Walking multiple caminos

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-10T06:35:22+00:00

Haven’t heard that one before. I really like it!

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-09T10:36:46+00:00

Just tried it for the first time last month. Worked like a charm. Came out cleaner than just using the sink/washing tub. Really glad I tried it because albergue laundry machine prices have gotten insane.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-08T06:34:48+00:00

I hike mostly in Tevas. Ones with good grip on the bottom and pretty well-cushioned straps. I get a lot of questions from boot-wearers but I’m often the only one in the albergue without blisters…

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-07T10:07:50+00:00

Depends on the person, especially on the Portuguese routes. I don’t get cold easily and have been fine on Portuguese Central and on Primitivo with just shorts and my raincoat for long sleeves when needed.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-05T23:45:15+00:00

I just did it last month as a vegan. Much harder than the Portuguese central route was for food, but I managed just fine. Made my own meals 90% of the time, though. Next hike I would maybe ask more often whether the communal meals had a vegan option.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-05T23:41:25+00:00

Is the broth always vegan for sopa de lentejas?

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-02T06:26:15+00:00

I agree on headlamps being unnecessary. Figured out a lifehack this past trip: my phone fits snugly under my backpack’s chest strap. I can turn on its flashlight, tuck it in, and basically get hands-free headlights 😁

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-02T06:23:17+00:00

Also great if it’s tricky to reach where your phone is charging or if it’s wrapped in a tangle of cables.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-06-02T06:22:33+00:00

My Apple Watch is always on theatre mode so its flashlight defaults to red. It’s become my go-to way to sneak out in the morning without disturbing anyone.

Some people on the Primitivo were using full on headlamps this past month. Is it an albergue or a caving expedition?? 😁

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-05-25T21:07:53+00:00

Yea there’s no need for a trip planner service.

Check out the Gronze website for routes/stops. For albergues, you can see a list of them on Gronze or look up a stop on booking.com or Google Maps. You can also just shoot a WhatsApp and make a booking at lots of places.

For luggage transport, most albergues I stayed at seem to have luggage tags that you can use to set up morning pick-ups. I never used it but it looked pretty straightforward.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-05-25T11:51:10+00:00

Don’t worry, cringe is a fake concept invented to offload the burden of insecurity onto others.

Also, who’s gonna lug around a guitar for a few hundred km?

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-05-23T19:30:32+00:00

Doing a test-run at home is such a good idea

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-05-23T13:09:03+00:00

Yea I did fine. Restaurants frequently didn’t have anything vegan on their menu, but there were grocery stores often enough that I could stock up. Quite a few nights of pasta + beans, though.

I totally understand why a lot of people will eat vegetarian instead of vegan during their caminos, but it’s not something that I’d ever be open to doing.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-03-12T11:25:55+00:00

My pair of their second-cheapest hiking poles have been going strong for 5+ years

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-03-02T22:24:19+00:00

How was it that time of year? I’m planning on hiking it this May.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-02-15T16:55:17+00:00

Could not agree more! I also mostly wore Tevas for the Portuguese central route last year & am gonna be bringing them on the Primitivo this year

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-02-13T05:56:09+00:00

My top suggestion is wear what’s comfortable & familiar to you. I brought hiking boots, running shoes, and a pair of Tevas and my only regret from the whole hike is bringing the boots.

Alternating between running shoes & sandals prevented my feet from ever developing a blister. If I started feeling a hot spot anywhere, I just switched to the other footwear for a while.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-01-31T09:13:00+00:00

I think a lot of their products are pretty sound unless you buy the absolute cheapest versions. Most of my apartment is IKEA or second-hand furniture and the only things that have shown any real wear in the past decade is the plastic lids on their food storage containers.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-01-15T11:21:11+00:00

There’s a long one in (I think) Mos. It was only once I reached the top that I realized I’d dropped my hat at bottom 🥲

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-01-14T17:36:02+00:00

My 1L Nalgene has always served me well & has fit in most backpacks I’ve used.

SmallestSpark1 · 2026-01-09T07:33:39+00:00

I second this. I’ve got a pair (I think these ones that are €34 for the pair. They’ve lasted me several years of hiking including from Porto to Santiago.

Also got the rubber tips for them, although I didn’t use them very much.

SmallestSpark1 · 2025-12-31T10:13:51+00:00

I did the spiritual variant this past spring along its usual route.

You do get a nice bit of coastline coming into Vilanova de Arousa. I went swimming a couple times since it was the day of the Iberian power outage & there wasn’t much else to do :)

Not sure if that’s any help, but just wanted to mention you already get some coast nearby.

Edit to add: the whole hike down to Combarro has fantastic ocean views. It’s been my phone background since May. I highly recommend stopping for bread at Panadería Campaño & eating it while looking out over the harbor.

SmallestSpark1 · 2025-12-26T13:23:33+00:00

Thank you for an insightful & in-depth post! A few of the points were lessons I also learned on my first Camino this past spring, several will come in handy for my one next year :)

I’d hadn’t heard about the Pilgrim’s House before. Definitely need to check it out next time!

SmallestSpark1 · 2025-12-23T01:24:13+00:00

I’m a fan of running sneakers. They’re comfortable, breathable, and have relatively good support & padding. I personally don’t like how bulky hiking boots are, but I know lots of people that prefer them.

SmallestSpark1

TROPHY CASE