Strava heat maps

[rscohen]

Has anyone used Strava heat maps to navigate on VdlP? I'm starting in Sevilla. I will find albergues, etc. with Gerald Kelly's guide. The heat maps can tell me where I am, but do the paths most traveled pertain to the Camino? It worked for me on the Gr 5 in Alsace. Just wondering?

 

[wisepilgrim]

A heat map for navigation is an unwise idea, it is not really designed for that purpose and lacks any kind of review. It might work, but on the VdlP you may just as likely get noise from a different (and more popular) local hike that coincides with the camino.

 

[rscohen]

Good advice. I hope someone who has tried it on this particular trail can describe their experience.
P.S. I've relied on your advice, too. Thank you for that (belatedly).

 

[geraldkelly]

Generally the yellow arrows (and other signposting) are enough. This heatmap thing doesn't seem like a good idea for following a little-frequented Camino. The Maps CZ app has the Via (if a little out of date).

 

[rscohen]

Generally the yellow arrows (and other signposting) are enough. This heatmap thing doesn't seem like a good idea for following a little-frequented Camino. The Maps CZ app has the Via (if a little out of date).

Thanks. It seems that the experts are in agreement. Yesterday I looked at the maps in your 2023 VdlP guide and zoomed in with the heat maps. I found that, at least to Merida, the heat maps could confirm the route that is on paper. I always prefer the arrows, but sometimes they're not there when you need them. I'll definitely check out Maps CZ.
Still, there must be someone who has tried the heat maps. Where are you?

 

[lt56ny]

I have no idea what a heat map is and after trying to read the description of what it is I got bored. Just walk north until you and get a little past Zamora and decide what you want to do. If you want to go to Astorga and then keep walking north or if you want to to on the Sanabria than start walking west and a little north. Wise Pilgrim has an app with a GPS map that will keep you in the right direction. It really is easy

 

[geraldkelly]

Thanks. It seems that the experts are in agreement. Yesterday I looked at the maps in your 2023 VdlP guide and zoomed in with the heat maps. I found that, at least to Merida, the heat maps could confirm the route that is on paper. I always prefer the arrows, but sometimes they're not there when you need them. I'll definitely check out Maps CZ.
Still, there must be someone who has tried the heat maps. Where are you?

If you send me an email to the address in the guide I can send you GPS tracks for the whole Via. Also the guide in PDF format.

 

[rscohen]

I have no idea what a heat map is and after trying to read the description of what it is I got bored. Just walk north until you and get a little past Zamora and decide what you want to do. If you want to go to Astorga and then keep walking north or if you want to to on the Sanabria than start walking west and a little north. Wise Pilgrim has an app with a GPS map that will keep you in the right direction. It really is easy

Very logical. I got it.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I'll definitely check out Maps CZ.

It's mapy.cz

There's a website version, and app versions for every platform. The Windows desktop version is great, but obviously you can't take that with you. Smartphone versions are good too, and I'd suppose the tablet versions to be even better.

The one version that's seriously out of date is the Windows Phone one.

Apart from that it's free, and the offline map downloads are free as well. It gets map updates every two months or so, except on Windows Phone.

 

[rscohen]

Thanks for the correction!

 

[dick bird]

It might be worth looking at Wikilocs. They will probably have more than one person's VdlP and often with notes and extra info. I have used it on other caminos.

 

[rscohen]

It might be worth looking at Wikilocs. They will probably have more than one person's VdlP and often with notes and extra info. I have used it on other caminos.

I'll have a look. Thanks.