It’s the final day of the Camino coming into Santiago, just 14 kilometres today from Lestado into Santiago de Compostela.
I wanted to get there nice and early because I had some people that I was meeting once I reach Santiago. And the lady in the hotel where I was staying was very kind to give me breakfast at 7:00; so, I was on the road by about 7:20. I aimed to get there by midday and in fact, I got there by 11:00.
Early morning leaving Lestedo
It was a really nice walk and so surprising because it felt like a country walk to almost within 1 1/2 kilometres of the cathedral. It’s a very different entry into Santiago when compared to the Frances. And during the walk, I think about four kilometres out, I stopped for a coffee and and met some other pilgrims that I’d met along the way. Then the final couple of kilometres into Santiago was delightful. There were hardly any other pilgrims in sight until I got near the main square. And then, of course, the square was packed with pilgrims.
Entering Santiago – Only 1.7 kms to the Cathedral
I was wondering how I would feel coming into Santiago for the fourth time. The first time is always a very emotional time, I think, and exciting. I just felt a lot calmer this time because, certainly, my understanding of the Camino and the way I enjoy Camino is that I enjoy the journey. I try to enjoy every day of the journey. And coming in to Santiago is really not the goal, it’s just the kind of end point of that particular Camino before you start onto something else. And so, it was a very calm sort of content feeling as I came into the square and met up with a few people that I knew that I had met along the way.
Santiago Cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro
My feet were very glad of the fact that they will now get a rest, and I look forward to having a day off and meeting up with some other pilgrims for lunch. We have been keeping in touch on WhatsApp, and so we’re going to have a nice lunch together and a farewell drink in the evening. And it’s an opportunity to try and find all the things that I sent forward to Santiago. So, I dropped in to the the post office and they had a tube for me there. And then tomorrow, l drop in to Ivar’s storage facility and pick up a couple more things there. These are things that I mailed forward from Seville that I didn’t need during the Camino and also one tube with some things that I decided I didn’t need part way through and nailed that forward. So it’s a little bit like Christmas opening up all these mailing tubes to see what’s left.
And tomorrow morning, of course, I’ll go along to the Pilgrim’s office and get my Compostela, which is always a nice feeling.
Then I keep going to Fisterra and Muxia.
I made it to Santiago again. And put on weight by the look!
Hello Rob,
Like you I live in Australian and of similar age. I’ve watched many of your videos over the last 5 years and followed your blogs etc. I am also thinking of walking the Invierno as the last part of my Camino Francés to miss the crowds. I plan on walking in April next year, just after easter from SJPdP. The videos and your comments here are all great. Planning information and accommodation options on the invierno is less available than the others, where did your source your planning info?
All my planning for the Invierno, as well as the VdlP was done from the Gronze website. To be honest, I find the various ‘apps’ just have too much in them and are cluttered. My planning process was done on a spreadsheet, and I basically decided how far I wanted to walk each day, and then looked on Gronze for a place to stop at roughly that distance. Then I’d look at the accommodation listings and see what was available. Make notes on that, then look at the next day and so one. Gronze has route profiles which help. If a lot of ascent / descent I might shorten the day a bit. There is also a basic route commentary. And lastly there are usually reviews of the accommodation. All you need really. I did have the Brierley guide. I didn’t really use it. I got so used to using just Gronze I didn’t need it. If you register for Gronze (free) you can download the GPS tracks. I use Maps.me to open the tracks. A great app! I always had the track on maps.me open each day as a backup. And I use mapmywalk during the day to monitor time and distance. Accommodation I booked 2-3 days in advance. Generally sending a whatsapp message. A few times I had to call. My VERY basic Spanish was sufficient. I just had some standard phrases / questions ready. As far as my initial ‘plan’ was concerned, it didn’t change much….
Youtube censors the link, but I find the mapy.cz app to be essential.
Good to know, I’ll check it out.
I have watched your Invierno videos and read your blog with much interest and enjoyment. I am planning on walking this Camino starting on October 25 this year. I have walked 6 others in Spain and 4 in Italy along with trails in Scotland and Ireland since my retirement in 2015. However, I just celebrated my 75th birthday and am starting to slow down a bit.
I have a couple of questions. I am planning on at least14 days pretty much following your itinerary. My walks of 20+ miles a day are over. I want to savor and enjoy the views and solitude. I have always carried my pack, but I may want to have it transported on some of the hillier days. Is just occasional bag transport available this route? My 2nd question/concern is that I will be doing much of my walking the first half of November. According to Gronze albergues and hostels are year around. Is that reliable information? I plan on booking just a day or two in advance and since there are not a lot of options, I am hoping that the ones that are there are open. so that I can truly just enjoy the walk and not worry about where I will be sleeping.
Thanks for your great videos and blogs. They are much enjoyed and appreciated.
Hi Jackie. October/November? Might get chilly on the hill tops!
Q1. Whilst I haven’t used the services myself, I have found three options for you.
Manuel, Bar Mar/Casa Mar, Sobradelo
WhatsApp: +34 639 241 939
Phone: +34 988 335 106
Reports say he’ll transport bags even if you’re the only pilgrim needing the service that day.
Then there is Pilbeo. https://www.pilbeo.com/en/backpack-transport/camino-de-invierno
and of course Correos. https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/es/transporte-mochilas
Q2. I tend to rely on Gronze. But maybe have a 2nd Albergue option in mind just in case. And I would certainly call / whatsapp a couple of days ahead. In fact if I were you, I’d whatsapp the Albergues you intend to use now, and ask if they’ll be open on your dates. That will give you time to rethink stages if you need to. I’m sure you’ve used whatsapp before. (1) get the phone number from Gronze. It needs to be a cell/mobile number. they start with 06. (2) if you don’t speak / write Spanish (I don’t) use google translate to create a very simple clear message. this avoids any mis-translations. i.e. I would like to stay at your albergue on 28 October 2027. Are you still open then? What date do you close for Winter? (3) Paste the Spanish version of message into whatsapp and send. (4) it’s handy to save/rename the contact names in a way you’ll easily find them. For example, Town-Albergue