The Camino Madrid will be the first stage of my 2020 camino adventure. I am combining three main camino paths with a sprinkling of Camino Frances, Verde and del Norte for good measure, and then making it up a bit towards the end by going cross-country.
These plans always sound fabulous in theory, but it takes a fair dose of sweat and determination to find out how they work in practice. I will take each day as it comes and will be doing my best Doris Day impression as I ‘que sera sera’ through the Spanish countryside. A scary thought if you have heard me sing!
But, first things first, the Camino Madrid…
As the name indicates the Camino Madrid starts from the city of Madrid in central Spain.
From the reading I have done, the Camino Madrid is considered to be a relatively new one. Of course, the pilgrimage path is age old and it was so little travelled that it almost fell out of consciousness until about 50 years ago when interest was revived. Maybe enthusiasts in the region could see the economic benefits of developing and promoting a camino as well as celebrating the religious journey.
My plan is to fly into Madrid early in the morning which will give me plenty of daylight hours to find my accommodation and get oriented. It may sound a little weird, but I also have quite a few boring housekeeping jobs that need doing before I set out on my 31-day stroll. These include:
- Find a Post Office to mail some post-camino clothes to Santiago de Compostela: After spending the best part of 33 days in the same set of clothes, it is quite a deliriously happy moment when you get to pull on fresh, clean and different clothes once all the walking is done. In the past I have rewarded myself and simply bought new clothes, but I already have enough in my wardrobe and I am trying to consider the environment a little.
- Technology: I need to buy a SIM so I can access the internet and call ahead as required. I have been advised that Orange is a good Spanish company to get data/call credit. I am open to other suggestions if you also have a recommendation.
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The Interior of the Iglesia. Source: Gronze. com Pilgrim’s Passport: To be eligible to stay at the low cost albergues, I must carry a pilgrim’s passport. This is shown when I arrive at each albergue, it is stamped and when I reach Santiago de Compostela I am eligible to receive my Compostela certificate proving that I have walked all the way from Madrid. Although I think my look of dishevelment and exhaustion should be proof enough in itself! In Madrid I need to collect my passport and first stamp from the Church of San Juan y Batista.
- Research the Path: I like to do a bit of a reccie to confirm the start of the path before setting out proper. No use trying to find an elusive yellow arrow in the dim early morning when there is no one about to ask, and
- Enjoying Madrid: I have never been to Madrid before (other than to catch a train) and I need to see it all in about 36 hours!
The official start point for the Camino Madrid is the Church of San Juan y Batista, but I understand the all-important yellow arrows don’t actually start until Plaza de Castilla. I am not sure why that is the case. My itinerary covers 12 days including:
- Sun 10 May – Madrid to Tres Cantos, 27 km
- Mon 11 May – Tres Cantos to Manzanares el Real, 27 km
- Tues 12 May – Manzanares el Real to Cercedilla, 23 km
- Wed 13 May – Cercedilla to Segovia, 30.4 km
Thu 14 May – Segovia – Rest Day, 0 km
- Fri 15 May – Segovia to Santa Maria la Real de Nieva, 33.3 km
- Sat 16 May – Santa Maria la Real de Nieva to Coca, 23.4 km
- Sun 17 May – Coca to Alcazarén, 26 km
- Mon 18 May – Alcazarén to Puente Duero, 25 km
- Tues 19 May – Puente Duero to Peñaflor de Hornija, 29 km
- Wed 20 May – Peñaflor de Hornija to Medina de Rioseco, 26 km
- Thu 21May – Medina de Rioseco to Villalón de Campos , 29.4 km
- Fri 22 May – Villalón de Campos to Granjal de Campos, 30.9 km
As you can see, I have a precious rest day scheduled for Segovia. From what I have seen on the internet and heard on the camino grapevine, it is an amazing city and no doubt, one rest day (two nights) will definitely not be enough. In reality it is a bit of a shame that a rest day turns up at only day four. Normally I like to walk for a week before a rest day, but Segovia looks too good to miss.
Waymarking and Maps: I hear that this path is very clearly waymarked with the traditional yellow arrows. I have downloaded a number of maps and resources and I will try to find a good map app too. There is a wonderful sense of security to see that little red dot (me) scurrying along a GPS path in an app.
Terrain: Again, from what I have found online, I am expecting a good mix of terrain. There will be a fair bit of road (hard surface) waking, especially as I leave Madrid on day one, and the rest of the time I am expecting dirt country roads and paths. There are a couple of stiff climbing days as I make my way closer to Segovia and then it is blissfully flat or gently undulating as I near the Camino Frances in the Nort
Accommodation: The albergue network is strong on this path and out of the 12 nights, I aim to spend nine of those in pilgrim accommodation. This makes for a cost-effective ‘holiday’ with an average cost of €10 per night. Yes, they are often very simple and spartan establishments, but as long as I am safe, dry and the place is relatively clean, I am happy. Most times you cannot book these beds in advance and you simply turn up and hope that there is an empty one for you.
I will upgrade to a small hotel on my rest days as I like a little privacy, quiet (read: lack of snoring) and the luxury of a private bathroom.
So, that’s about it for the first stage of my 2020 Spanish stroll. I am so looking forward to the Spring flowers and lushness that, more often than not, have long faded away when you walk an Autumn camino.
Have you walked the Camino Madrid? What are your recommendations?
#caminodesantiago #buencamino #pilgrimpath #caminomadrid #santiagodecompostela #pilgrimage #longdistancewalking #travelinspo #Spain #madrid #segovia
Life...one big adventure 
Sounds exhausting but I’m sure the scenery will be fantastic. The food, too!
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Yes, it will be tiring, but it is amazing what a good sleep and a belly full of good Spanish food does to restore your energy for the next day! 😉
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Good point. With all that food, exercise, and fresh air, you’ll probably sleep like a baby.
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Let’s just say that night clubs do not feature on my itinerary at all! 😉 8pm and it’s lights out! The challenge is actually to get dinner at a reasonable hour as the Spanish don’t start even thinking about dinner until 10pm! Ah, the life of a pilgrim!
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Oh Mel, you will love the Camino Madrid! I will get my diary out and give you some information on the places we stayed as they were all pretty cool. Get back to you in a day or two. And Segovia!! You will want to go back and spend more time there!
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That would be great! Thanks Lue! I know there will be some variation as our stages will be different, but all tips and tricks will be gratefully received. One day we will go back to all the places I loved for a longer, touristy, no-walking visit! 😉 Melx
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I agree with your commenting regarding Segovia. A very fascinating and beautiful place to explore.
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One of these days I will be able to book an opened ticket or plan a much more flexible itinerary so I can spend more time in these historic cities. Not this trip, but one day….Thanks for reading and commenting, Mel
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You will have plenty of time to see most of what is on offer. It is certainly not a big place.
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Ah, that is good to hear. I do have a big walking day leading into Segovia, but maybe if I get an early start I can get there just after lunch to have some extra time exploring…or just sitting and admiring.
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Hi Mel Great to see you are doing the Madrid.
A few suggestions- 1- buy your credential before you leave. Many national groups sell them. eg. Us, Canada etc. Usually you fill in a form and they send one along. The church in Madrid is only open at certain time’s and is a bit out of the way. 2- best place to buy acSIM card is in the airport when you arrive. Then you can use it! Very competitive pricing. I use Vodaphone. Good coverage. I got a months and 15Gb for E15 this past September. 3- buy your ticket to the Prado on line. You need to pick a day and time. Then you walk in! Lines (queues) are sometimes hours just to buy the ticket. 4- the path is well marked. Not to worry. 5- you must stay at the birthplace of Ponce de Leon. Great experience. 6- if I was you I would book a hotel in Madrid for your first night. May is prime season. Expect high prices. Great city. 7- you will soon tire of walking through the streets of Madrid. All those red lights breaks your stride. We took the subway to get out of the city our first day. 8- Segovia is wonderful. Splurge and stay in the Centro. Again book that night as it will be busy.
Good luck.
Looking forward to your blog en route.
David
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WOW! Amazing tips there, David. Thanks a million! 1. I was thinking that because I have two nights in Madrid, that I will be able to catch the Church to buy my credential. Not sure whether I am being overly optimistic there. I have also booked a hotel for two nights already and it is only a couple of blocks from the Church. I am hoping that will work out OK. 3. The Prado – is it a must-see? I,e. something I must do during my limited time in Madrid? I love museums and art etc – so appreciate the tip. 5. At this stage I haven’t scheduled an overnight in Ponce de Leon, but I will see if I can rejig the itinerary. 8. Have already booked a little hotel in Segovia Centro! So excited to see that city and get walking. Thanks so much for your support. I like the feeling that I am walking in yours and Lue’s footsteps! Melx
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We’ll be with you as you travel along the way.
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It sounds like you are going to enjoy a good challenge, both physically and mentally. We loved spending time in Spain and have visited a few places on your list, and I am sure you will enjoy the journey.
I have always wanted to do the Camino. Maybe one day.
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Hi Suzanne. Hopefully my next adventure will encourage you to tie your boots on! If you are starting out, I recommend starting with the Camino Frances as the infrastructure is so well developed including luggage transport services, that you can walk as little or as much as you want each day. You can also go 5-star if your budget allows! Buen camino! Mel
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Regarding your sim card, for the years we were over in Europe housesitting we used Orange with mostly no hassles.
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Many thanks for the tip – I also heard that Orange is a good company with good coverage. I have Googled it already and found one office close the hotel I have booked in Madrid. Nothing like planning ahead! 😉 Mel
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We used to plan ahead, though not anymore.
Mel, do you usually do the walks by yourself?
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Yes, I have done a couple of solo walks and really enjoy the flexibility however it does get a bit lonely at times. I am hoping to have a friend join me for the second two stages of this camino adventure – from Leon onwards. It will be exciting to see a familiar face after walking the Madrid on my own.
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What a great adventure!! Good on ya for actually making it happen! Looking forward to reading about your stroll 🙂
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Thanks. It is wonderful to have my own personal cheer squad! 😉 Mel
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Hi Mel. I’m currently completing the Mozárabe (right now!!) only 5 days til Merida. I’ve been away a few months. I walked the Madrid in September when I arrived. I’ll contact you when I’m back home. Maybe I can help with your ore planning xx Grace
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How exciting!! Are you blogging? Can I follow your progress? Would love to Skype when you get home and hear all about it. Maybe I can be tempted to add the Mozarabe to my list! Enjoy Merida – it is a wonderful town. Melxx
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I cannot WAIT to see this unfold! You have some long hiking days on the trail. I commend u for wearing the same outfit the entire time!!! Not sure I could do this. What’s your training going to be like? And then you are just carrying a small pack? Sooo happy for you 🙂
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Yep, I am pretty excited too! Although the long hiking days are not thrilling me, I know they will be fine once I get on the ground and get match-fit! I think one of the things I really love about these sort of hikes is the simplicity. I only have one hiking shirt so I don’t waste any time wondering what to wear. And everyone is in the same boat so it doesn’t matter if we see each other in the same clothes on a daily basis. I do wash frequently though and with that quick drying fabric, can wash at the end of the day and things are relatively fresh to start the next day. Training involves building up distance over a couple of months and adding weight to my pack. I have a nice 20km loop from my house and I build up the number of repetitions over time. It is still a shock to the body to do this distance day after day, but I adjust quickly – especially if I can sleep and eat well. Now the pack is a bit contentious. It is a 42litre – so relatively small, but it is usually around 13-14kgs. That is way more than most people carry, but I always carry about 3litres of water (I am a lousey camel) and that adds a tonne of weight, as you know. I figure I have to carry it, so how much it weighs is up to me. Have a great day! Mel
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you will become one with your pack! I’d feel the need to carry WAY more toiletries than I need….which would probably outweigh the water. lol. Happy training! Fingers crossed you don’t run into any of the S words. I’m afraid if i say it you will!
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🙂 – No, I train early in the morning so the ‘s’ are fast asleep….or that is the theory anyway!
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Phew 😅
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Love it, Mel! You are my inspiration 🙂 🙂
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Ooo – don’t get too carried away there! You may not be so inspired when you see me hot, sweaty and exhausted and wondering what the hell I have got myself into!! 🙂 Mel
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Full of admiration. If not you, then who? 🙂 🙂
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Hmmm, OK – but there are plenty of people out there who walk further, more remotely and for longer. Each to their own. Happy walking even if it is not a Monday! 🙂 Mel
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oh my . . I am in awe of your walking plan. Do hope all goes well
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Thanks for your support. Yes, I am hoping it goes well. My biggest worry is the weather and I have everything crossed that the weather stays dry! I really do not enjoy walking in the rain! 😉 Mel
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Neither do I! Keeping my fingers crossed for you xxx
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Thanks. Maybe you have some more influence or better connections upstairs than I do! 😉
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If only!
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Sounds amazing and exhausting at the same time.
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Yep – both of those! 😉
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Great and detail post. You are well organized. We hope to do something like this once we are based in Spain. Will be following you on this great adventure!
Cheers!
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Thanks for the feedback. When do you think you will head to Spain?? Mel
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In the next 2-3 years. Still, have a lot to see here in South America.
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Excellent. What a wonderful adventure you are having. Mel
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Madrid is an amazing city so enjoy your short time there and Segovia is beautiful too. It is smaller and you can get a good feel for it in a day.
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Thanks for your comments. I already know I have not allowed myself enough time, but I am approaching it as a teaser or taster and I will be all clued up for a return visit one day! Have a good day, Mel
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Hey Mel! Sounds like 2020 is the year for Big Walks – your walk sounds amazing and I love how you are stringing the ‘best of’ bits together as well as treading the path unknown too! I did the Portuguese coastal camino in 2017 with my daughter – logistically the camino are a much more straightforward undertaking that Aussie long distance, given the proximity to towns, but that makes them non the less tougher over the long haul. I am taking 60 days to do the Via Francegena from the Swiss border to Rome in April and May 2020 – we’ll have to compare notes and jolly each other along on the tough bits….. Looking forward to reading more.
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You will have a glorious 60 days on the Via Francigena. I did it in 40 last year and while it was doable, I would have loved to have spent more time in gems such as Lucca and Siena. Half your luck. Be careful at Great Saint Bernard Pass at that time of year. I understand it is not walkable until late May. Happy trails, Mel
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Mel thanks so much – Great tips. And have just made a call to put the walk back to June/July and cope with the heat instead when south. 40 is FAST – I just had a friend do it in 50, but I am planning to have a day off each week and really just meander through, though I see there are a few unavoidably long legs. Did you just arrange your accom as you went or pre-book? Seems a path less travelled than the camino (my reason for choosing it, plus I love Italy!) Any and all tips very gratefully received – I find the VF pp a bit tortuous to navigate. Thanks! Jx
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That sounds like an excellent plan! A day off a week would be heaven and there is so much to enjoy in Italy! I did pre-book my rest days through Booking.com as I wanted to get something very central and especially if it coincided with weekends etc. My other accom I just booked/contacted a few days ahead. In Italy the ostellos are manned by volunteers or not manned all the time, so they do appreciate it if you let them know you are coming. On the whole staying in the monasteries and convents was a wonderful experience. I did blog daily, plus wrote other posts about the experience – so check them out here under the Two Feet tab. Yes, the app does take a bit of getting the hang of, but I was a convert within a couple of days. Download the maps onto your phone before you leave Aus and then you can just work off your GPS, not data. Happy to chat offline if you need any further info. Bye, Mel (P.S. Walking poles are vital! For terrain and the million angry dogs!)
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I actually love your planned walk! It would be so awesome to join for a part. It that doesn’t happen I will be so excited to follow live.
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I will keep you posted. Hopefully over the next couple of the months the travel plans for this year (fingers crossed) will become clearer…Have a good day, Mel
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There a long walks in all our futures – somewhere, sometime! 😊
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Yep, I feel it in my bones…or my itchy feet!
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