Going at the end of March

[mariuszm]

Hi,
I plan to walk Via la Plata at the end of March, will take some of the gear I had on Camino Frances few years ago, but would like to take a lighter sleeping bag this time.

1. Is a sleeping bag with comfort to 7C enough? I used it in Asia, and I'm bit worried it may not be enough.

2. Anyone knows iPhone app which tracks my route and allows to export later that data to the file or some common formats I can use later? I found TrackMyTour, but there you need to manually add the waypoints.

3. On Camino Frances I liked the fact that I could walk alone if I wanted to, but there were people around. Hopefully La Plata is not that solitary as I fear at this time of the year? I think I won't join Frances in Astorga, but go separate way. What's the situation there.

4. Anyone knows how long is the trip from Malaga airport to Sevilla by bus/train?

Thank you,
Mariusz

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hopefully La Plata is not that solitary as I fear at this time of the year?

There were 701 (214 left Sevilla) arrivals in Santiago last April (presumably started in March) on the Via de la Plata out of 15,120 total. That is about 20 per day.

 

[mariuszm]

Thank you Falcon.

Anyone knows if the PDF guide which you can find here on the forum is enough to walk this route or better go for book version with maps?

 

[koknesis]

Perhaps you can read this http://www.caminodesantiago.pl/medi...e-la-plata-sevilla-astorga-old-2012-06-18.pdf
And this
http://www.caminodesantiago.pl/media/docs/guides/MR-camino-sanabres-przewodnik.pdf

 

[musicman]

How can you get a translation of the przewodnik PDF?

 

[murraydv]

Hi,
I plan to walk Via la Plata at the end of March, will take some of the gear I had on Camino Frances few years ago, but would like to take a lighter sleeping bag this time.

1. Is a sleeping bag with comfort to 7C enough? I used it in Asia, and I'm bit worried it may not be enough.

2. Anyone knows iPhone app which tracks my route and allows to export later that data to the file or some common formats I can use later? I found TrackMyTour, but there you need to manually add the waypoints.

3. On Camino Frances I liked the fact that I could walk alone if I wanted to, but there were people around. Hopefully La Plata is not that solitary as I fear at this time of the year? I think I won't join Frances in Astorga, but go separate way. What's the situation there.

4. Anyone knows how long is the trip from Malaga airport to Sevilla by bus/train?

Thank you,
Mariusz

Hello Mariusz

I do the Via de la Plata for about 8 to 9 days each year. This coming May, I continue from La Calzada de Bejar. In terms of the train from Malaga to Seville, I did it by train several times and it is a comfortable and interesting journey. If you are at the airport, you will need to travel into Malaga Central first (about 20 minutes). The journey from Malaga Maria Zambrano station to Seville Santa Justa takes just under two hours on the Avant train and two and a half hours on the MD train. Go to the Renfe website for train details. http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/

On the App, I know it depends on budget, but have you ever considered buying a hiking GPS device such as Garmin Dakota 20? You would get them on EBay or Amazon.

I think that the Via de la Plata is not as travelled as the Camino Frances. Perhaps 5% to 7% of the Camino Frances population on Via de la Plata. So, there will certainly be sections where you won't meet many pilgrims. I would have to be honest and say that there will be some sections of the Via de la Plata that are solitary. But you are never too far from the sounds of traffic, farm houses etc. You will enjoy it. It is not as touristy as other busy caminos.

I don't use a sleeping bag. But, even if the days are warm, the nights can be cool.

Buen Camino Mariusz. You will enjoy.
Dave

 

[mariuszm]

@koknesis Dziekuje.

@murraydv That's a lot of useful information, thank you.

 

[mmm042]

Hi Mariusz.

I have walked in March and loved it. You may have many solitary days, but I always found plenty of company in the evenings. Often other pilgrims at the hostels, inns and restaurants, but also friendly locals who are happy to chat.

I just used the app MapMyHike on a hike I did in Florida, and that worked well. You can export files and all of that. I don't believe you need to manually add waypoints.

I used to have an app out there that was a VDLP guidebook, but the software people in charge shut down the company. However, before you leave a new website will be debuting calling Bindu Itineraries. I will have all of my VDLP app info on there in stages: the route, lodging, dining, attractions, etc. There will also be info on the Frances and, soon, the Norte: http://www.bindumedia.com/

Buen Camino!
Melanie

 

[mariuszm]

@mmm042 Thank you.

I have a choice of going 18th March, or 1st April. I would prefer less rain and more spring , so is 1st April obviously better choice?