Just found this thread and I would agree with much that is written here. Having just returned from the Plata (Sevilla to Santiago) and also having walked the Frances 6 months earlier (SJPDP to Santiago) I found them similar in many ways and both very special. That said, in what matters to me, they are so very different with the Plata my preferred route. In no particular order;
- On the Plata there are of course many fewer peregrinos and very few with English as their native tongue. I met only 3. Most of the walkers are from Europe, typically either Germany or France with a salting of Italians and Spanish, at least that was my experience. I speak no German, a very small amount of French and I have developed what I think is called mechanical Spanish gained during 2 Caminos which allows me to get by ok. This forced me to adapt and to open myself to make an effort to communicate...a good thing
For sure, sometimes finding acceptance with different nationalities took a bit of time, but once the connection was made it was usually brilliant.
- with fewer peregrinos and a longer journey the friendships were often made very quickly even with the language barrier...fewer to socialize with after walking so an effort is made to connect and include. Fewer people so you would know almost everyone at some level. Please don't misunderstand, I made some very good life connections on the Frances, and I will visit with four very special folks in Australia met during that journey this March. All of my amigos from the Frances provided me with ongoing encouragement and support as I walked the Plata...very, very special people. On the Plata, as there were so few to connect with, the connections were immediate and lasting. Even though I often walked away from some of the special people I met at various points messages continued to be passed back and forth through typical electronic means, but also via other walkers as we found our own rhythms and walking speeds.
- fewer peregrinos of course means the trail is wide open with many days of walking alone and perhaps not seeing another soul all day long. I was prepared for this and I enjoyed it immensely. Others did not...I met a number of folks who abandoned the route because they either felt uncomfortable alone (which is fair) or they found the stages too long to manage comfortably with insufficient infrastructure. For most, this was not an issue as they came mentally prepared having walked other Caminos before and of course most Europeans have these amazing guide books that tell them just about everything to expect.
- much more support and encouragement from the Spanish people on the Plata as they see many fewer peregrinos. I had old gentlemen walk across the road in small pueblos to shake my hand and wish me a buen Camino. I had farmers pull over to simply talk to me, to find out where I was headed and where I was from. Truckers were constantly honking supportive horns at me. Always a smile from people. I experienced this on the Frances, but not to the same extent, and certainly almost never in the last 150kms.
- the trail itself was often just a narrow path through the forests, fields, through farms and happily through masses of flowers. I enjoyed this so much having experienced this much less on the Frances.
- On the Plata there is no 'race for a bed' as I often had a bunk all to myself. I almost never worried about this...not the same on the Frances. New albergues are opening each year so often the facilities are fresher and less run down. I slept on some great mattresses
I saw a few disappointing albergues, but always managed to find another option, or if it was a known issue I just planned my stage to be longer to end up where a good option existed.
- In the above comments, I don't think I saw any reference to Salamanca. I really enjoyed it! Long on my destination list...I doubt you will be disappointed and a good place to find a small hotel to get a break from the albergues if its in your budget to do so.
- Plata downside...lots of big nasty dogs! Particular;y in the first half. I learned to deal with them and never hit one in self-defense, but several instances were certainly unpleasant. This wouldn't stop me from walking the route again, but I'm better skilled to deal with them when attacked. A German fellow actually carried pepper spray.
- photography was great on both of routes, but I have fewer pictures of other people on the Plata during the walking portion of the day...almost none, but I expected this...I was looking for peace, serenity and a meditative walk when I selected the Plata. Given the minimal numbers I wasn't at all surprised.
Both Caminos are great, but after experiencing the Frances I was looking for something simpler, less cluttered and drier (12 days of rain with all the mud that goes with it on the Frances last fall!!). I had just a couple of hours of rain on the Plata, but the year before at the same time my pal had snow, so it can vary widely as of course can any route. Enough rambling, trying to share my experiences. Those walking this fall I wish you the very best for a special Camino...enjoy each day because you will miss it when you return home