Kbierstube
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Aug 29 (2017)
I've seen a handful of CF guides available. All appear to have pros and cons. And I'd like to know which is your favorite and why?
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Pili Pala Press looks like a great resource.Now, if you want to understand where you are actually are, the Pili Pali guide. Lots of legends, stories, and info on flora and fauna.
... Now, if you want to understand where you are actually are, the Pili Pali guide. Lots of legends, stories, and info on flora and fauna.
I agreeYou could actually walk the Frances without a guide and use only the markings on the Way, but for someone who has never done it before, I recommend bringing one.
The Brierley Maps only guide (I'm assuming you are talking about the Frances). It's all you need as far as a guide goes, and it is compact and light.
Some will say the distances on the maps in the guide are a bit off, but trust me it makes no difference.
I've seen a handful of CF guides available ... I'd like to know which is your favorite and why?
Only one that I used was the Brierley guide. I was happy with it. I glanced at a few before buying one and the Brierley seemed to have everything I needed and wanted. Turned out that it fit into my shirt pocket too. That was handy because Peg kept wanting to see where we were.And I'd like to know which [GUIDE] is your favorite and why?
I personally cannot see walking the Camino without a guidebook because I want to know things like why that strange little octagonal church in Terres del Rio is important to the history of Knights Templar. No phone app will tell you that.
Pili Pala Press used to publish an excellent map for the CF, but discontinued it a few years ago. Perhaps an updated version will be included in their proposed e-guide.Pili Pala Press looks like a great resource.
I just purchased the Kindle version and there is a lot of easily accessible useful information available. Can't wait to dive into it. I leave for Bordeaux in 16 days to begin The Camino from there. My first! Thanks for the recommendation. RayOnly one problem, their printed guide hasn't been updated in many, many years!
The Wise Pilgrim App is soon also available as a printed guide book, you can pre-order it here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-camino-de-santiago-a-wise-pilgrim-guide
I actually had a look at the Kindle version already and it looks like a pretty perfect guide book to me. No fluff, no "spiritual musings a la Brierley" just up to date information plus historical background.
Buen Camino, SY
I don't think that the full Briely Frances guide is available for Kindle. The maps version is, and I downloaded it to my phone, but found that I was unable to zoom in on the maps. As a workaround I took screen shots of the maps, which I could then zoom in on.I put the Kindle versions of the Brierley books on my phone.
I like paper because it allows you to make notes, to remember special events, spots, and correct the guide book.My advise would be no paper.....for less than the weight of the book I took my iPhone with the Wise Pilgrim app, and the Brierley maps in Kindle. Only really needed the maps when there was an alternate route. Love Wise Pilgrim app, it gives all the information you need and the elevation profile is a must.
The maps version is, and I downloaded it to my phone, but found that I was unable to zoom in on the maps.
Really? That's awesome, so much easier!Hi, you have to "double click" on the map, and then you can zoom in. To get out of zoom mode, you tap the X at top right.
The 'Outdoor' guide Camino de Santiago by Raimund Joos
I don't think that the full Briely Frances guide is available for Kindle. The maps version is, and I downloaded it to my phone, but found that I was unable to zoom in on the maps. As a workaround I took screen shots of the maps, which I could then zoom in on.
Each to their own.As this book was so highly recommended in German, I bought it for Kindle when the English version came out. The English translation is appalling. Google Translate could have done a better job. I was surprised that a better effort hadn’t been made before it was released. Very disappointed.
I will stay with Brierley – I love his maps.
Jill
Each to their own.
I consider Brierly overrated, and blindly followed to the letter by many people.
Yes, this is my favourite too, nice and light and fits in most cargo pockets. I also printed out the up to date list of albergues from the resource section on the forum.I like this small green Michelin guide, perfect for elevation and distances. Not ideal for albergues and listings but for this I use the Eroski and Gronze websites.
To be fair, Brierley doesn't suggest that his 33 stages are any more than a division into an average day's walk, and (from the 2009 edition at p. 10) does say 'but find your own pace and overnight at intermediate hostels as required'. Those that slavishly follow the Brierley stages are actually not necessarily following Brierley's advice.Agree but always good to know his " designated stops for the night " so you can avoid the overcrowded places and stop somewhere in between.
haha. yes, fair point. use the Brierly to avoid its advice.Agree but always good to know his " designated stops for the night " so you can avoid the overcrowded places and stop somewhere in between.
This has been discussed before, and I recall the author being happy to receive constructive feedback.As this book was so highly recommended in German, I bought it for Kindle when the English version came out. The English translation is appalling. Google Translate could have done a better job. I was surprised that a better effort hadn’t been made before it was released. Very disappointed.
I will stay with Brierley – I love his maps.
Jill
Just to throw an extra layer of confusion into the conversation, for many years I've use the walking guides provided by Cicerone of the UK. They are generally pretty good but all comes down to the quality of the notes taken by the author. They have a guide to the Camino Frances by Alison Raju called 'The Way of St James', revised 2011. It seems pretty comprehensive but as I'm yet to do the Camino, can't comment on the accuracy of the content. However, the route guide is supplemented by a description of major sites and monuments. But while a small paperback, it's very dense, i.e. heavy. And includes a lot of detail on language, getting to the start, accommodation, weather conditions, traditions, etc. That is, a lot of info you don't need to carry around with you on the walk. You could rip out the sections but I'm a bibliophile and can't bare the thought of destroying a good book. My take: great for research but leave at home and use either the Brierley or the Michelin guides. And, if all else fails, ask. In 2014/15 nearly 170,000 people just walked the Camino Frances! Happy trailsI've seen a handful of CF guides available. All appear to have pros and cons. And I'd like to know which is your favorite and why?
As this book was so highly recommended in German, I bought it for Kindle when the English version came out. The English translation is appalling. Google Translate could have done a better job. I was surprised that a better effort hadn’t been made before it was released. Very disappointed......
Jill
We used Dintaman “Village to Village” Kindle version in 2017 after using both Brierly book in 2012-13 and Dintaman book in 2014-2015. The Kindle version allowed us to not carry guide book (carried cell phone anyway for camera and blog/journal).I've seen a handful of CF guides available. All appear to have pros and cons. And I'd like to know which is your favorite and why?