Solo Female Pilgrim Safety on the Camino

Safety Resources:
Camino Forum: www.caminodesa...
Alert Cops:
alertcops.ses....
apps.apple.com...
Camigas Facebook Group: m.facebook.com...
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[@EvanYeahMe]

I am male and personal security is something I don’t think about often but videos like this make me realize how often women have to consider this. Thanks for all your interesting and useful videos Nadine.

[@jornspirit]

hi dear Nadine, thanks for posting this... its also good for men walking the camino to be aware, and I'm one of them (have done it twice and will walk again)... I always have a caring eye, especially when I see a woman walking alone, who appears to be a bit fragile, to keep them in the corner of the eye, for signs of them being uncomfortable... and its the overall brotherhood/sisterhood on the camino for me to do that for each other... in that sense the camino is probably even safer, than being in a big city in an anonymous situation... we look after each other... may all have a safe and delightful pilgrimage 💖

[@jamess7181]

I am a male pilgrim who has walked the Frances 2 times in recent years. 112 phone service is amazing to assist pilgrims - I was unwell and the assistance was excellent! I find your channel and advice to be excellent and this was a very balanced and helpful video. I would add and note that single female pilgrims were the most common travellers I encountered on the Camino last year. It was good and positive to see. All that I spoke to and befriended remarked how positive their journey was, and how valuable it was for each of them to be able to walk solo in terms of being safe and being able to focus on their own thoughts. The Civil Guardia are especially vigilant along the Camino as well I am told - ensuring it is a safe and positive place for travellers due to its importance to the locals. Thanks again for keeping us in touch with The Way.

[@Karen-dq8nw]

I find it frustrating on camino forums that women are shamed for trying to protect themselves. Even if it's rare and not much of a worry, women have a right to protect themselves from assault; they just do. Self defense is an inherent human right. If/when I do a camino I'll be carrying pepper spray. It's legal, safe and can easily be hidden. Why it's such a controversy I do not understand. But all the negativity about it won't stop me from ensuring my own safety.

[@tedditate]

Thank you for this information! My best friend and I are walking the Camino in a few months and some friends of mine have expressed concern regarding the exact incident you reference. I have traveled solo in Europe before and can say that, I too, have felt safer doing so than I have traveling in some US cities. I think being aware of surrounding is important no matter where we are, especially for women, but for everyone, too. It shouldn't overly consume us, of course. Most importantly, paying attention to that gut feeling is tantamount. I believe that women in general tend to dismiss our gut reactions to a situation because we think we are being "silly" or because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings. However, biologically, the gut reaction is produced by our parasympathetic nervous system, which assesses a potentially dangerous situation before the incoming sensory information reaches the reasoning that is processed by our frontal cortex. In other words, pay attention to the gut! Thanks again...all of your videos contain the best information I have found!

[@herrberg8962]

First time solo male pilgrim here. Thanks for the reassuring information.

[@susananquist8357]

I have walked 3 Camino segments and felt so much safer than any visit to an American city. Saying that, I think one aspect of safety is stranger issues. Another aspect that I haven’t heard anyone address is the physical safety of what to do solo if you become sick or injured. Something to consider talking about.

[@cltinturkey]

Brava! ALWAYS trust your gut! It's the best tool you have. That and common sense will get you far in life and in safety.

[@billbarrett7772]

Thank you for this video Nadine! As a father of 3 daughters, I appreciate your advice for all women, whether on the camino or in their own neighborhoods. Like you did, trust your gut and be aware of your surroundings. I also admire your friend who had the presence of mind to send her location to a friend and then REPORT it! Good for her. Keep up the great work you do here.

[@johnavery5384]

Excellent balanced summary. It is easy for a single incident to get exaggerated and blown out of proportion. The Stoics say “we suffer most in anticipation” which I have found to be true. Leaving a city at dawn can be a bit tense as some of the areas look a bit run down and it’s generally the time when I get lost (Doh!). Alert Cops is a great App with a great name.

[@marisolvillanueva196]

Thank you for this video Nadine, much appreciated. Plan to do this walk soon. This video is very helpful, my family is terrified for me…😅

[@ericaalbini6037]

Thank you for this video! This is a subject I think about a lot: I have just walked part of the Francés on my own and I felt really safe, because I could always see other pilgrims in the distance and I was never really alone. I am now planning to walk other routes, and I am a teensy bit concerned (even about things like coming across stray animals)... I know the Camino is generally safe and the most important thing is to stay aware of your surroundings, but I will definitely take the advice about downloading Alert Cops and getting myself a whistle 😊 Thank you as always for your work ❤️

[@lidyacorry7965]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEOOO 🥺 female solo first timer pilgrim hereee. i just notice the built in whistle in my carrier, thank you!

[@spotlight6507]

Important to consider! Ive been walking alone with a creepy in the middle of a forest in the camino Português! In the stage towards Viana do Castelo. Its really a forest with nothing and no one, it was scary and he followed me for many kms on and off, so keep always other pilgrins at the distance of the eye in very remote locations like this one 😉

[@pyronitro]

i know nothing of the nuance and cues of your particular situation. but it could also be he is following you to make sure you are safe. or he might be scared too to walk alone so is following you. the beautiful places i hiked during the day are 100x scarier to walk during the night in the middle of nowhere specially when there is no secure place to hide.

[@markfawcett8112]

I really liked that you addressed this concern. On my Camino I saw so many single women walking. I agree you are not really alone. I heard of 2 issues but on each case the woman was aware of her surroundings and reported the event to the local police. We saw them several times along the way. I feel it was very safe and inviting for anyone to walk it. Buen Camino

[@douglasoster7102]

I noticed that above the 112 number there was the number 016. 016 is for violence against women.

[@aga9para985]

Nadine, Firstly, thank you for all your Camino videos, which are very helpful and informative. However, regarding safety of solo females on the Camino or anywhere else: I would strongly suggest obtaining a *pepper spray* canister and keeping it within easy reach. These are relatively small, light and inexpensive. In many cases, a phone call to police is not going to get you help as fast as you need it. I am sadly very familiar with the story of a local young woman who was the victim of violence - snatched from running on the street in broad daylight. Since this incident, I, a large-ish male, carry a pepper spray at all times. Useful both for aggressive dogs and aggressive humans.

[@jag3799]

An important topic, well delivered Nadine! Thank you.

[@miadifferent7306]

The Emergency Call function on your phone (that is accessible without putting in the pin code) Should also connect you with the authorities via 112. it should even work if you don’t have a phone plan for the EU. (But please double check. That’s just my understanding while living in the EU)

[@RC-qf3mp]

Good video. For better awareness while walking… look around periodically. Nobody should be able to sneak up from behind. Don’t zone out with earphones. Important to hear footsteps. Ears are important for vigilance. Trekking poles can be used effectively for self defense, and mainly for deterrence. Practice holding the poles, or just one pole with both hands. Lastly, don’t get drunk. Should be obvious and goes along with vigilance. But easy for inexperienced drinkers to overdo it.

[@jabbielyii8736]

As always very good advice and recommendations. As you say, for me, the main one is common sense. Buen camino.

[@griseldanelson2141]

Thanks again Nadine for another great and informative video. I have taken a few notes. ❤

[@NadineWalks]

You're welcome! I tried to include useful information (but without creating too much worry... safety is always an important consideration, but also, overall the Camino is very safe!)

[@katiewilliams6238]

Thank you for this very important and informative video!!!

[@NadineWalks]

You're very welcome!

[@jandavis1362]

Awesome video ! Great information. I enjoy your videos.

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@paulafitz532]

Thank you

[@ThePhantomMajor]

There is definitely a Camino bond between Pilgrims ... It's so easy to connect, maintain contact on WhatsApp or FB, arrange to go out later drinking / eating in Santiago and it allows the magic to continue ........

[@miketrebert7788]

I suggest that women avoid the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, which lasts only a few days each year. The population of Pamplona area grows enormously, there's a lot of drinking and macho behaviour going on. I had a run-in with the moderators on the Camino Forum about a few of my posts regarding the SF Festival that year and some international reports of demos by women in Spain protesting lack of control by local authorities of bad male behaviour. I was scolded online and sadly I was proven right as there was a trail a couple of years later for terrible offences at that exact time by a group of young guys - including a young off-duty cop. I repeat: this comment refers to The San Fermin Festival and the running of the bulls weekend in Pamplona. I am not an expert about Spanish nation - wide issues. Maybe just walk around Pamplona - give it a wide berth if you find yourself in the area in early July. P.S., Please note: The young woman was not a pilgrim.

[@miketrebert7788]

@@JR-yo1fu All those Spanish women were demonstrating about something! That gang of young guys were convicted of something very serious. It happened all over again a couple of years later. All this was covered by the international press. There was a lot of sympathy and support by feminists in many countries. But I am merely well-informed and that doesn't make me an expert.

[@dcon1023]

thanks for adding this so that people will always be aware of their surroundings. Have fun for sure, but always be aware and if it looks a little shaky, move to another location. Remembering there are just so many police officers to go around and they cant be everywhere. Trave in groups you know or have become friends with on the camino

[@domdela5217]

Male here and never been on a Camino although videos like these has inspired me to put it on my bucket list. Some really good tips but I'm not sure if I heard it or read any comments about this question. Would you or anyone recommend taking a photo of the individual or vehicle that is acting suspicious as a deterrent?

[@BarnaRábai]

Its situational. If you feel like you cannot get away then yes. But all interactions have upsides and downsides. As a rule of thumb avoid the interaction and get away. Solves 99.9% of the cases. Be aware of your environment and if something is off make sure to avoid it. If you get engaged. Try to break the engagement. Mainly do not respond and get away, but if you cannot get away make noise, take pictures, call 112 and put them on speaker etc. Taking a picture should be a tool as deterrent for further action, not a way of vigilantism. It may make the other side take action that is undesirable, e.g force you to delete the picture or seek their own justice for any assumed slight. (i.e. do not re-engage)

[@vemo916]

It is more than conditioning. Women have always to be vigilant. That fact should not keep us from traveling solo. It’s best effort to be as safe as possible. The question should be how can countries and societies make it safer for women to live a life save from predators.

[@jpmcc]

Hi Nadine I recall an incident you recorded on last yrs Camino. You were up early, maybe a Sunday morning or day after a public holiday, walking through a park or open area, and some young Spaniards or Portuguese were hassling you as you passed through their area. Maybe not a cause for immed concerns, but that would not be comfortable for a man or woman. Great content as always. Let us know your summer walking plans. Buen Camino from Hong Kong

[@NadineWalks]

Yes- I initially included this experience in the video (but the video was so long I felt that I needed to edit down, so that part got cut)... but yes, the early morning exit from a city on an isolated Camino route (no other pilgrims), with drunk people still out from the night before. I didn't necessarily feel unsafe, but definitely unsettled/uncomfortable, and got out of the city as quickly as I could! Summer travels are almost here!! A video will be coming soon, but the plan is a return to Spain for more Camino walking (surprise, surprise). I think I'll be starting with the Camino Baztan!

[@jpmcc]

@NadineWalks Hi Nadine Maybe the Ebro to the French (in the reverse) up to the Baztan to Irun? Or the Baztan from Bayonne (you can practise your French) down to Pamplona, then Santo Domingo, up the Vasco (in reverse) and hard left at Edro to Burgos (the other half of the Vasco). Then over to Ponferrada and finish up the Invierno. Anyway, enough of guessing. Will need to await your next vlog. Look forward to it.

[@passionatelifeproject]

I'm considering walking the Camino Portuguese solo next year and while I have no problem with solo travel, I'm glad you've addressed this. I've just returned from a solo trip to Italy and had no real issues. Solo female travel can be so hard sometimes. Is the Alert Cops app a worldwide app or just for Spain/Portugal?

[@ShubeGirl]

I would like to hear discussion of physical safety (if I sprain my ankle ir get heat exhaustion how long might i wait to see another pilgrim?) and safety of communal sleeping situations.

[@Catherine-xr6dr]

One very simple suggestion is to learn the languages of the places you are walking - not fluently, but certainly more than Hello and Thank You. Everything seems so much more scary when you can't understand what people are saying. Learning the local language is a considerate and respectful thing to do, and it will also stand you in good stead to assist in protecting your own personal safety.

[@ronskelly]

Hi Nadine...great video, thank you very much. My wife Isabel is asking if you could please let us know which part of the Camino did the incident you spoke of occurr...if it was the Coastal Portuguese walk in which area did it happen? Isabel is going on that walk in September. Also..she doesn't know I am asking this but she can lose her direction pretty easily - would a compass be useful or any other aids if this were to happen to her - like find herself a bit lost? We love your videos!

[@NadineWalks]

I followed up to find out the location of the incident; it was just past Tui (and just before a landmark called Cruz de San Telmo), so this was on the Camino Portugués Central route. And as far as directions go, unless she has experience with a compass and good map reading skills, I think the easiest might be to use an app with GPS. I really like using the Buen Camino app, it’s not too difficult to figure out and you can click on a map which will show a yellow line (the route of the Camino) and a blue dot (your location). So you can see if you’ve gone off-route and then how to get back to the Camino!

[@ronskelly]

@NadineWalks thank you so much Nadine...this will make Isabel feel much better about her coastal walk...we will research the GPS method you recommend. Have a super week! 🇨🇦

[@maribelgonzalez4555]

Camigas is great group to join. Great video ❤

[@griseldanelson2141]

Hi Ron, I have a GPS tracking device in my backpack. It is called Tile Mate. It is synced to my husband's phone. When I travel he knows my location. Not sure if that's a good thing or not 😅😅 It is peace of mind for both of us though. If I ever come across some trouble, I can send him a quick message and he knows exactly where I am. I know that when I do the Camino, I'll be in Spain and he in Australia 🇦🇺 however I feel safe knowing he knows where I am every day. Buen Camino to your wife. 🙏

[@ronskelly]

Thats a great idea, thank you for taking the time to let me know. Ron Skelly. Wasaga Beach. Canada@@griseldanelson2141

[@agalpin7025]

Hey there Nadine. What Camino Forum did you post from on this video. The one that shows the alerts. I am not a big forum person but that looked interesting. Thank you for your videos.

[@NadineWalks]

Here's the link to the forum! (I include this and other resources down in the description of the video, but it's easy to overlook that area): www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/safety-security-on-the-camino.162/

[@agalpin7025]

@@NadineWalks Thank you so very much. I head out soon for my first (solo) Camino. I am so very excited. Let me clarify, my first Camino!!!! Thank you for all your insights, they have been helpful.

[@nickfish8345]

You're safer walking the Camino than you are going to your local supermarket. Chill out!