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In Madrid, it is customary to start from the Church of Santiago & Saint John the Baptist. You can obtain a sello, credential and / or a shell in the front of the Church, immediately AFTER the Mass. The desk and sanctuary / office is to the front left (as you are sitting in a pew).
Leaving Madrid, you can either walk city streets for a day or most of two, or do as I did and take the train to Tres Cantos. The rural Camino path crosses the tracks there.
Very tempting. I loved the first part of CM which I did in May. I hope to get back and finish in the autumn, starting again in Valladolid. I hope to be walking from Canterbury to Rome next year so won't join you.I am thinking about the Camino de Madrid in March 2018, maybe in addition to the Invierno. It would be great to gather a loose cohort of pilgrims!
I'm happy with a 30km day. I used to think my limit was 30km but this April on the CF I topped 37km and I felt fine... I must be getting stronger
Don't mean to take this off topic, but this happened to me too, LesBrass. In 2013, when I walked the Levante, I met two French pilgrims, the only other people I had seen in four days. Since we got along and I didn't want to lose them, I gave those 30+ days a try and found that I was fine, like you. I think that is just goes to show that sometimes we are not really aware of what we can do.
Not being a wet or cold weather walker, I did the Portuguese from Lisbon starting early April this year.My little group of walking buddies are trying to find a suitable camino for us to walk in March 2018. We have ruled out The CF, VdlP and Norte because between us we've either done them or planning to do them. We're not worried about ending in Santiago and we only have 2 weeks.
all thoughts and suggestions will be welcome
Not being a wet or cold weather walker, I did the Portuguese from Lisbon starting early April this year.
March would probably be fine but I'd check the rainfall and temperatures. Maybe make Porto your goal.
However, I met two groups of French folks who had walked up thru the Algarve to Lisbon during March.
They said the walking was good and temperatures excellent.
Many folks appear to say "Yuk Algarve, all tourist developement." Not me I hasten to add.
So I am considering this for March or April 2018.
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/73808
Regards
Gerard
I am thinking about the Camino de Madrid in March 2018, maybe in addition to the Invierno. It would be great to gather a loose cohort of pilgrims!
Why not?Will the Invierno be walkable in March?
Plenty of suggestions and experience. Yet the only Camino without too much winter risks which comes to my mind is the Portugues (coastal way). For the only reason that the weather is probably more temperate. All other suggestions, one way or the other, eventually lead over elevations which could be problematic at some point. Any month with an "R" is dicey anywhere.[...]We looked at the Primitivo but worry that the weather might not be ideal in March? The Portuguese is an option from Porto and we've also now been looking at the Madrid.[...]
I am thinking about the Camino de Madrid in March 2018, maybe in addition to the Invierno. It would be great to gather a loose cohort of pilgrims!
A cohort sounds fun... if my dates fit with anyone else
I would be interested in starting out with you all from Madrid, if you will have me
Jill
I’m thinking of the Camino de Madrid to Sahagún, the Salvador to Oviedo, and the Primitivo to Santiago. None of which I’ve done before. I think that may take about 5 weeks
Jill
I’m thinking of the Camino de Madrid to Sahagún, the Salvador to Oviedo, and the Primitivo to Santiago. None of which I’ve done before. I think that may take about 5 weeks
Jill
I'm thinking Madrid to Sahagun, bus or tain to Astorga (picking up where I left off on the VDLP in 2017), walk to Ponferada, then Invierno to Santiago. That would easily fill 4 weeks. I need to get a spreadsheet started!
Some company on the Madrid would be great.
It would be great to gather a loose cohort of pilgrims!
Wait a minute, jsalt, are you now quietly transitioning over to the "two caminos a year" subgroup of this forum? Not fair, not fair, not fair.Methinks a loose cohort of pilgrims may be a-gathering
I went the Camino Madrid last March. I had no problems. I took the train from Cercedilla to Segovia to avoid the snow in the mountain. There are few others pilegrims, but many nice local people. I had one day with rain and the rest of the walk I had sunny days. Buen CaminoMy little group of walking buddies are trying to find a suitable camino for us to walk in March 2018. We have ruled out The CF, VdlP and Norte because between us we've either done them or planning to do them.
We're not worried about ending in Santiago and we only have 2 weeks.
We looked at the Primitivo but worry that the weather might not be ideal in March? The Portuguese is an option from Porto and we've also now been looking at the Madrid.
Has anyone else walked the Madrid route in March? Were there any problems with weather? Flooding/Snow? I apprecaite this is a variable subject but intersted to hear from others... we've read this "early spring is also not advised as the mountainous areas can be tricky at this time of the year (for example, the snow holds on the Sierra de Guadarrama until May)"
all thoughts and suggestions will be welcome
I took the train from Cercedilla to Segovia to avoid the snow in the mountain.
I also took the train from Cercedilla to Segovia
If there is snow, or the weather is just bad, does anyone know if it is practicable to walk along the road (the 601)?
Jill
If there is snow, or the weather is just bad, does anyone know if it is practicable to walk along the road (the 601)?
Jill
I remember that at the top of Puente de la Fuenfria was a road and found the street view:Hi, Jill
From Cercecilla to Segovia via road is more than 38 km, and you would have to go up and over the pass at Navacerrada. To top it off, the road looks very narrow, based on the google street view I saw. I don't think I'd do it. View attachment 35232
Thanks, K1 -- Jill's post asked about the 601, which is the old road to Segovia from Madrid before the tunnel and the autovia. It goes up through the Navacerrada pass. That's what my picture shows. So you've found another alternative. I remember that gravel road as well, in fact, I think we walk on it for a ways further down, no?I remember that at the top of Puente de la Fuenfria was a road and found the street view:
https://www.google.si/maps/place/Puerto+de+la+Fuenfria/@40.7922747,-4.0600008,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-1igNs3ezs9s/VWwPQtzfEjI/AAAAAAAAI3k/4sX0xb9rW2w51q7uTW2BHNgJ7gx8tvKLgCJkC!2e4!3e11!6s//lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1igNs3ezs9s/VWwPQtzfEjI/AAAAAAAAI3k/4sX0xb9rW2w51q7uTW2BHNgJ7gx8tvKLgCJkC/w86-h86-k-no-pi-2.9338646-ya197.49998-ro-0-fo100/!7i9728!8i4864!4m5!3m4!1s0xd416cb0bcc81441:0x49a1d960068ef633!8m2!3d40.7925!4d-4.06?hl=sl
It's gravel road that is coming from Cercedilla but it's very long and winding. Here are two printsceens and the white line that intersects Camino at the top and once before back to Cercedilla is that road:
- here you can see it coming from the lower left corner (Las Dehesas), going up and making a huge loop lower right corner (Mirador V. Aliexandre) and going up again: https://prnt.sc/g0g5ie
- and here the upper section with the pass: https://prnt.sc/g0g4yp
I hope it makes sense because I had to zoom in so much to be able to see that at all:
Oh, my bad, I thought the question was for the road from Cercedilla. I'm sure we didn't follow that gravel road down to Valsain/Segovia because Camino goes straight over it as you come up past that tree. You can see this if you rotate 360 the street view. The Camino coming up is much steeper and Camino over the gravel road is pretty flat for few hundred meters.Thanks, K1 -- Jill's post asked about the 601, which is the old road to Segovia from Madrid before the tunnel and the autovia. It goes up through the Navacerrada pass. That's what my picture shows. So you've found another alternative. I remember that gravel road as well, in fact, I think we walk on it for a ways further down, no?...
My CSJ guide to the Camino de Madrid arrived today. It seems to have about the right amount of information and commentary, and I look forward to going through it. There are elevation figures for each stage but no maps. That is fine since I will have the maps on my phone with the track. Initially I thought "why did they print on such large paper" since there are quite wide margins that could be trimmed to reduce the weight (from 60 g!). However, now I have decided it is perfect for me to add notes from this forum, and also to take notes as I go. Since it is regular (not glossy) paper, it is easy to write in pen or pencil. I won't take another notebook as I usually do.
In separate but equally exciting news, I have acquired replacement rubber pole tips and a new merino wool full-zip jacket.
Did I mention that I haven't decided yet if or where I'll walk in Spring 2018?
Yes, I think so. The temptation that I am facing is that I'd like to walk the portion from Astorga to Ponferrada as well, to "complete" last year's camino from Seville to Astorga. That would add a couple more days. But that's not significantly over 4 weeks, is it?So, I haven't done the math, but I think that Camino de Madrid plus train or bus to Ponferrada plus Camino de Invierno will come out to about 4 weeks.
I used the Kindle version of the CSJ guide, on my phone and found it contained all the information I needed. Although I like maps, I didn't really miss them.My CSJ guide to the Camino de Madrid arrived today. It seems to have about the right amount of information and commentary, and I look forward to going through it. There are elevation figures for each stage but no maps.
@C clearly Yes indeed I should have said, while I didn't miss having maps (like in eg Brierley) in the CSJ book, I DID use maps quite a bit with maps.me or wikiloc. And indeed would have been (even more) lost without them on occasions, as I mention in my 'live on the camino'. In the situations where I was lost, I don't think a small (<one page) map would have helped me.The 'maps.me' App is also an excellent tool to for guidance through a city.
Hello @alansykes - I think at the moment we're thinking maybe starting from Madrid a little bit later (23rd maybe) but nothing is confirmed.
I agree with Kanga that you should read the fine print very carefully. At least in some cases, this is expressly forbidden and the whole ticket is invalidated.I think I could just “miss” my connection to Porto.
oh yes you are absolutely right, I misunderstood what you said. Score another one for Kinky.Hi Laurie, if it was a return ticket wouldn’t I have been quoted just one price for the whole round trip? It wasn’t like that. I first had to select an outward journey for Jhb to Porto from several options and prices. I then had to select an inward journey for Porto to Jhb from several options and prices. I made my selections, and the two prices were added together for the total fare.
Jill
Just one more reason not to check any luggage, because if you do, they will surely check it all the way to Porto.It’s not two separate tickets. It was the outward trip and the inward trip put together on the same ticket with one booking code reference. The ticket lists the four flights separately. As you say, no big deal if I have to fly to Porto and bus back to Madrid! I’ll check with Iberia Airways when I get to Madrid. Jill
Huh, that's something else I think, Jill, and all the rest are right. One booking code means just that - one booking code. And for the operator that's one ticket. Really better check at Iberia counter when getting to Madrid. Hope for the best.It’s not two separate tickets. It was the outward trip and the inward trip put together on the same ticket with one booking code reference. The ticket lists the four flights separately. As you say, no big deal if I have to fly to Porto and bus back to Madrid! I’ll check with Iberia Airways when I get to Madrid. Jill
Exactly!... If you have two seperate booking numbers, then you may have two separate tickets, otherwise I think not.
I'm planning on walking the Camino Madrid in March 2018 also.Hello @alansykes - I think at the moment we're thinking maybe starting from Madrid a little bit later (23rd maybe) but nothing is confirmed.
I plan on walking around the 19th of March, date is flexible if you like companyI am thrilled to have just loaded the GPS track for the Camino de Madrid onto my phone and I can view it in the Wikilok app. Just don't ask me how I did it!I have a lot to learn about using various map programs.
Let's keep this thread active so we can gather a few more pilgrims for March 2018.
I am thinking about the Camino de Madrid in March 2018, maybe in addition to the Invierno. It would be great to gather a loose cohort of pilgrims!
That would be great but the cohort has fallen apart a bit. Better to say - the cohort is about to re-form itself with you and hopefully others. It looks like I will walk another route in April 2018 instead. Stay tuned here and others may chime in.Hi, would love to join this cohort if you are still looking for companions.... I may have to finish about 20 April for another walk in the UK (hoping to postphone)
Ginette
Hi, would love to join this cohort if you are still looking for companions.... I may have to finish about 20 April for another walk in the UK (hoping to postphone)
Ginette
I'm thinking of walking from Madrid from 23/24th April. anyone walking then ?
I plan on walking around the 19th of March, date is flexible if you like company
These plans all sound so good... I will watch from the sidelines for your progress.
Sadly, I'm no longer able to walk at this time (I auditioned for a rather snazzy 26 week booking in August and had confirmation a few days ago that we got the job.... and of course it starts on the 23rd March!)
Have a fabulous walk folks... I look forward to updates
Hi I thought you were coming on the Madrid with us too!Well congratulations on the job!
Hi Camino07
Hope you can join Jill and myself too! Be lovely!!
Ginette
See? I was right! Sounds like fun.the cohort is about to re-form itself
Holla! My wife and I will be ending our vacation in Madrid . Her flight is on the 19 of March. I figured I would begin on the 20th. When do you plan on walking, could you begin on the 21st. I could hold off for a day or so 22 nd but not three, I’d have to move on. I’m halfway thinking of walking the CM until I can make my way toward Zamora. I did not finish the VDLP last year , had to return home. I walked one day past Zamora, had to leave. So there lies my incentive to finish the VDLP. Was a Lonely Camino, compared to the CF. So I’m thinking of walking the CM , to VDLP to Astorga, to Santiago. Figure the CF shouldn’t be too crowded at that time of year,. Figure play the Hing ( solitude of CM-VDLP and YangHi Cliff175,
Hope you can join Jill and myself too... be great as I did not make it to VDLP as promised.... stray dogs are a BIG worry for me!!
Cheers G
I think several of us have done that combination, and it is a wonderful way to get to Santiago.
Hi Laurie, would you take your electrical coil on the Camino Madrid – Salvador - Primitivo, starting end of March? I will be staying in albergues whenever possible. I have never needed it on the Francés, but it was invaluable on the Voie de Soulac, and in all budget hotels throughout Europe. Not sure if I’ll get enough use out of it to warrant the weight on this camino, plus, of course, carrying coffee and condensed milk. (I always carry the mug.) What do you think?
Jill
Great, thanks for the replies. It looks like I will be in the Coca – Alcazaren – Puente Duero – Cigunuela area over Easter weekend. I have never walked at Easter before, so looking forward to that, and hopefully there will be something going on in one of the small towns along that stretch.
Jill
What date do you plan to begin the Camino Madrid ?Hi Cliff175,
Hope you can join Jill and myself too... be great as I did not make it to VDLP as promised.... stray dogs are a BIG worry for me!!
Cheers G
Hi there!I'm thinking of walking from Madrid from 23/24th April. anyone walking then ?
Hi there!
Starting on April 19th!
Guess I'll be few days ahead
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