Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[knawn]

In Summer 2007, I am planning on walking the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Santiago. I would then like to walk from Santiago to Porto, the Camino Portugues, except in the opposite direction. Does this sound feasible? Has anyone else done this? How difficult might I find the trail to follow?

[michael]

Sorry this is not a reply but while on this subject does anyone know the “rules” regarding staying in refuges on the return journey?
If I go to Santiago say by Camino Frances then turn left and go home down Via de la Plata does that count or is that pushing the limits of what is intended?
Has anyone walked back and what is the attitude of people running the refuges?

regards
Michael

"...ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein".

[bpondugula]

Good afternoon

I am no authority on this. But when we were in Melide (camino frances), in October 24 , We met a Portugese gentelman, who walked all the way from Portugal to Santiago and was walking back and as I understood from him, there were no issues about staying on his back ward journey.

Regards
Bharat

[William Marques]

I am told that theoretically if you have got to Santiago and collected your compostela this is accepted as proof that you are a pilgrim on your return journey. Whether you have to return the way you came I cannot tell you.

William

[bpondugula]

Hallo

Yes, thats what the portugese gentelman also mentioned

Regards
Bharat

[sillydoll]

Ann (http://www.walk2rome.me.uk/) walked from Santiago to Rome this year.
She started in Santiago and don't think she had any problems staying in the albergues.

[Peter Robins]

the main problem is that the arrows in Galicia only point in one direction, so may be ambiguous or not there if you're going the other way. In Portugal, the routes are supposed to be marked both ways: yellow to Santiago, blue to Fatima, but it's not too clear at the moment (at least, to me ) what the status is on this. The marking was supposed to have been finished in August, but there's still been no official announcement.

On albergues, the 'rule' is supposed to be that you need a credencial to stop in the albergues; end of rule. It shouldn't matter which direction you are going, or how many stamps if any you have in it. I seem to remember someone telling me they used a fresh credencial for the way back, but that's not compulsory. If you use a different route, you may want a fresh one to get more room for stamps. In Portugal, you can simply say you're going to Fatima.

[sillydoll]

You do mean a credential Peter, don't you?

[Peter Robins]

yes indeed - now edited

[JustRob]

Am I correct in assuming from these posts that there is a marked route from Santiago to Fatima?

I just might have to explore that opportunity.

[Peter Robins]

sort of
see http://www.peterrobins.co.uk/camino/routes/portugues

[davo77]

I have a similar query. I will finish the Camino Frances early in the 2nd week of July. After a few days relaxing, I then want to walk South along the Camino Portugues into Portugal, although i still haven't decided the finish point. There have been a few posts on this, ie the Portugese due to finish road markings etc - does anyone know if this has been completed? Do the refugios in Portugal operate more or less the same as in Spain?

[Guest]

That's right, there are blue on the Camino Portugues that show the way to Fatima. I've seen them as far as the Camino Frances, but more so on the C Portugues.

Buen Camino,

XM

[Guest]

knawn, all is feasible on the Caminos

It is your Camino, a metaphor for life some may say.

I'd suggest that you plan and more so "live" it as such .

Going "backwards" Comp-Porto sounds great I've met peregrinos that have done it.

Do it

Buen Camino,

XM

[Guest]

Hi davo77,

albergues in Portugal operate pretty much like the ones in Spain.

Have credencial, will travel.

Buen Camino

xm

[Guest]

Hi Michael,

The “rules” regarding staying in albergues are pretty much the same on the return journey.

Don't understand your question: "If I go to Santiago say by Camino Frances then turn left and go home down Via de la Plata does that count or is that pushing the limits of what is intended?" Please clarify what you mean as "counts" (towards what?).

Has anyone walked back and what is the attitude of people running the refuges?

I've never done it but as shared previously have met peregrinos, no too many, that were doing it. The attitude I observed in hospitaleros was ditto to that of any other pilgrim.

Buen Camino

xm

[Athena]

As of July 2006, there were fairly consistant blue arrow markers from Santiago to at least Tui.

I met at least one person making the fatima pilgrimage via a return route from Santiago - so it seems common enough!

Good luck,
Athena

[amomentadrift]

Great info. I myself am considering walking south after completing the Camino Frances. Well... let's see how I feel after I get to Santiago...

[ksam]

Yo A DRIFT!! Loved your blog...your photos were wonderful...the sunrise (?) on the road was esp. beautiful! As well as the poetry! Thinking I might bring a book of poetry instead of a "regular" book, when we go in late may. Somehow it seems more appropriate! Wishing you all the best on your journey..both ways!! Go for it....I still have a teather and land line....can't quite drift ... yet! It will come!

Buen Camino,
Karin