Hi everyone I would love to hear your opinions. My mum and I did the French Camino over the last 4 years in stages finishing in Santiago in October 2021. We are itching to go again this April. Has anyone done the Camino Portugues coastal route or Camino del Norte after doing the French camino? We love walking and the sense of community with other pilgrims. Are these routes as busy and buzzy at coffee stops etc? Would we be silly starting the French route again without trying the others ?
I can't speak to either the Portugues Coastal or the Norte because I haven't walked either of them. I did walk the Portugues from Porto, but it was just a bit along the coast (Senda Litoral) and mostly the Central.
I can say that you would not be silly walking the Frances again without trying the others. Many pilgrims walk the
Camino Frances over and over again and feel no need to try other routes. Some like to try a new Camino each time. Some like to mix it up, sometimes returning to routes they've walked and sometimes trying new ones. All are valid options.
Walking the Frances again will not be a repeat of the same Camino and it would be a mistake to approach it expecting that. The weather may be different. The people you meet will be different. The places you stop and stay might be different and you will certainly be different.
But if you want to explore new places while still experiencing the sense of purpose, the daily routine, and the sense of community of a Camino, the routes you mention are good options.