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Walking the Camino Francés alone in January as a young female

C

chloewb

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
I am planning to walk the Camino for the first time, from Leon to Santiago, starting in mid-January 2016!
I am a 22 year old female student planning to walk the Camino for the first time, starting in Leon and finishing in Santiago beginning in mid-January as I am writing my dissertation on the Camino pilgrim experience. I am a bit concerned that I will not meet many pilgrims along the way, as I would love to speak with fellow pilgrims about their experience. Also, I am concerned about my safety walking alone, in regard to physical attacks/getting lost etc. I know this is really unlikely, but I would be more comfortable walking where I can see others walking also. What are peoples experiences walking alone at this time of year? How many others did you meet along the Way? Also is it just a case of asking the staff at the albergue where you should walk to next in order to make sure you get a bed for the night?
Any help would me much appreciated,
Chloe
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Welcome to the forum @chloewb

For open albergues during winter have a look at http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ which gets regularly updated.
As for connecting to other pilgrims, how are your foreign language skills? Most likely there will be 1-2 dozen pilgrims with you on the road during the same day, most likely also from many different countries.
The Camino is safer than many of our home towns, just use common sense and you will be fine.
Buen Camino, SY
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I met a young women writing her thesis about the Camino as well. Her way was to meet some people and ask if she could walk with them for a bit and ask some questions. At the end of the day she'd usually spend an extra day at the Albergue (generally not a problem in the winter months) so others could catch up to her and she'd repeat the process that night and the following day. It presumably took her double the time to walk the Camino but since we were walking in January/February she didn't have any other opportunity to speak to a great number of Pilgrims otherwise.

Besides her, I met several other young women walking the Camino alone and none had any negative experiences. Since there are few Albergues open that time of the year, most Pilgrims ended up in the same Albergue at night giving everyone companionship and opportunity to share experiences. I'm hopeful it will be the same for you!

Buen Camino.
 
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
You will be (mostly) alone, if you can, april would be a lot 'better, specially if it's for your dissertation and you need other pilgrims' contributions (and safety),
Good luck and Buen Camino
Jeff
 
Thank you all for your replies. My dissertation is due on March so I am leaving it very late as it is. I will definitely stick with my plan, and if I can't find other pilgrims I may wait around one of the albergues until I find some.
Many thanks for your replies
Chloe
 
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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
To increase your chances of meeting other pilgrims do what is normally not recommended during 'high season':

Do start on a weekend/Friday to catch the pilgrims wave.
Do follow the Brierley stages and do stay in those must stay places.
Also remember, a lot of the hospitaler@s you will meet are veteran pilgrims themselves ...

Buen Camino, SY
 
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