Declining numbers recorded on the Via de la Plata

[C clearly]

Going without food when arriving at the wrong time in the small villages.

Ah, yes. Fond memories! I am old and like some comfort too, but don't mind if the universe laughs at them occasionally. My Easter Sunday dinner in Alija del Infantado (on the way to Astorga) was memorable. Even the gas station had run low on supplies. I started with house wine (awful) with some kind of crispy snack. As I recall, it was followed by honey-barbeque-flavoured peanuts (even worse) and a Magnum ice cream bar (it is hard to spoil a Magnum bar).

Do you recall where Easter fell whilst you were walking that year,

Walking into Salamanca on a sunny Palm Sunday was fabulous - arriving at the cathedral just in time to join the procession arriving there. At least at that time (2017), the albergue didn't take reservations so it was possible for those who arrived early enough.

 

[J.Patrick]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I’ve never been more inclined to do the VDLP than I am now after hearing of your experiences. Grateful here.

 

[Rita Flower]

Many news articles recently commenting on the record number of Compostelas issued in 2024. By contrast an article from a Zamora website today notes that while pilgrim numbers on other routes have grown significantly in recent years numbers walking the Via de la Plata in particular have declined over the past decade. Some comment from a local Amigos group about a lack of investment and promotion from local authorities. I found myself in two minds while reading the piece. Better infrastructure could make the Via de la Plata an easier and more comfortable route to walk. But would that change its special character?

El Camino de Santiago de la Vía de la Plata cae un 10% en una década y la mayor parte de los peregrinos no pasa por Zamora

Los datos de 2024 son inferiores a los de 2015 en un contexto de gran crecimiento en la llegada de peregrinos a la ciudad santa

enfoquezamora.com

It seems to me that there is a myth that the VDLP is a very hard Camino - so many people said this to me when I was walking the Francés this year. I used to call it ‘the old people’s Camino’ because it is relatively flat so much of the time. Compared to Le Puy to Conques and even the Francés I found VDLP relatively easy.
However it is quite a solitary Camino and perhaps not to everyone’s taste. I also notice that the Norte (a physically hard Camino) and Portugese Coastal have become very popular - I think people from non-coastal locations love the idea of a long walk along the coast.
Perhaps in these days of instant gratification the Via seems less attractive.

 

[Moniq]

I'll be walking the VDLP, starting in Sevilla, at the end of March. This will be my third Camino (2nd route). I'm a bit anxious at the challenges of the lack of infrastructure support and the solitary nature of the Camino. Unlike so many here (on the forums in general), I don't view the significant lack of pilgrims as a great benefit of this route. I recently watched the youtube vlogs of an older gentleman who walked the VDLP and he commented on how he and others would purposely slow down or speed up to avoid catching up to each other; presumably because catching up and saying hello to each other was a situation to be avoided at all costs? I found that sad. While I don't like or want a conga line of pilgrims, 5 pilgrims purposely avoiding each other on 27 kilometer stages isn't the environment I hope to find either. In any case, I chose this route as a physical and spiritual challenge foremost, yet hope to meet interesting friendly folks along the way. But, I'll adapt to whatever I find.

I saw that video as well and had the same thoughts. I will also start somewhere between half and end of coming March. If I see you I will definitely say hi

 

[PaulMCP]

Now I want to walk the Via de la Plata again...
Sevilla - Cáceres seems like a nice 2 weeks walk

I’m doing Seville-Caceres in late Sept - can’t wait!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Never done that but please describe it if you do.

Will do for sure?

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hi, walked April 22 from Cadiz to Astorga and then Sanabres to SdC and on to finisterre/muxia. I really enjoyed it. In hindsight I would have gone Astorga to Leon then San Salvador/ primitivo. Have a blog on track my tour if of help. No other pilgrims. Jerez de la Frontera was a highlight for me. I'd read some very negative reports before I went but found it a very enjoyable 6 days and a great precursor to the vdp.

This sounds great . Thank you. Yes any blog of references will be fab!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

There really is no issue with food or water you just might carry a few more snacks on some days.

Ok, wait. Water is important. On the Frances, Norte, Portuguese, etc. I usually carry 1 liter of water as there are often opportunities for that nice chlorinated tap water available. On the VDLP I carry more water. Not insane amounts, like 2 -3 liters (depending on the stage of course).

 

[Lindsay53]

Ah, yes. Fond memories! I am old and like some comfort too, but don't mind if the universe laughs at them occasionally. My Easter Sunday dinner in Alija del Infantado (on the way to Astorga) was memorable. Even the gas station had run low on supplies. I started with house wine (awful) with some kind of crispy snack. As I recall, it was followed by honey-barbeque-flavoured peanuts (even worse) and a Magnum ice cream bar (it is hard to spoil a Magnum bar).
View attachment 183705 View attachment 183706

I remember the walk through the pouring rain from the albergue to that petrol station in Alija de Infantado to get supplies for my dinner - microvave hamburgers. The Camino provides, but in strange ways sometimes.