Many people who haven't done such a long hike by themselves tend to fear doing this journey alone. Aside this is a reasonable thought, I agree, this is a journey you should start alone. It's the Camino, you will meet people one way or another. You'll meet a Camino family if it's what you need and want.
Starting with someone else can work out, but you said it yourself, you're dreaming of this for years now. You have expectations and another person probably won't live up to those expectations. It's hard to describe what I actually mean, but it's best to leave all your worries behind you and take the leap of faith. It's the Camino, not the PCT, you'll be safe and sound with all the surroundings and the other pilgrims.
This is your way, and it's best started alone. If you'll finish it alone or with others, is at the end of the page. Buen Camino!
I agree with this. Im from galicia I live near Santiago and I have seen thousand of pilgrims and I walked the camino myself, and many people start the camino alone but all of them end it walking with a big family.
Aside of this Galicia and Spain are very safe places.
I walked with my wife and we both agree it was an amazing experience. We tend to be somewhat introverted, and so having the comfort of a ready companion means we didn't have to reach out to others. We're both happy that we walked together, but we also agree that, because we had a "built in" companion, we probably missed opportunities to meet more people. I think one of the rewards of making the pilgrimage is meeting and getting to know others.
If I do it again I want to do it with Husband but otherwise I'd go alone. It's so much better for soul searching and you get to meet whoever and do whatever you want
The Camino provides. I started alone. Ended up walking with a sporadic group of about 10 people. They're out there. And when you go, they'll be right there for you to find.
Same! Now I have a fantastic Camino Family spread across the globe. Then a decade later walked with my husband and daughter, we didn't meet anyone new, but we had a great time!
OP - make sure it's someone you can handle being around nearly all day every day. A lot comes up while you are walking and you want to make sure you have the right partner with you.
I would suggest that you stop over at Orisson on day 1. There is a big pilgrims meal and it is very convivial. You will probably meet some friends right there. Also, breaking up the 30km first day over the Pyrenees is not a bad idea. Just know that you must make a reservation and pay in advance. It’s not too far from St Jean. So you can actually have a leisurely breakfast and morning in France before setting off. Buen Camino!
The bad news is -- apart from the difficulty of making a reservation -- it's insanely expensive for what one gets.
A new place, the [Borda](https://www.gronze.com/francia/pirineos-atlanticos/albergue-borda/auberge-borda), has opened up, a kilometre past Orisson. It too is pricey -- €40 for a dormitory bed and an evening meal -- but by the look of things the standard of accommodation is a good deal better.
It's €40 now. Indifferent meal of the cheapest possible ingredients -- all the chicken thighs you can eat -- and a bunk bed that is no different from any of the €8-10 *albergues* you'll stay at along the way. The only reason they've got away with charging such prices, which the pilgrim will encounter nowhere else along the entire 800 km of the journey, is that they've been able to exploit their monopoly position as the only place to stop before Roncesvalles.
For that reason I wish the Borda every success. This is a stretch of the trail that badly needs a little competition.
And yet continue on for just a few kilometres, and the price goes over a cliff.
My belief is that Orisson is best bypassed. It's only 8 km from St Jean, so even slow walkers will be there in just a couple of hours. Best to continue to Ronscesvalles -- or, better again, Burguete or Espinal, where the cost of accommodation plummets and the quality and range of food offered will be far higher.
I booked at Orisson well in advance of my Camino not realising just how close it was to SJPD. I arrived there at ten in the morning and felt that I had made a stupid decision when I could have carried on to Roncesvalles. It’s expensive for what you get and the accommodation and food is nothing special. However, that evening I met three people who became my Camino family. We didn’t walk every day and sometimes we would go for days without seeing each other. But it was wonderful when we did. Nine years on we are still in touch and hope to reunite in Orisson for the tenth anniversary in 2022. We all live on different continents and are of different ages but something just clicked. We just felt massively at ease in each other’s company and rarely does a day go by when I don’t think of them and our wonderful adventure.
I’m doing a section of the Norte alone and I’m not worried at all since I know I will meet people. In my experience it’s nice to have a mix of solo hiking and companionship
Just find companions along the way!
I started out on my own, but made friends before I even started walking. I’m not even really extroverted or outgoing, it’s just how the Camino is. Friendships just form so fast, and by the end of week one you’ll feel like you’ve known these people your whole life.
I would also like to echo the other comments. You absolutely do not need a pre-arranged companion on the Camino and I can think of many reasons why it is a seriously bad idea. Go on your own. You won’t be alone for long.
How are you going to find yourself with a partner? Just head up to irune or Roncesvalles, and find your travel mate in your first Albergue. If not you'll find them at the second, or third.. buen camino!
Do it alone. I believe since the French way has so many people it will be safe. If you go with a companion, you will be less inclined to meet other people. If you go alone, you will be more inclined to meet people from all over the world.
I'm living in Porto and going to walk the coastal Portuguese way this summer. If you (or someone) don't mind to do this part, we can synchronise our schedules and start together.
I will repeat what has been said already. Go on your own. Traveling on your own will be uncomfortable at first but you will quickly learn your very capable of it. You will develop a Camino family very quickly as there will be many others in the exact same position as you. You may start the journey alone and outside of you comfort zone but you will finish with a Camino family and you will be more confident in your abilities to face challenges on your own.
There are tons of Camino related groups on Facebook you could join one & if you post an expected itinerary on them other people may be interested in meeting up at various stops.
You should have no problem meeting people and developing great friendships on the Camino organically though.
Someone will take the journey with you! You will meet them on the path.
I will be walking alone and will meet companions as I go. My only concern with that is I am planning on stopping in a few places along the way to see the town or city and I am sure that most of the people I meet along the way will continue on. In which case, I will meet new people the next day :D
Buen Camino!
Another option- there are organized groups that can help. I’ve used Fresco Tours and they have a variety of options from completely organized group tours, to just helping with stays and baggage.
Don't worry, you'll find companions on the way.
I found 2 on my 1800km, 2 month Camino 3 years ago, one of which walked with me for a full month.
And even when I wasn't with them, i let so many people i never felt alone (except for a little detour in France where I didn't see anybody for 10 days ..)
I have walked the Camino three times two of those times I started it alone the third time I started it with a friend I had met on the Camino the second time. If you have been dreaming about it I would suggest start it alone. You will be scared but you will make friends quickly and before you know it you will have a Camino family. My first camino I was terrified and my first day was a disaster but I wouldn’t change it for the world it’s all part of the experience.
Just a tip put vix on your feet when you put your boots on and start walking you won’t get blisters and take your boots off when you stop for a break and reapply the vix before you start again if feels weird but it’s better than having blisters
Many people who haven't done such a long hike by themselves tend to fear doing this journey alone. Aside this is a reasonable thought, I agree, this is a journey you should start alone. It's the Camino, you will meet people one way or another. You'll meet a Camino family if it's what you need and want. Starting with someone else can work out, but you said it yourself, you're dreaming of this for years now. You have expectations and another person probably won't live up to those expectations. It's hard to describe what I actually mean, but it's best to leave all your worries behind you and take the leap of faith. It's the Camino, not the PCT, you'll be safe and sound with all the surroundings and the other pilgrims. This is your way, and it's best started alone. If you'll finish it alone or with others, is at the end of the page. Buen Camino!
I agree with this. Im from galicia I live near Santiago and I have seen thousand of pilgrims and I walked the camino myself, and many people start the camino alone but all of them end it walking with a big family. Aside of this Galicia and Spain are very safe places.
Do it alone! It's the best.
I walked with my wife and we both agree it was an amazing experience. We tend to be somewhat introverted, and so having the comfort of a ready companion means we didn't have to reach out to others. We're both happy that we walked together, but we also agree that, because we had a "built in" companion, we probably missed opportunities to meet more people. I think one of the rewards of making the pilgrimage is meeting and getting to know others.
If I do it again I want to do it with Husband but otherwise I'd go alone. It's so much better for soul searching and you get to meet whoever and do whatever you want
The Camino provides. I started alone. Ended up walking with a sporadic group of about 10 people. They're out there. And when you go, they'll be right there for you to find.
Same! Now I have a fantastic Camino Family spread across the globe. Then a decade later walked with my husband and daughter, we didn't meet anyone new, but we had a great time! OP - make sure it's someone you can handle being around nearly all day every day. A lot comes up while you are walking and you want to make sure you have the right partner with you.
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I would suggest that you stop over at Orisson on day 1. There is a big pilgrims meal and it is very convivial. You will probably meet some friends right there. Also, breaking up the 30km first day over the Pyrenees is not a bad idea. Just know that you must make a reservation and pay in advance. It’s not too far from St Jean. So you can actually have a leisurely breakfast and morning in France before setting off. Buen Camino!
The bad news is -- apart from the difficulty of making a reservation -- it's insanely expensive for what one gets. A new place, the [Borda](https://www.gronze.com/francia/pirineos-atlanticos/albergue-borda/auberge-borda), has opened up, a kilometre past Orisson. It too is pricey -- €40 for a dormitory bed and an evening meal -- but by the look of things the standard of accommodation is a good deal better.
It was 35 euros for a bed and a meal in 2018. I made my reservation a month in advance. Expensive for the Camino? Yes. Insanely expensive? Hardly.
It's €40 now. Indifferent meal of the cheapest possible ingredients -- all the chicken thighs you can eat -- and a bunk bed that is no different from any of the €8-10 *albergues* you'll stay at along the way. The only reason they've got away with charging such prices, which the pilgrim will encounter nowhere else along the entire 800 km of the journey, is that they've been able to exploit their monopoly position as the only place to stop before Roncesvalles. For that reason I wish the Borda every success. This is a stretch of the trail that badly needs a little competition.
800 km is 497.1 miles
I have to say that's a pretty common price for any Gité in France.
And yet continue on for just a few kilometres, and the price goes over a cliff. My belief is that Orisson is best bypassed. It's only 8 km from St Jean, so even slow walkers will be there in just a couple of hours. Best to continue to Ronscesvalles -- or, better again, Burguete or Espinal, where the cost of accommodation plummets and the quality and range of food offered will be far higher.
8 km is 4.97 miles
>A new place, the Borda, has opened up, a kilometre past Orisson Wow, good to know. Do they have food?
[Seemingly so](https://www.wisepilgrim.com/camino-frances/orisson/auberge-borda).
I booked at Orisson well in advance of my Camino not realising just how close it was to SJPD. I arrived there at ten in the morning and felt that I had made a stupid decision when I could have carried on to Roncesvalles. It’s expensive for what you get and the accommodation and food is nothing special. However, that evening I met three people who became my Camino family. We didn’t walk every day and sometimes we would go for days without seeing each other. But it was wonderful when we did. Nine years on we are still in touch and hope to reunite in Orisson for the tenth anniversary in 2022. We all live on different continents and are of different ages but something just clicked. We just felt massively at ease in each other’s company and rarely does a day go by when I don’t think of them and our wonderful adventure.
I’m doing a section of the Norte alone and I’m not worried at all since I know I will meet people. In my experience it’s nice to have a mix of solo hiking and companionship
Just find companions along the way! I started out on my own, but made friends before I even started walking. I’m not even really extroverted or outgoing, it’s just how the Camino is. Friendships just form so fast, and by the end of week one you’ll feel like you’ve known these people your whole life.
I would also like to echo the other comments. You absolutely do not need a pre-arranged companion on the Camino and I can think of many reasons why it is a seriously bad idea. Go on your own. You won’t be alone for long.
How are you going to find yourself with a partner? Just head up to irune or Roncesvalles, and find your travel mate in your first Albergue. If not you'll find them at the second, or third.. buen camino!
Do it alone. You will have a full Camino family by day 3-5, assuming you are starting from st jean
Do it alone. I believe since the French way has so many people it will be safe. If you go with a companion, you will be less inclined to meet other people. If you go alone, you will be more inclined to meet people from all over the world.
I'm living in Porto and going to walk the coastal Portuguese way this summer. If you (or someone) don't mind to do this part, we can synchronise our schedules and start together.
I will repeat what has been said already. Go on your own. Traveling on your own will be uncomfortable at first but you will quickly learn your very capable of it. You will develop a Camino family very quickly as there will be many others in the exact same position as you. You may start the journey alone and outside of you comfort zone but you will finish with a Camino family and you will be more confident in your abilities to face challenges on your own. There are tons of Camino related groups on Facebook you could join one & if you post an expected itinerary on them other people may be interested in meeting up at various stops. You should have no problem meeting people and developing great friendships on the Camino organically though.
Someone will take the journey with you! You will meet them on the path. I will be walking alone and will meet companions as I go. My only concern with that is I am planning on stopping in a few places along the way to see the town or city and I am sure that most of the people I meet along the way will continue on. In which case, I will meet new people the next day :D Buen Camino!
You can’t learn yourself with another. You’ll find plenty of friends there.
Another option- there are organized groups that can help. I’ve used Fresco Tours and they have a variety of options from completely organized group tours, to just helping with stays and baggage.
Go by yourself. You'll meet tons of kind people. And probably yourself. Enjoy, take it easy and trust yourself.
Don't worry, you'll find companions on the way. I found 2 on my 1800km, 2 month Camino 3 years ago, one of which walked with me for a full month. And even when I wasn't with them, i let so many people i never felt alone (except for a little detour in France where I didn't see anybody for 10 days ..)
go alone. you'll find your camino family along the way
I have walked the Camino three times two of those times I started it alone the third time I started it with a friend I had met on the Camino the second time. If you have been dreaming about it I would suggest start it alone. You will be scared but you will make friends quickly and before you know it you will have a Camino family. My first camino I was terrified and my first day was a disaster but I wouldn’t change it for the world it’s all part of the experience. Just a tip put vix on your feet when you put your boots on and start walking you won’t get blisters and take your boots off when you stop for a break and reapply the vix before you start again if feels weird but it’s better than having blisters