- Time of past OR future Camino
- Too many and too often!
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I think you are probably right. The writers of the article seem to be blaming the lack of growth on poor management and promotion of the route but my own impression is that the problem - if it is really a problem - is that the route is still very physically demanding and intimidating for many. There has been a huge growth overall in numbers walking Caminos but it has mostly been people walking shorter routes with far more infrastructure making them easy and attractive.I think women have always been in the minority on the VDLP. A lot of women don't have the confidence to walk solo on what is a very quiet route. And the distances will also put off some. People who do the VdlP are a different breed.
I'm glad I walked it last spring, but wouldn't do it again. I didn't mind the solitude, but the long - some days over 30k - without ANYTHING, even water - or any place to stop or sit weren't enjoyable. I like the small villages, cafe con leche and second breakfast!I think women have always been in the minority on the VDLP. A lot of women don't have the confidence to walk solo on what is a very quiet route. And the distances will also put off some. People who do the VdlP are a different breed.
Oh, I love the small villages and the second breakfast as well, but still I am keen on it for the solitude and the distances.I'm glad I walked it last spring, but wouldn't do it again. I didn't mind the solitude, but the long - some days over 30k - without ANYTHING, even water - or any place to stop or sit weren't enjoyable. I like the small villages, cafe con leche and second breakfast!
It is well within living memory when the Camino Frances had several stages over 30km with no services in between. My first Camino Frances walk was in a year when less than 5,000 received a Compostela. In many ways the Frances was quite similar to the situation on the VdlP today. Interesting to see how one route has exploded into a huge international phenomenon while another has stayed fairly static for 10 years or more. Is it all to do with promotion? A lack of will to invest in infrastructure? Or the intrinsic qualities of the paths themselves?. I didn't mind the solitude, but the long - some days over 30k - without ANYTHING, even water - or any place to stop or sit weren't enjoyable
I could imagine the quite hot summer on the Via might be one reason to scare people away. Also, at least for most Europeans, walking the Camino from France to Santiago feels more natural as France is usually closer to their home than Southern Spain is. If they had started walking at their doorstep, they would have ended up on the Francés anyway, but not on the Via de la Plata. So the Francés feels like walking the last bit of what really is your camino in a geographical sense.It is well within living memory when the Camino Frances had several stages over 30km with no services in between. My first Camino Frances walk was in a year when less than 5,000 received a Compostela. In many ways the Frances was quite similar to the situation on the VdlP today. Interesting to see how one route has exploded into a huge international phenomenon while another has stayed fairly static for 10 years or more. Is it all to do with promotion? A lack of will to invest in infrastructure? Or the intrinsic qualities of the paths themselves?
I guess that's why it was my favourite of all. Though I found plenty of pilgrims...back in 2013I think you are probably right. The writers of the article seem to be blaming the lack of growth on poor management and promotion of the route but my own impression is that the problem - if it is really a problem - is that the route is still very physically demanding and intimidating for many. There has been a huge growth overall in numbers walking Caminos but it has mostly been people walking shorter routes with far more infrastructure making them easy and attractive.
I guess here my troubles start ... ideally I should reserve 2 weeks extra for all that lies along the way ... but that is hard to do as it would feel unfair towards those who have to do my job at home while I am away ...(...) It also has a lot of preserved historical sites along the way and I am interested in that aspect. (...)
I bet the weather has a lot to do with it. I wonder if the statistics confirm that the usage trends are heavily slanted to the shoulder seasons on the VdlP and that the pilgrims during the summer slow to a trickle (unlike the more northern routes). That would make a big difference in overall numbers, in addition to the longer stages, etc. In planning our VdlP for 2023, we had to really think through what weather we might expect in southern Spain and what we'd expect in Galicia (in our case) 8-9 weeks later. We walked in the fall, but I would think Spring would be significantly better for weather planning, with the weather warming as you head northward. So numbers may even be more skewed to late winter/early Spring starts.I could imagine the quite hot summer on the Via might be one reason to scare people away. Also, at least for most Europeans, walking the Camino from France to Santiago feels more natural as France is usually closer to their home than Southern Spain is. If they had started walking at their doorstep, they would have ended up on the Francés anyway, but not on the Via de la Plata. So the Francés feels like walking the last bit of what really is your camino in a geographical sense.
But that is of cause mere speculation.
While numbers elsewhere have grown a lot since then they have dropped on the VdlP. About 9,000 in 2013. Only 7,000 last year.Though I found plenty of pilgrims...back in 2013
I thought that I would walk the VdlP this year, but I found while walking the Primitivo this year that I was missing the conviviality of the Francés and the ease of finding a place to stop, rest, and have a bite to eat every 5 to 8 km.I'm glad I walked it last spring, but wouldn't do it again. I didn't mind the solitude, but the long - some days over 30k - without ANYTHING, even water - or any place to stop or sit weren't enjoyable. I like the small villages, cafe con leche and second breakfast!
Shhhh!(...) But I do wonder about the Sanabres... what a great 2-week (ish) Camino! And fine in the summer! I was so surprised to have those gorgeous Galician stages mostly to myself.
Good choices. You'll love the Invierno!I thought that I would walk the VdlP this year, but I found while walking the Primitivo this year that I was missing the conviviality of the Francés and the ease of finding a place to stop, rest, and have a bite to eat every 5 to 8 km.
I still want to walk the VdlP, but this year I'll be on the Aragonés, Francés, and possibly the Invierno.
The one thing they had in common was this was not their first Camino. Many told me that this was one they had always thought of doing but they only felt up to it after having done a few others first.
One of the surprising developments in recent years has been the growth in numbers walking the variants of the Camino Portugues - often as a first Camino. There is a growing awareness that there are other routes besides the Camino Frances. But newcomers do rarely seem to choose the VdlP for their first Camino. I walked from Canterbury to Rome in 2015 and like on the VdlP most of the other pilgrims I met had already walked at least one Spanish Camino before setting off on the Via Francigena. I came to think of both as 'postgraduate' routes.So I would certainly agree that it might not be a first Camino, nor would many people even hear of it to start.
The VdlP is a great, long walk. Fantastic, actually. But not for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though, as an average walker regarding distances: It is possible to break up a few 30-40 kms days. Many days are on flat levels, easy walking.I think you are probably right. The writers of the article seem to be blaming the lack of growth on poor management and promotion of the route but my own impression is that the problem - if it is really a problem - is that the route is still very physically demanding and intimidating for many. There has been a huge growth overall in numbers walking Caminos but it has mostly been people walking shorter routes with far more infrastructure making them easy and attractive.
If you find the time, also visit Merida on the VdlP: It is amazing, historywise.I look forward to walking the Sanabres this spring with my son, but we are starting in Rionegro del Puenta. For me, the full VDlP is too long, has many long stages, less infrastructure, and flatter terrain. The upsides are the interesting cities, and often incredible spring wildflowers. I walked the majority of the Madrid Camino last fall and loved it, but this time I'm ready for a more variety of landscape and was able to shorten a few longer stages. We will spend time as tourists in Salamanca and Zamora first, and then a day in Segovia on our way back to Madrid.
I now prefer my time away from home to be four weeks or less.
I do admire those who persevere and are able to walk the whole way, often choosing to go solo.
I know I will be missing a few of the cities that are "gems" on the VdlP this time around, but have seen similar ruins in Ephesus and Greece.If you find the time, also visit Merida on the VdlP: It is amazing, historywise.
After a while the sheer amount of archaeological remains can be overpowering. Or you become a little blasé about it. As a student I spent a year in a postgraduate hall of residence. My room was in the modern part of the building - dating from about 1500. Meals were served in what had been the cellar and it probably dated from about 1300 - no one knew for sure. My American post-grad friends had trouble persuading their families that they were really eating their breakfast bacon and eggs in a room that was already nearly 200 years old before Columbus hopped aboard the Santa Maria.I know I will be missing a few of the cities that are "gems" on the VdlP this time around, but have seen similar ruins in Ephesus and Greece.
Maybe I'll be back to walk a portion starting in Seville eventually.
I am not blase, but I can't fit in "everything" and have planned as best I can with the time I have.After a while the sheer amount of archaeological remains can be overpowering. Or you become a little blasé about it.
True, true, in my experience too. Among friends, family, coworkers - six people spontaneously choosing the Portugues as a first Camino. Really interesting!One of the surprising developments in recent years has been the growth in numbers walking the variants of the Camino Portugues - often as a first Camino.
i also loved ZamoraI want to walk it next winter. Phil and I had our first hospitalero posting in Zamora in 2017. Loved talking to our pilgrim guests about the route. Very quiet and challenging they said. It also has a lot of preserved historical sites along the way and I am interested in that aspect. We loved Zamora, BTW, and would accept another posting there if offered.
That book is excellent. I read it before I left but played chapters again as an audiobook after I left. It really helped me make sense of certain things I had seen and appreciate the impact of Franco.Mozarabe/VdlP/Sanabres was my first, Starting early April 2008.
Why?
Tony Kevin's book. I read a review in the SMH and bought the book. Tony started in Granada, I started Malaga.
I was in my 50s and not terribly fit, but not too dilapidated. My headspace was good, and this I believe was crucial for a first timer on this route at this time. I had done a 4 week intensive Spanish course which was particularly helpful on the Mozarabe where I met no other pilgrims and one Spanish schoolboy who had some English. He was keen to practise and his father appreciated my efforts to help him.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
Interesting question. I had a look at the pilgrim office statistics back to 2003. As you might expect Spanish pilgrims dominated the tables in 2003 (73% of those recorded on the VdlP that year) but then Spanish pilgrims were still 60% of the total for all routes that year. The percentage of Spanish pilgrims has stayed pretty high on the VdlP - well above the percentage seen over all routes. Consistently close to 60% on the VdlP since 2008 although Spanish pilgrims are now only 44% of those who receive a Compostela. I looked at the figures for 2013 as @Harington mentioned that year in particular. Then compared them with 2023. A overall drop in numbers for both Spanish and foreign pilgrims. Only a small change in the ratio.Going back to the original question. Has there been a decrease in expatriate pilgrims on the VdlP? I woulldn't expect an increase from Spanish pilgrims. The vast majority seem to prefer shorter camino fiishing in Santiago in the holidays.
Walking into Zamora is the best. Whether via the VdlP or the Levante, it really is a spectacular entry.Zamora was fantastic, including the cathedral and river area. And they have a great Decathlon store if you happen to hit it at the beginning of a month of rain and need more robust raingear!
An interesting anomaly is that the overall drop in pilgrim numbers appears be due to fewer pilgrims from the top 3 countries. Most other countries show small increases, my own included.Interesting question. I had a look at the pilgrim office statistics back to 2003. As you might expect Spanish pilgrims dominated the tables in 2003 (73% of those recorded on the VdlP that year) but then Spanish pilgrims were still 60% of the total for all routes that year. The percentage of Spanish pilgrims has stayed pretty high on the VdlP - well above the percentage seen over all routes. Consistently close to 60% on the VdlP since 2008 although Spanish pilgrims are now only 44% of those who receive a Compostela. I looked at the figures for 2013 as @Harington mentioned that year in particular. Then compared them with 2023. A overall drop in numbers for both Spanish and foreign pilgrims. Only a small change in the ratio.
One small detail did stand out from the statistics. In the past few years the percentage of Americans recorded in the overall Compostela statistics has risen enormously and they are now the largest single non-Spanish nationality - 7.29% last year. But only 2.84% of those recorded as having walked the VdlP last year were Americans. Clearly the increasing numbers from the USA are not evenly spread across the Camino routes.
2013 VdlP numbers
View attachment 163785
2023 VdlP numbers
View attachment 163786
The % in 2010 reflect when the movie “The Way” came out.A couple of graphics from the excellent Solviturambulando statistics page. Just to compare the continuing growth in numbers overall across all Caminos (first image) since 2003 with the apparent peaking of interest in walking the Via de la Plata.
View attachment 163788 View attachment 163789
I think that is probably more to do with 2010 being a Holy Year!The % in 2010 reflect when the movie “The Way” came out.
I thought I’d invented second breakfastI'm glad I walked it last spring, but wouldn't do it again. I didn't mind the solitude, but the long - some days over 30k - without ANYTHING, even water - or any place to stop or sit weren't enjoyable. I like the small villages, cafe con leche and second breakfast!
Thanks for sharing this as I'm giving it serious consideration as the front runner for my upcoming trip!I came across this article today on a local Zamora website. The Zamora Camino association looking back at the pilgrim statistics for 2023. Noting that although numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels the Via de la Plata and Sanabres seem to be the only major Camino routes which have not shared part of the extraordinary growth in pilgrim numbers overall in recent years. One detail caught my eye from the statistics quoted: over 72% of the pilgrims recorded last year were male. Which is in marked contrast to the overall Compostela totals from Santiago where women made up 53% of those recorded last year. An intriguing difference.
El resurgir de la peregrinación por los caminos de Santiago en Zamora no oculta su situación endémica
Una radiografía de los Caminos en Zamora en busca de revertir la “penosa” situaciónwww.zamora24horas.com
That book is excellent. I read it before I left but played chapters again as an audiobook after I left. It really helped me make sense of certain things I had seen and appreciate the impact of Franco.
My wife and I walked the VdlP (and started in Cadiz to Seville on the Via Augusta) in April/June last year. We loved it so much that our focus now is on the Camino del Sureste - out of Alicante. While much quieter than the Frances we still met a good few pilgrims on the path...but...most days were quite solitary. We thought the walk was pretty easy overall - only recalling one particularly hard segment...the final 5km into Canaveral. That was a severe challenge for me lol. You will thoroughly enjoy Alex! Buen Camino.I am so glad the VdlP still remains relatively calm as I want to walk it next year or the year after and that gives me some peace of mind that I do not have to hurry in order to avoid it being overcrowded ;-)
I am really curious on that route ...
Depends on how much time you have.
The stages can be broken up.
I think I only walked 2-3 days over 25 kms and none over 30.
we would agree with that statement. There were still quite a number of walkers on the VDLP in Apr-Jun 2023, but many did not or were not walking the entire camino, just doing parts of it with the time they had available. Many end their walk in Astorga, or Salamanca, or Merida. We walked from Seville to Oviedo from 26 Apr to 7 July so we were never going to get a Compostela in Santiago. However, we did get one in Oviedo instead. After a few caminos, this is not the main goal for many repeat walkers so I suggest the data is only a reliable estimate of those wanting a Compostela on arrival.I suspect that pilgrims on the VDLP are less likely to get Compostelas, for various reasons, so they are more unreported than pilgrims on the shorter routes ending in Santiago.
My favourite Camino city!Walking into Zamora is the best. Whether via the VdlP or the Levante, it really is a spectacular entry.
I like the VdlP so much. I walked with a friend, so even if you meet few pilgrims, you are not feeling alone. I think it is one of the most interessant Caminos. You find so many historical spots of different times - Sevilla, Zafra, Merida, Caceres, Zamora, Salamanca, Ourense - than means Roman time, Middle Ages, Renaissance, modern times. And you also find so many different landscapes - "bread land", the fascinating dehesas, the wine region, the green of Galicia. And I loved this change of walking calm in the nature and than discovering the cities. May be it is not so comfortable like many other caminos but it is worth to go there, May be it gives you the real feeling what it means to pilgrimage!I came across this article today on a local Zamora website. The Zamora Camino association looking back at the pilgrim statistics for 2023. Noting that although numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels the Via de la Plata and Sanabres seem to be the only major Camino routes which have not shared part of the extraordinary growth in pilgrim numbers overall in recent years. One detail caught my eye from the statistics quoted: over 72% of the pilgrims recorded last year were male. Which is in marked contrast to the overall Compostela totals from Santiago where women made up 53% of those recorded last year. An intriguing difference.
El resurgir de la peregrinación por los caminos de Santiago en Zamora no oculta su situación endémica
Una radiografía de los Caminos en Zamora en busca de revertir la “penosa” situaciónwww.zamora24horas.com
Actually, Robo, I thing #1 should beWhy do many people not attempt the VdlP?
Maybe because they believe:
- It's long in comparison to other routes and so takes time and a level of commitment.
True. More than once I heard oh, there is more than one? Even among pilgrims on the Francés...Actually, Robo, I thing #1 should be
Most people, when first learning about the camino, think that it is the Camino Fránces.
On my first camino, ten days into my walk on the Frances from Leon, I met a couple of 'new' pilgrims at Melide, shell-shocked at coming off the relative tranquility of the Primitivo, as they told me, even though the Frances wasn't all that busy then.True. More than once I heard oh, there is more than one? Even among pilgrims on the Francés...
True. More than once I heard oh, there is more than one? Even among pilgrims on the Francés...
Just after I reached Santiago after walking the Primitivo I met a young American man who had walked from SJPDP. When he heard that I had walked the Primitivo he asked "Do you plan to walk the real Camino anytime?"'What is this Primitivo you speak of?' I wondered at the time...
Great summary thank you.I like the VdlP so much. I walked with a friend, so even if .......
Probably not. I first walked the Camino Frances when in terms of infrastructure and services large parts of the Frances were little different from today's VdlP. Some 30+km stages, no luggage services, many villages without bars or shops or accommodation. Some refugios only provided floor space to sleep on so all pilgrims had to carry sleeping bags and mats unless they had their own personal support vehicle. There was very little private accommodation in the smaller places so you could not walk the whole Camino without making use of refugios unless you had vehicle support. One of the biggest spurs to growth in numbers was the decision by the Xunta to promote the 1993 Holy Year very heavily and build the first chain of dedicated pilgrim albergues to replace the small and ramshackle refugios in the Galician section of the path. As more pilgrims arrived it became financially viable to invest in more infrastructure and services all along the route. Then a vicious - or virtuous - circle happened: more people leading to more/better infrastructure leading to more people...... All of which made the Camino Frances saleable as a fairly easy, straightforward and undemanding holiday option.If there were not so many albergues , no luggage transfers .. less shops ... Would the Frances be as busy as it now is ?
As has happened more recently to the latter stages of the Camino Portugues...Then a vicious - or virtuous - circle happened: more people leading to more/better infrastructure leading to more people...... All of which made the Camino Frances saleable as a fairly easy, straightforward and undemanding holiday option.
No, it would not be as busy or as well-known as it is now. The Camino Francés was originally just known as the Camino de Santiago when the revival or recreation started a few decades ago and it was the only pilgrimage road in Spain known under this name. It had a head start but there are numerous reasons for the singularity of the Camino Francés. It will always be in a class of its own.If there were not so many albergues, no luggage transfers .. less shops ... Would the Frances be as busy as it now is ?
Indeed. The early Camino Frances revival was supported almost entirely by voluntary effort and was not a moneyspinner for individuals or communities. It took quite some time to reach a critical mass of pilgrims which could make commercial albergues, hostals, bars and so on viable. But once that happened the movement had a great deal of momentum. Much the same situation was reached on the Portugues a few years ago.As has happened more recently to the latter stages of the Camino Portugues...
Yes, and in this case, and in business terms, with the knowledge and benefit of hindsight. The flourishment of tour companies, look at how the term 'variant espiritual' is being bandied about in recent times like it's the best thing since sliced bread and how it's now a 'must do' part of the experience.But once that happened the movement had a great deal of momentum. Much the same situation was reached on the Portugues a few years ago.
You find it under www.jakobsweghintergrund.com. There I try to give more background informations about history, culture and geography. Since I prepare my caminos in this way, I discover so many things which are not mentioned in the guides but which are important for the understanding of the way. A clever person told, pilgrims often forget, that since the beginning of the caminos politic, history, culture and piety are close connected and you must look at this too when you are going on the camino.Great summary thank you.
Where can I find your blog?
Actually, Robo, I thing #1 should be
Most people, when first learning about the camino, think that it is the Camino Fránces.
No that has been closed to pilgrims for years now. They seem to be still operating, though.Is the fishing lodge still open?
I agree. I walked the VdlP in 2013/2014 and I loved it. The perfect amount of pilgrims per day (around 20-25), very international, no groups, almost everyone started walking alone, all seasoned pilgrims. And I loved how the landscape changed from the south to the north. I didn't recall it was hard. But at that time I had only walked in Belgium and Northern France, so I found it a luxury that I didn't need to carry food for 2 days in my pack...I loved the VDLP (from Seville to Astorga) in March-April 2017 and did not find it so lonely, grueling and difficult as people suggest. It does require a comfort with self-sufficiency and coping, an ability to figure out stages, time to allow for stages of the length you like, and it helps to speak Spanish. The VDLP is an in-between choice and good training for the truly untraveled routes, where (unlike the VDLP) you might never meet another pilgrim.
Can't agree more! I've stayed in the muni in Zamora four times (2x ending and restarting the Plata there, 1x ending the Levante and 1x on route to Santiago during my second Plata).I want to walk it next winter. Phil and I had our first hospitalero posting in Zamora in 2017. Loved talking to our pilgrim guests about the route. Very quiet and challenging they said. It also has a lot of preserved historical sites along the way and I am interested in that aspect. We loved Zamora, BTW, and would accept another posting there if offered.
Definitely agree here. The Plata was actually my second Camino although I split it in two (Sevilla-Zamora, Zamora-Muxía). Given that there were 5 starting out in Sevilla, it was much "busier" than my Levante, Lana, Mozárabe and Olvidado!I loved the VDLP (from Seville to Astorga) in March-April 2017 and did not find it so lonely, grueling and difficult as people suggest. It does require a comfort with self-sufficiency and coping, an ability to figure out stages, time to allow for stages of the length you like, and it helps to speak Spanish. The VDLP is an in-between choice and good training for the truly untraveled routes, where (unlike the VDLP) you might never meet another pilgrim
The trend in recent years on the main Caminos has been for shorter daily stages. We often see people asking for suggestions of itineraries with stages less than 15km and with luggage transport services available. Those of us who regularly walk 30+km stages while carrying a pack are becoming a fairly small minority. If someone's previous walking experience has only been on the Frances or Portugues and using luggage transport then I think that they might well find the VdlP a more serious physical challenge.The Plata is definitely not for everyone but I don't agree with the opinion that it is tough, mentally maybe if you're not used to walking alone but not physically.
Yes, but generally walking shorter stages does not need to be linked to pack transport. I don't "regularly" walk 30+ km stages, although I do always carry my pack. It isn't often necessary on the VDLP to do long stages, although it is occasionally so. More often, one must choose between 2 short stages and 1 long one.Those of us who regularly walk 30+km stages while carrying a pack are becoming a fairly small minority.
That is true of course but there is a marked and growing tendency for people choosing the Frances as their Camino route to combine walking short stages with using pack transport to minimise the physical effort required. Not really an option on the Via de la Plata which is essentially what the Camino Frances looked like 30 years ago! If you look at the pilgrim office figures it is quite extraordinary how explosive the growth on the Frances has been in recent years - mostly in short-distance journeys. But the VdlP has been almost unique in losing numbers. A very different experience which does not fit with current tastes.Yes, but generally walking shorter stages does not need to be linked to pack transport.
Those of us who regularly walk 30+km stages while carrying a pack are becoming a fairly small minority.
Hi thanks for the positive vibe...for Im starting from Salamanca 21 june. Yes Summer. Is it safe for a woman by herself middle age? This is my 7th camino and I the solitude would be nice this time although would be lovely to meet other pelgrims in the albergues. Can you give some advice on that? Gtz ReneeI bet the weather has a lot to do with it. I wonder if the statistics confirm that the usage trends are heavily slanted to the shoulder seasons on the VdlP and that the pilgrims during the summer slow to a trickle (unlike the more northern routes). That would make a big difference in overall numbers, in addition to the longer stages, etc. In planning our VdlP for 2023, we had to really think through what weather we might expect in southern Spain and what we'd expect in Galicia (in our case) 8-9 weeks later. We walked in the fall, but I would think Spring would be significantly better for weather planning, with the weather warming as you head northward. So numbers may even be more skewed to late winter/early Spring starts.
Interestingly, on our VdlP, we met quite a few women pilgrims, mostly walking on their own and mostly youngish (under 50) and very self-reliant. But it wasn't a scientific sampling.
When I was in a bookstore in Santiago after our camino, two young men were looking at a map of the various caminos. One pointed out the VdlP to the other and said that it is a route he would never do without explanation. I walked by and said that I just finished it and loved it - probably a snarky thing for me to do. But I do think the VdlP has a reputation for being boring, long, hot, exposed and generally unappealing. Maybe that makes it better for the rest of us!
But I'm not sure why the Camino Sanabrés isn't growing. It's mostly just a beautiful walk through Galicia.
Is it safe for a woman by herself middle age
Only slightly lower in elevation than the highest points of the Frances. And I would rate the sections around Padornelo and after A Gudiña up there with the Rabanal to Molinaseca section for scenic value. It is extraordinary how few people walk the Sanabres but selfishly I welcome that.It doesn’t have any spectacular cities (though Ourense is nice), no mountains (though there’s always a bit of elevation), but I loved it and hope to go back for more.
Thanks! Im not scared, but on my first camino there was a girl missing around Astorgas and the police adviced not to walk alone on these stretches. 2015 unfortunately found but not alive. Now I dont want to frighten anyone because the camino has always given me a safe vibe.Hi, @Renee Frankhuizen, I’m a big fan of solitary caminos, and have walked many of them alone. I have been flashed on a number of occasions (never on this route), but thankfully I’ve never been physically assaulted and just need to shake the disgust off and keep walking (also making sure to report to the police). As far as physical safety goes, I would not hesitate to walk this route alone. There are a few lonely portions through uninhabited territory, but nothing I would call remote.
You don’t say whether you will continue on the Vdlp after Zamora or whether you will take the Sanabrés, but I would highly recommend the latter. The Sanabrés is one of those inexplicably under-walked caminos, imho. It doesn’t have any spectacular cities (though Ourense is nice), no mountains (though there’s always a bit of elevation), but I loved it and hope to go back for more. If you’re ready for the heat, I say Buen Camino and enjoy!
Perfect! Thank you!If you like the heat then you shouldn't have a problem. I've walked it in July, continuing on through Orense (the Sanabrés) and there were definitely pilgrims on the stretch from Salamanca to Santiago.
Hi I’m currently on the via de la plata on the senabres section. Very few pilgrims. Currently in an Albergue with a very nice french woman so you’ll always meet someone. The people in the the towns and villages are lovely. Just this stage I got invited into a bodega by two lovely old blokes and it was a highlight. I’m an older guy so can’t comment on safety issues for woman but I hope your trip is amazingHi thanks for the positive vibe...for Im starting from Salamanca 21 june. Yes Summer. Is it safe for a woman by herself middle age? This is my 7th camino and I the solitude would be nice this time although would be lovely to meet other pelgrims in the albergues. Can you give some advice on that? Gtz Renee
That would have been Denise Thiem. I think we should remember her by name. A very painful event but thankfully a unique one.Thanks! Im not scared, but on my first camino there was a girl missing around Astorgas and the police adviced not to walk alone on these stretches. 2015 unfortunately found but not alive. Now I dont want to frighten anyone because the camino has always given me a safe vibe.
Great! Enjoy and buen camino!Hi I’m currently on the via de la plata on the senabres section. Very few pilgrims. Currently in an Albergue with a very nice french woman so you’ll always meet someone. The people in the the towns and villages are lovely. Just this stage I got invited into a bodega by two lovely old blokes and it was a highlight. I’m an older guy so can’t comment on safety issues for woman but I hope your trip is amazing
I think summer will be more pilgrimsGreat! Enjoy and buen camino!
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