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Between 25 August and 2 October? You would have to try very hard to be alone! There will be hundreds on each stage at that time of year. The route is very well signposted. If you need a little insurance for confidence then carrying a smartphone with one of the apps which uses maps and gps would help though the chances of needing it except in the larger towns is slim. Those who have used them will probably chime in with recommendations. I just use maps.me with downloaded offline maps and a gpx track.I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide.
I think most of the Apps have this feature don't they?As a back up, the Buen Camino app will show you where you on the map related to the Camino with needing to be online or using data. You might consider that as a way to make you feel more comfortable. It also shows how far to the next village.
Yes, but you don't know that until someone tells you and the OP was looking for reassurances.I think most of the Apps have this feature don't they?
Fair point.Yes, but you don't know that until someone tells you and the OP was looking for reassurances.
No fun so far...they have changed our ticket for the 5th time and cancelled a flight in the US resulting in an additional leg for us once in country...Fair point.
Enjoy the flight home.........
The first time I walked I didnt have a guide book or an app. Just followed the arrows and had the time of my life. It really is that simple. You will have the best time.I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
Sometimes you have to get lost to find the way.The only person who walked 10km off course (somewhere in Rioja, I think) did not have an app & the farmer he stopped to ask was so surprised that someone could be so far off track, he immediately drove him back to the Camino gratis !
Hello Joe ! Do not worry, you will find your way easily. I am 76 woman and walked 315 kilometers without any training and a pair of 8months new knie prothesis on both knies. I walked alone spoke only with someone during three days. Cheer up, you’ll make it !I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
Yes, I agree with all that has been said. You will not be alone and 99% of other pilgrims will look after you. The first stage from SJPDP is tough, maybe break it in two by staying in Orrison. I am not sure about accommodation; personally, at that time of year, I would book in advance but my information may be out of date. I would certainly book Orrison if you do want to stay there.Thank you to the three of you, my Camino comrades for your support and very reassuring responses. You have boosted my spirits. I will also look into downloading the suggested apps. Rob, from the dp I recognize you and want you to know that I have gone through your many videos and they have been helpful.
I would say it's almost impossible to get lost on the Camino Frances
You will fast get into the habit of looking for the arrows and other markers along the route.
And not passing through a junction, till you have spotted the next marker........
As @Bradypus has suggested, if you want added reassurance, use one of the many phone apps that include mapping. On the less travelled, less well marked routes, I download gps 'tracks' from gronze.com and open them in maps.me Both free to use. You can then see 'live' where you are in relation to the Camino trail.
But really, on the Camino Frances, you don't need that. Lots of markers and lots of other Pilgrims headed the same way (at that time of year)
I would say it's almost impossible to get lost on the Camino Frances
Don't you just love it? It's always such fun when a local puts us right. Has happened so many times. This is a post I wrote in our blog this spring on the Camino Ingles:Should you go astray, be assured that dozens of Spaniards will issue forth from their offices, farms, and bars, to put you back on the good path. When in doubt follow the arrows....
It is easy to find you way on the CF mostly because you are so often within sight of othe pilgrims. There are lots of arrows and shells to mark the trail .I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
Greetings Joe,I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
It would be very hard to get lost, although some first-timers do seem to manage it anyway !!I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
The path is well signed but can be tricky sometimes but John' s book is a great reference guide. 'The Way' I hear is very busy now maybe book some early so you know you have a bed. And don't worry you will get fitter each day. I did my first in 2019 and I was 71. And I'm returning on 27 August leaving from Australia.I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
I'm starting one day behind you. Relax and go with the flow. Go well, Joe!I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
First, don't be anxious. You will be fine. The arrows pointing you in the right direction are numerous. AND...even if you start going the wrong way, you will realize very quickly. There are backpack transport for around $5 a day. They will pick up your pack and drop it off in the town/albergue you are heading to. I would recommend using that and bringing a small pack for the day's walk containing the essentials like money/credit cards, snacks, actual passport and pilgrim credentials. Also, if you aren't in the "best fitness state" try to get accommodations at Refuge Orisson which will make your first day not so long and how many people can say they slept in the Pyrennes?I plan to walk Camino Frances starting 25 Aug to 2 Oct from SJPP to Santiago de a Compostela and among my many anxious thoughts are not missing my route and walking astray. I will be alone and depending on John Brierley’s book as my guide. I am 69 and not in the best fitness state. What are your thoughts? What is the best way to keep on track and not lose my way? I have not booked any accommodations and hope to do enroute on the day. Please help.
Everyone who stopped at Orrison or Bourda.and how many people can say they slept in the Pyrennes?
Thank you very much. I have to bear that in mind.I did my first Camino last summer and am planning my second just a few days behind you. I made reservations at Orisson and Roncesvalles. When I realized I made them a day later than I really should have, I contacted both properties directly several weeks ago and they were already fully booked on the dates of August 29 and 30th.
If you are going to just wing it on accommodations, you may need to walk a very long first day (past Roncesvalles) or use a taxi. At 61 and in good level of fitness, I wouldn’t want a 32 km first day.
Thank you very much for your post which actually has got me worried, although for a valid, good, reason. In John Brierley's book he talks of two private accommodations in Orrison. Is it these you are referring to or are there other ones too there? Since you have done this before, what is the best way to go with accommodations, book them far in advance or call in the day before? I'd appreciate you help. If Orrison and Roncesvalles are booked is taxi or walk to the next the only way out?I did my first Camino last summer and am planning my second just a few days behind you. I made reservations at Orisson and Roncesvalles. When I realized I made them a day later than I really should have, I contacted both properties directly several weeks ago and they were already fully booked on the dates of August 29 and 30th.
If you are going to just wing it on accommodations, you may need to walk a very long first day (past Roncesvalles) or use a taxi. At 61 and in good level of fitness, I wouldn’t want a 32 km first day.
Where do you download the Wise Pilgrim from and how easy is it to follow? Do you need the wifi for that or can you download the entire route prior?You will not get lost on the Frances but if you are concerned, and like me want to make sure you’re on the right path, I recommend downloading Wise Pilgrim. You can use the GPS wayfinding without wifi. I like this because a) I’m paranoid when I don’t see arrows for awhile and b) I like to see what towns are up ahead to prepare and get excited for my cafe breaks!
I’m only familiar with Refuge Orisson and Refuge Borda in Orisson. They are 9 km up from SJPDP. Roncesvalles is about 27 km from SJPdP. There are a few private accommodations in addition to the large monastery albergue.Thank you very much for your post which actually has got me worried, although for a valid, good, reason. In John Brierley's book he talks of two private accommodations in Orrison. Is it these you are referring to or are there other ones too there? Since you have done this before, what is the best way to go with accommodations, book them far in advance or call in the day before? I'd appreciate you help. If Orrison and Roncesvalles are booked is taxi or walk to the next the only way out?
How have you made your accommodation bookings in the past? Do I have to do them in advance or on the day as I go along is okay?Oh if booking ahead it’s really simple if you use the Wise Pilgrim app. Phone numbers are there and use WhatsApp. I found it easy and responsive.
Orisson is not a town. It's just the name of the area about 5 miles from St Jean Pied de Port where you will find Refuge Orisson and Auberge Borda.MiThank you very much for your post which actually has got me worried, although for a valid, good, reason. In John Brierley's book he talks of two private accommodations in Orrison. Is it these you are referring to or are there other ones too there? Ft
Wise Pilgrim is available through Apple Store and I would assume Android. It is very easy to follow. The paid version has more features than the free version. You need Wi-Fi to download but do not need to be connected to Wi-Fi or data for GPS wayfinding while walking. When I was in the Camino, I would always open the app each morning in the albergue when on Wi-Fi to update or refresh the app. I don’t know if this was necessary. The creator of the app is on this Forum under the username @wisepilgrim if you have questions. It’s great because you can see what towns are up ahead and whether they have cafes. That always gave me something to look forward to!Where do you download the Wise Pilgrim from and how easy is it to follow? Do you need the wifi for that or can you download the entire route prior?
I recommend using the shuttle service from Express Bourricot to return to St. Jean and to return to your prior pick up point from the previous day.If Orrison and Roncesvalles are booked is taxi or walk to the next the only way out?
I accompanied a small group of "newbie" pilgrims from SJPdP to Pamplona in May. We used Express Bourricot's Mountain Shuttle and it worked great. The pick up/drop off point at the Virgin of Orisson statue is about an hour's walk past Orisson where we stopped for lunch.I recommend using the shuttle service from Express Bourricot to return to St. Jean and to return to your prior pick up point from the previous day.
It is quite cheap for the shuttle and it means:
1 you can get a second night's accommodation in St. Jean at what ever price point suits you (versus the costs of Orrison/Borda). AND
2 If you walk up to the Snow Virgin or coffee cart at the turnoff near the top then the next morning you will be way in front of most other pilgrims (as Orrison/Borda are further down the hill towards St. Jean) and so you have a much better chance of getting accommodation at Roncesvalles.
This is what I did and it worked well for me during the busiest period during May 2019 (which still ranks as the busiest since then).
Thanks for the encouragement. That's my take for this walk, but I have my wife with me who is not as comfortable with no plans at all. Will see how it pan out.The first time I walked I didnt have a guide book or an app. Just followed the arrows and had the time of my life. It really is that simple. You will have the best time.
I am 69 and not in the best fitness state.
Difficult but not impossible. Just west of Estella, the arrow was so far after the junction that I could not see it until I had guessed wrong, gone a long ways, doubled back and walked several meters on the right path.I do not think it be possible to get lost on the Frances. Just follow the other pilgrims as you exit in the morning and you will be fine. Should you go astray, be assured that dozens of Spaniards will issue forth from their offices, farms, and bars, to put you back on the good path. When in doubt follow the arrows....
Yes, my husband and I got lost on the camino from Santiago to Finisterre. It cost us a few extra kilometers that day. Here's what we wrote in our blog about it."Almost impossible to get lost". Indeed it is but still possible.
I’ll also be having my 63rd birthday while on the Camino in October@JoeF
I did my 1st CF last year, turning 63 while at it (well, technically while already on the way to Finisterre), not in great shape... and let me just say that I got myself "lost" aplenty, all pretty much before I got to Burgos (after that I was a PRO)
Every time kind locals pointed me to the right way and on 2 occasions physically WALKED with me until I was on the right path!!!
To be fair, I did not take any maps or Brierly Bible with me, one time misread a local map, and stubbornly refused to download any Camino apps and\or even consult Google maps ...
Some folks are OK without the above, I thought I'd be OK too, but then I came to conclusion that I "needed help" and all was well from that moment on.
As many already stated you learn to follow others and to look for the arrows and plaques as you gain confidence in yourself
All-in-all its quite doable and yes practically impossible to truly get lost
Good luck and Buen Camino
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