Start Camino on African Continent

[MacMac]

Has anyone ever started their Camino from Africa (Morocco) and then crossed the sea by ferry to continue on the Camino Mozárabe and then Via de la Plata?

I am considering starting from the African continent early May, and walking as far as 5-6 weeks get me (perhaps Salamanca). Next year, Inwould continue from there and get to Santiago.

There are ferries from Ceute and from Melilla (both on the Mediterranean coast on the African side) to Algeciras, Almeria and I believe to Malaga too.

I would be interested in any thoughts or experiences.

 

[jungleboy]

Sounds like a really interesting idea that would give you a great experience of comparing and contrasting two religions/cultures that seem very distinct from each other but that actually have a lot of similarities too. I guess it's a matter of whether there are walking trails on the Moroccan side and from where you arrive on the Spanish side before joining one of the recognised routes. I took the ferry from Algeciras to Tangiers and back many moons ago, though unfortunately Tangiers is certainly not Morocco at its best!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Given your time estimate (5-6 weeks to reach Salamanca) I guess you'd be starting in the north of Morocco. But it might interest you to start in Africa.
Perhaps you could start in Chefchaouen, do some walking in the Rif mountains and plot a route to Ceuta.
Or perhaps do some walking in Al Hoceima National Park before taking the ferry from Hoceima to Motril.

 

[lovingkindness]

Hello @MacMac,
Ann Sieben, known as 'Winter Pilgrim', walked through Morocco, Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt on her way from Santiago de Compostela to Jerusalem in 2011-2012. Here's a link to her blog with stages and kilometers walked:

2011-2012 Route to Jerusalem

A blog about spiritual pilgrimages by foot throughout the world by Ann Sieben a member of the Society of Servant Pilgrims

winterpilgrim.blogspot.com

Cheers
Lovingkindness

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Hello @MacMac,
Ann Sieben, known as 'Winter Pilgrim', walked through Morocco, Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt on her way from Santiago de Compostela to Jerusalem in 2011-2012.

Extraordinary. Thanks for sharing. I wouldn't dare to try this.

 

[brambles]

I have been thinking about your post for a couple of weeks. I found some places in Morocco to be very challenging to travel solo (and without a guide). I see that you have done a few Caminos in Spain and Portugal, but I am curious to know where else you have traveled only to know if you might be prepared for things such as extremely aggressive street salesmen and touts etc. Everyone's experiences in a place are different, I know, and I don't want to generalize by providing the details of mine here, but I would encourage you to talk with people who have been there recently if you can and ask about their experiences and for advice.

 

[Pilger99]

If you consider canarian islands as part of the african continent, you have some caminos in Africa.
e.g. Gran Canaria has a coast to coast camino starting in Maspalomas.
Instead of finishing on the island get a ferry to Cadiz and walk on. If you don't like the boat, flying to Malaga etc. should be possible.
Have a good, long walk .