CroPilgrim
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Starting from SJDP in June
Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
Thank you for your reply. I do not want to make my Camino about “running to catch a bed”… I will make sure to communicate my late arrival on time to the host… that is all I can doThat used to be my usual pattern when walking back when numbers were very small. These days June on the Frances is very busy and you may have trouble occasionally finding a bed that late in the day. You may have to try a number of places to find one. And even if you have made a reservation you may find that by late afternoon the hospitaleros have assumed you are not going to turn up and have given the bed to someone else. Sadly it is not uncommon for people to make multiple reservations and not cancel the unused ones. It would be important to state very clearly that you will be arriving late and confirm that a bed will be held for you.
If you book ahead and confirm on the day that should work. You can usually do that by text message, which is easier if you don't speak much Spanish.Thank you for your reply. I do not want to make my Camino about “running to catch a bed”… I will make sure to communicate my late arrival on time to the host… that is all I can do
No Spanish at allIf you book ahead and confirm on the day that should work. You can usually do that by text message, which is easier if you don't speak much Spanish.
thank you for the advice… hotels would be out of my financial reach…… maby I’ll have to adjust form time to time…Also if you are staying in albergues, even with a reservation, you will likely only find an upper bunk that late if that matters.
Edit: You'll need to be out of the albergue by 8 am as that is the closing time. Other early risers may foil your plans for "sleeping in" for a later start so be aware of that. You may want hotel rooms as a result.
I am an early riser and a late finisher and walking in the early evening (although initially a necessity as I am such a slow walker) is to me the best part of Camino. I always booked a bed via booking . com though (other channels are avaiable) as that was a concern for me!Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
My thoughts exactlyI am an early riser and a late finisher and walking in the early evening (although initially a necessity as I am such a slow walker) is to me the best part of Camino. It’s much quieter and calmer as folks have gone to do their washing or write their blogs!
Oh… ok… good to know… thank you! So the goal is to survive the first week by all meansThe first week (SJPP-Pamploma) will be the most challenging for OP's original plan, as there are fewer towns = fewer options = more "clumping up" = more competition for beds. After that, the people spread out more, and your plan might work better.
Good length break at about 10am, nice long lunch and a bit of bar hopping in afternoon is my perfect day with arrival at 7 to 8pm. If it’s a major city or town like to get there by 6pm to have a night out!My thoughts exactlylooking forwards to it…
Thank you for a great advice! I will keep that in mind… I mean, I will do exactly thatMy standard advice for any first timer is to book Roncesvalles ( 1st night for most ) and either Zubiri or Larosoanna for the second night.
After that you should find yourself learning as you go... how far you want to walk per day... where you might end up .. will you need to reserve ??
will you want to be walking when the day is at its hottest... other days might be wet, meaning shorter or longer day
Lots can and does happen, rigid walking times will likely make way for ..take it as it comes
There is nothing wrong with your plan. Just be prepared to be flexible.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
It takes a few days/a week into the walk until you get the hang of how things work. Until then, learn by observing, while trying to walk according to your initial plan. But I think you will have to reconsider somewhat along the Way.thank you for the advice… hotels would be out of my financial reach…… maby I’ll have to adjust form time to time…
Could you please share the info regarding the average hotel prices on the route?I walked the Camino France last May - June. I used a service that carried my heavy luggage and booked my hotel each night. My walk started each morning at 0830 and on most days ended in the early afternoon. My lunches were at the end of my walks because I wanted to find my next hotel.
My friend who I ate dinner with used the same service. He would tour the destination city then walk. He toured the cathedral in Burgos which I never did. He had a better experience than I did because he saw more and knew he had a place to stay each night. I may never get back to Burgos which saddens me.
After Burgos I met a man who partied in Burgos the night before. He started his walk at noon and could not find a place to stay in the town after Burgos. He did not have a service and had to walk to the next town or sleep in the open. He said he did not mind sleeping in an open field because he slept in one before. You will see no camping signs or no trespassing signs as you walk.
Hope this helps.
Agreed though if you book a private hostel you won’t have a curfew. If I arrive at 8pm I like go out stay up for a few hours - at least midnight to unwind.I followed the "start late - eat lunch - walk on" pattern for a couple of days. But never arrived past 6pm.
The upside is that you'll have a lot more solitude on the way. After 1-2pm i had the camino pretty much for myself.
The downside... you'll have less of the day left as lights out is usually around 10pm and you cant really do anything beyond that. Also sleeping in wont work to well due to being woken up by the early risers.
But try it out, you might find that you dont even need a reservation, at least i never needed it.
Go Gronze.com, which will give you the latest.Could you please share the info regarding the average hotel prices on the route?
Click here to see a list of threads tagged with "money, banking and budget." If you scroll through that list, you'll find some that discuss typical costs. You could also check any Camino guide or app, or Gronze.com to get an idea.Could you please share the info regarding the average hotel prices on the route?
Thanks… good points to think about…I followed the "start late - eat lunch - walk on" pattern for a couple of days. But never arrived past 6pm.
The upside is that you'll have a lot more solitude on the way. After 1-2pm i had the camino pretty much for myself.
The downside... you'll have less of the day left as lights out is usually around 10pm and you cant really do anything beyond that. Also sleeping in wont work to well due to being woken up by the early risers.
But try it out, you might find that you dont even need a reservation, at least i never needed it.
Thank you… No problem with getting up, just trying to avoid the sense of “rushing cuz of the bed” kinda thing… I’ll check Gronze…Go Gronze.com, which will give you the latest.
Before my first Camino, I would have thought that the early-rise etc was barbaric, but I soon found that: 1) there was little choice in the matter, as everyone in the albergue was up and moving well before closing, and 2) the early morning walking was the best time of the day.
I am afraid that it changed my morning routine for years. o well.
Thank you! Will check it out.Click here to see a list of threads tagged with "money, banking and budget." If you scroll through that list, you'll find some that discuss typical costs. You could also check any Camino guide or app, or Gronze.com to get an idea.
Thank you for your reply… I think I will just go with the flow… if my anxiety doesn’t kick inI don't rush. I can't really because I am a slow walker. My legs are short. I have never not found a bed, but I don't walk long stages and I can't tolerate the heat (prior heat injuries). I like to get up early and I do that even at home (5;30 or so each day). I like to get into town, shower, do my laundry, go get a cold drink or lunch, etc. It makes some people feel very anxious not to have a bed in advance, but I don't like to make reservations. I like to stay at places that don't take reservations, and I volunteer at these kinds of places each year, too. They have only seldom been full when I volunteered. Of course there are no guarantees, but I know there are always options if the place I am aiming for is full. You can cab forward or back or a ways off the camino (never had to do this).
There is a lot of anxiety on the Camino around where people will sleep which is why you are getting this wide range of advice from forum members. Our experiences are all different. You can decide what works best for you.
Not necessarily. The ones which fill up fastest tend to be the ones which allow reservations. You may well find that all the private bookable albergues are full but there are still beds in the more traditional 'first come first served " places.so my plan could mean that I never get to sleep in a “Donativo” since I figure they are the first ones filled…
I work in Donativos and we have seldom been full when I worked. They are not always in major stopping points (although a few are).Thank you for your reply… I think I will just go with the flow… if my anxiety doesn’t kick inso my plan could mean that I never get to sleep in a “Donativo” since I figure they are the first ones filled…
I followed your plan when I made my Camino and had no problems with accommodations the end of September, for a shorter distance. One benefit, I like to attend daily Mass if possible. I had beautiful experience at 8AM Mass in several locations. I was called to the altar at one and the priest gave me a personal blessing. The pilgrim Masses are usually in the evening. On Camino listen to your body and heart and you will follow the path as intended for you. God bless.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
Which service did you use? We are deciding who to use September 2024 for sarria - Santiago.I walked the Camino France last May - June. I used a service that carried my heavy luggage and booked my hotel each night. My walk started each morning at 0830 and on most days ended in the early afternoon. My lunches were at the end of my walks because I wanted to find my next hotel.
My friend who I ate dinner with used the same service. He would tour the destination city then walk. He toured the cathedral in Burgos which I never did. He had a better experience than I did because he saw more and knew he had a place to stay each night. I may never get back to Burgos which saddens me.
After Burgos I met a man who partied in Burgos the night before. He started his walk at noon and could not find a place to stay in the town after Burgos. He did not have a service and had to walk to the next town or sleep in the open. He said he did not mind sleeping in an open field because he slept in one before. You will see no camping signs or no trespassing signs as you walk.
Hope this helps.
Plus the usual business of ensuring that everyone has left the building by 8am.Sleeping in is not an option.
Oh great info, thank you. Any bunk will doWalk the way you want to walk, but be ready to adjust if the weather gets too hot or finding accommodations gets too tough. Even in the busiest times, there are down days between pilgrim bubbles where the accommodations are freely available.
However, some notes on your plans. Public albergues usually kick you out by 8am. If you arrive too late, showering, washing clothes, and finding a place to eat or cooking may be difficult before “lights out” in a dorm albergue, make sure you have time for your washed clothes to dry or your backpack will look like a clothes line as you walk the next day. Late walkers tend to have the path to themselves, which is lovely but can be a bit lonely. You’ll likely get a top bunk if you show up late - I prefer them, actually, but if that doesn’t physically work for you, change plans.
That will be fun… mornings… I don’t mind the heat (coming from Croatian coast) that’s why I think about starting “later” but I guess it’s not up to meThe OP said," so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am"
Where's the Roll on the floor laughing emoji?
Wait until someone wanders around the Albergue at stupid o'clock, tripping over bags while carrying the light on his/her iPhone on 'Stun' mode.
Sleeping in is not an option.
By 7 or 8 p.m. the hot water will hopefully have reheated and you should have the shower to yourself. Depending on the number of pilgrims though, they will probably not be as clean as earlier in the afternoon. Cleaning is done between 8 a.m. and whenever the albergue reopens to register pilgrims in the afternoon.Oh great info, thank you. Any bunk will dodidn’t think about time left for washing and eating… good point… should I expect lines for the showers arround 7-8pm?
Thank you very much for the advice and good wishes for my trip… I know I will have to adjust in a certain way and let things go their own way… looking forward to it a bit actualy…Some great/interesting advice here. I told me wife about this post, a smile broke out on her face.
I was struck by this line in the original post. "[W]ell, that is not the way I function…" On our first Camino in April 2017, I had a total melt down on Day Three. You see, I too said/thought very LOUDLY "… well, that is not the way I function..." when each day began. I had a daily routine that was very important to me, and assumed (ass-u-me) that I could carry on as usual. It was too loud, there we too many people and not enough space for my usual routine.
Guess what happened? I changed and the Camino helped me change. After five days, I gave up on all routines and assumptions. I just let the day come to me, and did my best to accept all that was offered to me each day. Those lessons continue to serve me today.
I wish you Buen Camino, and my sincerest best wishes. I also hope that your lessons are easier than mine.
The OP said," so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am"
Where's the Roll on the floor laughing emoji?
Wait until someone wanders around the Albergue at stupid o'clock, tripping over bags while carrying the light on his/her iPhone on 'Stun' mode.
Sleeping in is not an option.
Thanks for the reply, don’t you leave the clothes hanging outside during the night? It should be dry by 6am (or not?If you're happy to miss out on a place in municipal albergues and others that don't allow booking, and you're willing to consider booking accommodation in advance and the restrictions that brings, it's actually a good idea to walk in the evenings!
Other downsides: it might be it getting dark if you walk late, difficulty drying clothes (i have no shame so I've often hung them off my backpack or the branch of a tree), and also you'll be hanging around with nowhere to call home in the middle of the day. Not a problem if you find a nice shady spot to nap, or maybe a bar.
Oh I was kind of hoping it would all go just as you said…Starting at 8am is reasonable unless you want to start earlier. If you have breakfast that pushes it out to 8.30/9.
Most hostals also have a later checkout.
If you can tolerate the herd leaving, you might sneak in some good quality rest between 7.30 and 8. Most albergues don't physically throw people out on the dot either, plenty of people still rolling sleeping bags at 8.10.
Take your chances by leaving it overnight. Rain, dew, or sock stealing monsters may create some mischief. As a hospitalera, I appreciate you being out by 8 a.m. please. There's lots to do after pilgrims leave. If you stay at a hotel, you can go by their rules.
You also need time to attend to necessities like showering and washing the days clothes....but you will find out what works for you.Agreed though if you book a private hostel you won’t have a curfew. If I arrive at 8pm I like go out stay up for a few hours - at least midnight to unwind.
of COURSE they will be dry!!!! Now... about that rain that was drumming on the roof all night long....Thanks for the reply, don’t you leave the clothes hanging outside during the night? It should be dry by 6am (or not?)
It depends on when you are walking. One thing to remember is that Spain is in a weird time zone, not aligned to the other countries that are longitudinally similar. Everything is later is Spain. That's one of the reasons that eating times for the Spanish tend to be later than is customary in other cultures. One way that this manifests is that the hottest time of day isn't the mid-day to early afternoon like elsewhere but rather later in the afternoon. If you are walking in the summer, you may find it still quite hot at 4. That's why many of the shops won't have re-opened yet.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
Of course rules of the house will be respected…Take your chances by leaving it overnight. Rain, dew, or sock stealing monsters may create some mischief. As a hospitalera, I appreciate you being out by 8 a.m. please. There's lots to do after pilgrims leave. If you stay at a hotel, you can go by their rules.
I've walked in late May- June and it does get very hot, by the time I reached Santiago at the end of June it was 43 degrees. My sister, who I walked with for a few weeks, who is not an early person was planning to walk later, and revised that plan after the first day of walking, and left at 6 when I did. (Although she wasn't human until she had the first coffee).Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
Yes.. good take on this matter…It depends on when you are walking. One thing to remember is that Spain is in a weird time zone, not aligned to the other countries that are longitudinally similar. Everything is later is Spain. That's one of the reasons that eating times for the Spanish tend to be later than is customary in other cultures. One way that this manifests is that the hottest time of day isn't the mid-day to early afternoon like elsewhere but rather later in the afternoon. If you are walking in the summer, you may find it still quite hot at 4. That's why many of the shops won't have re-opened yet.
Another thing to think about is that you will be walking between villages/towns during the afternoon open hours of many Spanish shops, that pilgrims can rely upon to run their errands, do their shopping, etc. If you arrive in an albergue at 8 pm and everyone is going to bed at 10 (with the doors being locked then), that leaves 2 hours for your shower, laundry (washing and drying), evening meal, and everything else you want to do before bed. For these reasons, your schedule may be easier if you aren't staying in albergues.
Which isn't to say that it can't be done. Just that there is a reason for the pattern you've noticed among other pilgrims.
That is so 20th century.....What happened to just turning up and figuring it out as you go?
What happened to just turning up and figuring it out as you go?
thats just for the dogs..... or is it birds?What happened to just turning up and figuring it out as you go?
One person’s ‘need’ is another’s’ ‘sucking the life out of the experience’, in my opinion obviously.This is a good point but I'm sure many people did an 800km CF without it even occurring to walk in the evenings or do anything other than walk with the herd. So it's nice to share ideas and experiences.
Also, as we've pointed out there is an additional need to book ahead, carry additional equipment like flashlights or hi-viz gear, or maybe a lightweight tarp and a foam mat if going to be resting between stages.. things like that.
I agree. I like to know a bit about a route before I walk it. So I read up a little of the history and trace out the route on a map to familiarise myself with it. But I stop short of watching videos or following the route on Google Streetview. Would rather come to it with fairly fresh eyes.There is a middle ground. If you look at the brief reports of some of the moderators on here of their less-travelled caminos; they assume that most adults can figure out the basics and read a map.
One person’s ‘need’ is another’s’ ‘sucking the life out of the experience’, in my opinion obviously.
The ability to research to the n’th degree is both a blessing and a curse. The habitually cautious, prepared to throw money at avoiding surprise but still dine off their adventure welcome the easy availability of their peers’ experience.
There is a middle ground. If you look at the brief reports of some of the moderators on here of their less-travelled caminos; they assume that most adults can figure out the basics and read a map.
That is the main idea… and it is always good to hear advice from ppl with more experience…What happened to just turning up and figuring it out as you go?
Good luck to you and Buen Camino! It will all turn out good tomorrow…My days of struggling with maps are over. Now i struggle with the blue dot on Google maps.
I'm notoriously bad for researching beyond "will the temperature be above 20 or below 20". I can handle most other challenges and of course, learn from experience. My packing for the Mozarabe looks different than my packing for my first camino, the frances .. not because it's a different trail but because i kept the things that worked and chucked the things that didn't.
If you took every piece of advice you'd look like a travelling salesman.
Actually, my lack of research leaves me with a 10km stage tomorrow or a 45km thanks to blindly following gronze's (ridiculous) stages for the vdlp after Merida.
All depends upon the sleeper. This is absolutely *not* a problem for me. Yes, there are limits.The OP said," so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am"
Where's the Roll on the floor laughing emoji?
Wait until someone wanders around the Albergue at stupid o'clock, tripping over bags while carrying the light on his/her iPhone on 'Stun' mode.
Sleeping in is not an option.
Thank you! I was just about to ask, is there a Mass in every place we reach in the evening (if there is a church there) or is it something I have to plan each day (look for in the next place)?I followed your plan when I made my Camino and had no problems with accommodations the end of September, for a shorter distance. One benefit, I like to attend daily Mass if possible. I had beautiful experience at 8AM Mass in several locations. I was called to the altar at one and the priest gave me a personal blessing. The pilgrim Masses are usually in the evening. On Camino listen to your body and heart and you will follow the path as intended for you. God bless.
That's pretty much how I used to function, until time caught up with me -- though truth be told, because I'm slower I do still tend to walk in the afternoon.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Well yes, there are two fatal flaws in your plan. Firstly you might well have difficulty finding a bed at 7-8 in the evening. Secondly, and more importantly, Spain is basically in the wrong time zone. You´ll notice if you look at a map of Europe that Spain is due south of the UK. However, it is in the same time zone as countries way to the east. Remember also that Spain has daylight saving. What this means is that the sun is at its highest point in the sky not at 12 noon, but at around 2pm. Therefore from 2 till 4 is the hottest part of the day. Which explains why sensible Spanish people, if they take a siesta at all, take it from 2 to 4 in the afternoon. Incidentally, it also means that dawn is around 7 am or later depending on the time of year rather than 5 in the morning as it is in the UK (Spain is further south so summer days are shorter).Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm?
Guilty, m´lud.There is a middle ground. If you look at the brief reports of some of the moderators on here of their less-travelled caminos; they assume that most adults can figure out the basics and read a map.
Oh… great take on the time zone… forgot about it… everything will be 2 hours “later” for me…Well yes, there are two fatal flaws in your plan. Firstly you might well have difficulty finding a bed at 7-8 in the evening. Secondly, and more importantly, Spain is basically in the wrong time zone. You´ll notice if you look at a map of Europe that Spain is due south of the UK. However, it is in the same time zone as countries way to the east. Remember also that Spain has daylight saving. What this means is that the sun is at its highest point in the sky not at 12 noon, but at around 2pm. Therefore from 2 till 4 is the hottest part of the day. Which explains why sensible Spanish people, if they take a siesta at all, take it from 2 to 4 in the afternoon. Incidentally, it also means that dawn is around 7 am or later depending on the time of year rather than 5 in the morning as it is in the UK (Spain is further south so summer days are shorter).
¨is there a Mass in every place we reach in the evening?¨ we once met a priest who informed us he was responsible for 28 parishes, so the answer is no, not every place.
Great info, thank you! There has to be some app or a website with the location and timetable … I’ll look into it.Re mass in every place....there was a website ( in Spanish) that described where daily masses were, similar to the US website Masstimes.org ( which doesn't work in Spain). It's back on the Primitivo threads....
There * may* be a Mass in *every* village, but it's not every day in every village, and it may not be at a time you're there. As I dimly recall, daily Mass on the most populated portion of the Frances during the most populated season of the year was about 7pm.
I am from the UK. These days most of my Camino walking is in midwinter. It is usually still dark at 8am when I have to leave the albergues - too dark to spot yellow arrows with any confidence. And it gets too dark for comfortable walking soon after 6pm. The trade off is between shorter walking days and more solitude along the way.Oh… great take on the time zone… forgot about it… everything will be 2 hours “later” for me…
There's the fact that those who skip the "boring" bits still congregate on that section ; plus the fact that those who think they want to walk the Camino, but instead find out the opposite, the hard way, tend to congregate on that section too.The first week (SJPP-Pamploma) will be the most challenging for OP's original plan, as there are fewer towns = fewer options = more "clumping up" = more competition for beds. After that, the people spread out more, and your plan might work better.
Lunch, or comida is usually around 2-3pm.Just going along the lines of "day planning", can someone please remind me when Spanish lunchtime is - not sure if before or after siesta? I'm used to eating lunch between noon and 1pm and quite aware that I'm going to have to carry a snack, and/or modify my usual habits.
Lots of us fall into a 'breakfast', 'second breakfast', then early 'evening/dinner' routine.Just going along the lines of "day planning", can someone please remind me when Spanish lunchtime is - not sure if before or after siesta? I'm used to eating lunch between noon and 1pm and quite aware that I'm going to have to carry a snack, and/or modify my usual habits.
Lots of good advice above. The best, in my view, is to start with the way you prefer. See if it works. If it doesn't, make course corrections.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
There really is no "average."Could you please share the info regarding the average hotel prices on the route?
On our first camino, we were determined to walk every step. When we arrived in Monjardin, everything was taken up by German tour groups. And that was 10 years ago. So, being so determined, we and a Danish walker decided to sleep on park benches. Suddenly a car pulled up and a lady waved at us to come over. She said she heard there were pilgrims needing a place to stay. She crammed the three of us into her teeny car and took us to her home. She made several trips to pick up others. Not only was this one of our best stays, but those who shared this experience with us became instant friends.There really is no "average."
Go to gronze.com and look at the lodging at each stage.
It will tell you how many places to sleep and what they charge.
Though there's nothing wrong with your plan - I'd certainly budget for some taxis and buses because I suspect you're going to find "Completo" signs that late in the afternoon.
Yes, the Camino provides - sometimes in ways you aren't expecting. One way it provides is bus/taxis.On our first camino, we were determined to walk every step. When we arrived in Monjardin, everything was taken up by German tour groups. And that was 10 years ago. So, being so determined, we and a Danish walker decided to sleep on park benches. Suddenly a car pulled up and a lady waved at us to come over. She said she heard there were pilgrims needing a place to stay. She crammed the three of us into her teeny car and took us to her home. She made several trips to pick up others. Not only was this one of our best stays, but those who shared this experience with us became instant friends.
The camino provides.
We've never experienced otherwise, even on caminos where we were the only walkers and would get lost, sometimes for hours. In this regard, I must note our day walking on the poorly marked Camino Ignaziano high in the mountains. We were utterly lost and ended up walking on a road which turned out to be walking in the wrong direction. We waved down the only car we encountered and it was a young German couple who were utterly lost themselves. They were delighted to search for our trail and we eventually found it. The spot happened to be near the top of an escarpment with a sweeping view of the valley below. They were so grateful and envious that we would continue our walk along the escarpment edge, with view after view after view.
The camino provides.
Hi. Most Albergues will want you out by 08:00 anyway. So that’s probably your latest starting point. You walk The Way, your way. But if you are planning to arrive at your daily destinations between 7-8pm, then do expect quite a number of disappointments for a bed if you are not booking them ahead. Also, many Albergues expect ‘lights out’ (doors sometimes locked as well) at around 10:00 pm. So if you arrive in a town at around 8 and spend an hour trying to find a bed for the night, then don’t expect, after finding your bed, showering (I promise you’ll need it) and settling yourself, don’t expect to eat too much anywhere, in the evening. Personally, get out at a reasonable time, take your time walking, don’t try and go by a timetable, stop and talk to the locals you meet for a while (they’re so lovely) rest with a coffee/orange and a tortilla, soak it all in and carry on your way. You’ll get to your destination late afternoon and the evening is yours to then enjoy the town with Camino Family I can almost guarantee you will make along the way. So many people spend so much time planning (and rushing) that they forget why they’re actually there. Buen Camino.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
Personally, get out at a reasonable time, take your time walking, don’t try and go by a timetable, stop and talk to the locals you meet for a while (they’re so lovely) rest with a coffee/orange and a tortilla, soak it all in and carry on your way. You’ll get to your destination late afternoon and the evening is yours to then enjoy the town with Camino Family I can almost guarantee you will make along the way. So many people spend so much time planning (and rushing) that they forget why they’re actually there.
I see nothing wrong with your plan, it's very similar to what I did on my last Camino. Although, I had reservations for each night and only stayed in albergues the first week for the experience. The rest of the time it was in places with private rooms, usually with my own bathroom.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
First, let's talk about what "lunch" is. In Spain, there is almuerzo and comida.Just going along the lines of "day planning", can someone please remind me when Spanish lunchtime is - not sure if before or after siesta? I'm used to eating lunch between noon and 1pm and quite aware that I'm going to have to carry a snack, and/or modify my usual habits.
Is there anything wrong with my plan
Excellent post, though times for that do vary locally between about 8 and 10 PM, including in locations with no significant numbers of pilgrims to accommodate !! Also, some very popular restaurants may have so many customers that they start serving supper early, and finish serving it late. I've seen similar at lunch time in eastern Aragón.Then they may not eat another meal until cena, which generally isn't until around 10 pm.
Thanks so much - really enlightening stuff. I have heard of tourists not doing their research, and being refused service at certain times of the day. When in Rome, must do as the Romans do - or in this case the Spanish! I sure don't want to offend anyone. Early cena sounds like the plan! That way I'm not walking with a full tummy, and also there's enough time before bedtime.First, let's talk about what "lunch" is. In Spain, there is almuerzo and comida.
Almuerzo is often translated as "lunch". In Spain, it would be an early lunch, eaten perhaps 11-noon. Often it is a sandwich or bocadillo. If that's lunch to you, that's when it is eaten. Well before siesta, if one is taken.
But there is also comida, usually for Spaniards it is the main meal of the day. That's when they are going to the bars and restaurants and having the menu del dia, a three course meal. Generally 1:30-3:30 pm, depending on season and location. If people are having a siesta, it is generally a short one after the comida.
Then they may not eat another meal until cena, which generally isn't until around 10 pm. Too late for pilgrims, so places catering to pilgrims may offer something earlier. Some people may bridge the gap between comida and cena with a late afternoon snack (at about the time many others are having their supper) called merienda. This is especially common for children, but when I was visiting some Spanish friends in Madrid we went out for a light merienda of pancakes.
When I am on the more popular Caminos like the Frances or the Primitivo, I tend to have my main meal as an early cena with other pilgrims, and often only have a light almuerzo for lunch. If I am on a less walked route, like the Madrid or San Salvador, I'm more likely to have my main meal when the Spanish do, as comida and have a light, early cena by myself or with other pilgrims if they are around.
Thanks so much - really enlightening stuff. I have heard of tourists not doing their research, and being refused service at certain times of the day. When in Rome, must do as the Romans do - or in this case the Spanish! I sure don't want to offend anyone. Early cena sounds like the plan! That way I'm not walking with a full tummy, and also there's enough time before bedtime.
In my experience the larger chain supermarkets like Dia do not usually close in the afternoon in big towns. But almost all smaller shops do.When i did the Frances, arrived in a town, checked into the albergue, the biggest surprise (each and evey time) was the supermarkets and pharmacies being closed for siesta.
I think it IS best to start later than dawn, around 8-9am. You miss a lot of crowds that way. I try to walk no more than about 20K a day, so I generally get to my destination in the early afternoon. If I think there's going to be a bottleneck - lots of people heading for the same place or some place with fewer accommodations - then I book ahead.Hello to all! I’m starting from SJPP beginning of June. As I read more and more about the Camino Frances I find it very weird that everyday walks start usually in dawn and end around 1pm “to get away from the heat” and to check in at some place… well, that is not the way I function… so I need your opinion on my plan of starting the hike around 8-9 am till 1-2 pm, lunch break and rest, than continuing from 4pm till 7-8pm.
Is there anything wrong with my plan and will I have problems getting a bed at 7-8 pm? Since everyone is there since 1pm… or is there another problem I am not aware of?
Dear experienced pilgrims, please adviseTHANK YOU!
Thanks for the budgeting tip… I will look into it… looks to me it all got a bit much commercialized…There really is no "average."
Go to gronze.com and look at the lodging at each stage.
It will tell you how many places to sleep and what they charge.
Though there's nothing wrong with your plan - I'd certainly budget for some taxis and buses because I suspect you're going to find "Completo" signs that late in the afternoon.
Numbers on the Caminos have grown enormously in recent years. No longer practical to feed and house everyone on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. There has been a vicious circle where increasing numbers and higher expectations have driven the creation of more expensive and sophisticated infrastructure.Thanks for the budgeting tip… I will look into it… looks to me it all got a bit much commercialized…
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?