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I will be following this thread with interest as I might do the VdlP also spring next yearI was putting together brochure style information about the most popular Camino trails that people are walking to/from Santiago. I will be starting Camino Norte in 2 weeks, so the amount of research I have done makes me quite confident in knowing more or less what is ahead of me for that trail. I feel less clear about VdlP which I plan hike in Spring next year.
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How would people on the forum here describe the terrain of Via de la Plata? How would you describe terrain of Camino Sanabres?
I walked from March 4 to April 12 in 2022. It was cool at times, there was snowfall that didn't stay on parts of the Sanabres, and there was some rain. I would suggest that this, and perhaps the opposite shoulder season (November-December) are probably the best times to walk the Via.I will be following this thread with interest as I might do the VdlP also spring next year
However, it will probably be more late winter/early spring as I want to avoid extreme heat – for wich my definition is what other people's "quite warm" might be.
If all goes according to plan, I might start in Gibraltar already in February.
So maybe see you on the road somewhere ...
The Via de la Plata is flatter and has more wide open spaces than some other Caminos. I found it somewhat similar to the southern part of the Ruta de la Lana in that respect. Not that there aren’t some hills and mountains along the way. Don’t forget Spain is the 2nd most mountainous country in Europe. The Sanabres is much hillier in comparison. When I walked these routes 10 years ago, it seems distances between accommodations were greater than along the Frances or the Norte, although that may have changed by now. Also, when I walked the VDLP, it was a very rainy spring, so lots of difficult to navigate mud and / or trail completely submerged under water. After a week or more of this, I found myself starting to feel panicky at the mere sound of water or threat of rain. It didn’t last long, but left a strong impression for sure!I was putting together brochure style information about the most popular Camino trails that people are walking to/from Santiago. I will be starting Camino Norte in 2 weeks, so the amount of research I have done makes me quite confident in knowing more or less what is ahead of me for that trail. I feel less clear about VdlP which I plan hike in Spring next year.
Via de la Plata has very few Youtube videos. From images and short videos it is hard to tell about the terrain of a hike. From a hikers perspective I did not do many pictures or videos while hiking Camino Portuguese from Lisbon to Porto, because walking on asphalted car roads from village to village was not that safe. Especially when it was raining. Therefore visuals can give a incorrect perspective of the trail.
Normally I get terrain data from Buen Camino app. From elevation data I can see that this trail should be the most flat of all the bigger trails. From pictures that I have seen about VdlP it seems to me that around 80% of the time you are walking on soft surfaces in the countryside. Since there are less villages and cities then improved surfaces do not appear often on images of pilgrims.
How would people on the forum here describe the terrain of Via de la Plata? How would you describe terrain of Camino Sanabres?
The Via up to the Sanabres is largely flat with some good hilly parts. It is not as flat as some people make it out to be.
The Sanabres, on the other hand, is almost as hilly as the Norte. According to the stage profiles on Gronze, the elevation changes are very similar.
Tom, do you have a blog? We're considering picking up in Caceres (where we left off) around 2nd week of April.I walked from March 4 to April 12 in 2022. It was cool at times, there was snowfall that didn't stay on parts of the Sanabres, and there was some rain. I would suggest that this, and perhaps the opposite shoulder season (November-December) are probably the best times to walk the Via.
I don't, but I did post a bunch on a forum (I can't remember which but you can probably find it easily) and I could add you to Facebook where I posted every day. The FB posts are mostly just pics. I have attached a couple of files. One is a summary covering basic information that might be useful. The other is a day-to-day summary of distances, costs etc.Tom, do you have a blog? We're considering picking up in Caceres (where we left off) around 2nd week of April.
Be mindful that I think that is one of the days where a "normal" stop was closed earlier this year, like by a dam or something... I ended up doing a really short day into Casar de Caceres and then a regular day to Cañaveral.We're considering picking up in Caceres
Yes I heard the albergue at the embalsa was closed. Thanks.Be mindful that I think that is one of the days where a "normal" stop was closed earlier this year, like by a dam or something... I ended up doing a really short day into Casar de Caceres and then a regular day to Cañaveral.
I am late to this thread, but FYI/FWIW: I was ca. 60 yo when I did the whole of VdlP (2012-2013 I think). It was an easy, flat walk, most of the time. Some hills but nothing I remember as difficult at all. It is a great Camino, with sufficient infrastructure to get you a bed, food and refreshment (beer) every day. Some/a few days, especially in the early stages, have some long etapas.I don't, but I did post a bunch on a forum (I can't remember which but you can probably find it easily) and I could add you to Facebook where I posted every day. The FB posts are mostly just pics. I have attached a couple of files. One is a summary covering basic information that might be useful. The other is a day-to-day summary of distances, costs etc.
Yes I heard the albergue at the embalsa was closed. Thanks.
I think the worst was the walk we had ahead (16 kms on day 3, I think, from Sevilla) on aspalht, in heavy rain,, on a highly trafficed, narrow road) towards/before we entered a national park, was the worst: We (me and 2 others) took a taxi and started walking from the start of the park. It became a very good day, as the rain stopped there.Yes. The albergue at Embalsa was closed late 2022. Some issues with ownership. Perhaps no one wants to take it on.
That (30 k) and the walk to Almadén in the early days out of Seville (28 k) were the only two stages where I couldn’t find some shorter options - eg a detour or a few k’s off
Camino.
Interesting how the weather makes the day. I was going to take a taxi but walked up the road which had very little traffic on a beautiful day. As you say, the park was gorgeous.I think the worst was the walk we had ahead (16 kms on day 3, I think, from Sevilla) on aspalht, in heavy rain,, on a highly trafficed, narrow road) towards/before we entered a national park, was the worst: We (me and 2 others) took a taxi and started walking from the start of the park. It became a very good day, as the rain stopped there.
More like peaceful and fantasticAs you say, the park was gorgeous.
Via de la Plata has very few Youtube videos. From images and short videos it is hard to tell about the terrain of a hike. From a hikers perspective I did not do many pictures or videos while hiking Camino Portuguese from Lisbon to Porto, because walking on asphalted car roads from village to village was not that safe. Especially when it was raining. Therefore visuals can give a incorrect perspective of the trail.
Normally I get terrain data from Buen Camino app. From elevation data I can see that this trail should be the most flat of all the bigger trails. From pictures that I have seen about VdlP it seems to me that around 80% of the time you are walking on soft surfaces in the countryside. Since there are less villages and cities then improved surfaces do not appear often on images of pilgrims.
How would people on the forum here describe the terrain of Via de la Plata? How would you describe terrain of Camino Sanabres?
We slept under the stars in the park. Gorgeous night.I think the worst was the walk we had ahead (16 kms on day 3, I think, from Sevilla) on aspalht, in heavy rain,, on a highly trafficed, narrow road) towards/before we entered a national park, was the worst: We (me and 2 others) took a taxi and started walking from the start of the park. It became a very good day, as the rain stopped there.
Thanks for the blog link. I have 6 months left to prepare. Doing 10km walks daily early in the morning to be ready for some crazy daily distances once the real thing is on. Will read your blog about VldP slowly in time from start to finish.Hi @MadisV .
I'll be putting a complete VdlP series on YouTube in the coming weeks, but you can access the daily blog and videos on my Blog here: https://robscamino.com/day-1-seville-to-santiponce-videos/
There is also a daily photo gallery here: https://robscamino.com/gallery/
The daily videos and photos should give you a fair idea of the terrain.
It's mostly flat open landscapes on great walking surfaces (farm tracks)
There are a few wooded areas and only a couple of small hills.
Wonderful terrain to lose yourself in your thoughts.........
Thanks for the blog link. I have 6 months left to prepare. Doing 10km walks daily early in the morning to be ready for some crazy daily distances once the real thing is on. Will read your blog about VldP slowly in time from start to finish.
Hoping to do it in April so thank you for link!!You don't 'need' to walk crazy distances on e VdlP.
But if you want to? It's probably the place to do it.
Fairly flat landscape, those big open skies, little distraction.............
You can just get lost in it
Darn, I might have to walk it again!
Good time of year I reckon.Hoping to do it in April so thank you for link!!
Hi Robo - would you say the landscape of the VDLP is very similar to the meseta on the CF? Or would it be fair to say the VDLP is less "dramatic" than the meseta? Or are the vistas just as spectacular?Good time of year I reckon.
Hi Robo - would you say the landscape of the VDLP is very similar to the meseta on the CF? Or would it be fair to say the VDLP is less "dramatic" than the meseta? Or are the vistas just as spectacular?
It's all subjective I realize, but I never hear/read people comment on the VDLP in the same way they do the meseta, yet at first glance it seems like the landscape is quite similar? What do you think?
Hmmm. When you leave the mountains north of Baṉos you're actually on the Meseta until you arrive in Sanabria!Hi Robo - would you say the landscape of the VDLP is very similar to the meseta on the CF? Or would it be fair to say the VDLP is less "dramatic" than the meseta? Or are the vistas just as spectacular?
It's all subjective I realize, but I never hear/read people comment on the VDLP in the same way they do the meseta, yet at first glance it seems like the landscape is quite similar? What do you think?
Thanks for this Tom, I’m planning to walk form Merida starting early March. The daily notes are interesting for a sense of scenery and weather . I have only walked the Northern Caminos and so am a little spoilt as far as glorious scenery goes - I walked Primitivo and Salvador this year . As an older woman I choose not to sleep in Albergues even though it means less camaraderie - I just can’t do the snoring. I also choose not to walk long 30km + days . I’ll keep watching this thread.I don't, but I did post a bunch on a forum (I can't remember which but you can probably find it easily) and I could add you to Facebook where I posted every day. The FB posts are mostly just pics. I have attached a couple of files. One is a summary covering basic information that might be useful. The other is a day-to-day summary of distances, costs etc.
Thanks for this Tom, I’m planning to walk form Merida starting early March. The daily notes are interesting for a sense of scenery and weather . I have only walked the Northern Caminos and so am a little spoilt as far as glorious scenery goes - I walked Primitivo and Salvador this year . As an older woman I choose not to sleep in Albergues even though it means less camaraderie - I just can’t do the snoring. I also choose not to walk long 30km + days . I’ll keep watching this thread.
It certainly seems to be the case for many pilgrims if you read the blogs. Like you I am not shy and am happy to chat to others whilst also enjoying my own company on the way. You must be a very sound sleeper - the sound of snoring can test me beyond my capacity to endure. Each to their own.Is this really a 'thing'?
We often talk about Albergues being a much more social environment.
I tried about 15 on my last Camino.
Some with communal meals.
I didn't really notice much difference.
What I mean is, the sense of community and bonding experience wasn't really influenced much by the accommodation I used.
Maybe because I tend to chat to everyone I meet anyway?
So I tend to 'make friends' on the path or in the cafes rather than in the Albergues I guess.
Just offering another perspective for those who don't use Albergues, for whatever reason, and feel they might be missing out on something.
P.S. Maybe for those who are a bit more 'introverted' Albergues provide an 'easier' way to meet others?
P.P.S. Never found snoring to be much of an issue.
Usually way too tired for anything to keep me awake, and I wear good ear plugs.
Yes I agree. Many love the Albergues for the community aspect.It certainly seems to be the case for many pilgrims if you read the blogs. Like you I am not shy and am happy to chat to others whilst also enjoying my own company on the way. You must be a very sound sleeper - the sound of snoring can test me beyond my capacity to endure. Each to their own.
Thanks for this Tom, I’m planning to walk form Merida starting early March. The daily notes are interesting for a sense of scenery and weather . I have only walked the Northern Caminos and so am a little spoilt as far as glorious scenery goes - I walked Primitivo and Salvador this year . As an older woman I choose not to sleep in Albergues even though it means less camaraderie - I just can’t do the snoring. I also choose not to walk long 30km + days . I’ll keep watching this thread.
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