Different book guides, different routes. Which one to pick?

[Kikka]

Hi all,

first of all I want to thank all of you participating actively in this forum, sharing your experiences and opinions in a good manner and respect! I have never experienced such a sense of community in online forum!

And now to my question. I am reading a guide to the camino by John Brierly, and also I have a Michelin map with some information in it. Now, the routes are slightly different, often through different villages and paths. The book recommends mostly off road paths, often long time in nature, rather than alongside busy roads. The map in the other hand, follows mostly main roads. Honestly, I prefer the first option, but my question is, if it is marked properly. Will I know where to go when I am in the middle of a field or a forest?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola Kikka

I take it this is the Camino Frances? If so, the Brierley guide is fine. The route is well waymarked and there will inevitably be other pilgrims around. I realise that before you go on Camino it is hard to imagine that it will simply all work out. One day follows the other, you will follow the arrows and you will reach your next destination. Promise.

Best wishes

John

 

[jeff001]

The Michelin map is probably for those with automobiles and will have to stay with the roads. I have used the Brierley guides for the Frances and Portugese and found them to be excellent.

 

[Kikka]

Thank you! I think I should just leave my worries at home and let the camino to lead me three more weeks till then!!

 

[scruffy1]

One last word, I have great respect for Brierley and yes the Confraternity - however - the maps in Brierley's books are, well, special. They are usually accurate, may be trusted and the arrows on the Camino help if you are unsure. If you are accustomed to using a compass, maps, reconnoitering etc then beware. He has a special mapping scheme so take the time to understand his maps and to always keep in mind that north as his maps are printed is never in the north!

 

[Kikka]

Hmm, that is interesting to know! I think in towns and villages the orientation is quite simple, what concerns me are the off road paths, e.g. there is one 8km route out of civilization. But as others said, there will be other people on their way, plus I will try to use the sun as an orientation point, cause he recommends it that way. I hope I will figure it out quickly!

 

[dougfitz]

Hmm, that is interesting to know! I think in towns and villages the orientation is quite simple, what concerns me are the off road paths, e.g. there is one 8km route out of civilization. But as others said, there will be other people on their way, plus I will try to use the sun as an orientation point, cause he recommends it that way. I hope I will figure it out quickly!

My experience was that the larger towns were more difficult than the smaller towns and open paths. Apart for some minor difficulty before Pamplona and again coming into Triascastala, I found the marking excellent and easy to follow.

The towns were a completely different matter, and special care was needed. If one missed a sign, it was easy to get well off track, and difficult to find a way back. I wouldn't expect that to be much different whatever route is used.

I never used the sun-compass in my Brierley. I regularly use the sun as an orientation point, but it always takes me a day or so to make the mental adjustment for the change from the southern to the northern hemisphere, even when I remind myself that the sun is now in the south, and east is NOT to the right of the sun, I can still get it wrong!

 

[Kikka]

Well, maybe I will be surprise then. Getting lost is also a part of the experience I guess I though in bigger cities I could always use street names and probably ask people.. But I see my expectations are probably bit different than the reality out there! Cant way anyway!

 

[Pieces]

I walked from Porto to Santiago last year and the Portugues part of the Camino was very well marked, with not much chance of getting lost. Once across the border the arrows became fewer and further between, but we didnt get lost here either...

The was into Santiago itself was a different matter, easy to get lost here, and also beware that the milestones indicate the distance to the city border not to the Cathedral...