Another combination camino for me this year marked in yellow on the map. If anyone is looking for an excellent map detailing all the camino routes in Spain (unless you know of any that aren’t shown) I can highly recommend this one, great quality paper, available from Wise Pilgrim Guides. Just to make clear, I have overlaid my route on the map, so if you order one, it won’t come to you personalised with my walk!
In only a few days’ time I will be setting off on the Camino Mozárabe from Almería. This route passes through Granada, Baena (the point at which it links up with the Mozárabe from Málaga that I walked in 2015), Córdoba and Mérida, where it joins the Via de la Plata. Before reaching Mérida, in order to reduce walking the same steps I have already hiked, I am taking a diversion through Trujillo which merges with the VdlP a few stages before Salamanca. At this point I take a south west dip onto the Camino Torres towards the Portuguese border. The Torres coincides with the Camino Portuguese at Ponte de Lima and so as not to repeat my steps along the Camino Portuguese (walked in 2014), I will cross to the coastal route and then take the Espiritual and the final stage into Santiago.
The length of this jaunt will be in the region of 1,500 km, my longest yet – 56 walking days.
I shall be setting off from Almería with a group of pilgrims, most of whom I have not yet met, but I will have the company of my buddy Marilyn from last year. I have an extra challenge this year relating to my diet, I might go hungry or end up consuming a lot of bread and chips – travelling through very rural Spain and Portugal without eating any animal products will certainly test my conviction!
I hope you will join me on this camino which includes two sections that are not much walked (Trujillo variant and the Torres) and hopefully I can provide some useful information for anyone who is interested in these routes.
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
I am ready and waiting to follow your adventure albeit from my arm chair! Buen suerte mi amiga xx
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Buen Camino Maggie, OzMaggie and all the pilgrims joining you on The Way … may you all take joy in every step on those ancient and magical paths. Camino hugs from Sydney xoxo.
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Thanks Jenny xx
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Not quite ‘armchair’ travelling at this end of the planet because I wake up to your latest daily exploits from the comfort of horizontal slumber. But bring it on, it makes my perambulations in the footsteps of Cuthbert and Hadrian in September look like a doddle. Looking forward as ever to your revelations as the days unfold!!
Stay well, go safely, metta,
Brian
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Hi Brian, always a treat to have your company along the way.
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Highly anticipated reports and pics again. .. walking alongside virtually, as always….one day Maggie.. we gotta walk a few stages together. .Buen Camino. Light and Love
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We are bound to coincide sooner or later. We will just have to keep walking until it happens!
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Oh Maggie the joy of discovering you are off on your travels again. This year sounds very interesting and I wish you all the best. I bought the map of the Caminos on your recommendation
and have to agree it’s gorgeous. Much love and Buen Camino xx
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Looking forward to seeing your updates. I’m starting (again) from Almeria in 2 weeks. Particularly interested in a section previously washed out.
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Wish we could meet up one day en route to somewhere. Best wishes for your Camino from Zamora on the Via de la Plata!
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No, not from Zamora but from Almeria again. Hence my great interest in how you find the track. Especially after the gravel pit area between La Peza and Quentar. Before there was a washout of part of the track. I’m hoping it’s been fixed. Wasn’t easy on a coffee-free morning! Also earlier so I’ll be an avid reader, again. Val
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There has been so much rain this spring that there may well be areas damaged by flooding. I shall report on the blog. How far will you be walking?
Buen camino!
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At present I’m planning to leave Almeria & keep going. I’ve walked it over the past year but want to do sections again. So, will decide as I go. Please include any track issues in your blog. Thnx ++
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The Mozárabe association has just posted photos on facebook of work going on to repair the track on this section. It has a very active FB site – some useful info. I expect our merry band will be featured after we meet with them tomorrow evening!
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It sounds wonderful. I am jealous. I look forward to read along as you go.
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Very best wishes Maggie for another successful Camino and also for finding suitable food x
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Looks like a great Camino route again Maggie! Buen Camino, I will follow your blog!
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Bom caminho! I hope to be able to walk from Barcelona to Fisterre. If I cannot read your blog during my walk (starting 18.4.), I will certainly do so later on.
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Buen camino Jake. I hope the weather is kind to you.
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Looking forward to your posts re your next Camino trek Maggie. You are an inspiration to all those that follow your long walks, and live vicariously through your regular updates. Wishing you Buen Camino!
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We will be with (reading) you all the way! have another safe and enjoyable Camino Maggie xx
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Hello dear Maggi, what a privilege to have your blog and your excellent guidance, I’ll follow you all the way! you’re my best reference!
This year I’ll meet my brother in Madrid and together we’ll take Camino Salvador to continue with Camino Primitivo and ending with Camino Finesterre-Muxia. Before that I’ll volunteer at the Pilgrim’s office. We plan to spend a few days in Madrid and places close by with family who lives there before or after the Camino.
I notice that you will take La Variante Espiritual and I must say that this short trail is my favorite one until now, I enjoyed a lot on 2016 I love the solitude of this “tramo”, and the escenery of “piedras y agua” in particular.
Any recomendations for my Caminos? I would apreciate!
Thanks a lot, buen Camino. A big hug
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Hi Jeannette, that is a lovely combination of caminos. The Salvador is stunningly beautiful. I was glad that we walked the stage from Buiza to Pajares in one go rather than stop at Poladura, but we were walking fit by this time. The wonderful albergue at Bodeneya will take reservations for the first few pilgrims and after that it is pot luck. Many were turned away when I was there, so if you can reserve early in the day you should get a bed there. I enjoyed the Via Verde between Lugo and Sobrado dos Monxes and the stay in the monastery was amazing.
I wish you a wonderful camino, such a treat to walk with your brother xx
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Good luck Maggie. You’re up for challenges.
You may just kick off when all this current rain in Spain tapers off.
That is a long way to walk but going on previous caminos you’ve walked ., you’re made of strong stuff.
Buen Camino
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Thanks Annie. I have been following your progress via the forum. You have had some touch stages. I hope the hills have become smaller by now. Continued buen camino to you x
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Maggie, I look forward to reading all your posts over the next few months. Every time I read your posts it reminds me to do the lottery. Buen Camino & travel safe.
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Well, if I’m inspiring you to do the lottery, I hope you will pass some money my way if you win!
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Wow, what an undertaking, I’m really impressed. So looking forward to following you on your way.
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Hi Magwood. What a wonderful walk ahead for you. I am setting out on the Chemin d’Arles this week. I am intensely curious about your route though because I am looking for something for spring 2019 the better to escape our Canadian winter. I like the idea of joining up with the Portuguese Camino which is on my bucket list. I did Frances in 2014 and Madrid in 2017. Starting to warm to the idea of walking with others, as the solitariness of such routes (which I like) can present concerns. Kind regards.
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I hope I can provide some helpful information for you Steve. I too like a solitary walk, but prefer some company in the evenings. We have a huge group gathered from the forum, I think 14 in all, but a few are starting a day early and others are going to walk a double stage on the first day, so we will soon break up. Buen camino for the Chemin d’Arles.
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Brilliant Maggie. Looks a great route. All powered by plants I hope. We are having many problems on our walk from Salamanca. No shops,No kitchens. We’ve had to eat tortilla get. Buen Camino.x
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Oh, that’s disappointing Alan. Are you on the road now? I’m carrying about a kilo extra weight (in my pack, not on my bones!) to help with my diet, cooking pot and a good supply of nutritional yeast. I’m counting on Oreos as a last resort! Buen camino peregrinos!
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Woo Hoo! I am so excited that you (or we ;-)) are off on another adventure! I can’t wait to read all about it. Buen Camino! Mel
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Good Luck Maggi. Looking forward to your reading more of your wonderful messages. Stay safe, God Speed, Buen Camino!
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I intend to follow you – on the blog and in person! See you there!
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I think you’ll be in front of me at the start Clare. Hasta Viernes!
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I’ll look forward to reading your posts, they’ve been a wonderful inspiration and guide for my previous Caminos. I will pay special attention to your walk on the coastal Portuguese and Espiritual route, part of our next adventure this year. Buen Camino!
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I won’t be able to help with the entire coastal route, as I’m joining at Viana do Castelo, but hopefully can provide some useful info. Bom Camimho.
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Wishing you all the best in this year’s undertaking. Followed in your footsteps September/October last year Madrid /Santiago and raided your blog frequently. Good as any guidebook. Thanks. Stay safe and Buen Camino.
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Thanks Martin for a very appreciated comment 🙂
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What an adventure and a challenge too!
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Hey Maggie, just seen your 2018 plans!
That really looks like a great route…lovin’ it!
Hugs,
Carsten
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HI Maggie, just to reiterate what every one has said before me, your blogs are inspirational and informative. Completed the Mozarabe from Malaga last year and returning to Spain again in June to walk the Del Norte. (Camino #6) Wishing you safe and happy footsteps!
Buen Camino
Jo
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Hi Jo, Make sure you take all the Norte diversions that will take you nearer the coast and avoid some of the road walking. It is a stunning walk when you are within sight of the sea, but some of the road walking can be a bit wearing!
Buen camino for #6 – we’re level pegging!
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You will enjoy the Mozarabe from Almeria. We walked it in 2016 – and the toughest one we have done – love reading your blogs and look forward to reading your experience of this one.
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Thanks Doug, I hope I can bring back some good memories for you.
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Muchas gracias
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Thanks for your posts, they are very helpful. I will be departing on my first camino on May 7/18 following your 2017 route so thank for the posts. I have also customized my pack rain cover from an 80L pack cover following your plans. I hope to post some pictures of it in use. Thanks so much for the idea. Buen camino
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That’s great Lorraine, I hope it turns out as useful as mine. Would love to see some pics. Buen camino – it’s a fabulous route.
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Great to follow your blogg. We just walked the Almeria Granada section 2 weeks ago.
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Buen Camino!
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