Hiking the Camino de Santiago in 2019

[GoldCanyon340]

The time has arrived when it can finally be said, "We are hiking the Camino de Santiago next month." It's been a long time in planning, starting in 2013 and originally slated for 2017 but put on hold until this year. The flights are booked, the first aubergues are reserved and Mrs340 and myself are soon on our way.

We are hiking 800km from the second week in September to roughly the third week of October. This will in fact be my first trip report anywhere and I'll only have my phone so pictures may be limited. I'll comment where possible and attempt to post lovely vistas of northern Spain.

Wish us luck, we shall enjoy.

Buen Camino.

 

[Toula92122]

Looking forward to this. It's one of those things on my bucket list, however I'm not a fan of hostels and bed bugs and noises of others so want to hear all about the auberges. Are you carrying everything or using a sherpa service?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Looking forward to this. It's one of those things on my bucket list, however I'm not a fan of hostels and bed bugs and noises of others so want to hear all about the auberges. Are you carrying everything or using a sherpa service?

We are carrying eveything but the pack weight isn't much really, 6 to 10 kgs at most. We are mostly booking private accommodation because I'm such a bad sleeper, the shared accom is only for the first few days.

 

[VPS]

Good luck - looking forward to the TR

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Will be interesting to follow. This is one of the things I am thinking of doing when I am fully retired and have more time.

 

[zig]

I will follow with interest. I like the idea of doing this, but am not sure it is for me - at least not the full 800k. I have friends who did it and really embraced the share accomodation, but I know it isn't for me, so am interested in the private accomodation you will be staying in.

 

[Major]

Also had friends who completed some parts and also not for me.

Enjoy the experience

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

You’re going to have a wonderful adventure. I’ve walked that route 1.5 times, and 2 other routes (in Portugal & France) - PM me if you have any questions.
Have fun.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

You’re going to have a wonderful adventure. I’ve walked that route 1.5 times, and 2 other routes (in Portugal & France) - PM me if you have any questions.
Have fun.

Thanks for the message. We've already discussed the Portugal route for maybe 2023 2020 is an off year and 2021 is hopefully the Coast to Coast in northern England.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

We also have J/F flights on QF and BA up to Europe to start the trip. If I get some decent pics during the flights then I'l do a side TR of that as well. If anyone sees my other posts here then you'll know I've become a semi-fan of BA F; hey it gets me to LT OWE and it's really no different to QF F.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I will follow with interest. I like the idea of doing this, but am not sure it is for me - at least not the full 800k. I have friends who did it and really embraced the share accomodation, but I know it isn't for me, so am interested in the private accomodation you will be staying in.

Also had friends who completed some parts and also not for me.

Enjoy the experience

We've been planning this for a long time so it will be interesting to see what you think. As said before we are shunning most of the share accommodation. But it's all good.

 

[craven morehead]

Hiking shoes on and cough firmly planted on chair for this trip report

 

[carls888]

Following along as this is on my radar to celebrate an '0' birthday in a few years.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

the Coast to Coast in northern England.

Yes we did the C2C last year and really enjoyed it. We did it slower than most so that we could enjoy the trip more.

The ride is really enjoyable and gives you a good taste of rural and even "wild" (as much as they have that) England. You can do some research to find what you want to look at along the way too like the Castelrigg Stone Circle.

We started in Whitehaven and then finished each day at:

Keswick	Coast2Coast Cycle Route - 26 miles - Cycle across England
Penrith	Bicycle-Coast2Coast Cycle Route - 22 miles
Alston	Bicycle-Coast2Coast Cycle Route - 27 miles
Stanhope	Bicycle-Coast2Coast Cycle Route - 22 miles
Consett	Bicycle-Coast2Coast Cycle Route -23 miles
Tynemouth -Newcastle	Bicycle-Coast2Coast Cycle Route - 20 miles And yes some steep climbs! We did not use a daily bag drop this time but on some of the steeper climbs I was wishing I had!

 

[VPS]

Friend did the Camino with her daughter. Mum trained hard but 20 year old daughter thought she would be fine. After day 2 she said everything from the ground up hurt.

 

[Melburnian1]

This is also on my list, but having to book way in advance for accommodation (from what I've heard) is a disincentive. Is this true or a (rural) myth?

A relative who is also Catholic did it and found it spiritually and scenically refreshing, but he was in hostels that like some others above are not my preferred accommodation any more.

He also said that in a minority of locations, signposts were not provided.

In spring and autumn, has the Camino become so popular that there are always tens of walkers in view, a bit like trekking the Himalayas has allegedly become?

GoldCanyon340, enjoy!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Friend did the Camino with her daughter. Mum trained hard but 20 year old daughter thought she would be fine. After day 2 she said everything from the ground up hurt.

I'm a long distance walker anyway but I've put in a big training effort the last four weeks, including many hill climbs (I live in the Adelaide Hills and hills are our business here )

So the quads are still talking to me after a big walk the other day. The weather has closed in and I think I'm done pretty much now. New walking boots are worn in.

As an AFFer of course I'm looking forward to the flights/lounges en route to Europe. Back on my semi-favourite BA HKG-LHR that I usually travel alone but Mrs 340 will be with me of course so we can finally dine together. Civilisation before 6-7 weeks of toil, sweat and dirt (with a bit of Rioja thrown in for good luck).

 

[GoldCanyon340]

This is also on my list, but having to book way in advance for accommodation (from what I've heard) is a disincentive. Is this true or a (rural) myth?

A relative who is also Catholic did it and found it spiritually and scenically refreshing, but he was in hostels that like some others above are not my preferred accommodation any more.

He also said that in a minority of locations, signposts were not provided.

In spring and autumn, has the Camino become so popular that there are always tens of walkers in view, a bit like trekking the Himalayas has allegedly become?

GoldCanyon340, enjoy!

Mrs 340 has planned this to military precision. We have a lot of accom booked but booking.com is definitely your friend where bookings can be moved around up to 48 hours out.

Certainly the last 100kms of the Camino can be wall-to-wall walkers. We deliberately chose autumn to avoid the heat and (some of) the crowds on earlier parts.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Yes we did the C2C last year and really enjoyed it. We did it slower than most so that we could enjoy the trip more.

The ride is really enjoyable and gives you a good taste of rural and even "wild" (as much as they have that) England. You can do some research to find what you want to look at along the way too like the Castelrigg Stone Circle.

Nothing wrong with doing it slower; you appreciate Mother Nature more that way. And definitely there's some 'remote' parts of England on this route.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

, a bit like trekking the Himalayas has allegedly become?

GoldCanyon340, enjoy!

ill find lest

You can trek where it is like Bourke St, but you can also still find less busy routes. Also Dec/Jan is a lot less crowded, but still very enjoyable.