Walking from SJPdP to Santiago de Compostela in September

[RobinS007]

I have had the Camino on my bucket list for many years and finally decided it was time to do it. I'm very excited, a little scared, but mostly eager to be on the trail. I will start my pilgrimage on Sept 2 or 3 and would love to connect with anyone else starting then.

 

[C clearly]

Welcome to the forum!

If you go to this page, you will see a list of forum members who are starting in September. If you would like your name added to the list, just add a post there with your date and starting point.

 

[Grousedoctor]

I have had the Camino on my bucket list for many years and finally decided it was time to do it. I'm very excited, a little scared, but mostly eager to be on the trail. I will start my pilgrimage on Sept 2 or 3 and would love to connect with anyone else starting then.

Robin, be assured that you will start making Camino friends from Day 1. There are a lot of great reasons to walk the Camino, but one of the very best is the human experience you will have along The Way. That is perhaps the one single reason why I‘ve been pulled back to the the Camino year after year. Your anticipation is quite normal. But be assured, most of us had the very same feelings that you’re experiencing. Friendships develop quite quickly and evolve over the course of your walk to Santiago and are a most rewarding part of the pilgrimage. Starting in early September will be a busy time. You’ll connect with others right away. Do you have some initial bed reservations for your first few days? Enjoy your Camino!

 

[RobinS007]

Robin, be assured that you will start making Camino friends from Day 1. There are a lot of great reasons to walk the Camino, but one of the very best is the human experience you will have along The Way. That is perhaps the one single reason why I‘ve been pulled back to the the Camino year after year. Your anticipation is quite normal. But be assured, most of us had the very same feelings that you’re experiencing. Friendships develop quite quickly and evolve over the course of your walk to Santiago and are a most rewarding part of the pilgrimage. Starting in early September will be a busy time. You’ll connect with others right away. Do you have some initial bed reservations for your first few days? Enjoy your Camino!

Thank you for the reply. I officially feel that welcome Camino hospitality I have read so much about! I'm walking solo but anticipate meeting a lot of like-minded souls along the way. I'll be bringing my dad's hiking poles that he used just before he passed in 2020. Hoping he'll be with me in spirit.

I haven't made reservations yet but will do so now that I'm a month away. I've been reading the forum recommendations that one should make reservations for the first few days. I'm hoping to do the walk as cheaply as possible since I quit my job a few months ago and am in that transition phase that the Camino can bring clarity to.

I understand for the cheaper albergues it is first come first serve?

Thank you again for the welcome!

 

[Grousedoctor]

Thank you for the reply. I officially feel that welcome Camino hospitality I have read so much about! I'm walking solo but anticipate meeting a lot of like-minded souls along the way. I'll be bringing my dad's hiking poles that he used just before he passed in 2020. Hoping he'll be with me in spirit.

I haven't made reservations yet but will do so now that I'm a month away. I've been reading the forum recommendations that one should make reservations for the first few days. I'm hoping to do the walk as cheaply as possible since I quit my job a few months ago and am in that transition phase that the Camino can bring clarity to.

I understand for the cheaper albergues it is first come first serve?

Thank you again for the welcome!

How wonderful to be carrying the spirit of your father along The Way with you. We walked our Camino Portuguese this past spring in honor of my wife’s father who also passed away in 2020. We added his name to our Compostelos “vicarie pro.”

You are correct tha the municipal and donativos are less expensive and it’s on a first come, first served basis. No reservations taken! Due to being less expensive, most are first choices by many. Getting there early is a must, but that still doesn’t guarantee a bed. I do think you want to reserve a bed in an albergue in SJPP, Roncesvalles, and Larazoaña/Zuberi. By the time you reach Pamplona, you’ll be a veteran and have a good idea of what’s in front of you regarding crowds and albergue beds.

If you’re not familiar with it check out Gronze.com for places to stay along the CF. Some reservations can be made via Booking.com. For others, you’ll probably need to contact them directly by email as is the case for the Monestario in Roncesvalles. Now, is not too early to start making reservations for the first few days. Good luck.

 

[RobinS007]

How wonderful to be carrying the spirit of your father along The Way with you. We walked our Camino Portuguese this past spring in honor of my wife’s father who also passed away in 2020. We added his name to our Compostelos “vicarie pro.”

You are correct tha the municipal and donativos are less expensive and it’s on a first come, first served basis. No reservations taken! Due to being less expensive, most are first choices by many. Getting there early is a must, but that still doesn’t guarantee a bed. I do think you want to reserve a bed in an albergue in SJPP, Roncesvalles, and Larazoaña/Zuberi. By the time you reach Pamplona, you’ll be a veteran and have a good idea of what’s in front of you regarding crowds and albergue beds.

If you’re not familiar with it check out Gronze.com for places to stay along the CF. Some reservations can be made via Booking.com. For others, you’ll probably need to contact them directly by email as is the case for the Monestario in Roncesvalles. Now, is not too early to start making reservations for the first few days. Good luck.

Wonderful advice!! Thank you!

 

[bmorrish]

I have had the Camino on my bucket list for many years and finally decided it was time to do it. I'm very excited, a little scared, but mostly eager to be on the trail. I will start my pilgrimage on Sept 2 or 3 and would love to connect with anyone else starting then.

Hi, and all the same!
I plan to start Sept 14 or 15 from SJPDT. Hope we meet at some point!

 

[lt56ny]

Thank you for the reply. I officially feel that welcome Camino hospitality I have read so much about! I'm walking solo but anticipate meeting a lot of like-minded souls along the way. I'll be bringing my dad's hiking poles that he used just before he passed in 2020. Hoping he'll be with me in spirit.

I haven't made reservations yet but will do so now that I'm a month away. I've been reading the forum recommendations that one should make reservations for the first few days. I'm hoping to do the walk as cheaply as possible since I quit my job a few months ago and am in that transition phase that the Camino can bring clarity to.

I understand for the cheaper albergues it is first come first serve?

Thank you again for the welcome!

As soon as you walk out the door walking up the hill you will have friends for life. As someone who walks on a budget I would recommend staying in municipal albergues and donativos as much as possible.
Gronze.com will be a great resource:

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

It will give you maps and distances and elevations. A good listing of albergues. Prices/kitchen facilities and reviews. Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino are also helpful apps you can download for free. They also have albergue listings etc as well as gps that you can download.

 

[RobinS007]

Hi, and all the same!
I plan to start Sept 14 or 15 from SJPDT. Hope we meet at some point!

Hope so too! Buen Camino!

 

[RobinS007]

As soon as you walk out the door walking up the hill you will have friends for life. As someone who walks on a budget I would recommend staying in municipal albergues and donativos as much as possible.
Gronze.com will be a great resource:

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

It will give you maps and distances and elevations. A good listing of albergues. Prices/kitchen facilities and reviews. Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino are also helpful apps you can download for free. They also have albergue listings etc as well as gps that you can download.

Thank you!!