mollsballs
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances '21
I just started the Camino Frances from Logrono and will hopefully be making it to Santiago by late November. I'm a first time Peregrina, which may not have been the best decision in COVID, so wanted to share the situation for others planning to start the Camino Frances soon!
Logrono --> Najera
A long, 28 KM day to start my Camino, but I made it in the end. I booked Albergue Albas in Logrono ahead of time on Booking and found the hostel to be fairly full, primarily of non-peregrino/as. They are also doing self-check-in so you will need to call or book ahead to stay here. Because of the self-check-in, you cannot get a credential here but was able to get one at the municipal albergue for 2 Euro.
Today was a holiday in Spain, so most shops and restaurants were closed. This apparently is common on Mondays even on non-holidays. I ultimately found a small cafe at the second roundabout in Logrono where I was able to snag a tortilla, but that seemed to be the only place along the route open that morning. Navarrete similarly had about one restaurant open but there is also a Carrefour open 7 days a week and on holidays where you can grab food.
The Camino is not very crowded right now, but there are still a decent number of pilgrims. I ran into around 20 people on the walk today. I had called ahead to Puerta de Najera to book a bed for tonight but actually found that to be unnecessary. There are only about 5 other people here and the front desk is open from 2 pm to 10 pm.
I may just wing it on accommodation for the first couple of nights and start calling ahead in mid-November when more places start closing. I hope this is helpful! Buen Camino!
Logrono --> Najera
A long, 28 KM day to start my Camino, but I made it in the end. I booked Albergue Albas in Logrono ahead of time on Booking and found the hostel to be fairly full, primarily of non-peregrino/as. They are also doing self-check-in so you will need to call or book ahead to stay here. Because of the self-check-in, you cannot get a credential here but was able to get one at the municipal albergue for 2 Euro.
Today was a holiday in Spain, so most shops and restaurants were closed. This apparently is common on Mondays even on non-holidays. I ultimately found a small cafe at the second roundabout in Logrono where I was able to snag a tortilla, but that seemed to be the only place along the route open that morning. Navarrete similarly had about one restaurant open but there is also a Carrefour open 7 days a week and on holidays where you can grab food.
The Camino is not very crowded right now, but there are still a decent number of pilgrims. I ran into around 20 people on the walk today. I had called ahead to Puerta de Najera to book a bed for tonight but actually found that to be unnecessary. There are only about 5 other people here and the front desk is open from 2 pm to 10 pm.
I may just wing it on accommodation for the first couple of nights and start calling ahead in mid-November when more places start closing. I hope this is helpful! Buen Camino!