Swimming opportunities on Camino Frances?

[Trish MacGregor]

Hi everyone .... was just wondering what (if any) swimming opportunities are available on the CF, and if it's worthwhile packing togs/swimmers/cozzie/swimsuit (depending on where you come from!).

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are few opportunities, and no pools are heated. Those who do swim usually just wear a pair of their hiking shorts.

 

[november_moon]

I am interested in the answer to this too. I notice that there are some creeks and rivers that the Camino crosses or runs along side. We will be hiking in June, so it might be kind of warm and finding a cool swimmin' hole to cool off in here and there might be nice

 

[Trish MacGregor]

There are few opportunities, and no pools are heated. Those who do swim usually just wear a pair of their hiking shorts.

Thanks for that Falcon.

 

[Phillypilgrim]

En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino in September.

 

[Gailsie]

I walked across a small bridge where local young people were jumping into the river - somewhere between Zubiri and Pamplona. It was in a small beautiful village where two youngsters had a rest stop at their doorway. They did great business that morning. Just after the bridge was a park.

 

[alexwalker]

En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino (small place), with a beautiful surrounding garden area. Perfect stop: A small paradise. Very friendly people. Also an albergue inside the town of Carrion De Los Condes: There is also one on the entry to the town, but not so good: Walk by.

 

[whariwharangi]

The entire Atlantic Ocean awaits at Finisterre.

Last one in is a rotten egg.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Albergue Jesus in Vilar de Mazarife has a pool.

 

[alexwalker]

The entire Atlantic Ocean awaits at Finisterre.

Indeed: Be sure to walk to the other (north) side of Finisterre: Nice walkway there and a great, peaceful beach!

 

[CaminoJohn]

There are many places, both in streams and pools..both indoor and outdoor. .I feel that this has been answered before in a thread..I will search or add my places soon..

 

[Al the optimist]

El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino pool was covered over in May last year when I was there. Shame because it was a lovely warm and sunny day. (not that we had many last May)

 

[mspath]

Here is an earlier Forum thread for swimming spots along the Camino.

Happy splashing!

MM

 

[domigee]

Hi everyone .... was just wondering what (if any) swimming opportunities are available on the CF, and if it's worthwhile packing togs/swimmers/cozzie/swimsuit (depending on where you come from!).

Hello! There is a nice municipal pool in Cizur Menor, also one in Redecilla del Camino, 5 min. walk from the albergue. In Puente la Reina, the albergue Santiago Apostol also has a big pool.
The pool in Boadilla has already been mentioned. Unfortunately this year it was cold and raining, in August!
Very small pool in Torres del Río, 'la pata y Oca', refreshing if the weather's very hot but you can't swim and a
small 'padding' pool in Azofra, albergue municipal. Good for the feet !
There's a lovely beach in Muxia if you walk that far but the water was VERY cold...
Not sure if it is worth bringing a swimsuit, I did one year but not the other, it's really up to you!
Buen camino!

 

[november_moon]

It never even occurred to me that some alburgues might have swimming pools - LOL.

 

[Madidi]

The albergue as you enter Calzadilla de la Cueza (near Sahagun) has a small pool....very inviting as you leave the old roman road

 

[Olivares]

There are plenty of places along the Camino where to go in and refresh on a stream. Right after Zubiri you will walk more than 9 Kms along the Arga River and that is one beautiful, inviting stream. I believe the bridge Gailsie is referring to is right after the town of Irotz, also over the Arga River. The bridge is called Iturgaiz Bridge or "Puente de Iturgaiz". Built in the 12th Century, this bridge is more than 800 years old (Romanesque style) and it is absolutely gorgeous. I did witnessed many people jumping off, it was late May 2011 and an unusually hot day. I do recalled getting to Zubiri and seeing many pilgrims also jumping in the stream right next to the Albergue, upon arrival to town. The Albergue "A Santiago" in Belorado has a beautiful and well maintained pool. On my way to Najera, the bridge (Puente Aleson) over the Yalde River took me a bit by surprise; very nice stream, perfect place to take out your shoes and refresh. It was nice.

That is just a few examples, but even if there wasn't many spots, a bathing suit can be very handy for comunal showers, laundry days, and overall rest days under the sun relaxing. Why not?

 

[hughb]

If you want to swim, walk the Norte. Loads of beaches and rivers and usually you are by yourself not a person in sight. Amazing swimming opportunities.

 

[unadara]

I had some good swims on the Norte alright, though it was in Apr/May and many thought I was nuts (same as do back home) on the CF I got in in Boadillo (SEp/Oct in a heatwave) BUT my foot got an infection and I think it was the pool..not too clean in those hot conditions, the rivers are great options, sports bra and pants will do you?

 

[Trish MacGregor]

I had some good swims on the Norte alright, though it was in Apr/May and many thought I was nuts (same as do back home) on the CF I got in in Boadillo (SEp/Oct in a heatwave) BUT my foot got an infection and I think it was the pool..not too clean in those hot conditions, the rivers are great options, sports bra and pants will do you?

Thanks so much to you all for your swimming info .... I've noted them all down for future reference. Hopefully I'll get to use some/all in September. Cheers, Trish. xxx

 

[ajp]

Hi everyone .... was just wondering what (if any) swimming opportunities are available on the CF, and if it's worthwhile packing togs/swimmers/cozzie/swimsuit (depending on where you come from!).

There are some alberques that have swimming pools, they are noted in the guide books. Depending on the time of year, you could probably swim in some of the rivers you will cross, and of course if you go to the ocean there is a great beach just before you reach Fisterra.

 

[patgreen]

This was a taken during a lovely afternoon at an albergue just before Belorado last October.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Hi everyone .... was just wondering what (if any) swimming opportunities are available on the CF, and if it's worthwhile packing togs/swimmers/cozzie/swimsuit (depending on where you come from!).

Training for Norte in April/ may 2014, I go for a dip in galway bay daily, great to toughen feet, zero this am so toes blue, no swim wear needed as beach deserted. Looking forward to some of the lovely beaches on Norte. Buen camino