Doing the Camino de Santiago alone
For a variety of reasons, many people have the dream of someday do the Camino a Santiago alone, However, it is not so easy to decide to undertake this journey alone. Therefore, it is necessary to analyse and evaluate various aspects in order to get the right motivation and be encouraged to undertake this pilgrimage route on your own.
Tips for walking the Camino de Santiago alone
If you are considering the possibility of do the Camino de Santiago alone, below, you will find a series of tips for you to consider so that you can make the decision to go on pilgrimage on your own and on your own.
Consider security
However, on the Camino de Santiago, security is not usually a problem, do the tour alone can be a bit scary. That's why the following recommendations will help you to make your experience more relaxed.
If you prefer to do the route alone, but with the company of strangers, it is recommended that you choose to walk one of the routes with the highest number of pilgrims, such as the French Way or the Portuguese Way, which receive almost 80% of visitors per year, so they are the best options.
If you decide to travel in summer you will find that there are many more pilgrims on the Camino. On the contrary, if you do it in December, January or February you will surely see a much lonelier Camino. If what you want is to meet many people, from May to October will be the best choice of date.
Search for information
Since you will be travelling alone, it is necessary that you have as much information as possible. Therefore, it is recommended that you get some guidebooks of the Camino you are going to do. This way, you will always have useful information, such as routes, distances, accommodation, among others.
You can also go to the nearest Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago, where they will give you advice on the route and good recommendations so you can live a unique experience and learn how to live the Camino.
Make the most of every moment alone
On the Camino de SantiagoYou should enjoy the journey to the fullest and at every moment. For this, you should also make the most of your solo walks.
In these moments, you need to talk to yourself, meditate on your life or just admire the place where you are walking. Enjoy the nature, the landscape and the sounds you hear.
In this way you will have learned about one of the main motivations of many pilgrims to to walk the Camino de Santiago.
Make friends
All along the way you will meet a considerable number of people who come from all over the world to make pilgrimages and many of them are keen to meet new friends. Chat with them and exchange experiences, so that every day you can make new friends with the walkers.
In most cases of people who started the Camino alone, they finished the journey in good company.
Assumes daytime hours
The most common schedule among pilgrims is to start walking in the early morning and arrive at the end of the stage in the early afternoon. It is advisable that you do your best to stick to this timetable.
You should avoid walking at night because following the signs on the route can be difficult, even if they are very well signposted.
Consider the friendliness of the people
The characteristic feature of the Way of St James is the people's readiness to help pilgrims. This includes hospitaleros, locals and neighbours that you will meet along the way.
Simply identify yourself as a pilgrim by your backpack and they will offer you their support in guiding you or recommending places to visit or places to eat.
You should take advantage of the kindness of these people and not only will you find the right help, but you will also meet special people.
Regulate your pace
When you do the Camino de Santiago alone, You must regulate your own strength in order to reach the end of each stage with as little fatigue as possible and without the stage lasting too long.
Ask any questions you may have
The different routes generally have clear and well visible signs, but it is possible to get careless for a moment and lose your way. If you find yourself in this case, the best thing to do is to ask a pilgrim, a policeman or a local resident.
Carry a mobile phone
If you are doing the pilgrimage route alone, you must have a mobile device that allows you to quickly solve any problems that may arise, such as accidents or loss, among others.
Conclusion
Reading these tips will surely encourage you at some point to try to do the Camino de Santiago alone. If you take them into account to the letter, you will have the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience on your solo pilgrimage.
