My first Camino - Variante Espiritual from Vigo

[annandrews]

Hello all,
I am in Madrid now, will be in Salamanca next week and taking the train to Vigo on 22nd to start my camino from there on the 23rd. I am excited. I am doing this alone in honor of my mother's soul, who passed away last year.
From what I've read on this forum Vigo - Santiago is 100 kms, the minimum required to get my Compostella.

A few questions:
1) I was hoping to do the spiritual variant, Will there be enough people on this trail, just for a psychologically safe feeling?
2) Where can I stay in Vigo on the 22nd before I start my journey?
3) Anyone planning to walk the camino on these days that I can connect with?

 

[jungleboy]

1) I was hoping to do the spiritual variant, Will there be enough people on this trail, just for a psychologically safe feeling?

Yes, the VE has become quite popular in the last few years (and deservedly so!).

 

[Corned Beef]

I passed through Vigo last week and as it is a city, there a plenty of places to chose from unless you are looking for a pilgrim-specific one.

The port area is busy as you would expect and is focussed on tourists. Vigo also has a lot of hills so you could go further up and have the view. I found a relatively inexpensive hotel in the centre chosen for its proximity to a lavanderia (you have to be practical sometimes).

Pic is the shopping centre with one of the two cruise ships that were there that day.

 

[gollygolly]

Where can I stay in Vigo on the 22nd before I start my journey?

In Vigo there is a recently opened albergue that is very well located in the historic area of Vigo.

Albergue público de peregrinos de Vigo Juan Manuel López-Chaves​

and that is located at Rúa da Ribeira do Berbés, 5

Highly recommended.

Bon Camino !

 

[Sue127]

I will be about a week behind you, starting in Porto on 20th. Buen Camino.

 

[annandrews]

I am now in the Camino, starting from Vigo staying at the albergue Albergue público de peregrinos de Vigo Juan Manuel López-Chaves at Rúa da Ribeira do Berbés, 5, 36202 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain

 

[annandrews]

The place is located accurately in Google maps, needs and bathrooms are clean and new. I look forward to sleeping tight. That take 8 euros in cash.

The exit door is on the 3rd floor.
The Iglesia de Santiago is 7 mins away and has a mass at 7.30 pm after which you can get your stamp.

 

[jsalt]

I am now in the Camino, starting from Vigo staying at the albergue Albergue público de peregrinos de Vigo Juan Manuel López-Chaves at Rúa da Ribeira do Berbés, 5, 36202 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain

Bom caminho!

Fantastic to see that there is now a dedicated albergue in Vigo for pilgrims.

Opened less that 4 months ago according to Gronze!

 

[Corned Beef]

You’re a bit out of the way there but if you follow the road along the coast for about a mile you’ll see the main port, shopping area and centre. Lots of restaurants too.

One thing I could not get used to was the restaurants opening at 8:00 pm or later - then getting up early to move on.

Will take some planning or you’ll have to cook for yourself. I have family from the Vigo area and they can’t get used to our early ways.

 

[annandrews]

You’re a bit out of the way there but if you follow the road along the coast for about a mile you’ll see the main port, shopping area and centre. Lots of restaurants too.

One thing I could not get used to was the restaurants opening at 8:00 pm or later - then getting up early to move on.

Will take some planning or you’ll have to cook for yourself. I have family from the Vigo area and they can’t get used to our early ways.

I did, even joined a local dancing party. Life is good in Galicia.

Got my pilgrim passport stamped at the Iglesia de Santiago.
Have to remember the 2 stamps per day rule.
Heading back to the albergue now for some shut eye and an early morning start.

 

[annandrews]

Does anyone know where exactly to join the Camino at Vigo?

 

[annandrews]

I started walking at 8 and am now at mass at 10 am at the Igrexa Parroquial da Inmaculada Concepción.

I got my passport stamped here.
Keeping walking along Ria de Toledo and happy to see the Camino sign for the first time.

 

[J Willhaus]

Congrats and Buen Camino! I'll let Phil from your Pueblo Ingles group know you are on the way. Hope you will check in and continue to let us know how it is going or how it went.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Does anyone know where exactly to join the Camino at Vigo?

Check out Windy Maps. If you enlarge the city area of Vigo, you’ll see exactly the route (the blue line) out of the city heading to Redondela.

 

[annandrews]

Thank you! I started from Vigo last Sunday and reached Santiago yesterday. It was an exhilarating experience!

Check out Windy Maps. If you enlarge the city area of Vigo, you’ll see exactly the route (the blue line) out of the city heading to Redondela.

 

[Former member 49149]

Thank you! I started from Vigo last Sunday and reached Santiago yesterday. It was an exhilarating experience!

Lovely to read your thread, and to see that so far, so good. May each step bring you nearer to Santiago, and to whatever awaits you there!

 

[bootscobler]

The place is located accurately in Google maps, needs and bathrooms are clean and new. I look forward to sleeping tight. That take 8 euros in cash.

The exit door is on the 3rd floor.
The Iglesia de Santiago is 7 mins away and has a mass at 7.30 pm after which you can get your stamp.

I will be taking a bus from Baiona to vigo. I will not stay in Vigo but will pass through. Is it easy path to start my Camino in the iglesia de Santiago?

 

[annandrews]

I would say Yes. Starting at the Iglesia de Santiago , the path is clearly marked. You won't need your phone or any maps and soon enough you'll meet people on the way, doing just local biking or hikes. The road is tarred, but pretty scenic, you'll see the port of Vigo for a while and the ria for most of the day.

 

[bootscobler]

I would say Yes. Starting at the Iglesia de Santiago , the path is clearly marked. You won't need your phone or any maps and soon enough you'll meet people on the way, doing just local biking or hikes. The road is tarred, but pretty scenic, you'll see the port of Vigo for a while and the ria for most of the day.

Thank you

 

[Chopinet]

I plan to make the CP on late June but my wish would be to make my wife and kid (10 yo) join at Vigo to complete the final stages. How many days from Vigo did it took to you to get to Santiago following the Variante Espiritual? On Gronze it looks like 5 days are needed, both with or without the VE, average 20 km, which I think are fine for my son but I ignore if the VE is much more demanding compared to the classic route.

 

[Grousedoctor]

We ha

I plan to make the CP on late June but my wish would be to make my wife and kid (10 yo) join at Vigo to complete the final stages. How many days from Vigo did it took to you to get to Santiago following the Variante Espiritual? On Gronze it looks like 5 days are needed, both with or without the VE, average 20 km, which I think are fine for my son but I ignore if the VE is much more demanding compared to the classic route.

We are doing this route in April. From Vigo to Santiago, we have it planned out at 6 days. Some days are a bit longer then others at 25 km, but then we also have some shorter days in there. Depending on where you decide to stop along this route, it seems that 5 days is also very doable. Having walked the Central Route before, we’re looking forward to walking the Coastal Route up to Vigo and then taking the VE after Pontevedra.