Frequently Asked Questions About Walking the Vía de la Plata
Updated June 2024
My name is Gerald Kelly. I'm the author of several guides to and books about the Caminos de Santiago. I've been walking Caminos since 2003 and have accumulated over 17,000km of walking (or about 700 days).
The questions below are based on a comment thread on our Facebook group in which people suggested questions they would like to see answered in a FAQ. To this I added some more that I thought were relevant.
The opinions given below are my own. I've walked the Vía in its entirety four times (last time was 2023) and have walked parts of it on many other occasions since 2011.
The Walking Guide to the Vía de la Plata
This FAQ is an accompaniment to the Walking Guide to the Vía de la Plata.
I started writing this guide shortly after the first time I walked from Seville to Mérida in the winter of 2011. At that time there was no up-to-date guide in English and very little information on the internet.
The guide is now available as a PDF download, as a printed book from Ivar's Camino shop and Amazon, and as an app for Android and iPhone (soon to be upgraded to an entirely new version).
This FAQ covers the things you need to know before you walk the Vía, it does not describe the route itself, for that you need to download the guide.
For updates on accommodation see here.
Please note: this page is a WORK IN PROGRESS. If you have any suggestions for other topics to cover or for improving the information please contact me from the Contacts Page.
Our Facebook Group is a good place to ask any questions you may have.
Table of Contents
How well marked is the Vía? Are the yellow arrows easy to follow?
Is Google Maps useful for navigation?
What are the distances you have to walk every day?
What is the best mapping app for walking the Vía?
Are there different variants? Is figuring them out complicated?
Are there lots of places to eat?
I can only manage maximum 20km a day, will I be able to walk the Vía?
Are taxis and public transport easily available?
This is my first Camino / long-distance hike, is the Vía a good first Camino?
Can I get a Compostela Centificate for walking the Vía?
Can I just walk the last 100km of the Vía?
Which parts of the Vía are worth skipping?
How much does it cost to walk the Vía de la Plata?
Do I need to carry cash or are cards accepted everywhere?
What kind of people walk the Vía?
When is the best time to walk?
When is the worst time to walk?
Is there a luggage transfer service along the Vía?
Can I send things I don't need for the walk ahead to Santiago?
Do I need a sleeping bag on the Vía?
I only have two weeks, what's the best part to walk?
Is packing for the Vía different from other Caminos?
How many Pilgrim Hostels (Albergues) are there and what are they like?
Is there accommodation like guest houses and hotels?
During busy periods is it necessary / advisable to book ahead?
Will there be a lot of other pilgrims? When is the busy time?
I want to do the Vía by bicycle, what do I need to know?
Is the Vía safe to walk (from the point-of-view of crime)?
Is the Vía safe for women (from the point-of-view of sexual harrassment and violence)?
Is it worth reporting incidents to the Spanish police?
Are there dangerous animals along the Vía?
Are dogs a problem along the Vía?
How can I report animal cruelty?
Is extreme weather common along the Vía?
Is there or has there been problems with bedbugs on the Vía?
Do I need a Spanish SIM card or is WiFi widely available?
What are the pros and cons of the two different routes after Granja de Moreuela?
Is it possible to walk this Camino backwards?
What historic / UNESCO World Heritage sights are there along the Vía?
What are good places to take a rest day?
What about camping on the Vía?
How do I get to Granja de Moreruela?
Are there any blogs recounting pilgrims' experiences on this Camino?
COVID-19
Covid is over and all the restrictions are gone.
Vía Basics - Other Frequently Asked Questions...
About this Camino
The Vía de la Plata starts in Seville and heads north until Granja de Moreruela where it divides, one branch continues north and joins the Camino Frances in Astorga, the other branch turns west and becomes the Camino Sanabrés, this continues through southern Galicia and arrives in Santiago de Compostela from the south.
For simpilicty's sake I will refer to these routes as the Vía de la Plata, or just the Vía.
Conditions on the Vía are different from the Camino Frances in the following ways:
- distances between places, accommodation, water sources, cafes, etc. are at times a lot longer.
- it is walked by far fewer pilgrims so you may find yourself alone a lot.
- there is little if any pilgrim support services (baggage transfer, taxis, public transport, etc.)
- in the south the weather can be extremely (in fact dangerously) hot in summer.
- in Galicia the mountains can be snow-covered in winter.
How well marked is the Vía? Are the yellow arrows easy to follow?
The Vía is mostly well marked with yellow arrows and a variety of other "official" signposting. The few places where there is doubt are described in the guide.
If you're bringing a smartphone the app version of the guide includes interactive, offline maps which make it basically impossible to get lost! You can see the apps here. The app is available for both iPhone and Android.
Is Google Maps useful for navigation?
Google Maps is useful for locating businesses. However it knows absolutely nothing about the Vía de la Plata (or any other Camino) and if you ask it to tell you which way to walk it will pick the shortest route based on its knowledge of walkable roads and tracks.
For example, here's the route the Vía follows:
And here's the walking route from Seville to Santiago according to Google Maps:
As you can see they're two totally different routes.
What are the distances you have to walk every day?
The distances between places with pilgrim accommodation are given in the guide. Currently the longest stretch with no accommodation or amenities of any sort of is 33km (Casar de Cáceres to Cañaveral). There are several places where you will need to be able to walk at least 30km. There is one 39km gap between pilgrim accommodation however this can be broken into two stages by staying at one of the several cheap hotels close to the Camino.
What is the best mapping app for walking the Vía?
The best option is the app based on the information on this website. It has fully interactive and zoomable maps updated in 2023 to reflect the latest route changes along the Vía. It's available for both iPhone and Android. You can see the apps here.
If you prefer a free app then we recommend the Mapy.cz app which has the route of the Vía clearly marked, although it isn't entirely up to date. You can find it by searching in your phone's app store.
Are there different variants? Is figuring them out complicated?
Most of the time there is only one walking route. For the places where there is more than one we've done some diagrams showing distances and facilities to help you figure out your options. To see them click H E R E.
Are there lots of places to eat?
Wherever there is accommodation there is always some place to eat. It may be a bar or a restaurant or the pilgrim hostel may do meals or have a kitchen. At time of writing (2022) there is only one exception to this, Outeiro, where the local bar has closed.
It's important to note that shops and bars / restaurants often close for one day a week, often Monday, so it's a good idea to have a plan B for food, ie. something in the bottom of your backpack that can be heated in a microwave or eaten cold.
Are there pilgrim menus?
Pilgrim menus are beginning to appear in restaurants along the Vía however they are by no means universally available. That means that restaurants generally serve at Spanish meal times, lunch from 2pm and dinner from 9pm.
I can only manage maximum 20km a day, will I be able to walk the Vía?
With the help of taxis it's possible, but you will need to organise it yourself, so you'll need to speak some Spanish.
Also, on the Vía there are often long gaps (ie. more than 15km) between pilgrim accommodation and amenities of any sort. If you are not able to deal easily with walking these distances while being entirely self-sufficient (ie. carrying enough food and water for the whole stage) then the Vía may not be suitable for you.
Are taxis and public transport easily available?
Local bars generally have the phone numbers for taxis. Public transport is available in some places but by no means everywhere.
This is my first Camino / long-distance hike, is the Vía a good first Camino?
The Vía is not a good place to learn the ins and outs of long distance hiking. There are many things to learn when preparing for and walking a long distance, multi-day hike and you will only really start to learn these things when you start doing it. Things like: what equipment to bring, what footwear, what clothes, how far can I comfortably walk in a day and for how many days can I sustain this pace, how much water should I carry, how much food and what kind of food should I carry, how much weight can I carry comfortably, how hot is too hot, how waterproof is my waterproof clothing, etc., etc., etc.
Many of the questions you'll need to find answers to are personal to you, hearing about other people's experiences may help, but ultimately everybody's experience will be different and you will need to find the answers that suit you. That will only start happening when you start walking.
The Vía de la Plata is an unforgiving environment with few support services for pilgrims (baggage transport, public transport, frequent pilgrim accommodation, etc.). If you get anything wrong in your preparation or in how you organise yourself from day to day (and if it's your first time you will get things wrong) it will be up to you to deal with it as well as you can. This may make your Camino a difficult and possibly miserable experience.
If it's your first time you should consider walking the Camino Francés (or one of the other more frequented Caminos) where pilgrim accommodation is far more frequent and support services of every type are widely available.
Can I get a Compostela Centificate for walking the Vía?
You can qualify for a Compostela Centificate for walking the Vía in the same way as you can on any other Camino. Basically walk the last 100km and have stamps in your Credencial to prove it.
If you start in Seville and you can get a distance certificate from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago it will say that you have walked a little over 1,000km.
Can I just walk the last 100km of the Vía?
Of course, starting in Ourense. This will qualify you for a Compostela Certificate when you get to Santiago. The usual proviso about getting more than one stamp a day applies.
Which parts of the Vía are worth skipping?
If your priority is pretty scenery then you've fundamentally misunderstood what a Camino is.
A Camino is a pilgrimage route from some point in Europe to Santiago de Compostela. It follows the routes pilgrims have been using for about 1000 year. These routes have evolved and changed over time but they generally follow the path which is easiest for walkers, ie. mostly a straight line but generally avoiding mountains. Caminos often pass through other pilgrimage sites and cities and towns where shelter and supplies are available.
They differ from tourist walking routes in that they are not designed to pass primarilly through scenic, touristic areas. There are many tourist walking routes in Europe, often referred to as GRs (Spanish: Grandes Recorrides, French: Grands Randonées).
Scenery along Caminos is often flat and bland and on the outskirts of cities, ugly and unpleasant.
How much does it cost to walk the Vía de la Plata?
Generally pilgrim hostels are between 10€ and 15€ to sleep. A menu in a bar or restaurant is usually between 12€ and 15€. Coffee is usually about 1.30€, a snack in a bar (bocadillo, tortilla, etc.) is typically between 3€ and 4€. You can lower your costs by buying from shops or supermarkets where they're available. Many places also have hotels and guest houses, typical prices for single rooms is between 20€ and 40€. Add about 50% for a double.
Do I need to carry cash or are cards accepted everywhere?
Many Municipal and Donativo albergues only accept cash payment. Also, many businesses only accept card payment for a minimum amount (typically 10€), this is to avoid the transaction charges they pay to the banks. Vending machines mostly only accept cash (and sometimes only coins).
So, it's important to have some cash on you, preferably in small denomination notes and some coins. Not all places have banks so stock up on cash in larger towns.
What kind of people walk the Vía?
Generally people with time on their hands.
Ten years ago it was mostly retired German men. Now-a-days it's become slightly more diverse with Americans and Australians putting in a good show, followed by the usual mix of nationalities. The age profile is slightly less geriatric than in the past too.
But despite these changes this is still an older and more male Camino than the Camino Francés.
PREPARATION & PLANNING
When is the best time to walk?
Starting in Seville, from a weather point-of-view the best time to start is March / April. However, that is also the busy time. Earlier than that and the chances of encountering bad weather (cold, rain, wind, etc.) are higher. Later than that and the chances of extreme heat are higher.
October is also a good time to start from Seville however as you head north the days will get shorter and the weather will get colder. By the time you get to Galicia and the mountains it'll already be getting towards November and the chances of bad weather (including snow) are high.
There's no reason not to start from Seville in winter (November to February) however you will need good cold weather and rain gear and an all-season sleeping-bag.
If you're starting further north in Salamanca or Zamora, conditions are similar to the Camino Francés. The northern section, north of Salamanca, can be walked at any time of year, with the proviso that some of the mountains are above 1,000m and so weather conditions can be harsh in winter.
When is the worst time to walk?
Starting in Seville the worst and hardest time to walk is the hot months (June, July, August and September). In the south of Spain (ie. Andalusia and Extremadura) daytime temperatures above 35C are normal and temperatures above 40C are common. This extreme heat makes the summer the most difficult and dangerous time to walk - several people have died of heat related causes in recent years. You should not attempt to walk in summer unless you are used to and comfortable walking in 40C and higher.
In addition to the heat you may also find that many pilgrim hostels will be closed for periods over the summer to allow their owners / staff / volunteers to take a holiday. These closures are generally not planned or announced in advance.
Also, unless you really want solitude the loneliness of being along every day and every evening of your walk is likely to take an emotional toll.
If you search around the internet you'll find some accounts of people who've walked in summer. They give advice such as carry a hiking umbrella, carry lots of water, start very early (and walk several hours in the dark), etc. This is all sound advice, but it boils down to one thing, if you take all of the following precautions then the southern section of the Vía in summer is just about bearable. Why would you want to do that when there are lots of other Caminos in northern Spain you could walk instead and have a far more relaxed and enjoyable time?
The Christmas and New Year holiday season (from about 22 December until after 7 January) are also problematic because many businesses and accommodation will be closed.
Climate data
You can see climate information for Seville, Salamance and Santiago de Compostela here:
- Seville
Seville, Salamanca and Santiago have been chosen because their climates are largely representative of the three climate zones the Vía passes through.
How to interpret this climate data on Wikipedia
Temperatures given are air temperatures.
Probably the most indicative and useful figures are the Average high and the Average low.
Record high: the maximum air temperature ever recorded during a calendar month
Mean maximum: average of each year's record high for a calendar month
Average high: average daily maximum temperatures for the entire month
Daily mean: average daily air temperature observed during a calendar month
Average low: average daily minimum temperatures for the entire month
Mean minimum: average of each year's record low for a calendar month
Record low: the minimum air temperature ever recorded during a calendar month
Climate zone map
1. Starting in the south Mediterranean climate (GREEN) - hot dry summers, cool winters with lower temperatures and more rainfall as you move north and at higher altitudes.
2. Mountain climate (BROWN) - cooler in summer and colder in winter than surrounding areas with possibility of snow.
3. In the north you come into an oceanic climate area (BLUES) - strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream which moderates temperature all year round and lots of rain.
On this map the Vía is shown as a white line.
Copyright (C) Wikipedia.
In Galicia and especially at higher altitudes it is considerably cooler, rainfall is abundant and high winds common. On some mountain passes snow is common in winter, however not generally in quantities which would pose a problem for walkers.
Is there a luggage transfer service along the Vía?
There is no luggage service comparable to those available on the Camino Francés offering a door-to-door luggage transfer service along the whole Vía. Taxi drivers will often be happy to transport luggage but you will need to organise and negotiate that yourself for which you will need a basic level of Spanish. The charges for this are general the same as for transporting a passenger (ie. about 1€ per km - although this is not a fixed price and I've heard many reports of taxi drivers taking pilgrims for a ride and not in the way they wanted).
On the Camino Sanabrés after Ourense, Correos (the Spanish post office) runs a backback transport service. More details and booking from their website. Correos.
In 2023 a private company began offering a luggage transfer service on the Camino Sanabrés (from Granja de Moreruela to Santiago). Prices vary depending on distances. They can be contacted at servicioscaminosanabres@gmail.com or call or WhatsApp +34 674 56 98 70.
Can I send things I don't need for the walk ahead to Santiago?
Casa Ivar in Santiago will store luggage while you walk. You just send it to them from any post office. Details from their website
Do I need a sleeping bag on the Vía?
Bringing a sleeping bag is a good idea for several reasons. Some albergues do not provide blankets (and if they do they are very often not clean). Some albergues are not heated. So if it's 0 degrees C outside it'll pretty close to 0 degrees C inside too.
What kind of sleeping bag depends on the time of year you plan to walk. In summer a two season one is fine (usually recommended for temperatures down to about 8 degrees C). In winter a four season one is recommended (for temperatures down to about freezing).
Some people walk with just a sleeping sheet and swear that it's not a problem, it's a personal choice, obviously some people feel the cold more than other people.
I only have two weeks, what's the best part to walk?
This depends on the time of year. Outside of the hot months you could walk in the south. Seville to Mérida or Cáceres would take about two weeks. It's a nice walk with varied landscape and lots of pretty southern Spanish villages and towns, plus the historic cities of Seville, Mérida and Cáceres. These cities are all easily accessible using public transport.
In summer it's best to avoid the south because of the heat. North of Salamanca conditions are similar to the Camino Francés. Salamanca to Santiago is about 500km and would take most people about twenty days. If you don't have enough time for that you could shorten it by starting in Puebla de Sanabria. From there it's about ten days to Santiago.
Is packing for the Vía different from other Caminos?
Most of the things you'll need on the Vía are the same as for other Caminos. And this changes depending on the time of year you want to walk.
However, when packing for the Vía there is a number of factors to bear in mind which are less significant on other Caminos.
You will need to be able to walk up to 30km while carrying all the water and food you need for the entire day. So you'll need extra space in your backpack for this.
The Vía is about 1,000km south to north with altitudes ranging from sea level to over 1,000m. In this distance it passes through several different climate zones and with the changes in altitude the temperature can change greatly from day to day. This means you'll need to pack clothes which are adaptable to both hot weather and cold weather and for rain.
PILGRIM HOSTELS & OTHER ACCOMMODATION
How many Pilgrim Hostels (Albergues) are there and what are they like?
Information about individual pilgrim hostels is in the guide.
Generally along the Vía it's rare for a place to have more than two pilgrim hostels and many places only have one. That means you often don't have a choice between different hostels (this can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending how you look at it.)
The quality of pilgrim hostels varies greatly. Some are modern, purpose-built businesses with all the comforts you'd expect and a price tag to match. Others are reminicent of the early days of the Camino revival (the 1990s) with basic facilities, no frills and a minimum of house-keeping.
Private hostels usually accept bookings but municipal and religious ones usually don't.
Is there accommodation like guest houses and hotels?
Most places along the Vía have guest house and / or hotel accommodation. This has been developing nicely during the last few years due to the increase in the number of people walking. The app has links to Booking.com to allow you to book accommodation easily. You can also do this from our online guide.
During busy periods is it necessary / advisable to book ahead?
This really depends on the time of year you're walking and on your own personal preferences. If you're walking from Seville in March / April you may well encounter full hostels. At any time of year if you want to avoid the hassle of having to search around for a place to sleep at the end of a long day's walk then booking ahead may be the option for you. Bear in mind that usually only private hostels accept reservations. Also, it should be enough to book one or two days in advance, you don't need to book your whole Camino before you start walking.
Another point to remember is Easter / Semana Santa. There are a number of public holidays in Spain around Easter and it's a popular time for trips away, city breaks and hiking (depending on the weather). If you're walking over Easter it's a good idea to plan ahead and perhaps book a few days in advance, especially if you're relying on private accommodation (and in cities such as Cáceres which don't have a dedicated pilgrim hostel). Easter tends to be more a problem in holiday centres and cities, especially Seville whose Easter celebrations are world famous.
Easter week in Seville is extremely popular and accommodation will be in very short supply and much more expensive. The city will also be extremely crowded and getting around will be difficult because of the number of processions, some of which continue all night. Search for semana santa sevilla on Youtube if you want to get an idea of what to expect.
Seville also has the Feria de Abril, which despite its name doesn't always occur in April. It's a traditional spring festival involving lots of people dressed in traditional dress. It happens either one or two weeks after Easter. Accommodation in Seville is basically impossible while it's on.
As on other Caminos private hostels usually accept bookings but municipal and religious ones usually don't.
Will there be a lot of other pilgrims? When is the busy time?
Leaving Seville in March / April is the busy period because of the higher chance of ideal weather. Outside this time and especially in summer and winter the Vía can be very quiet and if you're walking you may find yourself alone a lot of the time.
Public holidays can also influence the number of other walkers (see next section).
Spanish public holidays
Public holidays can make your life difficult in a number of ways. Firstly, shops will be closed (and possibly also bars). Secondly there may be more people (and possibly groups of people) walking and taking up beds, this is especially true for Easter and May.
All the public holidays are listed on our Public Holidays page.
CYCLING
I want to do the Vía by bicycle, what do I need to know?
Following the Vía walking route would require a high degree of fitness and strength and an all-terrain bicycle. There are often road-based alternatives which may add some distance but would also be a lot easier for bikes.
At the moment there is no guide in English to cycling the Vía.
Several companies rent bikes and will also organise accommodation, BICIGREEN. Triana Backpackers Hostel in Seville also rents bikes, see HERE.
SAFETY
Is the Vía safe to walk (from the point-of-view of crime)?
Around 2014 there were some incidents of robberies from pilgrims on the stage between Seville and Guillena. The perpetrators were found and convicted. Since then there have been no reported problems of theft.
Spain is a very safe country and violent crime is rare. Problems of theft are mostly concentrated in big cities, areas frequented by tourists and public transport hubs such as railway stations.
Spain's murder rate was 0.62 per 100,000 of population (2018). This compares to The United States 4.96, Canada 1.76, United Kingdom 1.2, Australia 0.89, Ireland 0.87. Source Wikipedia.
Is the Vía safe for women (from the point-of-view of sexual harrassment and violence)?
On the issue of sexual violence. This has been the subject of debate in Spain for many years and beginning with the Zapatero government in the early 2000s vigorous efforts have been made to combat violence against women. There are special courts for dealing with these crimes and the police have specially trained units to investigate and support victims of these crimes. The police, together with the judiciary, take incidents of sexual assault very, very seriously. They have well established procedures for dealing with these incidents in which the wellbeing of the victim is central.
In the spring and early summer of 2019 there was a number of incidents of a man exposing himself to female pilgrims north of Baños de Montemayor. The police and the local council were made aware of this situation and took steps to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Despite this the man continued and escalated his activities until an incident in late May when he sexually assaulted a pilgrim. The police were notified and the victim was interviewed and given psychological support. Based on her description of the man the police were able to organise an identity parade for the following day from which the victim identified the perpetrator. He was arrested and placed in custody to appear in court the following day when he was charged with sexual assault. Within days he had appeared in court again under a procedure know as juicio rápido / rapid justice, which is used when it's important to bring a case to a rapid conclusion, such as when the victim is a tourist. He was found guilty and sentenced to prison. The man had a long criminal record, including a conviction for sexual assault on a pilgrim in 2011 and others for crimes of violence (including against the police).
What happened in this case underlines the importance of reporting incidents of sexual harassement to the police (even ones which could be described as trivial). This allows the police to take actions which could prevent a more serious incident involving the same individual.
Is it worth reporting incidents to the Spanish police?
Anyone who tells you it's not worth your trouble reporting things to the police in Spain has clearly never had any dealings with the Spanish police!
The Spanish police are extremely professional and diligent. They take a special interest in crimes involving pilgrims, partially from a desire to protect Spain's economic interests but also because the Caminos are important to Spain historically and Spanish people take great pride from the fact that many thousands of people travel from all over the world every year to do a pilgrimage in Spain.
The Spanish police's AlertCops app has been recommended by people who've had the need to use it. Despite its silly name it is a quick and easy way of alerting the emergency services of a problem or incident. It also helps them to find you easily - this is especially important when you're going to be spending a long time in remote rural areas.
Read more here.
Are there dangerous animals along the Vía?
There are bears and wolves in Spain, mostly in the mountainous north. However, they are rare and incidents of them causing problems for humans seem to be non existent.
Are dogs a problem along the Vía?
The Vía is about 1,000km long and most of that is through farmland. There are dogs, sometimes lots of dogs. But they'll mostly be behind a fence or tied up.
Dogs in this region are used to help guard and control farm animals and so are often to be seen unsupervised in a field with a flock of sheep. Despite this, incidents with dogs are rare and serious incidents, ones in which someone has been bitten requiring medical treatment, are very rare.
During all the times I've walked the Vía (four times in its totality and many other stages) I have at no time come close to being bitten by a dog. There have been occasions when I've had to stand my ground when a dog ran over barking when it saw me, but none of these turned out to be dangerous, just annoying. I've been around dogs all my life and I like dogs, but I know that that isn't the case for everybody. What might be annoying for me might be frightening for someone else.
I've also never met anybody who had been bitten by a dog (I have heard from one and I have read about a small number on the internet).
If you do meet an aggressive dog, your safest option is to back away (without turning your back) and get out of its territory. Running is not a good idea because a dog can move much faster than you can and many breeds of dogs will instinctively chase you if you run.
Raising a stick at it will probably be enough to convince it it's dealing with someone who'll fight back (working, country dogs associate a stick with pain, unlike their townie cousins). If you haven't got a stick to hand, bend down and pick up a stone, they understand that and associate it with pain. However, hitting a dog is an absolute last resort, only to be used if it attacks first. Pre-emptive action may just provoke it.
If you encounter dogs looking after sheep or goats, bear in mind that they're very protective and if you come too close or between them and their flock they will regard you as a threat. So stay as far away as possible.
It's also probable the dog's owner is someplace nearby, and attracting their attention is probably the easiest way to deal with the offending mutt.
How can I report animal cruelty?
Laws relating to mistreatment of animals exist at national, regional and municipal levels. So, what is and isn't a crime changes from place to place.
In cities and towns the Local Police are responsible. In rural areas this responsibility falls to a special division of the Guardia Civil called Seprona (Servicio de Protección a la Naturaleza / Nature Protection Service).
In an emergency situation (where an animal's life may be in danger) call the national emergency number 112 and explain the situation to them (they speak various languages). It's also possible to use the AlertCops app which has a dedicated Animal Cruelty button.
If the situation isn't an emergency then in towns and cities going to the local Policia Local office may be the easiest. Outside of towns you'll need to contact the Guardia Civil. Hospitaleros should have contact details in both cases.
Evidence is important when reporting and incident, photos, videos, witnesses and the exact location of the incident.
Is extreme weather common along the Vía?
Yes, in summer in the south (Andalucia and Extremadura), extreme heat is not uncommon (over 40 degrees C). See the Climate Data section for more details.
BEDBUGS
Is there or has there been problems with bedbugs on the Vía?
No. Or at least, not that I am aware. (Or probably better to add yet.)
COMMUNICATIONS
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No, but some basic knowledge will be a big help. In rural Spain English speakers are pretty rare. A survival Camino Spanish guide is available from here.
Do I need a phone?
Many pilgrim hostels have no permanent staff and post a phone number on the door which you'll need to call if you're the first pilgrim to arrive. For this reason a phone is useful, especially during quiet times of the year. It could also be very useful in the event of an emergency.
Do I need a Spanish SIM card or is WiFi widely available?
Many private hostels and cafés now have WiFi. Whether you need a SIM card or not depends on your own need to be in contact on the internet or by phone and how much you pay for roaming in Spain. If you need a Spanish SIM one of the best companies for international calls and internet is Lebara. They have lots of pre-paid plans combining internet and international calls.
See the guide for the location of a handy shop in Seville to buy a SIM card. In Spain SIM cards must be registered so you'll need your passport / EU ID card to buy one.
Mobile coverage along the Vía is generally very good with very few places where the network speed drops below 4G.
ASTORGA / CAMINO SANABRES
What are the pros and cons of the two different routes after Granja de Moreuela?
The two options after Granja are the Camino Sanabrés and the branch of the Vía which joins the Camino Francés in Astorga.
The two routes are about the same distance to Santiago.
The Camino Sanabrés has more mountains and fewer pilgrims.
The Camino Francés has more pilgrims and a more developed and dense infrastructure, for these reasons it's the easiest option physically.
STARTING IN SANTIAGO
Is it possible to walk this Camino backwards?
A small number of people start walking in Santiago and finished in Seville. There's no reason not to do this however bear in mind the following.
The vast majority of people will be walking in the opposite direction so you will only meet them very briefly while walking, or for a few hours in an albergue. This means that you will only have limited opportunity to get to know people better and to have a sense of belonging to a group.
If you're walking in spring it will get progressively warmer as you go south and the sun will be shining on your face a lot of the time.
The waymarkings (yellow arrows) will be harder to follow. A GPS track or mapping app will be useful.
You'll find yourself explaining a lot why you're walking backwards.
SIGHTSEEING
What historic / UNESCO World Heritage sights are there along the Vía?
Briefly (because these are described in the guide): Seville (and the Roman city of Italica in Santiponce), Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela.
What are good places to take a rest day?
Any of the UNESCO World Heritage sight cities are worth taking a couple of days to explore properly. Zafra, Galisteo, Zamora and Puebla de Sanabria are also pretty. Besides that there is also a number of places which have natural hot springs, Aljucén, Baños de Montemayor and Ourense are the big ones.
CAMPING
Should I bring a tent?
This is the most frequently asked question on our Facebook page. You can see them HERE.
The short answer is no. Unless you really want to camp.
What about camping on the Vía?
There are very few campsites so if you want to camp it'll be wild camping.
Wild camping in Spain is governed by the regions and it is not legal in any of the regions through which the Vía passes.
So, if you're going to wild camp be aware that you're breaking the law and you may be fined and / or moved on.
Your chances of getting into trouble or causing trouble will be reduced if you follow some basic rules: obeying any local restrictions (ie. No Camping or Private Property signs), not littering, not lighting fires, not staying more than one night, not bothering farm animals (either yourself or, if you've got a dog, your dog), not camping close to buildings which are in use, not camping close to national monuments or in national parks, and generally anything which is going to worry / annoy people.
The not lighting fires bit is very important. Lighting fires is never allowed under any circumstances.
Legal information comes from HERE.
GETTING THERE
How do I get to Seville?
Seville has an airport with flights from around Europe.
There are hourly high-speed train (AVE) connections from Madrid taking about 2h30m, and less frequent ones from Barcelona (but you can always change in Madrid).
How do I get to Salamanca?
Salamanca has a direct train connection to Madrid taking about 2h45m. There are also frequent bus connections.
How do I get to Zamora?
Zamora is a stop on the high-speed (AVE) train line from Madrid to Santiago.
How do I get to Ourense?
Ourense is on the high speed train line linking Santiago de Compostela and Madrid with frequent trains in both directions.
The easiest way to get to Ourense is to fly into Santiago and get a train or bus from there. The distance is about 100km.
It's also possible to fly into Madrid and get a train from there. Depending which train you take the journey takes from 2h35.
How do I get to Granja de Moreruela?
Granja is a stop on the Zamora - Benavente - León route leaving from the Estación de Autobuses in Zamora which is about 3 minutes walk from the train station.
The bus compnay is called Hermanos Vivas. There's a timetable on their website HERE.
Not all buses stop in villages, they're labelled (D) Directo / Direct and (P) Paradas en Pueblos / Stops in Villages. You need (P).
Tickets from the Vivas office upstairs in the bus station.
Spanish Trains
Long distance and high speed trains have reserved seating (like when you're flying). So it's always recommended to book in advance.
For more information about using Spanish trains see the Man in Seat 61. I can't really add anything to what he says because he covers everything.
Are there any blogs recounting pilgrims' experiences on this Camino?
In late 2022 we started to collect them here. If you know of any other blogs we should include plese email us from the Contacts page.
Copyright © Gerald Kelly 2024. All text and photos.