Camino Ingles - 38% increase in pilgrim numbers this year

[Bradypus]

An article from a Ferrol news website commenting on a substantial rise in numbers leaving Ferrol and claiming a Compostela this year. Up 38% on the same period in 2023. Across the board Compostela numbers are up by about 18% this year but the Ingles seems to have seen more than its share of that growth. I walked the branch from A Coruna quite recently and was very surprised at the number of pilgrims I saw on what has been a very quiet route on my earlier visits - though as I walked those in winter I should not have been quite so surprised!

Cada vez más peregrinos parten de Ferrol hacia Santiago

De las más de 3.600 personas que cubrieron esta ruta de peregrinación la mayoría fueron extranjeros, con un 42% de viajeros nacionales o lo que es lo mismo 1.328, frente al 68% (2.356) que h ...

www.diariodeferrol.com

 

[Anhalter]

To be honest, not very surprising to me.
So much (justified?) talk about rising numbers on the Frances the last years, people start looking for "less crowded" alternatives. And even a small number - in "Frances terms" - switching to another camino can have a big impact on the new one that does not yet have the infrastructure for said numbers. Seen this on the Portugues, the Norte and Primitivo. Guess its the turn of the Ingles now and my take is the Invierno will be next.
Of course this most likely will not be the only factor or the whole truth, but its my personal tinfoil theory.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Anhalter, that would most certainly be part of the equation, probably a major one. The Inglés has also been actively promoted during the past year, one example being a promotional visit to Canada some months ago. (Reported here on the forum).

There's been quite an investment on infrastructure in a few areas over the last few years (the private Albergue at Bruma; the new pilgrims cafe, etc). So long as the numbers are spread out well it will cope. It will be interesting to see what happens with the likes of Bruma though. Definitely room for additional support in that area during busy periods. Perhaps as simple as a mini bus to and from Ordes.
Or, of course, a little active promotion of alternative stages.

 

[LongRun64]

I'm intending walking the Ingles in late July. I booked a night at Ferrol the night before but I'm resisting the urge to book ahead. I really want to let my Camino unfold as it should. Increased numbers mean that my peregrina antennae are twitching and anxiety is building. I know it will be hot, I know that lots of Spanish/ Portuguese people will be on holiday, I know that St James Day is a major holiday... But still I have faith that all will be well. Fantasist or foolish?

 

[Bradypus]

@LongRun64 It does seem to be very busy this year. I passed through Bruma at 11:30 recently and saw three people already waiting to sign in when the Xunta albergue opened at 1pm. In your position I would wait until I was walking to judge numbers at the time before deciding on reservations. I hate committing myself to fixed stages and would only do so if I was certain where I would find myself at the end of the day. I've sometimes set off with a 20km day in mind and ended up walking 40+km because the walking proved good and I was in the mood. But I understand that not everyone has the same approach.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I'm intending walking the Ingles in late July. I booked a night at Ferrol the night before but I'm resisting the urge to book ahead. I really want to let my Camino unfold as it should. Increased numbers mean that my peregrina antennae are twitching and anxiety is building. I know it will be hot, I know that lots of Spanish/ Portuguese people will be on holiday, I know that St James Day is a major holiday... But still I have faith that all will be well. Fantasist or foolish?

I’m with @Bradypus on this one, with the exception of Bruma. And I walked during Semana Santa last year, arriving Easier Friday- THE busiest day of the period.
Everything around Bruma was booked solid, and the bed race to the Municipal was very real. A friend of mine arrived at the municipal at Midday, the que already exceeded capacity, so she had to walk on to Ordes ( that’s 10km further). Another friend of mine walked the last week of July, same situation.
July can see similar numbers to Semana Santa- it did last year.

So either consider staging around Bruma, allowing for a very early start, a taxi, or a very long day!

 

[Kirkie]

That is quite a significant increase, 38%. To my mathematically challenged brain it is easier to say nearly half - let me exaggerate - as many more as last year. Am I glad I needn't ever do it again! My Pamplona spy read something the other day that will not surprise any hawks: yes indeed, the Camino is a victim of its own success. If she ever remembers to send it to me, I will post it.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I am walking in August and prebooked private rooms in albergues when I could, hostals and similar when I couldn’t. Then I decided I wanted to spend a day at Fragas do Eume and tried to push the last three nights back. Even looking at different staging, I could not find l available private rooms for 2 of the 3 nights (and yes, even by emailing/whatsapp directly and not relying on booking.com).

With the increase in numbers, it would be nice if one or two of the private albergues could begin hosting communal meals as there are none on the route now.

 

[jimmyc]

I'm intending walking the Ingles in late July. I booked a night at Ferrol the night before but I'm resisting the urge to book ahead. I really want to let my Camino unfold as it should. Increased numbers mean that my peregrina antennae are twitching and anxiety is building. I know it will be hot, I know that lots of Spanish/ Portuguese people will be on holiday, I know that St James Day is a major holiday... But still I have faith that all will be well. Fantasist or foolish?

I walked this camino last June. There were six of us in my family group and we never booked ahead and always found accommodation..

 

[J P Johnston]

I want to walk the Ingles. What options are available to travel to Ferrol?

 

[LongRun64]

I want to walk the Ingles. What options are available to travel to Ferrol?

I'm planning to fly to Santiago and take a bus to Ferrol. There are several daily.

 

[LongRun64]

I walked this camino last June. There were six of us in my family group and we never booked ahead and always found accommodation..

Thank you. That's good to know.

 

[LongRun64]

I’m with @Bradypus on this one, with the exception of Bruma. And I walked during Semana Santa last year, arriving Easier Friday- THE busiest day of the period.
Everything around Bruma was booked solid, and the bed race to the Municipal was very real. A friend of mine arrived at the municipal at Midday, the que already exceeded capacity, so she had to walk on to Ordes ( that’s 10km further). Another friend of mine walked the last week of July, same situation.
July can see similar numbers to Semana Santa- it did last year.

So either consider staging around Bruma, allowing for a very early start, a taxi, or a very long day!

Thank you for that. All things for me to consider.

 

[LongRun64]

@LongRun64 It does seem to be very busy this year. I passed through Bruma at 11:30 recently and saw three people already waiting to sign in when the Xunta albergue opened at 1pm. In your position I would wait until I was walking to judge numbers at the time before deciding on reservations. I hate committing myself to fixed stages and would only do so if I was certain where I would find myself at the end of the day. I've sometimes set off with a 20km day in mind and ended up walking 40+km because the walking proved good and I was in the mood. But I understand that not everyone has the same approach.

Thank you. That's good advice.

 

[J P Johnston]

I'm planning to fly to Santiago and take a bus to Ferrol. There are several daily.

Thank you!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I walked this camino last June. There were six of us in my family group and we never booked ahead and always found accommodation..

Just out of curiosity, where did you stay in Bruma? The reason I ask is that according to Gronze there are only roughly 80 beds in the immediate area, and with an average of 100 people a day going through in June '23 alone, it stands to reason that some days a significant number of people are going to need to find alternatives.

Incidentally the May numbers have already significantly exceeded the numbers for June last year ( 5/24: 3679 vs 6/23: 3048).

That's an additional 20 people per day.
Which is nothing on the Frances, but significant for the Inglés.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I just pulled up the statistics for the Inglés, starting in March.
I combined April and March because last year Easter was in April this year in March, as we all know Easter is very significant. Combined the Numbers were just 35% up on last year, May alone was 42% up. I fully appreciate that looking at just one or two months doesn't give you the overall picture but it's an interesting snapshot.

What I found particularly of note is despite the fact that Easter figures in this three-month period, the percentage of Spanish walking the camino to date is significantly down on last year. ( 54%in '23, just 40% YTD).

Why is that of note? Because that means the majority of the increase is us foreigners. And as others have mentioned elsewhere the Spanish typically are on holiday July /August - with August being the biggest month on the Inglés by far.

Things might get a little stretched....

 

[Silvermomma]

I was looking into the Ingles for my 5th camino, but am confused by the last "stage" - there must be a huge bottleneck in Sigueiro, as that is the only town. How might one plan the last two nights, allowing for roughly 16 K a day?

 

[Bradypus]

How might one plan the last two nights, allowing for roughly 16 K a day?

It is about 16km from Sigueiro into Santiago. Easy straightforward walking with very gentle rolling country. If you are looking for a similar length of day before Sigueiro then there is accommodation on the route at A Rua and O Outeiro or you can go a couple of km off-route to hostals in Ordes. Gronze has details for accommodation in this section.

Hospital de Bruma - Sigüeiro | Camino Inglés | Gronze.com

La etapa, con desniveles poco significativos, transcurre en su mayor parte por pistas de asfalto o de tierra, cruzando pequeños pueblos. Durante la jornada disfrutaremos de varios tramos por bosque, muy bonitos y solitarios. A tener en cuenta que la etapa es muy escasa en cuanto a servicios...

www.gronze.com

 

[Silvermomma]

It is about 16km from Sigueiro into Santiago. Easy straightforward walking with very gentle rolling country. If you are looking for a similar length of day before Sigueiro then there is accommodation on the route at A Rua and O Outeiro or you can go a couple of km off-route to hostals in Ordes. Gronze has details for accommodation in this section.

Hospital de Bruma - Sigüeiro | Camino Inglés | Gronze.com

La etapa, con desniveles poco significativos, transcurre en su mayor parte por pistas de asfalto o de tierra, cruzando pequeños pueblos. Durante la jornada disfrutaremos de varios tramos por bosque, muy bonitos y solitarios. A tener en cuenta que la etapa es muy escasa en cuanto a servicios...

www.gronze.com

Thanks! Are there generally enough beds in Sigueiro? I'm just thinking that other camino routes have a variety of places to stay for the last night before SdC.

 

[Bradypus]

Thanks! Are there generally enough beds in Sigueiro? I'm just thinking that other camino routes have a variety of places to stay for the last night before SdC.

I haven't heard of Sigueiro being a particular trouble spot. A few private albergues and hostals. If you are looking at the private albergues do be careful about the latest check-in times which can be surprisingly early in the day. Though if you are walking a 16km day that is probably not a major issue.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Thanks! Are there generally enough beds in Sigueiro? I'm just thinking that other camino routes have a variety of places to stay for the last night before SdC.

Sigüeiro seems to have a surprising amount of accommodation. Whilst I saw and have since heard of people struggling to find cheap accommodation in Pontedeume, and anything at all in Bruma, I've not heard of anyone having issues here.
There are several Albergues, plus a number of pensions, most with bed's at the cheaper end of the scale. There are also a number of apartments with several double bedrooms; if rented between several people it makes it a very pleasant change. It's not a particularly big town but it is rather a pleasant one.

 

[J P Johnston]

I'm planning to fly to Santiago and take a bus to Ferrol. There are several daily.

Thank you.

 

[TravellingMan22]

After doing the Portuguese, the Frances and the Norte, I only had the VDLP to do, in terms of my wish list, and have been trying to see if I could find a way to ‘shoehorn’ it into this year. That has proved to be fruitless mainly because I have a 3 week holiday in Coruna in Aug/Sept and whilst I would certainly forego it, my partner won’t!!!

Been getting the itch to do a Camino and then of course it ocurred to me, why not do the Ingles (from Ferrol) at the end of the Coruña trip. So that’s the plan.

Intended date is starting 19 Sep. Know nothing about it but currently on a 30 hour train journey so the research starts now. Just read the Kat Davis (RIP) report (I love her blog as it’s sharp and punchy). She did it 10 years ago and met virtually nobody so was dreaming about a nice quiet walk with no bed race. I would lose a bed race as a slow walker though I am good with distance.

And then I saw this!!! Anyway any thoughts/advice always welcome. I have sketched it out a little based on Kat’s thoughts, and the Buen Camino app, and make a few bookings in Ferrol, Puentedueme, Sigueira, and Santiago.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Thanks! Are there generally enough beds in Sigueiro? I'm just thinking that other camino routes have a variety of places to stay for the last night before SdC.

Loads of places to book online it seems certainly for my date.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

After doing the Portuguese, the Frances and the Norte, I only had the VDLP to do, in terms of my wish list, and have been trying to see if I could find a way to ‘shoehorn’ it into this year. That has proved to be fruitless mainly because I have a 3 week holiday in Coruna in Aug/Sept and whilst I would certainly forego it, my partner won’t!!!

Been getting the itch to do a Camino and then of course it ocurred to me, why not do the Ingles (from Ferrol) at the end of the Coruña trip. So that’s the plan.

Intended date is starting 19 Sep. Know nothing about it but currently on a 30 hour train journey so the research starts now. Just read the Kat Davis (RIP) report (I love her blog as it’s sharp and punchy). She did it 10 years ago and met virtually nobody so was dreaming about a nice quiet walk with no bed race. I would lose a bed race as a slow walker though I am good with distance.

And then I saw this!!! Anyway any thoughts/advice always welcome. I have sketched it out a little based on Kat’s thoughts, and the Buen Camino app, and make a few bookings in Ferrol, Puentedueme, Sigueira, and Santiago.

As you’ve booked everything else anyway, and you don’t want to worry about a possible bed race, book the private Albergue at Bruma.
Ironic that you haven’t, because in my view it’s the only pinch point/place where booking is advised! Unless you really want to walk an extra 10 km that day….

ALBERGUE SAN LORENZO DE BRUMA
+34 619 46 42 40

https://g.co/kgs/iCxCP1r

 

[TravellingMan22]

As you’ve booked everything else anyway, and you don’t want to worry about a possible bed race, book the private Albergue at Bruma.
Ironic that you haven’t, because in my view it’s the only pinch point/place where booking is advised! Unless you really want to walk an extra 10 km that day….

ALBERGUE SAN LORENZO DE BRUMA
+34 619 46 42 40

https://g.co/kgs/iCxCP1r

Wasn’t aware of that place and that the town I been stressing about!’

Ah that’s great - thank you so much!!! I owe you! Duly booked!

Don’t suppose you have any links for Betanzos. Can only get a private for €50 which is way over my normal price!!! Thanks again!!

 

[Bradypus]

Don’t suppose you have any links for Betanzos. Can only get a private for €50 which is way over my normal price!!!

If you are happy with a dorm bed then this place seems to have places available in September

Albergue Rio Mandeo – Tu albergue en Betanzos

albergueriomandeo.es

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Wasn’t aware of that place and that the town I been stressing about!’

Ah that’s great - thank you so much!!! I owe you! Duly booked!

Don’t suppose you have any links for Betanzos. Can only get a private for €50 which is way over my normal price!!! Thanks again!!

Pensión albergue el Horreo - Google Search

g.co

Ironically I was just writing writing you a pm with a bit of additional info so I didn't completely derail this post!

I stayed here because everything else in town was full due to samana Santa it cost me 15 euros for a single bed she put nobody else in the room with me so I had a private room. They're only twin rooms anyway, plus you have two bathrooms, kitchen and a washing area (no machine). I looked it up on booking.com but booked directly with the owner- she only speaks Spanish, which I don't really - but we mudled through because I was standing by the door!! Pretty sure you can get her on WhatsApp. +34 669 191 387

 

[TravellingMan22]

Ah thanks again. I managed to final a place via Gronze, sold out on booking but can book direct online!!! Albegue Rio Mandeo! Really appreciate your help!

 

[TravellingMan22]

If you are happy with a dorm bed then this place seems to have places available in September

Albergue Rio Mandeo – Tu albergue en Betanzos

albergueriomandeo.es

Ah thank you very much!! Yes just found via Gronze and duly booked! Very appreciated!!

Sorry all to hijack the thread!!

 

[Silvermomma]

After doing the Portuguese, the Frances and the Norte, I only had the VDLP to do, in terms of my wish list, and have been trying to see if I could find a way to ‘shoehorn’ it into this year. That has proved to be fruitless mainly because I have a 3 week holiday in Coruna in Aug/Sept and whilst I would certainly forego it, my partner won’t!!!

Been getting the itch to do a Camino and then of course it ocurred to me, why not do the Ingles (from Ferrol) at the end of the Coruña trip. So that’s the plan.

Intended date is starting 19 Sep. Know nothing about it but currently on a 30 hour train journey so the research starts now. Just read the Kat Davis (RIP) report (I love her blog as it’s sharp and punchy). She did it 10 years ago and met virtually nobody so was dreaming about a nice quiet walk with no bed race. I would lose a bed race as a slow walker though I am good with distance.

And then I saw this!!! Anyway any thoughts/advice always welcome. I have sketched it out a little based on Kat’s thoughts, and the Buen Camino app, and make a few bookings in Ferrol, Puentedueme, Sigueira, and Santiago.

I spent 2 days in A Coruna last week - what a lovely city! Lots of Roman stuff, great beach, excellent food. I hope you have a great time there.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I spent 2 days in A Coruna last week - what a lovely city! Lots of Roman stuff, great beach, excellent food. I hope you have a great time there.

Ah great thank you. Spent a brief hour there once but don’t know it all all but exciting to be visiting!

 

[jimmyc]

Just out of curiosity, where did you stay in Bruma? The reason I ask is that according to Gronze there are only roughly 80 beds in the immediate area, and with an average of 100 people a day going through in June '23 alone, it stands to reason that some days a significant number of people are going to need to find alternatives.

Incidentally the May numbers have already significantly exceeded the numbers for June last year ( 5/24: 3679 vs 6/23: 3048).

That's an additional 20 people per day.
Which is nothing on the Frances, but significant for the Inglés.

We stayed in Presedo and then walked through Bruma to O Poulo where we stayed in the lovely new very large albergue which was almost empty.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

We stayed in Presedo and then walked through Bruma to O Poulo where we stayed in the lovely new very large albergue which was almost empty.

So you staged around Bruma, good call. Hopefully more people will start to follow your example. Is there much there in terms of infrastructure (bar, cafe, restaurant?)

 

[TravellingMan22]

We stayed in Presedo and then walked through Bruma to O Poulo where we stayed in the lovely new very large albergue which was almost empty.

I am always keen to book a bed ahead due to my slow walking so just didn't want to take any chances. (I know something normally turns up but it will play on my mind). Anyway thanks to folks on her I managed to nail everything down in less than an hour with the following itinerary - Ferrol - Pontedueme - Betanzos - Bruma- Sigueiro - Santiago.

 

[jimmyc]

So you staged around Bruma, good call. Hopefully more people will start to follow your example. Is there much there in terms of infrastructure (bar, cafe, restaurant?)

A very good restaurant next door to the albergue.

 

[LongRun64]

This is a very useful discussion. Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

A very good restaurant next door to the albergue.

If you have the time, would you consider posting your stages? As per the title of this thread, more and more people are walking the Inglés. Last year alone several people asked for alternatives to the standard stages which most of us have walked (which @TravellingMan22 has now chosen).

Plus, people can of course combine the stops to create a camino with much shorter stages if they are only wanting or able to walk say 15 kilometers a day. Again, something that comes up on a fairly regular basis

 

[NI Walker]

Thank you. That's good advice.

I have exactly the same attitude as you. "I hate committing myself to fixed stages and would only do so if I was certain where I would find myself at the end of the day. I've sometimes set off with a 20km day in mind and ended up walking 40+km" What to do wrt the bed race ? Im planning the full Camino in March 2025 and Im really unsure what to do wrt booking as I have experienced not being able to get a bed due to capacity. Also I have another problem to address in that I don't like to finish early, and I like to walk on into the evening say 1800 or so, and that reduces the chance of getting a municipal albergue even further. My wife and I like to walk 30km per day and don't like to be tied to that as sometimes its 20km and sometimes its 40km. My outline schedule has us completing the Camino in 25 days walking circa 30km per day but I certainly don't want to book the 25 places ahead as I know that it wont turn out that way. We also plan to take maybe 2 days rest when we arrive in some of the bigger towns so that will definitely upset the draft schedule. I know no one has the answer to my particular scenario but any comments would be welcome. Buen Camino.

 

[TravellingMan22]

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I have exactly the same attitude as you. "I hate committing myself to fixed stages and would only do so if I was certain where I would find myself at the end of the day. I've sometimes set off with a 20km day in mind and ended up walking 40+km" What to do wrt the bed race ? Im planning the full Camino in March 2025 and Im really unsure what to do wrt booking as I have experienced not being able to get a bed due to capacity. Also I have another problem to address in that I don't like to finish early, and I like to walk on into the evening say 1800 or so, and that reduces the chance of getting a municipal albergue even further. My wife and I like to walk 30km per day and don't like to be tied to that as sometimes it’s 20km and sometimes it’s 40km. My outline schedule has us completing the Camino in 25 days walking circa 30km per day but I certainly don't want to book the 25 places ahead as I know that it wont turn out that way. We also plan to take maybe 2 days rest when we arrive in some of the bigger towns so that will definitely upset the draft schedule. I know no one has the answer to my particular scenario but any comments would be welcome. Buen Camino.

My main thing is having a bed booked ahead. I do understand the trade off between booking versus pitching up though and it nearly always seems to work out for folks either way.

I have never booked it all up in advance before (normally work a couple days out) but am quite looking forward to relatively short days and an earlier finish as not done that before. It’s only 4 nights.. wouldn’t book up much more!!!

I actually really like walking into the early evening too maybe up until it gets dark. It’s a totally different feel. I am very slow but did Frances in 26 days and Norte in 28/9 due to long days of up to 40kms. . I don’t bother too much with rest days (the exception being Leon as never been there before) as tend do 25 kms just walking around though appreciate it is a mental relaxation. I hope to do the VDLP in 2025 and I will probably just walk without booking.