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Alternative routes and albergues that are worth it!

Gelariv

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Via Francigena
Hi! I'm planning to do the Camino Francés in a month starting January 22nd from SJPDP to Santiago. Can you tell me the alternative routes and albergues that are interesting and that I must do/visit. I know that the winter equation might interfere with the suggestions but I'll do my own research after, see if the albergues are open and the alternative routes doable in winter.

Thank you for your help!
Genevieve
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Winter will seriously limit your options. I walked from SJPDP in January 2023. I loved the journey but it is far more challenging than a main season walk. On most days there was rarely any choice of albergues in the smaller towns along the way. In most villages usually none at all. The Aprinca website is a very useful guide to what is known to be open. You may find that some daily stages are necessarily longer than you might choose in summer. You are more likely to find bars, restaurants and accommodation open along the primary route than on the less-travelled alternatives.

 
I cannot think of anything that is a 'must do' on any camino, other than perhaps staying safe. There are plenty of things that I would recommend, although it is some time since I walked that route, and things can change.
  • stay at the parish albergue in Granon
  • take a detour to the albergue at San Bol - it is not too far off the main track, although you might not want to soak your feet in the spring in January.
  • take a break at the ruins of San Anton
  • take the river route into Burgos
  • enjoy the smells of the eucalyptus trees - pick a leaf and rub it in your hands - but remember that they are an environmental disaster
 
Last edited:
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
This list shows the open/closed albergues on the CF www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ during winter.
I would certainly recommend staying at RUITELAN – Pequeño Potala and also the Camino via Samos for its beauty and the monastery in Samos.
BC SY
 
that is my go to list for albergues and surely I'll mostly stick on the primary route for services (and always have food on me !)
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Thank you for your suggestions, I'll certainly take the river route into Burgos, and go to the parish albergue in Granon
 
Great, that will be simple then I take notes of your suggestions, thank you!
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Gelariv said:
that is my go to list for albergues and surely I'll mostly stick on the primary route for services (and always have food on me !)
Click to expand...
You should still refer to Gronze and Wise Pilgrim/Buen Camino apps. No list is complete and no one is 100% regarding open/close dates of albergues. When I walk in late November/December I always call ahead if I ever have any doubt if an albergue is open. Just because a website or an app says open it does not necessarily mean they are open. Owners can and do close at their own discretion no matter what they have informed webmasters and app owners.
 
I'll surely do that, thanks for your advice!
 
Well, perhaps every Camino route is worth doing; every Camino route has value (meaning there is not #1 or 'top' Camino). Even doing a half hour walk in the morning from your home is, from a certain perspective, a Camino walk. Spain does not have a monopoly on spirituality. Having said this, I plead guilty to often doing things that I want or desire to do. Wish you the best on getting some good input from our forum members. Chuck
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
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