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Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago ?Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
Welcome.Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago ?Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
Thanks so much for getting back. So I don’t need to be part of a tour group the 1st going there,? I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, I know the most important for this walk is enjoying the flow and be yourself. What I should do to get the most of this walk? I have read a lot on this forum. and it seems all talk knowing exactly what they need to do - have with many experiences. I have not find yet any tips for beginners.
Thanks
Forgot to thanks for the tip of using this forumHi and welcome here on this forum. You will find a wealth of information . Do take the time to browse through this forum. There is a search option in the right upper corner where you can type in some keywords.
First of all the stages described in the guides and apps are not written in stone. Especially on the Camino Francés there is more than enough choice for albergues and private places " in between " the stages.
Most of us walk solo/ sola and rest assured you will not feel alone on the Francés.
Some people will book the first days out of Saint-Jean-Pied-de- Port ( if you start there ) till Pamplona to be sure but then you will be ok.
There might be some bottlenecks around Semana Santa but it is all manageable.
Happy planning.
Thinking to do it this October 16. Thank you! Thank youMuch depends on the route you will be walking, the time of year, type of accomodation you prefer, and fitness. If you are doing the Frances, it would be advisable to book the first few days, starting at a moderate pace of walking, In this case you would book a night in St. Jean, Orrisson, Roncevalles, Zubiri, and Pamplona. This will eliminate any stress of accomodation and set you up for success by acclimating your body to back to back days of hiking. Again, you may need to provide a little more information in order to get some feedback on your questions. Buen Camino!
In October there will be no need to book ahead - but if you are starting from St Jean you will probably want to book Orrison or Borda for the first night. Perhaps consider booking through to, but not including, Pamplona.Thinking to do it this October 16. Thank you! Thank you
I suggest The Moon Santiago de Compostela book by Beebe Bahrami. You can find it on Amazon I think. A different kind of guidebook that includes those special things YOU don’t want to miss. I suggest reading it before you travel and to bring it along for the pilgrimage too.Thanks so much for getting back. So I don’t need to be part of a tour group the 1st going there,? I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, I know the most important for this walk is enjoying the flow and be yourself. What I should do to get the most of this walk? I have read a lot on this forum. and it seems all talk knowing exactly what they need to do - have with many experiences. I have not find yet any tips for beginners.
Thanks
Orrison may be closing around that time, so that needs to be checked. Otherwise, October is a wonderful month to walk. Still, plenty of people without a bed race…In October there will be no need to book ahead - but if you are starting from St Jean you will probably want to book Orrison or Borda for the first night. Perhaps consider booking through to, but not including, Pamplona.
You may be setting out alone; but you’ll be with other people.
Apparently, Orrison closes on October 15… so Borda perhaps?Orrison may be closing around that time, so that needs to be checked. Otherwise, October is a wonderful month to walk. Still, plenty of people without a bed race…
If the OP is looking for some cultural info about sites not to miss, I believe the Brierley guide will have a synopsis on some notable places.
What should you do to get the most out of this walk? I think it depends on what you are looking for. But I think you have already answered yourself with "enjoying the flow and be yourself". If you don't want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, and you are walking the Camino Frances, I highly recommend getting a copy of Gitlitz and Davidson's The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: A Complete Cultural Handbook (also available as an ebook, and recommended above by SabsP). There really is nothing else as good for this information. Many guidebooks will also give this information, as well as information about the routes, places to sleep, etc. The Brierley guidebooks are probably the most popular English-language guidebooks, but there are a number of others. There is a Village to Village series, Cicerone publishes a number of guidebooks, and a number of people like the Moon guidebook to the Frances by Beebe Bahrami. Many people just use apps. The Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino apps are popular. The Gronze app (in Spanish, but most web browsers will translate) is also very popular. Most people use it for its information about places to stay, but if you go to the "Al Loro (to the parrot)" tab, there is information about historical points and things not to miss.Thanks so much for getting back. So I don’t need to be part of a tour group the 1st going there,? I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, I know the most important for this walk is enjoying the flow and be yourself. What I should do to get the most of this walk? I have read a lot on this forum. and it seems all talk knowing exactly what they need to do - have with many experiences. I have not find yet any tips for beginners.
Thanks
Yes the Moon travel guide has all sorts of historical and cultural background.I suggest The Moon Santiago de Compostela book by Beebe Bahrami. You can find it on Amazon I think. A different kind of guidebook that includes those special things YOU don’t want to miss. I suggest reading it before you travel and to bring it along for the pilgrimage too.
Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago? Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
I am currently a woman on the Camino alone ( started in Burgos ten days ago). I am 70 and so not particularly scary or desirable. I haven’t had a problem and people have been very kind. I speak 180 days worth of Duolingo Spanish. Which is to say I can come up with a sentence about ten minutes after I need it. My first language is English and most people can communicate with it. As to booking ahead, that is your choice. I have done both and haven’t had a problem just showing up where my bag was sent and getting a room. I hope this helps.Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago? Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
Thank you!Relax:
Week 1: All is uncertain, but goes well.
Week 2: You know how it works, and you are much more relaxed.
Week 3 and on: You are in Zen mode: You know it all, and the Camino is a piece of cake.
Just relax; It is much easier than you worry about.
Wow! I hope when I get to your age I have the energy and health to do what are doing nowI am currently a woman on the Camino alone ( started in Burgos ten days ago). I am 70 and so not particularly scary or desirable. I haven’t had a problem and people have been very kind. I speak 180 days worth of Duolingo Spanish. Which is to say I can come up with a sentence about ten minutes after I need it. My first language is English and most people can communicate with it. As to booking ahead, that is your choice. I have done both and haven’t had a problem just showing up where my bag was sent and getting a room. I hope this helps.
I'm not sure what you are asking. Gronze is a Spanish website chock full of Camino information. The page for each stage has several tabs at the top - Albergues - Recorrido - Al Loro, or in English Hostels - Route - To the Parrot. The Al Loro/To the Parrot section is a summary of the most interesting things to know before starting the stage: Off-the-record information, suggestions, advice, warnings, observations. The site is only in Spanish, but if you use the Chrome browser it will translate to English or the language of your choice.Many pilgrims talk about Gronze guidance- it seems it provides all the info what is the best way to use this guide?
Hi @Mmgomez4 - have a click on my profile and read some of my posts if you like. I have asked a lot of questions for new people like myself, and the members here have given very helpful answers.Thanks so much for getting back. So I don’t need to be part of a tour group the 1st going there,? I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, I know the most important for this walk is enjoying the flow and be yourself. What I should do to get the most of this walk? I have read a lot on this forum. and it seems all talk knowing exactly what they need to do - have with many experiences. I have not find yet any tips for beginners.
Thanks
Thank you !!!"I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history," -- it doesn't matter if you do. Make a list of what you think you missed and take it with you next time. There's always a "next time". The Camino Francés is addictive, at least in my experience, more addictive than the others I've walked (see below). Anyone could spend a week in Pamplona, Burgos, or León, and still not see everything they wanted to see. Even stuff you didn't miss, you will enjoy seeing again.
Much depends on the route you will be walking, the time of year, type of accomodation you prefer, and fitness. If you are doing the Frances, it would be advisable to book the first few days, starting at a moderate pace of walking, In this case you would book a night in St. Jean, Orrisson, Roncevalles, Zubiri, and Pamplona. This will eliminate any stress of accomodation and set you up for success by acclimating your body to back to back days of hiking. Again, you may need to provide a little more information in order to get some feedback on your questions. Buen Camino!
I used it for the profile maps (to plan shorter days when I knew my knee was going to complain more); recommendations and WhatsApp numbers for albergues; looking at photos of the different sections; and the miscellaneous info under the Loro section. I also used two apps: Wise Pilgrim (the creator of this app is a member of this forum, and very plugged in to Pilgrim needs and feedback) and Buen Camino. Both apps have maps to keep you on the right track.Many pilgrims talk about Gronze guidance- it seems it provides all the info what is the best way to use this guide?
This is so helpfulI am currently a woman on the Camino alone ( started in Burgos ten days ago). I am 70 and so not particularly scary or desirable. I haven’t had a problem and people have been very kind. I speak 180 days worth of Duolingo Spanish. Which is to say I can come up with a sentence about ten minutes after I need it. My first language is English and most people can communicate with it. As to booking ahead, that is your choice. I have done both and haven’t had a problem just showing up where my bag was sent and getting a room. I hope this helps.
People do send their bags to places where they don't have reservations, but I don't think that it's right to expect a place where you aren't planning to stay to watch over your bag for you.I’ve read so many conflicting comments saying if you don’t book they’ll reject the bag; or might leave it outside?
You can't really "wing it" if you are having your backpack sent to a specific town, can you? I would recommend making a reservation at the place where you send the bag.I was hoping to just wing it day by day but definitely wanted me bag sent to the next town each day haha!
For me when I went alone 2 years ago. I couldn’t speak Spanish and I am some what challenged when it comes to reading maps and following directions. But I persisted and overcame my fears and found I had a lot strengths.Really, do not stress too much. There is no right and wrong when it comes to walking a pilgrimage.
" To get the most " out of this walk? That is so subjective. Can mean so many things for so many people.
Trust me, lots of us still don't have a clue, even after many Caminos because every Camino is different.
Again , take your time!
To get an idea about the historic importance of the Camino I can recommend this book.
Definitely Gitlitz and Davidson, and it's available on Kindle, too, if you don't want to lug around a book.What should you do to get the most out of this walk? I think it depends on what you are looking for. But I think you have already answered yourself with "enjoying the flow and be yourself". If you don't want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, and you are walking the Camino Frances, I highly recommend getting a copy of Gitlitz and Davidson's The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: A Complete Cultural Handbook (also available as an ebook, and recommended above by SabsP). There really is nothing else as good for this information. Many guidebooks will also give this information, as well as information about the routes, places to sleep, etc. The Brierley guidebooks are probably the most popular English-language guidebooks, but there are a number of others. There is a Village to Village series, Cicerone publishes a number of guidebooks, and a number of people like the Moon guidebook to the Frances by Beebe Bahrami. Many people just use apps. The Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino apps are popular. The Gronze app (in Spanish, but most web browsers will translate) is also very popular. Most people use it for its information about places to stay, but if you go to the "Al Loro (to the parrot)" tab, there is information about historical points and things not to miss.
All you really need to do is keep walking every day (except rest days).
Hilarious comment about finding the sentence late.. HaI am currently a woman on the Camino alone ( started in Burgos ten days ago). I am 70 and so not particularly scary or desirable. I haven’t had a problem and people have been very kind. I speak 180 days worth of Duolingo Spanish. Which is to say I can come up with a sentence about ten minutes after I need it. My first language is English and most people can communicate with it. As to booking ahead, that is your choice. I have done both and haven’t had a problem just showing up where my bag was sent and getting a room. I hope this helps.
A lot of albergues don't accept bags. I met a group of friends who had a group member with a bad injury, who couldn't carry a bag anymore. They'd sent that bag ahead to a place that they'd actually made a reservation and everything. But the owner got so mad at them for using a baggage transport service (and not being "real pilgrims") that he refused to let any of them stay there when they arrived. THEY were being very gracious about this turn of events, but it was pretty nasty of that owner. The town had no more beds in it, and they all had to pitch in to carry their friend's backpack to the next one and hope for the best.This is so helpfulI haven’t been able to get totally clear on sending the bag to the next room
Did you just pick a spot without booking for the next night and have the bag sent there?
I’ve read so many conflicting comments saying if you don’t book they’ll reject the bag; or might leave it outside?
I was hoping to just wing it day by day but definitely wanted me bag sent to the next town each day haha! Just not sure how to know I won’t lose it without a pre booking
I went solo in 2017. Never regretted it. Always opportunities to walk with people you e met the night before in the albergues. Will be going again and absolutely solo again.Thanks so much for getting back. So I don’t need to be part of a tour group the 1st going there,? I just don’t want to miss the historical points or the important places with history, I know the most important for this walk is enjoying the flow and be yourself. What I should do to get the most of this walk? I have read a lot on this forum. and it seems all talk knowing exactly what they need to do - have with many experiences. I have not find yet any tips for beginners.
Thanks
I am using the Transporte service. I haven’t had any troubles sending the bag. You put 6 euros in the envelope, write your name and carefully print the name of the albergue and the town where you want it dropped off and leave it where your current albergue host says to before 8am. There are always other bags being shipped too. I have never heard anyone say you aren’t a real pilgrim or heard of any albergue host refusing to accept a bag. The one time I sent it to a Refugio that didn’t take bags ( I don’t know why but there was no real driveway to the place so I think it was just that the van couldn’t get into that area), the host walked me over to where my bag had been dropped off and carried it back for me. I am surprised at the described outburst of the albergue host and 16 days in, I have never heard anyone, pilgrim or albergue host comment about real vs. not real pilgrims. If you are blind and use audio books does that mean you aren’t a “real” reader? Doesn’t make sense to me. Hope I am not offending.Hilarious comment about finding the sentence late.. Ha
I will be hiking the CP alone late Sept. '24. Wondering which company you are using for bag transfer? What is the policy if you don't make it to the drop off site for some reason? Injury, tired, sore feet, etc.
You will rarely be on your own. I walked solo from SJPP In April/May of this year taking 43 days to reach Santiago. During my Camino I lost sight of other Pilgrims perhaps 5 times at most. It’s one of the many things I loved. I journeyed on my own but was never alone. Happy trails.Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago? Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
43 days wow!! what walk journeyYou will rarely be on your own. I walked solo from SJPP In April/May of this year taking 43 days to reach Santiago. During my Camino I lost sight of other Pilgrims perhaps 5 times at most. It’s one of the many things I loved. I journeyed on my own but was never alone. Happy trails.
Haha! My problem too! I'm up to 58 days (potentially another 200 extra days before CF). I'm practicing my Spanish on a Portuguese speaking lady at work (the closest I can find, not much language diversity where I come from).I speak 180 days worth of Duolingo Spanish. Which is to say I can come up with a sentence about ten minutes after I need it.
"The Camino Will Provide" is a statement that I always went back to. I hiked El Camino Frances in 2017 in it's entirety alone at age 64. I never had any worries of not having a place to stay. I missed 2 places because I hiked farther than I thought I would and arrived too late to secure a place. I ended up in a community albergue at one place and I hiked a bit further to another stop and found a lovely place to stay. If you arrive at your destination late afternoon but not after 5Hi all!
How you can travel solo to Camino de Santiago? Do we have to booked the hostales/hotel ahed of time. What if I don’t get the place on time or take me more time to get to the other stage? Will u always be around people? I’m a bit afraid if I feel alone
Haha! My problem too! I'm up to 58 days (potentially another 200 extra days before CF). I'm practicing my Spanish on a Portuguese speaking lady at work (the closest I can find, not much language diversity where I come from).
I often think up a good sentence 5 minutes after the fact!
I forgot to mention that my first language is Spanish so at least it’d less to be worriedYou're doing better than me!
I'm very bad at study, but will put in more effort for next time.
I soon learned a few handy phrases though, as locals would often ask me.......
"where are you from"
"where did you start your Camino"
"Where are you going"
"How many days have you been walking"
"How old are you" (usually from the older guys sitting around in the village)
Followed by glances at each other that seemed like..........crap, he's almost as old as us!
As well as Duolingo, I try to learn a few handy phrases that I know I'll need.
I keep them on a list on my phone.
My daily use 'survival' phrases.......
Can I book a bed/room for 1 person for tonight, tomorrow night etc
And on checking in...........
Hello my name is Roberto, I have a booking for tonight
If there somewhere I can wash my clothes?
Do you serve breakfast .........what time?
Is there somewhere I can buy lunch/dinner?
Do you have a menu del dia?
If there a farmacia nearby?
Is there a shop open nearby?
That book is excellent! But... on the cover is a woman walking in jeans. That is a no no! Jeans are heavy and even heavier and slow to dry if they get wet.Really, do not stress too much. There is no right and wrong when it comes to walking a pilgrimage.
" To get the most " out of this walk? That is so subjective. Can mean so many things for so many people.
Trust me, lots of us still don't have a clue, even after many Caminos because every Camino is different.
Again , take your time!
To get an idea about the historic importance of the Camino I can recommend this book.
I will be a bit scared to be completely alone , but if all of you said it is okay and safe and never get lost I think I will be okayYou will rarely be on your own. I walked solo from SJPP In April/May of this year taking 43 days to reach Santiago. During my Camino I lost sight of other Pilgrims perhaps 5 times at most. It’s one of the many things I loved. I journeyed on my own but was never alone. Happy trails.
O Cebreiro is a very special place to start, it's one of the oldest villages on the trail! And you will not be alone- there are always lots of other pilgrims on the Camino Frances.I will be a bit scared to be completely alone , but if all of you said it is okay and safe and never get lost I think I will be okay
The authors were taking student groups along the Camino in the 70s. Expectations of pilgrim attire were different back then. I expect when I walked my first Camino somewhat later (only 34 years ago), I was wearing jeans, too.That book is excellent! But... on the cover is a woman walking in jeans. That is a no no! Jeans are heavy and even heavier and slow to dry if they get wet.
That book is excellent! But... on the cover is a woman walking in jeans. That is a no no! Jeans are heavy and even heavier and slow to dry if they get wet.
I walk in the same clothes and boots that I wear daily at home. That means that unless I have to dress formally I will almost always be wearing lightweight hiking trousers with plenty of zipped pockets and fabric walking boots. I haven't worn jeans in decades!Jeans might not be the quickest to dry and maybe heavier but I understand people that just walk in their regular clothes.
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