MAY AND SEPTEMBER - CAMINO FRANCES

We had a cancellation in the May group when 4 friends and a the parents of the main person had to cancel.  Mary became ill and her friends and family all cancelled their walk.
This has left a gap in the group which needs to filled if it is to remain a viable group.  

MAY/JUNE  ARAGONES

This walk is so popular that we have had to offer two groups next year instead of one.  Jenny will take one and Judith and Jeremy the other.  

MAY - VIA FRANCIGENA

After walking in September, Jenny felt that May would be a better time, with earlier sunrise and longer days, the group will be able to get an early start and have lots of daylight at the end for sightseeing and relaxing.
Two friends have had to cancel until next year so we have a twin room available in this group.
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A fabulous year - all groups had fun - which is a requirement on amaWalkers Caminos and Via Francigena trails!

May - Camino Frances:

A couple of amaWalkers' oldies returned to walk another trail with us.  This year Fr Jeffrey - 2012, 2015 - introduced the Camino to his son.  Also this year, Jon's partner Sharon joined him as a group leader assistant and it turned out to be a happy and successful pairing!

Camino Aragones:

Jenny's group had a blast - trekking from Lourdes (stunning candlelight procession) through the lush green farmlands and forests of the French Pyrenees to the Somport Pass and then over into the north of Aragon.  
Everyone loved Santa Cruz, San Juan de la Pena, and the Gregorian chants at the Monastery church in Leyre.  (next year we might book the group into the Monastery hotel instead of staying at Artieda - watch this space!)

Via Francigena:
The group was made up of of ultra-fit and not-so-fit and the later formed a 'Serendipity Group' within the group - walking at their leisure, taking transport when so inclined, lingering over lunch and sightseeing.  This is what amaWalkers is all about and we were thrilled that they could do this pilgrimage 'Their Way!"

Camino Frances - September:

Great group of ladies!  The Marias were able to visit their place of their ancestors in Carrion de los Condes on the way to Leon.  All loved the accommodation, no hitches at all with transport, luggage transfers or allocation of rooms.  Such a grateful and happy bunch they are considering a reunion in 2019 to walk to Rome!  Good for them!

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The May 22-day Camino Frances :  May/June 15-day Camino Aragones from Lourdes:  September 22-day Via Francigena group and the September 22-day Camino Frances :
Another successful year and another year of making friends and making dreams come true!  
Well done to our group leaders - and to all our new amaWalker friends.
​Syl and Jenny

Unlike the Camino Frances, there are very few places on the Camino Aragones that can accommodate groups, especially in the little villages and hamlets like Borce, Arres, Artieda, Monreal ot Izco.
In addition, many hotels close in June and only open their doors in July, which is not the optimum time to walk the Camino Aragones.  The heat in July and August can reach 40oC and with few villages between stages, dehydration and heatstroke is a risk.
amaWalkers has been able to secure accommodation in small hostales, hotels, rural houses and one albergue for the May/June group.  The Albergue a Glera was lovingly restored in a former Abbey   This is the only place where you will need to bring your own towel and a sleeping bag.  Sheets are provided.

Besides looking forward to taking groups on the Camino Frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, we are very excited about our new routes in 2017 -  the Via Francigena from Lucca to Rome and the Camino Aragones from Lourdes to Pamplona.
Read all about them on our website.