Alternative routes and albergues that are worth it!

[Gelariv]

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

 

[Bradypus]

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.

Pagina nueva 1

 

[dougfitz]

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

 

[SYates]

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

 

[Gelariv]

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.

Pagina nueva 1

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 !)

 

[Gelariv]

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

Thank you for your suggestions, I will check that for sure!

 

[Gelariv]

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

Thank you for your suggestions, I'll certainly take the river route into Burgos, and go to the parish albergue in Granon

 

[J Willhaus]

The best part about walking in winter is that usually there is only one albergue open and it will be the best one...

Do try to stop at Grañón for a special experience although the albergue in Santo Domingo run by the Confraternity is nice, too, and Santo Domingo is a pretty cool town.

 

[Gelariv]

The best part about walking in winter is that usually there is only one albergue open and it will be the best one...

Do try to stop at Grañón for a special experience although the albergue in Santo Domingo run by the Confraternity is nice, too, and Santo Domingo is a pretty cool town.

Great, that will be simple then I take notes of your suggestions, thank you!

 

[lt56ny]

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 !)

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.

 

[Gelariv]

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!

 

[bullingtonce]

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

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

 

[Nelle]

In addition to what’s mentioned above — Eunate is worth a short detour to see the church, but it doesn’t offer a place to stay.

 

[Bill905]

The Pilgrim Office in SJPP will likely have a few suggestions and/or warnings for you. I am quite certain you will be told that when starting on your first day from SJPP, the Napoleon route is closed until April 1, and the Val Carlos route is the only option.

One piece of safety advice I learned from someone on this Forum is to carry a photo of your loved ones with you, and look at it often. It will help you make good choices. Perhaps keep it with your credencial.

Buen Camino, Bon Chemin! Stay safe.

 

[Juliawalking]

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

So great to see your list and so happy that I actually did all that! Great suggestions

 

[TrvlDad1]

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

I was disappointed in late March 2022 that I could not find anybody stirring at San Anton and it was all locked up. Wandering around the outside only increased my disappointment.

 

[dougfitz]

I was disappointed in late March 2022 that I could not find anybody stirring at San Anton and it was all locked up. Wandering around the outside only increased my disappointment.

It won't be open in January or February, but what is accessible offers some shelter from the elements and an opportunity to have a break before the final few km into Castrojeriz.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

the municipal albergue at Najera is a warm and happy oasis in wintertime. Just spend the afternoon there, with two fine volunteer hospitaleras and eight very happy, cozy winter pilgrims!