Veteran pilgrim advice

[Ilatum]

I was planning on walking my first Camino ( Frances) this April solo - I am now seriously considering cancelling which is devastating for me
I was trying to avoid walking next year being the Holy Year due to the increase in pilgrims and I don’t want to be stressing about booking albergues ahead
However I can’t bear the thought of now having to wait until 2022 to walk after all my planning and excitement
Could any veterans out there give me advice on the VDLP - would that be quieter to walk next year ? and how would it be for a first timer solo walker ?
Thanks in advance

 

[Deleted member 76633]

What is the reason for you wanting to cancel?

If numbers are dropping this year, then there will be a surge next year plus the Holy Year additions. You may need to wait to 2022.

 

[mmmmartin]

The vast majority of the Holy Year pilgrims will be the final 100k from Sarria. The VDLP probably won't see much of an increase because it's a long and arduous route. Easter will be the peak arrival time for Santiago so if you start from Seville just after Easter you probably won't see any more pilgrims than in a normal year.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

VDLP - would that be quieter to walk next year ? and how would it be for a first timer solo walker ?

It's hard to predict how things will look in 2021 and 2022. But, assuming that conditions are back to normal after this pandemic, I believe VDLP will be a good bet except during Holy Week of 2021. At that time, all bets are off - especially the last 100km (from Ourense to Santiago).

In terms of the challenges, you need to be able to walk a few longer stages and you need the right frame of mind for a more solitary Camino. In the year that you have to prepare, my suggestions would be to train physically so that you can handle the occasional long stages, and to invest time in learning or practicing Spanish (online with Busuu for example). Those things will certainly help you to enjoy the VDLP.

 

[Ernesto.IT]

It's hard to predict how things will look in 2021 and 2022. But, assuming that conditions are back to normal after this pandemic, I believe VDLP will be a good bet except during Holy Week of 2021. At that time, all bets are off - especially the last 100km (from Ourense to Santiago).

In terms of the challenges, you need to be able to walk a few longer stages and you need the right frame of mind for a more solitary Camino. In the year that you have to prepare, my suggestions would be to train physically so that you can handle the occasional long stages, and to invest time in learning or practicing Spanish (online with Busuu for example). Those things will certainly help you to enjoy the VDLP.

The pandemic it has just started, much worst as the days goes by.

 

[ConnachtRambler]

I walked the VdlP with my wife in 2014. It was an amazing experience. There were days when we didn't meet other peregrinos and a few nights when our albergue was full. We had no time constraints and so we were on the Camino for a total of 54 days, including three sight-seeing days. We averaged just under 20km per day and never walked more than 30km on any one day.

Buen Camino, Liam

 

[naplesdon]

If you care anything about your health, don't go this year. There is a pandemic and the Camino is in the systematic process of shutting all of the doors of all the albegues.

 

[domigee]

What @biarritzdon said. This is getting much worse by the minute.
The locals will have enough to cope with in their daily lives without us pilgrims adding to the mayhem.
Only my humble opinion of course, for what it’s worth!
I’ve just cancelled my trip (tomorrow) to my second home in Spain and I feel your pain.