Just returned from Camino Frances, Leon, Spain to Santiago. Willing to answer questions.

[allisgroovey]

My wife and I just returned from walking Leon, Spain to Santiago (mid-March), 2 weeks, 200 miles/325 km. We appreciated help from this site before we left and would answer questions if we can help others.

[BHinSanDiego]

Welcome Home, you life and thoughts will never be the same, in a good way!
Ultreya,
Barry

[Buffalo Girl]

That is so great! Congratulations!! I am walking at the end of May. How did it go!?

[drsalome]

welcome back. I'm walking in july from sjdpp. i just purchased my back pak. is it wise to have 2 pairs of shoes?

[Covey]

The majority of pilgrims will wear their walking boots/shoes during the day and then wear flip flops/sandals/Crocs in the evenings.

For the evenings you are better off with something waterproof that you can wear in the showers. The average cleanliness of the showers usually leaves a little (or a lot!) to be desired and many of the feet that have stood in the shower you are just entering will have blistered feet in various stages of repair. It is sensible to wear some form of waterproof footwear in the shower to isolate your feet from what has gone before!!

Up until last year I wore Salomon boots during the day and carried a pair of Teva Trail Sandals for the evenings and as a backup to walk in during the day if needed.

Last year I replaced my Salomon's with Merell Moab shoes and the Teva's with a pair of Crocs. Both were excellent. I doubt you would want to try walking 20kms in Croc's but for wandering around after a days march, they were an excellent choice, and were much lighter than the Teva's.

You quite often see Pilgrims who just wear Teva's all the time and in the summer they are a good choice by those who are experienced walkers and have used them on a long distance walk before, but I would not recommend that anyone just take Teva's for their first time on a long trek. If you have weak ankles or arch problems, then stick to conventional footwear.

[drsalome]

What is your thought on having 2 pair of walking shoes/boots for daytime switching?
thank you
salome

The majority of pilgrims will wear their walking boots/shoes during the day and then wear flip flops/sandals/Crocs in the evenings.

For the evenings you are better off with something waterproof that you can wear in the showers. The average cleanliness of the showers usually leaves a little (or a lot!) to be desired and many of the feet that have stood in the shower you are just entering will have blistered feet in various stages of repair. It is sensible to wear some form of waterproof footwear in the shower to isolate your feet from what has gone before!!

Up until last year I wore Salomon boots during the day and carried a pair of Teva Trail Sandals for the evenings and as a backup to walk in during the day if needed.

Last year I replaced my Salomon's with Merell Moab shoes and the Teva's with a pair of Crocs. Both were excellent. I doubt you would want to try walking 20kms in Croc's but for wandering around after a days march, they were an excellent choice, and were much lighter than the Teva's.

You quite often see Pilgrims who just wear Teva's all the time and in the summer they are a good choice by those who are experienced walkers and have used them on a long distance walk before, but I would not recommend that anyone just take Teva's for their first time on a long trek. If you have weak ankles or arch problems, then stick to conventional footwear.

[grayland]

I think that two pairs of walking shoes is a very bad idea due simply to the added weight. Weight of your pack will be the major problem you have. I am not sure why changing shoes while walking would be of any help. Many people change socks whenever they stop along the way. Good wool socks (like Smartwool and others) are very important to avoid any more blisters than necessary. Many pilgrims use a liner sock (not cotton) inside the wool sock.
I really would take your best feeling pair of shoes and go with that. Take Covey's advice above and take a VERY light shoe for night and shower.

[wendy gaston]

Hi I have just joined the site. I am planning to walk from Leon to Santiago between the 16th and 31st of May. I have read that the walking from Leon to Astorga is not very nice and its better to take the bus but I supose thats personal preference. If I choose to fly from the UK to Valladolid then take the bus to Astorga will I be able to get the pilgrim passport there? Also what was your average daily spend? I will be walking alone will it be easy to hook up and walk with people if I want to?
Thanks Wendy

[grayland]

Hi Wendy,
Welcome to the forum. I am not sure where you received the information about Leon to Astorga not being a nice stage. All of the stages have much to enjoy. You may have heard some say that the walk out of Leon can seem long and is through urban areas...but I don't find it to be bad. Actually, the normal stage would be something like Leon to Mazarife 1 day and then on to Astorga on the second day. Leon is a good sized city and is really very interesting.

You can get the Pilgrim credential in Astorga as well as just about any city/town with an albergue.
I would suggest the the average spend per day is about 30 euro. An typical albergue will cost from 8 to 15 euro per night and a Pilgrim menu (meal) at the local bar/café will average 8 to 10 euro. A hotel/hostel/pension will vary greatly but around 35 euro if you choose to stay there a couple of times. Other expenses will be coffee, breakfast and lunch along the way.
You will only be alone if you choose to be. You will quickly make friends with others in the albergues and will be walking in a loose on and off group that meets over and over along the way.
You will have a fantastic adventure.
If you have the time....start in Leon.
Buen Camino

[Covey]

Walking out of Leon is basically on the pavement of the main road for the first 8kms and you have a panoramic view of Leon's industrial estates.

A great many pilgrims catch the town bus to Las Virgens de la Camino at the bottom of the main drag coming down from the Cathedral to the river. There is a roundabout by the bridge over the river and the bus stop is on the roundabout. It saves 8kms of eating truck exhaust fumes. Once outside Leon it is OK. You could also take a bus to Hospital de Obriga and then walk the "scenic" cross country to Astorga which is quite nice. The "non-scenic route" takes you to Astorga on a path by the side of a very busy highway.

[wendy gaston]

Hi I am planning to walk from Astorga to Santiago in May. Is it possible to get the pilgrims passport there or do I need to get it from Leon? Is it easier to fly from the UK to Asturias or Valladolid and then connect to the beginning of the Camino by bus?
Cheers Wendy

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Wendy ~
Interesting that you're flying into Asturias (Oviedo) or Valladolid. Until now I wasn't aware of direct flights from London to these cities. You didn't list your particular date in May, so it's not possible to be certain about what's available to you since some of these flights are not daily. I found examples of the days with the direct flights you're likely choosing and checked bus schedules for those days:

The EasyJet flight from London Stansted to Oviedo arrives at 15:30. You'll miss the 15:30 bus to Astorga, so would need to catch the 19:00 bus there, which arrives at 21:15. Kind of late.

The RyanAir flight from Stansted to Valladolid arrives at 11:35. The bus from Valladolid to Astorga stops at the airport (an advantage, I presume) and has a 13:15 departure to Astorga which gets you there at 15:30. To me that would make Valladolid the choice.

All of this needs to be checked with your particular May dates. Bus schedules are available at www.alsa.es. Astorga's two albergues are here: Albergue en el camino de Santiago en Astorga. Asociacion de amigos del Camino de Santiago de Astorga y su Comarca and here: Albergue de Peregrinos San Javier | Guía del Camino de Santiago | EROSKI CONSUMER with contact info for each to inquire about a credencial.

Buen camino!

[allisgroovey]

My wife is only comfortable in her good running shoes. That is all she took. She did fine even on the rough paths. She has some foot issues and did not take an alternative because running shoes work for herr. We walked in five days of rain and her feet got wet with no alternative however. I took good walking boots and a pair of running shoes because my feet enjoy a change at night. It added weight but for me it was worth it. I need boots to keep my ankle rigid on rocky downhill paths. We also spent a week touring Paris afterwards and running shoes were going to be more comfortable there for me. We took thongs for our feet in the shower and night time bathroom trips. If you buy new shoes, break them in!!! You'll have a great adventure.

[allisgroovey]

It went very well for both my wife and I. It was a 14 day walk. I checked Camino weather and it is decidedly warmer right now than mid March. We had five days of rain and chilly temps especially in the mountain areas. I have learned that the destination is the walking..... the destination is the daily encounters with whoever God puts in you path,.... the destination is silence,... the beauty of this part of the world.... the people who pull their car over or shout from their windows to give confused pilgrims directions.... Arriving in Santiago at the cathedral, receiving the certificate of accomplishment, and the cathedral mass were highlights. The destination is the journey. I hope your is meaningful. Just be open to and flexible, and willing to be surprised!

[allisgroovey]

We walked through the industrial area of Leon and enjoyed seeing the city. Toward the edge of the city there are a few shops open in the morning, and a cafe or two for a break. We were determined to walk the entire way. We went to Villar de Mazarife, an alternative route, via the rural path 23.1 km which was just right for our first day. All others walking with us that day went to Villadangos del Paramo via the highway path. It was threatening rain and cool and I think they like the security of being able to catch a ride if necessary. Our rural walk was beautiful, solitude, no other pilgrims, storks feeding in the fields, large piles of sugar beets waiting to be shipped to market. Limited services, but beautiful. The albergue San Antonio de Padua is a private hostel, first one on the right. This is a town of only 400 people, so one bar for night life. We had the albergue to ourselves, a dorm room of 30 bunk beds. The winter mgr is a chef and prepared candlelight dining, three course meal, by the wood stove..... This is a new modern building with great shower facilities.

[wendy gaston]

Hi Thanks for the advice I have decided on the 16th of May as my departure date and Valladolid as my airport of choice. I have emailed the Albergue in Astorga to see if they issue credentials and will let you know the outcome. If not I suppose my next option will be to go to Leon from Valladolid and get the credential there....any other ideas would be much appreciated.
Wendy

[wendy gaston]

Hi grayland thanks so much thats really helpful. I will keep in mind the Leon starting point. One question will 2 weeks be enough to walk from Astorga to Santiago and then on to finisterre (or get a bus to Finisterre as a day trip) before returning back to London from Santiago.
Your advice is much appreciated.
Best wishes
Wendy

[grayland]

It is about 11 normal stages or days from Astorga to Santiago...so Leon would not really be a good idea due to time.
There is a couple of daily buses to Finisterre and back and is an easy day trip. This would probably work best due to your time schedule.

[allisgroovey]

Hi Thanks for the advice I have decided on the 16th of May as my departure date and Valladolid as my airport of choice. I have emailed the Albergue in Astorga to see if they issue credentials and will let you know the outcome. If not I suppose my next option will be to go to Leon from Valladolid and get the credential there....any other ideas would be much appreciated.
Wendy

Look up American Pilgrims on the Camino. They have lots of helpful information and they issued my credential and mailed it to me. Ask if they can get on in your hands by your departure date. They ask for a donation if you send them a little something.

[doreen]

My sister and I are planning our first trip along a portion of the Camino de Santiago trail. The trail from Leon to Santiago is our top choice. We have 14-days.

We are flying from the US. Do you have a suggestion on where to fly into/out of for this trip?

Also, what are the high points along this route?

Thank you.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Doreen ~
Madrid would be easiest from the US. From there you can easily take the train or bus to Leon (there's a plane, too, but with few flights). When you return from Santiago you can take the bus, train or plane to Madrid.
Buen camino!