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I think it is best to leave even earlier, Both times I started in Sevilla I started the end of march and it was quite hot allready most daysThank you so much, Antonius! We were wondering how early we should start in April. Would you suggest mid April from Cadiz would be good timing?
Walked Seville to Salamanca in October 2017, Salamanca to Santiago in April 2018. Loved it.Hi everyone
We are pondering which camino to do next and are wondering whether it should be the Via de la Plata and would love your adviceWe have walked the Frances, Via Podiensis, del Norte/Primitivo and Francigena. (We're actually pondering the Via de la Plata or the Via Francesco) We've loved every camino so far ... For those who have walked the VdlP, did you love it? Would you urge us to walk it? We're sitting on the fence and are looking for some 'yes! it is just amazing!!' Thank you!!
Couldn’t agree with you more in your assessment. I did have enough time to walk and take my time.I loved the VdlP. But it depends on what you seek. My perspective.........
I was going to write a long list of positives and negatives.........
But for me it comes down to this. You will love the VdlP if:
Hope that makes sense!
- You seek solitude.
- You don't mind not seeing another Pilgrim for a few days.
- You want to experience the local culture, rather than one provided just for Pilgrims.
- You don't mind a bit of additional planning / logistics in relation to stages / accommodation.
- You don't need luggage transfer.
- You want to lose yourself to the journey.
- You have zero expectations in terms of accomodation / food. They are good. But often simple.
- You want to relax, and maybe heal..........
- You want to get closer to nature, yourself, to your God. Because there are few distractions!
I made a daily blog/video that might help you.
https://robscamino.com/day-1-seville-to-santiponce-videos/
Be prepared for the full spectrum of weather. Warm in Andalusia, rain hail sleet near Salamanca. 0 degrees C in Salamanca. I was chastised for taking so much stuff. Instead of enjoying Salamanca most peregrinos were at Decathlon buying gear. Rained every day but 2 in Galicia. Walked slept in long underwear for a week. If you leave in April as I did.I think it is best to leave even earlier, Both times I started in Sevilla I started the end of march and it was quite hot allready most days
I walked the Via de la Plata last year and really enjoyed it. I started from Sevilla on Easter Sunday, 9th April 2023. The weather was good in 2023, although this year there was heavy rain and floods. I did a Spanish language course in Sevilla (at Clic International) the 2 weeks before and really enjoyed Semana Santa.Hi everyone
We are pondering which camino to do next and are wondering whether it should be the Via de la Plata and would love your adviceWe have walked the Frances, Via Podiensis, del Norte/Primitivo and Francigena. (We're actually pondering the Via de la Plata or the Via Francesco) We've loved every camino so far ... For those who have walked the VdlP, did you love it? Would you urge us to walk it? We're sitting on the fence and are looking for some 'yes! it is just amazing!!' Thank you!!
thanks for this... watched and enjoyedI recently found this Via de la Plata vlog on a rainy day and was impressed. I have seen a few of Rolf's other Caminos and I like his style. They are high quality with wonderful soft music, no unnecessary talking, but just some basic facts. He captured the stunning scenery, cities and villages. I was quite surprised at how beautiful southern Spain is and I appreciated all of the whitewashed architecture, which was a pleasant surprise for a change, rather than the usual stone I normally see on my Caminos farther north.
The negative is that he does not talk very much about cathedrals, historical castles, and museums, but I felt he did a great job of an overview of the Via.
I rarely watch Camino vlogs, and Efren is my only "go to guy", but have recently subscribed to Rolf.
I agree completely about leaving as early as possible. As I stated in another post i left in the 3rd week of October and temps wre 90F+ every day until almost November 1. If those who have walked in April say your proposed date is too late follow the advice. Remember for most days you will have no shade at all. It will be difficult to find shade to even take a break from the heat. Olive trees don't afford much sun protection.I think it is best to leave even earlier, Both times I started in Sevilla I started the end of march and it was quite hot allready most days
I finished looking at your YouTube video. Nice work. The heat is an aspect that worries me.Like many routes, I think the weather on the VdlP can be a bit of a lottery.
I had great weather last year. 4-5 hours of rain in 60 days I think!
(that was in Galicia on the Invierno)
But the same time this year it seemed there was lots of rain.
I do study weather sites endlessly, looking at different times of year, year on year patterns etc etc.
But it can still be a bit of a lottery.
I left Sevilla 25 March 2023. And had glorious weather all the way.
Got up to about 25-28C at the hottest part of the day.
I started leaving an hour before dawn and that was about 8-9C.
I used my rain jacket for a bit of added warmth in the mornings.
Otherwise just walked in a shirt.
The sun umbrella got lots of use!
I think if you leave early enough say end of February. When it starts to get hot you should be pretty close to Galicia and the weather will probably be more temperate. After those first 9 or 8 days I was never hot or cold again although when I was in Galicia there were some really chilly mornings and nights. But some extra clothes at night cures that and walking 10 or 15 minutes in the morning takes the chill right out and you have great walking temps. But what is great for me.... And who knows what the weather will be.I finished looking at your YouTube video. Nice work. The heat is an aspect that worries me.
I was going to suggest leaving in early March because I've read about the heat many times on the forum if you start out too late, but since I have not walked it, I felt I didn't have a voice. I'm glad you have chimed in with great advice.I agree completely about leaving as early as possible. As I stated in another post i left in the 3rd week of October and temps wre 90F+ every day until almost November 1. If those who have walked in April say your proposed date is too late follow the advice. Remember for most days you will have no shade at all. It will be difficult to find shade to even take a break from the heat. Olive trees don't afford much sun protection.
Good advice Rob and we enjoyed your VLOG very much. Its inspired us to do the VDLP in the future.Like many routes, I think the weather on the VdlP can be a bit of a lottery.
I had great weather last year. 4-5 hours of rain in 60 days I think!
(that was in Galicia on the Invierno)
But the same time this year it seemed there was lots of rain.
I do study weather sites endlessly, looking at different times of year, year on year patterns etc etc.
But it can still be a bit of a lottery.
I left Sevilla 25 March 2023. And had glorious weather all the way.
Got up to about 25-28C at the hottest part of the day.
I started leaving an hour before dawn and that was about 8-9C.
I used my rain jacket for a bit of added warmth in the mornings.
Otherwise just walked in a shirt.
The sun umbrella got lots of use!
We have watched Rolf, Rob's and Efren's VLOGs on the VDLP over the last few weeks and have found each useful in their differing perspectives. This Camino is definitely on our bucket list.I recently found this Via de la Plata vlog on a rainy day and was impressed. I have seen a few of Rolf's other Caminos and I like his style. They are high quality with wonderful soft music, no unnecessary talking, but just some basic facts. He captured the stunning scenery, cities and villages. I was quite surprised at how beautiful southern Spain is and I appreciated all of the whitewashed architecture, which was a pleasant surprise for a change, rather than the usual stone I normally see on my Caminos farther north.
The negative is that he does not talk very much about cathedrals, historical castles, and museums, but I felt he did a great job of an overview of the Via.
I rarely watch Camino vlogs, and Efren is my only "go to guy", but have recently subscribed to Rolf.
Hi everyone
We are pondering which camino to do next and are wondering whether it should be the Via de la Plata and would love your adviceWe have walked the Frances, Via Podiensis, del Norte/Primitivo and Francigena. (We're actually pondering the Via de la Plata or the Via Francesco) We've loved every camino so far ... For those who have walked the VdlP, did you love it? Would you urge us to walk it? We're sitting on the fence and are looking for some 'yes! it is just amazing!!' Thank you!!
That is my idea...but to start further south of Seville....and NOT entering Gibraltar. How did you handle the heat?" /
With my wife, I have walked all or part of seven Caminos. VdlP was my favourite.
We started in Almaden de la Plata to avoid the long third stage in 40C heat of late August, 2014. Family commitments decided the start date. We arrived in Seville two days early to see the city. We then walked for 51 days and had three rest days to allow us to see Merida, Salamanca and Ourense. Planned short walking days allowed us to enjoy Caceres, Zamora and Puebla de Sanabria. We also had time to take in the sights in other historic towns and villages. It was the most amazing adventure. We had both passed our 70th birthdays when we set out.
Liam
I loved the VdlP. But it depends on what you seek. My perspective.........
I was going to write a long list of positives and negatives.........
But for me it comes down to this. You will love the VdlP if:
Hope that makes sense!
- You seek solitude.
- You don't mind not seeing another Pilgrim for a few days.
- You want to experience the local culture, rather than one provided just for Pilgrims.
- You don't mind a bit of additional planning / logistics in relation to stages / accommodation.
- You don't need luggage transfer.
- You want to lose yourself to the journey.
- You have zero expectations in terms of accomodation / food. They are good. But often simple.
- You want to relax, and maybe heal..........
- You want to get closer to nature, yourself, to your God. Because there are few distractions!
I made a daily blog/video that might help you.
https://robscamino.com/day-1-seville-to-santiponce-videos/
This is so helpful! Thank you!!!!I loved the VdlP. But it depends on what you seek. My perspective.........
I was going to write a long list of positives and negatives.........
But for me it comes down to this. You will love the VdlP if:
Hope that makes sense!
- You seek solitude.
- You don't mind not seeing another Pilgrim for a few days.
- You want to experience the local culture, rather than one provided just for Pilgrims.
- You don't mind a bit of additional planning / logistics in relation to stages / accommodation.
- You don't need luggage transfer.
- You want to lose yourself to the journey.
- You have zero expectations in terms of accomodation / food. They are good. But often simple.
- You want to relax, and maybe heal..........
- You want to get closer to nature, yourself, to your God. Because there are few distractions!
I made a daily blog/video that might help you.
https://robscamino.com/day-1-seville-to-santiponce-videos/
I will be looking forward to watching theseIf you want to see what each (or any) of the stages are like, take a look at the appropriate section of this playlist. I captured the walk. Few comments, no editorials, just the walk with info.
Camino Via de la Plata Seville to Santiago
****Updated 10/19/2020 - Replaced videos Stage 01-11 - others coming in a bit) with new versions. 5x instead of 10x (better viewing) with additional info and...www.youtube.com
I take it only the private albergues have meals? But, people often put their food together to create a meal? I wouldn’t like feeling I’d have to wait around to be checked in but that obviously happensI walked in Feb 21 arriving at SDC on march 29. Taking 5 weeks. I expect conditions to be ok from april, but my time was unusually inclement weather. Making it more of an obstacle course.
It was cold and rainy and flooded, so I walked the roads mainly. But did pass through areas that are a delight. There are long stretches between stages. But a lot of alternatives if you plan accordingly.
The small towns are sparsely populated and with only one shop or restaurant. You will need to plan or prepare to carry some food. The albergues are somewhat averse to cooking. A microwave or kitchen facilities that are very limited.
There were 5 occasions when the hosts put on a meal. And these were part of the highlights. The main cities good for tourism. I did the Verin option and that allowed for solitude but a limited infrastructure.
Getting in the albergues, often meant opening an unlocked door and waiting for the hospitalero some hours later. So it's quite a cool camino.
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