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...so I can celebrate my retirement with a BIG camino! Not sure I can convince my family to agree to a two month walk, but I typically do 6 weeks, so what's the big deal?
Hi Irtemio - I walked from Malaga in April through to May and had a wonderful camino - it was tough with some very long days but so enjoyed the route. Very few pilgrims along the way so when we did meet up it was with great joy - also had lovely weather until after Merida when the whole of Spain experienced all the rain. Got lost a couple of times due to inconspicuous markers but it was not bad. Generally the route was well marked and very good accommodation. If you would like any other info will be more than willing to supply - buen caminoI will be starting the VdLP in early September and am thinking about taking one of the "newer" camino stretches from Malaga or Almeria. Any inputs are welcome. Seems like the alberques and water and food have been worked out by the locals and the stages are kind of short so a couple can be merged. Suggestions, experiences or advice?
thx, ortemio
Hi MarilynHi Irtemio - I walked from Malaga in April through to May and had a wonderful camino - it was tough with some very long days but so enjoyed the route. Very few pilgrims along the way so when we did meet up it was with great joy - also had lovely weather until after Merida when the whole of Spain experienced all the rain. Got lost a couple of times due to inconspicuous markers but it was not bad. Generally the route was well marked and very good accommodation. If you would like any other info will be more than willing to supply - buen camino
Hi OrtemioI will be starting the VdLP in early September and am thinking about taking one of the "newer" camino stretches from Malaga or Almeria. Any inputs are welcome. Seems like the alberques and water and food have been worked out by the locals and the stages are kind of short so a couple can be merged. Suggestions, experiences or advice?
thx, ortemio
Hi @Jac8020. I can see that you have also posted a comment on my blog, but it might be useful to answer it here as it might be of interest to others.
I have attached a couple of files which may be of use to you. The PDF is a list of stages from Málaga to Cordoba with information taken from the amigos guide, including contact numbers. The JPEG image shows stages from Cordoba to Mérida, I lost the original document so all I have is this image. They might be helpful - I remember referring to this concise information a lot when I walked last year.
I didn't stick religiously to the stages as set out, but I think the list includes all telephone numbers for the albergues and other accommodation.
It is advisable to telephone ahead on the day of arrival so that they can expect you. We often had to wait until after siesta time to obtain a key, or until the policia local returned from a mission. I don't remember there being any particular problems at weekends, but I doubt if any ayuntamientos will be open. Perhaps it is wise to telephone those places where you expect to arrive at the weekend during the week before to make arrangements.
As for footwear, which you asked about on my blog. I have always worn mid height boots so have no experience of trail runners. The terrain wasn't particularly hard going as far as I recall, other than the elevation. Be sure to have something with you for wading through shallow rivers on a couple of occasions. My walking partner @george.g managed with flip-flops, but I would have felt very vulnerable in those. I strapped my croc sandals on with elastic knee support straps which worked a treat (see pic).
The weather has cooled a little from the intense heatwave that raged for a few weeks. I have been walking in the mountains this morning and although the start was cool, it soon heated up, probably to mid-high 20's (C).
Please don't hesitate to ask any specifics. I guess you know that I included quite a bit of info in my daily posting to my blog live from the camino Mozárabe last year (see link in signature line).
I wish you a wonderful camino and would be very interested to hear how you progress.
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Thanks very much for your reply. It is very hot and dry out there. Very. Very hot and very dry. Well into the 30s mid afternoon. I walked as far as Cabra and caught the bus to Córdoba. Didn't even consider doing the 40km day into Córdoba. I've done 40+ days a few times but wouldn't consider it in this weather, the hottest times being when you are most exhausted. No.
Hot! Hot! And I'm used to heat. Didn't see another walker. Not one. Spent nights alone in albergues. The best was looking at 23 bunks above and beside me to my left. No need to share bathrooms or drying racks or indeed anything. I'd hoped to see at least one (lack of walkers was too like the stretches I did on the C. Levante, which I did not enjoy). Still, I'd prefer no one to the numbers on the Frances!
The policía were so helpful in the albergues they organised: had to wait until 07:50 to return keys in Encinas Reales. In town ones, everything was fine. Door keys didn't work in Villanueva de Concepcion but a chain of chairs did.
Water? Wading through anything? No chance. All the water ways are dry, bar one with nicely placed stepping stones.
Shoes: trail runners have been excellent in the dry heat. Just perfect. I suspect they'll be worn out by the time I get back to Madrid to pick up my boots.
I'm heading from Córdoba to Almería to walk to Granada. I've noticed it's slightly cooler in the morning and maybe the highs won't be as high in a few days. Some reasons for this choice: no ~40km days necessary, well documented and it's a new area for me.
Wish me luck and some congenial company. Val
Thanks so much Carel. Particularly good news if it should be a bit cooler. Don't mind not breaking out my wet gear but having to wear a little more as it's a little cooler would be a pleasure!Hi Val,
Big chance that it will be cooler between Almeria and Granada as stage 4-9 are mostly above 1000 meters altitude.
Most stage, except 3 and 8 (about 28-29 km) are not so long.
There is however some climbing involved in some stages.
At the end of all stages there is an albergue now, and in some towns you have the choice between hostal and albergue.
A lot of info (phone numbers, info on albergues, GPX-tracks, maps) can be found on the website of the Almeria Amigos.
http://www.almeriajacobea.es/
Among others route description and info on albergues and hostals in English,
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6y5pMfqcK4RZHdEcUx2N2lsbm8/view
I wish you a good camino
Carel
Hi GeorgeHi Jac,
Yup flipflops not a great idea for wearing during river crossings, they tried to float off, Maggie's crocs seem a lot better, she wouldn't let me wear them so I can't be certain.
While I'm on the subject of footwear just bought a pair of Hokka One One's Mafate 4 (cheap) thinking maybe the footwear for next years camino, only problem is they are not waterproof so I will have to modify a pair of gaiters.
Regards
George
Hi Ortemio
What's the weather been like? Did you leave from Almería or Malaga?
I'm planning on leaving from Malaga this weekend. Hope for other peregrinos on this route. Did sections of Levante, always 100% alone. Much more fun with others.
Val
I'm searching for the same information. Is there a pilgrim albergue in Almeria, or do you have to stay in a normal youth hostel?I start from Almeria Sat 3 Sept ... Should be interesting. I will be the guy with the cane staff, the chinese straw hat and the orange backpack .
Any suggestions about were to stay in Almeria?
I am planning mine for Sept 2020 and it looked like the Malaga toute had more information availble than the Almeria one. Seemingly, Almeria is more demanding and the stages are longer and harder because of mountainous terain.I will be starting the VdLP in early September and am thinking about taking one of the "newer" camino stretches from Malaga or Almeria. Any inputs are welcome. Seems like the alberques and water and food have been worked out by the locals and the stages are kind of short so a couple can be merged. Suggestions, experiences or advice?
thx, ortemio
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