Which half of the VDLP??

[Kathleen PEters]

Hi. I am planning to walk half of the VDLP starting in late April / early May. I wondered if anyone could recommend which "half" is the better choice...Seville to Salamanca or Salamanca to Santiago? I have about 3 weeks for the trip. I am 65, walking alone, planning to stay in alburgues. Any recommendations?? Thank you fellow pilgrims!

 

[Kiwi-family]

I would walk the first half this time and hope to come back for the second half another year!
First half - flat, loads of wildflowers, Cities of Sevilla and Mérida and Cáceres.
Second half - hills (if you do the Sanabres), Zamora and Santiago
Which do you prefer?

Edited to correct

 

[amancio]

That time of the year is blooming spring South of Salamanca, and the last days of winter in the Meseta. I would definitely go for Guillena-Salamanca (you can skip the first stage out of Seville, only hassle, in my opinion)

 

[Deleted member 73526]

First half - flat, loads of wildflowers, Cities of Sevilla and Zamora and Mérida

Zamora is to the north of Salamanca. Perhaps you're thinking of Caceres.

Although I joined the VDLP at Merida (so I don't know the Camino between Seville to Merida), I agree with the idea of setting off from Seville. Starting from the "Deep South," lets you experience so many contrasts - in landscapes, history, culture, and people - from Andalusia, through Extremadura, to Castille & Leon. The cities of Seville, Merida, Caceres, and Salamanca are absolute gems.
On the way to Salamanca you will pass through some beautiful stages (and a few less beautiful spots, as with any Camino). In the section from Merida to Salamanca, I particularly enjoyed the walking from Merida to Caceres, from Embalse de Alcantara to Carcaboso, and from Baños de Montemayor to San Pedro de Rozados. Father Blas's albergue at Fuenterroble is another highlight that you have a chance to experience a couple of days before you reach Salamanca.

 

[alexwalker]

I will strongly support the others here: Sevilla-Salamanca. A very good time of year to do that. Don't miss out the Roman ruins of Merida!

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[Via2010]

I would also opt for the first half Seville-Salamanca, because I can remember that there was still some snow on the mountains on the Sanabrés in May 2010 and the ground was soaking wet and muddy.

 

[John Sikora]

Walking the first half starting on Easter this year, so I’m glad to see the votes the way they are.

 

[Kathleen PEters]

Walking the first half starting on Easter this year, so I’m glad to see the votes the way they are.

 

[Kathleen PEters]

Thank you for the great advice! I really appreciate it.

 

[Frisbie]

Hi. I am planning to walk half of the VDLP starting in late April / early May. I wondered if anyone could recommend which "half" is the better choice...Seville to Salamanca or Salamanca to Santiago? I have about 3 weeks for the trip. I am 65, walking alone, planning to stay in alburgues. Any recommendations?? Thank you fellow pilgrims!

Hi Kathleen:
I am also planning to walk the first half of VDLP stating in Seville in mid to late April. 61 and walking alone. Keep me posted on dates you are thinking about. I saw there were a few people starting April 10, although I think I would like to experience at least one day of semana santa in Seville if I can. May the that Monday and start walking on 15th or so. I am looking into accommodations in Seville.
Sylvie

 

[geraldkelly]

Seville - Salamanca, definitely. Then the following year you can take up where you left off!

 

[Starseeker54]

I shall be setting off from seville on the 26th of august.i know what i am letting myself in for.

 

[Miguel de Flandes]

I’m planning for the Sanabres in june, after I walked from Sevilla to Astorga in september-october 2016. I would’t want to muss out on the first half!

Start from Sevilla, and visit Italica on the first day.

Be prepared to carry 10% of your body-weight as luggage, and 5% more in water if you’re walking in summer (I left Seville around 15 september, at 7.30 in the morning, and it was 25 Celcius, rising to 38 when I reached Guillena)

¡Ultreia, y buen camino!
Miguel

 

[Deleted member 39006]

Completely agree on starting in Sevilla at that time of year - I experienced snow in May on the way to Galicia last year in May. Fantastic wild flowers in the southern half of the route. Come back for the second half another year (and a couple of weeks later). A cynic might say the first half is the difficult half, whereas the second half is the impossible half - I'm only joking, but the first flatter bits get you ready for the hilly bits in Galicia, so be prepared to refresh your legs leaving Zamorra if you do it in two halves.

 

[Kathleen PEters]

Hi Kathleen:
I am also planning to walk the first half of VDLP stating in Seville in mid to late April. 61 and walking alone. Keep me posted on dates you are thinking about. I saw there were a few people starting April 10, although I think I would like to experience at least one day of semana santa in Seville if I can. May the that Monday and start walking on 15th or so. I am looking into accommodations in Seville.
Sylvie

Hi Sylvie. Thank you for your reply. I am starting out of Seville on April 24. Heading to Salamanca. Sounds like you will be ahead of me. I booked space at the backpack hostel in Triana. Has good reviews and hopefully some helpful info in heading out of Seville which sounds a bit tricky! Kathleen

 

[Frisbie]

Hi Sylvie. Thank you for your reply. I am starting out of Seville on April 24. Heading to Salamanca. Sounds like you will be ahead of me. I booked space at the backpack hostel in Triana. Has good reviews and hopefully some helpful info in heading out of Seville which sounds a bit tricky! Kathleen

Buen Camino to you!