walkingElli
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portugese
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Probably best to just tune into the female responses as it’s pretty much impossible for the other 50% of us to put ourselves in your place.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
I do not say this to be harsh but to be realistic, and this applies to everyone, and may / may not apply to the Poster. I leave this for all to consider.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
Hello,I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
I like this advise. Personally, I have only walked on the Frances, so I can't comment on other Camino routes. While it is true that it is possible for men (or anyone) to make you feel uncomfortable anywhere you go, I found the Frances route to pretty safe and I am not aware of any women having any serious issues while I was there.I've personally experienced some minor ( and not so minor ) uneasiness on all of the Caminos that I've walked. I acknowledge this can happen anywhere in the world. I feel the infrastructure on the CF is far more likely to give you that sense of security as there are far more pilgrims and places to stop and seek help. If you're questioning it now, you may be looking over your shoulder the entire trek...maybe best to go where you would be less isolated when walking alone?
By all means, if you are walking or traveling in Spain, download "Alert Cops" to your smartphone. It will even give responders your location if you allow the app to have location data. Additionally, calling "112" for emergency help. They do have English speakers if necessary.AlertCops is a smartphone application that is available for Android and iPhone. It was created by the Spanish law enforcement authorities to provide an additional platform for Spanish citizens and for tourists in Spain to contact the emergencies services to ask for help or to report incidents such as physical aggression or theft and other concerns: https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/mialertcops/
I've personally experienced some minor ( and not so minor ) uneasiness on all of the Caminos that I've walked. I acknowledge this can happen anywhere in the world. I feel the infrastructure on the CF is far more likely to give you that sense of security as there are far more pilgrims and places to stop and seek help. If you're questioning it now, you may be looking over your shoulder the entire trek...maybe best to go where you would be less isolated when walking alone?
Hi ElliI am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
AlertCops is a smartphone application that is available for Android and iPhone. It was created by the Spanish law enforcement authorities to provide an additional platform for Spanish citizens and for tourists in Spain to contact the emergencies services to ask for help or to report incidents such as physical aggression or theft and other concerns: https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/mialertcops/
I too would highly recommend the AlertCops app. I activate it before every camino. It only works in Spain. I do not know or have heard of a similar app in Portugal.I've personally experienced some minor ( and not so minor ) uneasiness on all of the Caminos that I've walked. I acknowledge this can happen anywhere in the world. I feel the infrastructure on the CF is far more likely to give you that sense of security as there are far more pilgrims and places to stop and seek help.
I would agree with this except for one caveat from a dad's point of view.Probably best to just tune into the female responses as it’s pretty much impossible for the other 50% of us to put ourselves in your place.
Walked the Frances some years ago with my daughter and was advised to wear a whistle around our neck. Blowing it alerts others to come running and scares off potential offenders. Never had to use it but just a thought for you.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
An alternate to this may already be built into some backpacks - mine has a whistle built into the chest strap. Of course - always good to test them out to be sure they actually work!Walked the Frances some years ago with my daughter and was advised to wear a whistle around our neck. Blowing it alerts others to come running and scares off potential offenders. Never had to use it but just a thought for you.
Several years ago there was a problem out of lisbon for female walkers but not recently. Like everywhere in the world i guess u just have to be prudent and alert.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
Expect to see men expose themselves on the Portuguese, especially while you are in Portugal. Stay on the Frances.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
Expect to see men expose themselves on the Portuguese, especially while you are in Portugal. Stay on the Frances.
This is not a personal experience but a real one when I walked the Port in '17. I've never experienced this on two walks on the Frances and one on the Ingles.Of course this is your personal opinion.
To the OP and future Portugues walkers : please rest assured.
Not everyone loved the crowded Frances.
Not a personal opinion - I've seen multiple posts of experiences on this very forum.Of course this is your personal opinion.
To the OP and future Portugues walkers : please rest assured.
Not everyone loved the crowded Frances.
Not a personal opinion - I've seen multiple posts of experiences on this very forum.
I had exactly the opposite, twice on the Frances, and none on the CP. There are no guarantees on any route or anywhere.Expect to see men expose themselves on the Portuguese, especially while you are in Portugal. Stay on the Frances.
This is not a personal experience but a real one when I walked the Port in '17. I've never experienced this on two walks on the Frances and one on the Ingles.
Expect to see men expose themselves on the Portuguese, especially while you are in Portugal. Stay on the Frances.
I have walked both solo I never got scared once. French Camino you are hardly ever alone.I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
I've personally experienced some minor ( and not so minor ) uneasiness on all of the Caminos that I've walked. I acknowledge this can happen anywhere in the world. I feel the infrastructure on the CF is far more likely to give you that sense of security as there are far more pilgrims and places to stop and seek help. If you're questioning it now, you may be looking over your shoulder the entire trek...maybe best to go where you would be less isolated when walking alone?
I like this advise. Personally, I have only walked on the Frances, so I can't comment on other Camino routes. While it is true that it is possible for men (or anyone) to make you feel uncomfortable anywhere you go, I found the Frances route to pretty safe and I am not aware of any women having any serious issues while I was there.
That isn't to say I didn't sit at a table with a couple older men relentlessly teasing a younger woman trying to set her up with one of many eligible bachelors on the trail. But, I as the older woman at the table, did make sure to monitor the situation and provided support to her as needed. And really - that is the vibe I got all along the Camino Frances - we were all looking out for each other, and there was always someone willing to step up to assist - whatever the situation was (all types of situations - not just women feeling uncomfortable).
And I agree with the suggestion that perhaps for your first SOLO hike - you may want to stick to a trail where you are sure to be less isolated. I would go one step further to say that perhaps, you may even want to stick to a route you are already familiar with. Or maybe you are ready to make that jump of independence to a new adventure - and if so - that is fine too! Whichever route you choose - do your best not to be "looking over your shoulder the entire trek". When I say this, I don't mean to give up being alert of your surroundings. We must ALWAYS be aware of our surroundings. Just be mindful of how you do it.
With this - I am reminded of the time I took my mom to Mexico. She was visiting me in Arizona, and I decided to walk across the border with her and my kids. For whatever reason - my mom was walking and clutching her purse to her chest and looking around in a way where it was obvious she was scared. Nothing subtle about her physical demeanor at all. I to this day have no idea what exactly was scaring her - other than it simply being the first time she crossed any border. But she was scared and it showed. If she had been alone, I think that if anyone WAS out to target a victim for robbery or other misdeeds - they would have immediately tuned in to her. She made herself an easy target. I say this simply to remind others - be aware of your surroundings, be alert and vigilant, but also do your best to be and appear confident. And if you need to, find groups that you can walk near or with as feel your way around a solo hike. You have got this!
Thank you very much for these 3 responses, which have been very helpful in my decision-process. What resonated strongly with me is that there might be a difference of how safe you actually are and the feeling of safety. While it sounds like I would probably be just as safe on the CF as on the CP from Porto onwards, I think the feeling of safety would probably be stronger for me personally on the CF. While I wish I was a fearless badass up for any adventure, no matter what, I know that I will enjoy myself a lot more if I feel as safe as possible and don't look over my shoulder all the time. My hope is that my first solo trip will also make me more confident, stronger and less worried about adventures to come.At age 27, I walked the CF solo and the CP from Lisbon in 2019. CF was walked at peak season, Aug-Sept. CP was walked at the tail end of the season, Oct- Nov. My guess is that in comparison, there will be fewer pilgrims on either path this April, given persistent low travel rates, and still fewer on the CP from Porto because it is less popular. I agree, there's safety in numbers.
From Porto onward, I remember the infrustructure being comparable to the CF. There were plently more albergues and towns to pass through along the way. And more walking pilgrims. I would not be any more concerned walking the CP from Porto than I would walking on the CF. But, if you want to err on the side of excessive caution for more peace of mind, the CF would be a better choice, as you're pretty much guaranteed to have more of a pilgrim safety net.
One other bit of advice/thing to consider: Yes, walking from Porto would give you a brand new walk, going through different towns and a different country. But also, walking the Frances again will be new. 2014 was a very long time ago, and I doubt you really memorized as much of that walk and its surroundings as you think you did. If you walk the CF again, the path will be probably less familiar than you think! You'll notice more & different things. And, you can make a point to stay in different cities and towns than you did in 2014 (dig out that old pilgrim passport and make sure not to repeat any town/albergue!). And you're much older now. And you're walking really, really alone, and won't have the insulation of 3 trustred friends at your side. You'll be forced to engage more with stranger pilgrims around you. YOU are different. You will feel different. Your purpose for walking will be different. So, all of these factors will make for a fresh walk, even if you're on the "same" literal dirt CF path you walked in 2014. I don't think you'll be lacking newness or the excitement of a great pilgrimage if you walk the CF again.
Thank you very much, this has been really helpful.Do check out the posts in this earlier thread
re: Walking Solo.
Stay aware wherever/however you walk.
When you need help or feel uneasy, approach other pilgrims, especially if they are dads of the most wonderful, smartest and most beautiful women on earth. Thank you so much for this wonderful post, your amazing dad energy, and sharing that energy and protectiveness to help others along the way. This was truly uplifting and put a smile on my face.I too would highly recommend the AlertCops app. I activate it before every camino. It only works in Spain. I do not know or have heard of a similar app in Portugal.
Maybe you would feel a little more secure on the CF but I can't say of course.
I have read on the forum about some pretty seedy characters on the CP. It is not alot but even once is way to much.
In 2017 I walked with a good friend. We met another Irish man and between us we were the fathers of 6 daughters. We met a young woman who was very nervous about this one man who we knew who seemed to possibly have an unhealthy interest in this woman. She walked with us for a couple of days. One night she told us she wanted to push ahead and could we please try to delay this guy from walking with her. She left very early from the albergue the next morning. We were able to get this guy to start walking with us about 4 hours later and to stop very early in the day. We walked only 10 or so kilometers and she walked over 30 that day. The next day we started late and finished early with him to give her plenty of distance.
I would agree with this except for one caveat from a dad's point of view.
My advice would be that the Camino is safe. But as the father of the most wonderful , smartest and most beautiful women on earth if you are nervous there are lots of dads out there that are the father's of the most wonderful, smartest and most beautiful women on earth. If you are even slightly nervous I know each and every one of them would be there to walk with you. In our eyes we see our own children in you. If you are alone and you get that feeling stop and wait for others or even go back. Your instincts will help guide you. You are not alone, Pilgrims are there to help you, and for us dads we are dads of our beautiful girls before we are pilgrims. To all the women on Camino we are there for you.
I would agree with this except for one caveat from a dad's point of view.
My advice would be that the Camino is safe. But as the father of the most wonderful , smartest and most beautiful women on earth if you are nervous there are lots of dads out there that are the father's of the most wonderful, smartest and most beautiful women on earth. If you are even slightly nervous I know each and every one of them would be there to walk with you. In our eyes we see our own children in you. If you are alone and you get that feeling stop and wait for others or even go back. Your instincts will help guide you. You are not alone, Pilgrims are there to help you, and for us dads we are dads of our beautiful girls before we are pilgrims. To all the women on Camino we are there for you.
I agree. Fear of crime and other bad things can keep people from enjoying life or even leaving their homes for anything other than necessities. Fear can affect where we choose to live and where we choose to travel. Vigilance is different from a fear that keeps people from enjoying an experience.Being vigilant is ok but fearmongering is not.
Glad we were able to help! And to the statement above: I am willing to bet that will be the case! Good luck, and enjoy!My hope is that my first solo trip will also make me more confident, stronger and less worried about adventures to come.
Sorry you have experienced this! I have done 2 sections on the Portuguese and never had this or had even felt remotely afraid/harassed/threatened as a solo female.Expect to see men expose themselves on the Portuguese, especially while you are in Portugal. Stay on the Frances.
How do you feel about walking alone in your own country?I am a woman, mid-twenty and have walked the Camino Francése in December 2014. I walked with 3 friends and it was an amazing experience.
Now I have about 3.5 weeks of time starting mid- April and want to do my first solo hiking trip. Naturally, the Camino is calling me back and I am trying to figure out if I should walk parts of the Francése again or try the Portugése from Porto onwards to Finesterre. A big factor in this decision is personal safety.
I’ve never traveled by myself before and am excited, but also a bit nervous to do so. I have had experiences of harassment before and would really like to feel as safe as possible during this trip.
When researching for the Camino Portugése on this and other forums, I got the impression that female pilgrims did not always feel safe and that there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.
I have heard less about these kind of incidents on the Camino Francése, probably because it is also busier than the Portuguése and you rarely walk far away from others.
Is this just an impression that I got or can others share it? Any advice in my decision process?
I am curious to try the Portugése, because I haven’t walked it before, but also loved the Francése and would be happy to walk it again, particularly if it feels safer.
i agree and it applies everywhere, even at home, not just on a Camino.. I am a committed solo walker and I know there are risks of all types when I walk alone on a camino. But for me the risk/reward ration comes out strongly in favor of walking alone. Everyone should do their own assessment and make their own decision.
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