Need a new route (March 2023)

[Damien Reynolds]

Hi again friends. I am getting antsy. It's been like 4 months since i was in Spain/Portugual. So as I told my sister (f*** it), i am going to go back. Here's the thing tho, i am looking for suggestions for a route that is appropriate for mid march to mid april. After that there is no doubt I'll be on the Norte again, which is my favorite. I've done the frances too many times already.

 

[dougfitz]

No route suggestions, just best wishes for whatever one you choose.

 

[trecile]

Via de la Plata?

 

[Damien Reynolds]

No route suggestions, just best wishes for whatever one you choose.

Thank you.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Via de la Plata?

I was thinking the same. Did it once before and didn't like it. But I am a different person now. Well, I just booked my non refundable tickets so here I go again.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Flying into Madrid so any suggestions are on the table still. Trains can take me anywhere.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Levante?

 

[Magwood]

How about the Mozárabe from Málaga? If you take the train from Madrid to Málaga you’ll pass by the gorge of the Caminito del Rey.

 

[Anamya]

For a crazy but probably awesome itinerary, go to Santander on the Norte, go towards San Vicente de La Barquera and walk the Lebaniego towards Santo Tor~ibio de Liébana. AMAZING route, we walked it in 2019.

Then continue on the Camino Vadiniense to León, enjoy the city and walk through the Picos de Europa on the Camino Salvador until Oviedo. From there, you can walk the Primitivo towards Santiago.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi again friends. I am getting antsy. It's been like 4 months since i was in Spain/Portugual. So as I told my sister (f*** it), i am going to go back. Here's the thing tho, i am looking for suggestions for a route that is appropriate for mid march to mid april. After that there is no doubt I'll be on the Norte again, which is my favorite. I've done the frances too many times already.

Damien, I'm not seeing the Vasco in your signature list. It's a lovely camino, though maybe a bit more delightful a month closer to summer. Just checked Gronze and it's viable for albergues - all of the ones in the usual stopping places are open all year, except Besain which opens 19 March. Salvatierra/Agurain looks closed, so for an albergue you'd have a 36km schlep to Alegria/Dulantzi, but other options are available. I walked to Santo Domingo, but it looks like there's albergues open all the way along the alternative route to Burgos, which is highly rated.

 

[peregrina2000]

Why didn’t you like the Vdlp? I think it’s probably worth a second try. Though mid-March is a little early for the riot of springtime flowers you would see a bit later. Then there’s the Mozárabe from Almería if you want great albergue infrastructure with probably total solitude. (but ditto with the flowers). And the Invierno from Ponferrada is beautiful and now likely to have some pilgrim companionship.

Buen camino!

 

[alexwalker]

VdlP.

Mozarabe: Too early: will be cold/snow in the mountains, I suspect. It was icy when I walked in early May...

 

[OzAnnie]

Levante?

I agree. Check out the Levante. For that time of year and the amount of time you have, I think it’s a good choice. Some interesting parts of spain.


Also the Mozárabe from Almeria.
I see on their fb page that there are regular pilgrims nowadays. Edit : I note Alexwalker’s comments about it being too early but their albérgues are open all year and great support from the amigos.
[[[[[ update on fb of February stats - Mozárabe]]]]]
FEBRUARY
In this month 47 pilgrims, 36 men and 11 women, 2 bicigrinos, 18 Spaniards and 29 foreigners of 12 nationalities have started the Mozarabe road from Almeria: England, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Hungary, Scotland, Alaska, Austria and Spain. Their destinations have been: 17 Granada, 2 Cordoba, 19 Merida and 9 Santiago de Compostela
Have a nice journey everyone ♂ ️

 

[Jay Es]

We walked the Via de la Plata January to March, I'm sure it will be good through April too. Lovely route that I'd do again.

 

[Paul-CH]

Hi I didn't see the Ruta de la Lana, Camino Catalán and the Camino de Levante on your list.
By the way there are other camino starting outside of Spain. see https://www.gronze.com/#todos
Or you can start in Trieste Italy and hike all the way to Santiago if you have a little bit more time.

 

[erikas]

There's the camino de la Lana to consider.

 

[steve 217]

Was going to suggest the camino de san benedetto Norcia to Montecasino but i think your now committed to the VDLP .
Good luck and Buen Camino
My brother and i are half way through the Vdlp, March last year, Covid caught us half way and we have left our bicycles near Bretocino hoping to go back later this year to finish of .

 

[Keith H]

Camino Catalán then link it to the start of the Norte? I planning on doing it this month if life freakin stops throwing up roadblocks

 

[lt56ny]

Damien, I'm not seeing the Vasco in your signature list. It's a lovely camino, though maybe a bit more delightful a month closer to summer. Just checked Gronze and it's viable for albergues - all of the ones in the usual stopping places are open all year, except Besain which opens 19 March. Salvatierra/Agurain looks closed, so for an albergue you'd have a 36km schlep to Alegria/Dulantzi, but other options are available. I walked to Santo Domingo, but it looks like there's albergues open all the way along the alternative route to Burgos, which is highly rated.

Tom is early October still really good to start the Vasco? According to Gronze the albergues will all be open. Can't predict the weather and I am sure there is a pretty good possibility I may not meet anyone. Going to take it to Burgos. Is that the way you went or did you go to Santo Domingo. I read that the way after the turnoff to Burgos is really pretty.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Tom is early October still really good to start the Vasco? According to Gronze the albergues will all be open. Can't predict the weather and I am sure there is a pretty good possibility I may not meet anyone. Going to take it to Burgos. Is that the way you went or did you go to Santo Domingo. I read that the way after the turnoff to Burgos is really pretty.

@lt56ny IMHO when it comes to the camino 'October is the new September'. Nearly all albergues open and busy, but not over-crowded. We probably shouldn't Bogart this thread, so feel free to pick this up on the Vasco pages or else PM me

 

[philmickm]

april

Hiya, I was planning Madrid-Salvador-Primitivo, and from Lugo (Lugo must see) take the Camino Verde, across to the Norte, via Friol, to avoid the Melide-Arzua-SdC section which I’ve done before.

Going to Italy now, so hopefully do that lot next year.

Buen Camino, whichever you do…

Cheers,
Phil

 

[Damien Reynolds]

You are all so kind and helpful! Looks like I have a lot of research to do in like no time!

 

[philmickm]

You are all so kind and helpful! Looks like I have a lot of research to do in like no time!

Please let us know what you decide Damien

 

[Linda Fantillo]

Have you thought about the Aragones? Might be a little too early though.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Ruta de Lana, unforgettable

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Why didn’t you like the Vdlp? I think it’s probably worth a second try. Though mid-March is a little early for the riot of springtime flowers you would see a bit later. Then there’s the Mozárabe from Almería if you want great albergue infrastructure with probably total solitude. (but ditto with the flowers). And the Invierno from Ponferrada is beautiful and now likely to have some pilgrim companionship.

Buen camino!

Didn't like was too harsh. It was just different for me, longer distances and fewer people with less infrastructure. But having walked from Lisbon in Nov/Dec last year I think I'm over all that (no people, little infrastructure until Porto, had a wonderful time). I did walk from Caceres in like 23 days too which was pretty aggressive... oh back in the day... the Vdlp was my 9th camino and I vowed never to walk in Spain again... ummmm..... well...

 

[NorthernLight]

If you are flying in to Madrid, you could just start walking from there…

 

[peregrina2000]

But having walked from Lisbon in Nov/Dec last year I think I'm over all that (no people, little infrastructure until Porto, had a wonderful time).

Did you walk the Sanabrés after Zamora or the Francés? That would be a way to mix it up. There will be more people on the Vdlp than on any of the other routes people have mentioned, unless the Invierno gets a huge burst.

If you’re fine with no people, here are my comments -

I would second the Levante (very good albergue system, though probably not more than 50% of the places, lots of cheap pensiones, lots of very interesting small towns, Toledo and Ávila are wonderful). Merges with the Sanabrés in Zamora.

the Ebro — goes off and on along the river, few albergues, not as many interesting villages/towns as the others, Zaragoza is very nice.

the Mozárabe from Almería (terrific albergue system, Amigos in Almería who will smother you with kindness and provide incredible support), a chance to see Granada and Córdoba, two five-star places. LOTS of olive groves. Merges with Vdlp in Mérida.

The Invierno - parallels Francés to the south, starting in Ponferrada. Almost all in Galicia after the first day. Getting a big push from the government and a Brierley guide, so expect to see more pilgrims. A few nice towns, lots of nice scenery, nothing spectacular like the Olvidado through the mountains, but nice.

Madrid will drop you in Sahagún in about two weeks and then you’re back on the Francés. Very rural, off-road (virtually no pavement), lots of albergues, some nice towns, but for me the best part were the days of wide open emerald green fields undulating in the wind, punctuated by big splotches of poppies. You may be too early for that, not sure. Segovia is a very nice place to visit, too.

Good luck, @Damien Reynolds!

 

[Joan O.]

How about branching out further and walking from Arles to SJPP and then Bazatan on to Norte?

Or cross over someplace from the Arles to the Piemont and then via Col de Somport and Aragones on to Bazatan and to Norte?

France a different experience!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

How about branching out further and walking from Arles to SJPP and then Bazatan on to Norte?

Or cross over someplace from the Arles to the Piemont and then via Col de Somport and Aragones on to Bazatan and to Norte?

France a different experience!

I've been tempted but I've had trouble connecting with French walkers. I should learn to speak French!

 

[mick53]

Hi again friends. I am getting antsy. It's been like 4 months since i was in Spain/Portugual. So as I told my sister (f*** it), i am going to go back. Here's the thing tho, i am looking for suggestions for a route that is appropriate for mid march to mid april. After that there is no doubt I'll be on the Norte again, which is my favorite. I've done the frances too many times already.

It's warmer in Andelusia that time of year, try the Via de la Plata and see how far you get or the Mozarabie

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Thank you all again. I've pretty much decided to give the Vdlp a second chance. It starting in the south and working its way northward as the season progresses sounds like the right fit. And given my short planning time, it's just gonna be easier to navigate.

 

[Crown411]

I was thinking the same. Did it once before and didn't like it. But I am a different person now. Well, I just booked my non refundable tickets so here I go again.

Interested as am considering that route. What didn´t you like about it?

 

[Keith H]

Interested as am considering that route. What didn´t you like about it?

He explained it in a post a bit further down

 

[Former member 77504]

Hi again friends. I am getting antsy. It's been like 4 months since i was in Spain/Portugual. So as I told my sister (f*** it), i am going to go back. Here's the thing tho, i am looking for suggestions for a route that is appropriate for mid march to mid april. After that there is no doubt I'll be on the Norte again, which is my favorite. I've done the frances too many times already.

Many others ! Best season for Via de la Plata + Sanabrés and if you prefer lonelyness Mozarabe or Levante.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Flying into Madrid so any suggestions are on the table still. Trains can take me anywhere.

I love your free spirit! Buen Camino.

 

[GailGwyn]

Flying into Madrid so any suggestions are on the table still. Trains can take me anywhere.

We're travelling to Madrid in a few weeks' time. Taking an Alsa bus to Ponferrada and walking the Camino de Invierno.

 

[AlwynWellington]

i am looking for suggestions for a route that is appropriate for mid march to mid april

For 4 weeks or less consider something completely different

My suggestion is Le Puy Espalion to Saint Jean. This truncated route skips over the Massif Central - I have it on good authority, the weather in March/April on the Massif can be diabolical.

From Saint jean I understand access to the Norte is straightforward.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong)

 

[Juliawalking]

Have you thought about the Aragones? Might be a little too early though.

Yes the Argones. How about starting in Canfranc of Jacca to avoid the snow over the Somport pass

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Well the VDLP was great. I was ready for the relative solitude and the long distances between services this time! The weather in March and April was nearly perfect! Cool but not cold, sunny or partly cloudy, well, except for 3 days once I crossed into Galicia when it was cold and rainy. I'm at the Santiago airport about to head to Irun for the Norte!

 

[Keith H]

Woohoo! Slayed that dragon!

 

[TMinAlaska]

Well the VDLP was great. I was ready for the relative solitude and the long distances between services this time! The weather in March and April was nearly perfect! Cool but not cold, sunny or partly cloudy, well, except for 3 days once I crossed into Galicia when it was cold and rainy. I'm at the Santiago airport about to head to Irun for the Norte!

View attachment 145303

Your trip from last year sounds great! We are planning same time-frame for 2025 on the VDLP and I am trying to research what to expect for walking surfaces. Hoping for a bit more earthen surface than what we encountered on the Norte, but hard to tell from the guides I am reading. Glad you loved it and if you care to comment on amount of tarmac vs earthen surface, that would be most helpful!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Your trip from last year sounds great! We are planning same time-frame for 2025 on the VDLP and I am trying to research what to expect for walking surfaces. Hoping for a bit more earthen surface than what we encountered on the Norte, but hard to tell from the guides I am reading. Glad you loved it and if you care to comment on amount of tarmac vs earthen surface, that would be most helpful!

I can't say where the VDLP ranks as far as road walking but I have heard the Norte is the worst. I think the Norte is paved because it is a tourist destination beyond the perigrino.