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My wife and I are headed to the Camino for the first time in November. We will be doing the section from Sarria to Santiago.We are in our early 70's. My question regards footwear and the trail surface on that section. I had hoped to wear a pair of comfortable work boots that are well broken in (Alden 405's). However they have smooth soles, thick but not thick like a hiking boot sole. Is the surface rocky/cobbles on that section or is it mostly smooth? Thanks
When we walked that section, we had quite a bit of rain (and mud). I was very glad to have hiking shoes with good traction.
I am not challenging what you say, but your experience was so different from the last time I was on the last 100 km from Sarria (which was in 2014). I had no rain, so of course there was no mud, but I thought I remembered that there was very little dirt. Maybe I am mis-remembering. Or maybe my memories of my more recent Primitivo and Norte have confused me. The Xunta definitely has removed virtually all the dirt paths on the Primitivo and Norte, and replaced them with gravel, and I would be delighted if that were not the case on the Francés.
Oh, you Australians and your eucalyptus treesNot much crushed gravel that I can remember, but lots of stepped granite stone laneways, often running with water, and asphalt - and dirt paths through the eucalyptus forrest.
I think it is beautiful walking.
There is no really rocky ground from Sarria to Santiago
Take the alternate route into Portomarin, the ‘traditional’ route is extremely badly eroded (Sept’ 18) & in my opinion should be closed as it would be like a water slide in the wet. It is a very small section traversing the top of the valley down to the river banks which are still way above the river floor. I was on my bottom most of the way through this chasm. Lots of up & downs to creeks/rivers but good walking surface from Sarria onwards.It varies. Trail surface is mostly soil, coming out of Sarria. There will be some hard surfaces, like concrete or blacktop in towns, but they mostly give way to woodland tracks. Monte de Gozo involves some road walking, most of the way to SdC. Having said all that there is really nothing much to worry about, except the descents into Portomarin depending on the weather, and which route you take (there is at least one complementary route to skirt the badly eroded downhill).
You should have no problems with your broken-in boots.
Buen Camino!
Regards,
Paul
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