Camino Catalán Experience

[stevelm1]

Hi Pilgrims, I have walked the CF and the CP. Now I am thinking of walking the Camino Catalán in September and I am wondering if anyone here has done that and wouldn't mind sharing some thoughts on the topic?

 

[LTfit]

Back in 2015 I walked from Barcelona to Monserrat (through Sant Cugat) where I met up with @peregrina2000 and we continued on the Camí Sant Jaume through San Juan de la Peña (other route goes through Zaragoza).

We only met a couple of pilgrims back then. You can use the search function to read about it but I'm sure that someone else has more recent information/experience.

After finishing we hitchhiked up to Somport and walked the Aragonés.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Similar to @LTfit minus @peregrina2000 and the Somport to Santa Cilia portion of the Aragonese. This was solo in late October and early November 2019. From Montserrat for a few days I saw pilgrims walking the Ignacio which is colocated for a bit but goes in the opposite direction. One in the Monserrat albergue, three in the albergue the next day and two in passing on the trail (we exchanged tips). Shared an albergue two days from Huesca with a fast walking Santiago bound pilgrim and one day out from Huesca a hill walker who often used the albergue as a base camp for day hikes. Log books showed several days between me and the walker ahead of me. On the Aragonese there was me, a woman and the guy I met pre-Huesca sharing albergues for three or four nights (he had spent several days with friends in Huesca). I didn't think I would mind things being so lonely but it did bother me some.

I'm likely to add more posts later.

 

[stevelm1]

Similar to @LTfit minus @peregrina2000 and the Somport to Santa Cilia portion of the Aragonese. This was solo in late October and early November 2019. From Montserrat for a few days I saw pilgrims walking the Ignacio which is colocated for a bit but goes in the opposite direction. One in the Monserrat albergue, three in the albergue the next day and two in passing on the trail (we exchanged tips). Shared an albergue two days from Huesca with a fast walking Santiago bound pilgrim and one day out from Huesca a hill walker who often used the albergue as a base camp for day hikes. Log books showed several days between me and the walker ahead of me. On the Aragonese there was me, a woman and the guy I met pre-Huesca sharing albergues for three or four nights (he had spent several days with friends in Huesca). I didn't think I would mind things being so lonely but it did bother me some.

I'm likely to add more posts later.

Thanks for the responce. I am figuring this is going to be a 'lonely' walk for the most part. I am hoping that I can find an alburegue/hotel about every 16k/10m. Does this sound feasible?

 

[stevelm1]

Back in 2015 I walked from Barcelona to Monserrat (through Sant Cugat) where I met up with @peregrina2000 and we continued on the Camí Sant Jaume through San Juan de la Peña (other route goes through Zaragoza).

We only met a couple of pilgrims back then. You can use the search function to read about it but I'm sure that someone else has more recent information/experience.

After finishing we hitchhiked up to Somport and walked the Aragonés.

Thanks for the responce. I am planning on walking from Barcelona to Saint Jean and then from there to Pampalona to complete the section of the CF that I missed the first time.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I am hoping that I can find an alburegue/hotel about every 16k/10m. Does this sound feasible?

It won't be cheap. I looked through Gronze. The stages are generally 20 to 30 km with the cheap places at the stage towns. There are plenty of lodgings listed though. A caution: one stage ends at La Peña Estación but there is no lodging there. I broke up the 2 stages to 3, Bolea - Sarsamacuello - Ena - Santa Cilia. After Ena is Botaya with a youth hostel open for summer and weekends. That would make a tough last day easier.

 

[lindam]

Thanks for the responce. I am figuring this is going to be a 'lonely' walk for the most part. I am hoping that I can find an alburegue/hotel about every 16k/10m. Does this sound feasible?

I have walked the Catalan Camino a couple of times, starting in Barcelona. For the most up to date information regarding albergues and services along the route I would recommend looking at the PDF found on this site: http://amicsdelspelegrins.org/camino-catalan-por-san-juan-de-la-pena/. You will be unlikely to find an albergue/hotel every 16km.

 

[stevelm1]

I have walked the Catalan Camino a couple of times, starting in Barcelona. For the most up to date information regarding albergues and services along the route I would recommend looking at the PDF found on this site: http://amicsdelspelegrins.org/camino-catalan-por-san-juan-de-la-pena/. You will be unlikely to find an albergue/hotel every 16km.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Silencio Por Favor]

I have walked the Catalan Camino a couple of times, starting in Barcelona. For the most up to date information regarding albergues and services along the route I would recommend looking at the PDF found on this site: http://amicsdelspelegrins.org/camino-catalan-por-san-juan-de-la-pena/. You will be unlikely to find an albergue/hotel every 16km.

Hi Lindam, I am curious regarding Barcelona to Monserrat, is this 3 day walk scenic or predominantly relatively unattractive urbanized? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[lindam]

Hi Lindam, I am curious regarding Barcelona to Monserrat, is this 3 day walk scenic or predominantly relatively unattractive urbanized? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Hello, It is a pleasant urban walk to leave the city of Barcelona, with many beautiful architectural gems along the way. Exiting the city, one finds the Laberint d'Horta where the camino joins a nature trail that leads to the small community of Sant Cugat with its monastery. The walk from Sant Cugat to Ullastrell involves more road walking but is certainly rural rather than urban. The eventual climb to Montserrat is challenging but unforgettable, predominantly following a rather rugged trail.

 

[Anaderol]

Hi Pilgrims, I have walked the CF and the CP. Now I am thinking of walking the Camino Catalán in September and I am wondering if anyone here has done that and wouldn't mind sharing some thoughts on the topic?

Hi, I walked CF a few times also and going to walk Catalan in July. I’m wondering if it’s well marked and if there’s lodging available?

 

[lindam]

Hi, I walked CF a few times also and going to walk Catalan in July. I’m wondering if it’s well marked and if there’s lodging available?

Hello Anaderol,
The Catalan Camino is generally well marked although you will find fewer markings when compared to your experience on the CF. If you look at my reply above to @stevelm1, I posted the link for a PDF listing accommodations and services along the way. Do be advised that it will likely be very hot during the month of July (too hot for me!) and there are long stretches with no tree cover or shade.