- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Walking the routes with less frequent infrastructure, I set out in the morning with enough tap water for the day - between 1 and 2 liters, depending on the weather. I don't walk in very hot weather.What's your approach to water replenishment?
If you are worried about water quality you can take sterilising tabs. The ones that take longer to be effective have little or no aftertaste, bearing in mind tap water is treated anyway and bottled water is usually untreated. Another possibility is to take a plastic roll up bladder for when you need to carry an extra litre or so. If you walk a less popular camino then you will find fewer places to fill up so you do need extra carrying capacity.
Was that because of concern over water quality? Just curious.......There weren’t a lot of fonts on the Portuguese Central like there were on the Frances and when I did the CP I ended up filling up via the tap but mostly just bought new water bottles.
It was more because my tall bottle didn’t fit under the tap.Was that because of concern over water quality? Just curious.......
It was more because my tall bottle didn’t fit under the tap.
It was more because my tall bottle didn’t fit under the tap.
If you are looking for water taps, water sources anywhere on a Camino you can use the OSM / OCM map (link) which has them marked. You'll have to zoom in as they only show close up but here is an example of the five water fountains at Carrion de los Condes. Water is usually OK
I've often asked if a bar would top up my water bottle. They have always obliged, with a smile. Only when I've bought something there of course.
A small,stubby hardy bottle is in the Nalgene series. Free for BPA and BSP & phalates. 0.5 literIt was more because my tall bottle didn’t fit under the tap.
When it comes to something basic as water, most people will show great hospitality, especially when the temperatures are high. Basic humanity, I guess. Always made me happy to experience it, though I prefer not to rely on it.
It can taste different in different regions, depending largely on the source, as in my country. However, I have confidence in its safety anywhere.the tap water in Spain tastes lovely
I reused a plastic water bottle, until I noticed the black mould in the crevices. A metal water bottle has another advantage in cold weather. You can boil up some water and fill the bottle the night before. The water is sterilised of course. You then wrap a sock around it and put it in your sleeping bag so it acts as a hot water bottle and if the socks were damp, they´ll be dry in the morning, and you can drink the water next day.
Hi! I notice you say you walked in Germany, which caught my eye as I am planning in late July to walk some part of the Jakobsweg through Rottenburg (not sure which route I'll take, either via Neresheim or Rothenburg, or southwest from Rottenburg) and wonder if you have any experience at all in that area, or advice about basics like Unterkunft, or finding water. I do have the guidebook Neresheim-Rottenburg from the Jakobswege website but I'm in the US and it's in Germany right now (I leave on 27.06 to go there). You sound so experienced, and I'm a first-timer, so I wanted to reach out.That's a good idea! Get a coffee, pay with a nice tip, then ask for water - always worked for me, so far, except once in Germany (had to buy a very expensive bottle - but that was in a very touristic area, and it was at least ice cold, so it was totally okay for me).
If there were no bars, no shops, no fountains, not even something that would have worked in combination with a chlorine tablet, I've also knocked on local people's doors (farm houses ect) and asked for water a few times (on lesser walked routes with little infrastructure). Always offered a Euro, nobody ever took it. Sometimes I got an apple, some cookies ect. with the water, and always a smile and a "bon chemin" or similar. In France I was often offered water by locals who saw me walk by, without even having to ask.
The most touching experience was someone who stopped next to me with a bike that was loaded with his weekly supplies from the supermarket. He said "when I was on my way to the supermarket I saw you walk by and thought you might need a cold drink. So I bought one extra and got back this way hoping I'd still find you". That was on a 35+km day in extreme heat, and when he found me I was sitting in a ditch in a tiny bit of shade, considering returning to the last Village because I was so tired. I almost cried when he gave me the ice cold bottle.
When it comes to something basic as water, most people will show great hospitality, especially when the temperatures are high. Basic humanity, I guess. Always made me happy to experience it, though I prefer not to rely on it.
Hi! I notice you say you walked in Germany, which caught my eye as I am planning in late July to walk some part of the Jakobsweg through Rottenburg (not sure which route I'll take, either via Neresheim or Rothenburg, or southwest from Rottenburg) and wonder if you have any experience at all in that area, or advice about basics like Unterkunft, or finding water. I do have the guidebook Neresheim-Rottenburg from the Jakobswege website but I'm in the US and it's in Germany right now (I leave on 27.06 to go there). You sound so experienced, and I'm a first-timer, so I wanted to reach out.
Yes, we always can rely on the generosity and kindness of strangers!
Thank you<
Nekai
Thank you! Excellent advice. Yes, I'm fluent in German which is why I couldn't think of the English for "Unterkunft" lol.Hello Nekai!
Sadly I'm not familiar with that area of Germany and haven't walked there, so I can't give any advice about that route. There are so many Jakobswege in Germany, probably won't be able to walk them all in a lifetime!
What I can say is that you chose a good time for walking, as weather is usually good that time of the year, so I hope you'll have a good time! You must be so excited!
On the routes I walked in Germany, normally you filled up your water at your "Unterkunft". There are often no fountains with drinking water easily available on the way. You can ask in bars and restaurants along the way if there are any (some will only sell you a bottle but most will fill up your bottle from the tap If you ask nicely and maybe buy a coffee). Sometimes there are shops/supermarkets. It depends on how rural and/or how touristic the area is. Sundays most shops are closed in all of Germany, except bakeries, Cafés/restaurants ect. and gas stations (which are a good source for coffee and cold drinks, too, when there's no other shops or bars to be found).
Tap water has very high quality in Germany and is safe to drink. So if someone (local, shop, bar) offers to fill up your waterbottlle with tapwater, it's totally okay to drink!
For Unterkunft you should normally call one or two days before, since on some paths there isn't that much accommodation available, and if there is, it's often a touristic area and you'll compete for rooms with tourists. For pilgrim accommodation it is also polite to call in advance, since there are only few pilgrims walking and when you call they'll know to prepare.
Hotels are often expensive. "Pension" "Gästezimmer" ect. are cheaper and more simple options. Campsites sometimes offer little pods or huts to rent which can also be a nice accommodation.
If you can't find accommodation, ask locals for the Phone number of the priest ("Pfarrer"), sometimes you can get a spot in a building that belongs to the church.
If you need help translating anything (websites with info for your route ect.) you can contact me via personal message.
I don't know If you speak german, but most germans speak english, so language shouldn't be a problem.
There's a German Camino Forum, too, maybe that can be helpful also, it's called "Daspilgerforum".
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?