Walking the VDLP in reverse from Santiago

[Pilgy]

I'm thinking of walking the VDLP starting mid October and wonder about walking in reverse so that the weather will be a little warmer going south versus north as the month proceeds. ( As a seasoned pilgrim I have no need for a compostela or to "arrive " in SDC. I have heard the way marking might make walking in reverse difficult but can't find anyone who has written about having done. Any thoughts?

 

[Donna Sch]

I'm thinking of walking the VDLP starting mid October and wonder about walking in reverse so that the weather will be a little warmer going south versus north as the month proceeds. ( As a seasoned pilgrim I have no need for a compostela or to "arrive " in SDC. I have heard the way marking might make walking in reverse difficult but can't find anyone who has written about having done. Any thoughts?

Use Wikiloc and there would be no problems. Would be interesting walking down some of the hills!

 

[Deleted member 397]

I'm thinking of walking the VDLP starting mid October and wonder about walking in reverse so that the weather will be a little warmer going south versus north as the month proceeds. ( As a seasoned pilgrim I have no need for a compostela or to "arrive " in SDC. I have heard the way marking might make walking in reverse difficult but can't find anyone who has written about having done. Any thoughts?

Good idea..thought about it myself. One year I started In late august from Seville and by the time I arrived in Galicia it was FREEZING!...me and the Swedish couple I walked with bought gloves in Mombuey!
Wikileaks,wikilook..wikiwhatever sounds good but I'm just getting used to phones without cords

 

[Pilgy]

Use Wikiloc and there would be no problems. Would be interesting walking down some of the hills!

Thanks Donna for this info. Are you out there right now????

 

[islandwalker]

Here's one that you could follow in reverse from Santiago to Sevilla:

SEVILLA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTEL·LA-FINISTERRE per ASTORGA i MUXIA

SEVILLA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTEL·LA-FINISTERRE per ASTORGA i MUXIA Hiking trail in Sevilla, Andalucía (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Distància: 1084,050 km Temps: 32 jornades Desnivell acumulat: 13.171 metres De Sevilla a Finisterre per la via de la Plata, Iter...

www.wikiloc.com

Elaine

 

[Pilgy]

Good idea..thought about it myself. One year I started In late august from Seville and by the time I arrived in Galicia it was FREEZING!...me and the Swedish couple I walked with bought gloves in Mombuey!
Wikileaks,wikilook..wikiwhatever sounds good but I'm just getting used to phones without cords

Omar504 I try to disengage when walking, and also not too savvy with phones!

 

[Pilgy]

Here's one that you could follow in reverse from Santiago to Sevilla:

SEVILLA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTEL·LA-FINISTERRE per ASTORGA i MUXIA

SEVILLA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTEL·LA-FINISTERRE per ASTORGA i MUXIA Hiking trail in Sevilla, Andalucía (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Distància: 1084,050 km Temps: 32 jornades Desnivell acumulat: 13.171 metres De Sevilla a Finisterre per la via de la Plata, Iter...

www.wikiloc.com

Elaine

Thanks Elaine!

 

[Walton]

Would you receive a Compostela if you walked in reverse?

 

[Pilgy]

Interesting question, Walton. Give that I have no interest in another compostela this would not be of concern to me.

 

[Walton]

Being a retired academic I guess, I always like to think a piece of paper at the end is important and it is, from an academic point of view; but you are right Pilgy.

There are two compostelas in tubes behind me in the cabinet. They get dragged out every now and then because someone wants to see them and then put away in their tube for another long while.

Every now and again, for nostalgia, I do look at the credential stamps though. They tell me I don't have enough stamps!

 

[Bala]

Would you receive a Compostela if you walked in reverse?

No. The Compostela is awarded for making a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James. Not for walking away from it.

 

[Walton]

Thanks Bala. That makes sense.

My initial question might seem stupid to some so apologies for that. At least, now I know the answer.
Cheers

 

[Bala]

Not stupid at all, @Walton . There are questions along that line all the time, so it's always worth clarifying why the Compostela is awarded. Buen Camino, whichever direction you walk!

 

[MileHighPair]

@Pilgy I walked "backwards" for 5 days along the VdlP last fall. I used the GPS mapping program maps.me. The way marking would be nearly impossible with a GPS track. There is actually a file you can download from this forum with tracks from all Spanish caminos in one file. Open it in your mapping program and like magic you are on your way.

Also, it is quite different walking away from Santiago. You never get to spend more than one evening with anyone, so it can feel a bit lonely. On the other hand, you get to meet many more folks, if only for a few seconds along the trail. But if that is your thing, Buen Camino!

You can look at my blog for my thoughts along the way last fall, or on any other of the several caminos.
Mike.

 

[Pilgy]

@Pilgy I walked "backwards" for 5 days along the VdlP last fall. I used the GPS mapping program maps.me. The way marking would be nearly impossible with a GPS track. There is actually a file you can download from this forum with tracks from all Spanish caminos in one file. Open it in your mapping program and like magic you are on your way.

Also, it is quite different walking away from Santiago. You never get to spend more than one evening with anyone, so it can feel a bit lonely. On the other hand, you get to meet many more folks, if only for a few seconds along the trail. But if that is your thing, Buen Camino!

You can look at my blog for my thoughts along the way last fall, or on any other of the several caminos.
Mike.

Thanks Mike. Will look at your blog!

 

[Donna Sch]

Thanks Donna for this info. Are you out there right now????

Doing the Levante at present. Hanging out to meet some other pilgrims apart from my partner.

 

[tangata hikoi]

I'm using windymaps app which someone recommended on here. VDLP marked on the map and is very easy to follow. Would be just as easy in reverse. Great, very detailed maps.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

The great thing about going in reverse is that you can tell everyone where the bedbugs are. (Just make sure not to bring any with you).