Maps and Guides

[Sansthing]

I plan to start my Camino from Roncesvalles early in May. I've been checking the site for information on the best guidebook and/or maps, and notice there are a variety of opinions (these dabates are very useful, it is so good to hear all sides of the question). Being very weight-conscious I am considering the CSJ guide and Brierleys maps. My query is whether there is a tourist office in Roncesvalles where I might get the same type of thing for free. It seems pointless to duplicate stuff and I am sure a tourist office information would also be the most up-to-date. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow pilgrims a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .
Sandra

 

[William Marques]

The most up to date 'guide' is usually the CSJ small light booklet and it is based on independent reports rather than tourist office puff. It weighs very little and I would always take it.

The Brierley guide is good but you really do not need a map to find the way, it is well way-marked.

Remember if you are going any time except mid winter there will be others around with a variety of guides and maps to look at and you can always buy a Spanish guides from one of the larger towns along he route.

 

[ivar]

The CSJ Camino Frances guide comes out yearly and the next edition is due January 2009.

Howard at CSJ told me he would post a message in the forum once the new guide is out.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[jeff001]

I have used the CSJ and Brierley guides on both of my Caminos. The CSJ guide is certianly adequate for finding the basic route and services. But for a much more extensive description of the route, the places you are passing and alternative routes and accommodations I found the Brierley guide to be indespensible. I would recommend that you take both.

 

[Chev.Jerry]

I used the Brierley guide, not just for the map, the Camino is well marked but we still took routes not intended..., but for the information and the topographical information, (up and down hills etc.,) for a reference too. A long flat day and a challengening up/down hill day, are two very different things.

You can rip out and leave home the part of the Camino you won't be walking.

I don't think you can go wrong, however.

Buen Camino

Jerry

 

[crackmrmac]

Hi Sandra,
At this stage you probably have loads of information and are quite knowledgable about the varying aspects of the Camino.However if you have no "hard copy" of the feely bulky paper type, I think you should buy one (i.e.a book), or perhaps as Christmas approaches put titles on your wish list.

Buen Camino

Brian

P.S. Have you read & considered replying to Sil's post on forum members names?

 

[Theo]

Hi,

About maps and albergues for the camino francés, I found recently this web site :

http://www.caminomap.com/

... using Google Maps where all the camino francés -- and more from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Fisterra -- is drawn in a surprising accurate way.

Merry Christmas

Théo

 

[Theo]

Hi,

I'm sorry ; the drawing of the camino is no more available...! ... only the albergues ...

The web site updating seems to be ongoing ...? ...

Théo

 

[Sansthing]

Many thanks for all your suggestions. I was thinking of maps more for the topographical information and distances between villages than route finding. I´d like to have an idea of what to expect when setting off in the morning. If it is going to be a very hilly day I´d rather be psychologically prepared for it, then it never seems so bad :!: I think I´ll take the CSJ guide for the accommodation, when the updated one is ready. Do the Brierley maps just show the route or also the topography?.
By the way, I have posted on Sil´s names forum.
Sandra

 

[sillydoll]

The Brierley guides have profiles of the route for each stage.
Here is a document with profiles that you can print out as well.

 

[jeff001]

This site also has profiles:
http://www.elcaminosantiago.com/PDF/Pro ... Etapas.pdf

 

[Anniesantiago]

I just don't see how one could improve much on the Breierly guides... I love them!

 

[crackmrmac]

Ah Sandra,

I must have been enjoying some vino tinto and missed your post on Forum Names!!!
Before I went on Camino I checked amazon and bought two books; Walking the Camino De Santiago: From St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago De Compostela and on to Finisterre by Cole & Davies, and John Brierley's guide. I would recommend Brierley's guide but not the other.
I did two short stretches, so I photocopied the relevant pages and took them with me.
Surprisingly, I travelled a little further than anticipated on both occasions, which had it's own rewards.

Buen Camino

Brian

 

[Francois Reyneke]

Is it really necessary to get guide books. I read on another website that you get everything in terms of directions etc from the various refuges (spelling)? If so, where can I get hold of them?
:?

 

[sillydoll]

No, of course you don't have to have a guide book. You can't really get lost although it helps to have a book that gives you basic directions and mileages between villages and towns.
Most guide books also offer the walker some practical and historical info on the country they are walking through. Your understanding of what you see on your way to Santiago will depend on what you know (or what you can read in a book.)

 

[Sansthing]

The 2009 CSJ guide for the Camino Frances is now available. I ordered mine yesterday. Thought I´d mention it in case anyone was waiting for it to come out.
Sandra

 

[grayland]

The 2009 Brierley guide is also now out. It has been distributed to UK outlets and is available. The release in the U.S. will not be until mid-February.
I have one (supposedly) on the way from the UK.
The UK site is http://www.findhornpress.com

 

[Marilyn Canada]

The three new Brierley Camino guides...Frances, Portugues and Finisterre, Muxia are not planned for release in Canada by amazon.ca until April 1st ...but we are patient folks..so we wait....watching the snow pile up outside...wishfully thinking of our next Camino....

Marilyn

ps I find the prices on amazon.ca are usually good for the new guides they are $20, $16, and $16 respectively....and no shipping chargesfor delivery in Canada if order is over $39.....

 

[Anonymous]

The best Camino Frances map is 1:1 scale - there is one in Spain, all opened up and rolled out, but I don't think it's for sale ....

thing about guides is that rather than finding out what you missed if you have one you can choose to miss things if you wish ... there's a free will thing here but can't quite grasp it ... there are a few places where the route splits and you make a choice, also there are some rather special places that are a little off route and worth a detour ... also, if you do know the terrain ahead and where the fountains are you can choose how much water to carry - can make a big difference .. though ...

wouldn't it be great if guides were printed on the same paper as the type used in Bibles? So thin and light yet strong ... guides can be soooo heavy.

 

[Howard]

This 2009 edition of the CSJ Guide to the Camino Francés is indeed now available - it was published in time for our AGM this weekend. You can order it via our Bookshop: http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/The_CSJ_Bookshop_Pilgrim_Guides_to_Spain_23.html#camfran - where the photo of last year's cover will be changed as fast as possible!

As always, we welcome feedback <office@csj.org.uk> from pilgrims using the guide, which we post as updates on the website until next January's edition is published.

 

[colinPeter]

This 2009 edition of the CSJ Guide to the Camino Francés is indeed now available

We have the 2008 guide (with updates), is there any advantage in getting the 2009 guide for our first Camino (from Saint Jean..) in April?

Col

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Col - if you are happy using the 2 then they will be perfectly adequate.

John

 

[grayland]

The 2009 Brierley guide is also now out. It has been distributed to UK outlets and is available. The release in the U.S. will not be until mid-February.
I have one (supposedly) on the way from the UK.
The UK site is http://www.findhornpress.com

Received the 2009 Brierley guide very quickly.
It seems to be current as it references Obama in the text.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You can pre-order John Brierley's book from Amazon now for an April 1, 2009 release. It won't help if you leave before then!

http://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Guide-Ca ... 694&sr=8-5