So quiet!

[Lavdrum]

I have been on the Levante for the past 10 days. I have met only 2 other pilgrims so far so I’ve had company every night so far in the albergues.
I have stayed in pilgrim albergues most of the time
None have managers, usually one picks up the key at the tourist office or if one arrives late the Policia local provide the key.
Some albergues are basic but mostly fine.
Some knowledge of Spanish is essential as I have met few english speakers along the way. The locaal people are very friendly and always ready to help if one is finding it difficult to contact an albergue.
It is a very solitary camino but if you want to get away from the crowds this one is definitely an option.

 

[coober]

sounds like a perfect Camino.

 

[Donna Sch]

It's been busy for you! We only saw 2 other pilgrims for the entire trip to Zamora.

 

[WisTom]

I didn't encounter any walkers - pilgrims or otherwise - between Valencia and Zamora when walking in February and March. Stages were long and the weather included snow. I would agree that Spanish (and good GPS) are necessary. Any social interactions/conversations were in Spanish. That said, people were friendly and the route offers Toledo, Ávila, and charming towns, particularly when approaching Zamora. It's a good alternative to the crowds on the Francés.

 

[Caminogoat]

I have been on the Levante for the past 10 days. I have met only 2 other pilgrims so far so I’ve had company every night so far in the albergues.
I have stayed in pilgrim albergues most of the time
None have managers, usually one picks up the key at the tourist office or if one arrives late the Policia local provide the key.
Some albergues are basic but mostly fine.
Some knowledge of Spanish is essential as I have met few english speakers along the way. The locaal people are very friendly and always ready to help if one is finding it difficult to contact an albergue.
It is a very solitary camino but if you want to get away from the crowds this one is definitely an option.

I will start my walk on 11/07. In 2022, I walked from San Sebastian to O Vicedo (Camino do Mar starting Ribadeo). It was cut short there because I had to go bacto to Viveiro to have a tooth infection treated. This time, I will continue from where I left off but add my own route: O Porto de Espesante to Cariño, Cariño to San Andrés de Teixido, San Andrés de Teixido to Ferrol, Ferrol to Miños, Miño to Cabreira, Cabreira to A Coruña, and I will walk Camino Engles from A Coruña. I walked Camino Engles from Ferrol and loved it, but I want to experience the road from A Coruña this time. I expect hardly any pilgrims, but very excited to be alone with myself.

 

[bullingtonce]

I have been on the Levante for the past 10 days. I have met only 2 other pilgrims so far so I’ve had company every night so far in the albergues.
I have stayed in pilgrim albergues most of the time
None have managers, usually one picks up the key at the tourist office or if one arrives late the Policia local provide the key.
Some albergues are basic but mostly fine.
Some knowledge of Spanish is essential as I have met few english speakers along the way. The locaal people are very friendly and always ready to help if one is finding it difficult to contact an albergue.
It is a very solitary camino but if you want to get away from the crowds this one is definitely an option.

Thank you for reporting this on the Levante as I am one who prefers non-crowds. I may do the Levante as my first Camino due to your posting. Chuck

 

[Lindsay53]

I have just arrived in Santiago after the Levante/Invierno caminos. Alone most of the time, I met my first fellow pilgrims on day 9, and only met 7 in total, only one of whom was walking the entire way from Valencia to Zamora.
Very few English speakers and chasing up access to the albergues was a challenge on more than one occasion, especially on weekends. But still an experience I would not have missed.
Buen camino Lavdrum!

 

[Lavdrum]

Thank you for reporting this on the Levante as I am one who prefers non-crowds. I may do the Levante as my first Camino due to your posting. Chuck

Chuck, I think it might be a bit overwhelming as a first camino. If I were you I would do one of the busier ones first and then the Levante. Some knowledge of Spanish essential I think. Also high summer and deep winter not advised-very hot with little shade and very cold in winter!

 

[Debora]

In your opinion, is this Camino safe for single women pilgrims?

 

[Caminogoat]

No one can guarantee a person's safety anywhere, regardless of being a man or woman. I think it´s a personal choice to stay home and be safe (as safe as you can because you can still slip and fall or choke on a piece of apple ) or go out to see the world with abundant caution. I would take a chance and do things while I still can.

 

[Donna Sch]

In your opinion, is this Camino safe for single women pilgrims?

I did the VDLP solo in 2015 at 46 and the Levante in 2019 with my partner. I consider both routes to be very safe. You would be very unlucky to encounter flashers because there are so few pilgrims they cannot guarantee an audience. The route itself quiet traffic wise and there is not much road walking that is busy.

I am firmly of the mindset that if a woman appears confident then she is much less likely to attract the wrong attention. If you are the type that projects something that attracts the wrong sort it will probably happen at home as well.

The most dangerous thing was that I stepped in a hole in a footpath in one of those abandoned suburbs and almost got my boot stuck.

I do think it is good to learn a bit of Spanish for these routes as it does increase your confidence.