think.
But what of Spanish cows?
And do you have to walk through fields of Bulls?
A whole different ball game I imagine?
Who is the Forum's resident cow 'expert'?
That is fair enough. It is a very different type of route from the Frances or the Sanabres. In some ways such as distances and the necessity for advance planning it is much more demanding. You will understand best what gives you comfort and what makes you uneasy. I would not recommend the VdlP to those who want the security of frequent companionship with other pilgrims. Personally I enjoy the solitude and the long stages of the VdlP much more than the frantic busyness of the Frances these days. But I am a bit of a hermit at the best of times. And as a man my own safety concerns may be different. I am sitting at home in Wales just now trying to decide if the time is now ripe for a return to Spain after a couple of years absence. The VdlP is the first route in my mind. But part of me wonders if I should take advantage of the relatively small numbers just now for another - possibly final - walk along the Frances. Something of a luxury to be spoiled for choiceThank you all for reply.
I honestly can’t wrap my mind around VdlP trepidation.
I honestly can’t wrap my mind around VdlP trepidation.
Even prior to health problems walking this route made me skittish.
NYC, if you want to share, what is the source of your trepidation? Why are you skittish? I think knowing what you are leery of would help us respond better.
It may require a bit more planning and less spontaneity, but the Vdlp need not be a camino of long stages. @AJGuillaume led a very detailed planning thread on the Vdlp, and as you may know he and his wife need to keep their stages short. Take a look at it if it’s the distance that is worrying you.
Was that a typo? Did you mean "I'm NOW confident I can manage it."I'm not confident I can manage it.
I honestly can’t wrap my mind around VdlP trepidation.
Even prior to health problems walking this route made me skittish.
I second the questions from @peregrina2000. I am 73, moderately fit, not an Amazon or "strong" walker, and I get nervous around animals. However, I loved the VDLP and it would be my choice if I suddenly had to pick ONE Camino to walk repeatedly for the rest of life.if you want to share, what is the source of your trepidation?
NYC, if you want to share, what is the source of your trepidation? Why are you skittish? I think knowing what you are leery of would help us respond better.
It may require a bit more planning and less spontaneity, but the Vdlp need not be a camino of long stages. @AJGuillaume led a very detailed planning thread on the Vdlp, and as you may know he and his wife need to keep their stages short. Take a look at it if it’s the distance that is worrying you.
It was a typo.Was that a typo? Did you mean "I'm NOW confident I can manage it."
Great choice of Camino. I have, like many women walked many Camino’s solo with no real concerns. Meeting people along the way, stopping and talking to locals (with bad Spanish).Hello everyone,
Is it safe to walk Via de la Plata as a solo woman?
Except for first camino with mom all subsequent ones have been solo. But those treks were on Frances and one Camino Sanabres Ourense to Santiago. Lots of infrastructure with many pilgrims.
I am doing a virtual camino on VdlP and there are many stretches of 15-20 kilometers without services or highways or anyplace where others congregate.
If possible and some miracles I would like to begin late May. I like heat.
Do let me know what you guys think.
My fight or flight is severely diminished whilst sudden fatigue onset has escalated. That is my concern.
As a solo female walker,I have been flashed at least 6 times on the Francés, never on the Vdlp (And some of the Francés flashings occurred when I was walking with another woman). I know there are no guarantees, but I don’t think the Vdlp stands out as a camino that is less safe for solo women walkers in any way. In springtime, there are enough others walking to give comfort — in fact I came upon full albergues at a few places. What have you heard to give you this concern, @nyc?
But I will also say that if this trepidation is unshakable for you, walking in fear is just not the way to go IMHO.
But I will also say that if this trepidation is unshakable for you, walking in fear is just not the way to go IMHO.
Walking in fear is something I understand very well for a variety of reasons.
At age, 60 I thought you know what, I'm going to do something about this fear that I have.
So, I began training in Wing Chun Kung Fu, which is a very suitable martial art for someone my age. Not too much boom crash opera, but more of form, structure, technique and little steps.
Within six months, I began to feel less fearful but not stupidly so. No-one is invincible.
I actually forgot about my fear after a couple of years and while I'm still cautious, I'm no longer fearful of being out and about.
The point is that you don't have to live in fear and yes, no matter what your age, you can do something to lighten the feelings.
If your need is urgent, why not check with the local police for self defence courses. There are courses for men and women, and mixed courses as well. (Some of the lovely women in my Wing Chun class were - well, you wouldn't want to be funny with them shall we say)
or you could do what I did for six years, carefully select a martial art and begin step 1 then move to step 2 and so on.
The biggest step was step 0 - attending that first class after carefully selecting a Wing Chun school.
Cheers
Graham
I guess I should fess up.
I am 7 years post an autoimmune diagnosis that has wasted my muscles and sapped a life of acquired strength.
I just feel physically far more vulnerable than I ever have.
It’s nice to commend elderly for taking two months to complete the way.
It’s quite another to be that person.
That’s a completely new sensation for me.
So, stay or go isn’t so much about fear of molestation just simply trying to manage life in this body.
In time with effort, lots of effort as my a rheumatologist told me, I can find a fitter physique and walk on.
Again, thanks to all who replied.
Just needed a collective: It’s okay boost.
The VdlP isn't on my radar, so this is a late but very heartfelt reply., stay or go isn’t so much about fear of molestation just simply trying to manage life in this body.
In time with effort, lots of effort as my a rheumatologist told me, I can find a fitter physique and walk on.
I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.
OMG! So adorable! Naturally I wouldn't want to go up and pet it, but I love that shaggy/hippy look. <3View attachment 116095View attachment 116096
Not in Spain or Portugal, but still slightly unsettling. On the Isle of Rum (Rhum) Scotland. The pointy things were my main concern while walking past.
Hi @nycwalking, i missed your post originally and just spotted it now. I absolutely love this route. For me it was a perfect combination of the solitude i like while actually walking and the company & solidaridad in the evenings /albergues that lifts this from a walk to a camino.Hello everyone,
Is it safe to walk Via de la Plata as a solo woman?
Except for first camino with mom all subsequent ones have been solo. But those treks were on Frances and one Camino Sanabres Ourense to Santiago. Lots of infrastructure with many pilgrims.
I am doing a virtual camino on VdlP and there are many stretches of 15-20 kilometers without services or highways or anyplace where others congregate.
If possible and some miracles I would like to begin late May. I like heat.
Do let me know what you guys think.
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