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Repeating Caminos ?

scubajunky

Active Member
Anybody here repeated Caminos ?
I have walked the French way, The Portuguese Way, The Primitivo, The Camino Sanabres, The Fisterrea / Muxia way.
I did not enjoy the Sanabres so much to be honest.
Has anyone repeated the French way, Sometimes I think memories are better left as they are, it's never the same when you go back and do something, it is no longer new and fresh.
Interested to hear peoples views on this.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Absolutely what @falcon269 said! I've walked (most of) the Camino Frances twice - in different seasons, and stopping in some of the same and some different places. It's not the same, but it was lovely to renew some acquaintances made the first time, and to see the same places at different times of year. The important thing is not to expect it to be just like the first time, and just to experience it afresh for what it is. There's that saying about not being able to step into the same river twice, because the river (or Camino) is always changing and moving on. If you feel you want to repeat one of the routes you have walked before, I say do it. I'm certainly planning on yet another Camino Frances sometime! - there's something about it that draws me in a way I don't feel drawn to other routes elsewhere.

Good luck deciding - how wonderful to have such a choice!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I have thought about this a lot. I had planned on the Portuguese this fall with a buddy, but his plans changed and he will not be able to go. I started my camino solo last time anyhow. I really enjoyed the experience I had last year on the Frances. I am contemplating doing it again this fall. It might be the same route, but I think it will be a completely different experience ... different people, etc. I will recognize some of the terrain, know a little more about where to stay etc., but I think those will be positives. Last time I started out without expectation, and my experience exceeded expectation. I would want to go without expectation again, and be open to what the camino provides.
 
I've walked the Frances twice. The first time I went sola, and the second time my friend joined me until Logroño. I made a point of staying in different towns as much as possible, and my experience was different because of the people that I met.
 
They're always different no matter how many times you walk them because no two days are ever the same. You will always meet new people. You will always have different weather.
 
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We've walked the CF twice. The second time immediately after my father's death, to begin to deal with the grief. Very healing. Yes, the scenery was familiar (if a bit different in the fall after harvest rather than in the summer with wheat in the fields), but I think I sort of wanted that. I knew that I was returning to safe place. Also, I badly screwed up my feet the first time. I wanted to walk the CF not in absolute pain. I've also rewalked trails in the U.S. and enjoyed them just as much the second time.

I think I would ask yourself where you are spiritually: why are you walking? To celebrate new things; to get yourself out of a rut? Then try a new route. To heal; to finish what you started the first time; to reflect on the past? Try a route you know. To break out of social isolation? CF. To get a time of solitary contemplation? Anything but the CF. I hope that when you ask yourself those questions, you'll get the guidance you seek.

Whatever you choose, Buen Camino,
Jo Jo
 
I loved my second Camino Frances as much as the first. They were very different. Different weather, different season, different camino family, different towns and albergues. I had the same worries as you but just let it go and let it unfold as it would. I am heading out on my third in April, with no expectations except that it will be different.
 
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We have walked the Inglés twice and expecting it to be different also made some changes as to where we stayed. We stayed an extra night in Betanzos to explore the town, visit the churches and the Pasatiempo Park the second time. Also, not wanting to spoil memories of 2012 (Primitivo) we went to the English Mass instead of the mid-day Mass. That worked for us and we have good memories of both.
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Thanks for everyone's input. I want to walk but don't like walking the same route. I also did not like the Sanabres I walked last year so much.
Are there any other Camino's anywhere in the world which are comparable to the CF ?
 
If you want something comparable but not the same... you maybe can change part of the route.
E. g. start with the Camino Aragones or the Via de Bayona or ... .
Or end with the Camino de Invierno.
 
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I have walked CF twice. Loved it the first time especially because it was my first Camino. Second time walked it when I started in LePuy. Much easier of course since I had walked so far already. Still loved it. Doubt if I will ever go again. I love more solitude. The CF was so crowded almost all the time. After walking in France where I could go hours, sometimes the whole day and not see a Pilgrim. I really need that peace. Pilgrim friends are the best and last a lifetime. Pilgrim walking families are not for me.only my preference not a judgement. Whoops got off subject!!! Every Camino is different and wonderful regardless of the earth beneath your feet.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
My third and fourth were as good as my first. My second provided me with a Camino family that I was not in sync with.
 
Anybody here repeated Caminos ?
I have walked the French way, The Portuguese Way, The Primitivo, The Camino Sanabres, The Fisterrea / Muxia way.
I did not enjoy the Sanabres so much to be honest.
Has anyone repeated the French way, Sometimes I think memories are better left as they are, it's never the same when you go back and do something, it is no longer new and fresh.
Interested to hear peoples views on this.

I walked the CF twice. First time in the fall of 2013, my second time in the spring 2016.

My first Camino was the bomb, nothing will ever top it. As you said, it was fresh and new and I had a spark in me that really wasn't there the second time. The weather was better in my opinion and it seemed most of the pilgrims were closer to my age and retired. Yes, the memories and connections can never be topped.

The second time my motivation was different. The weather was damp, cold and muddy. The other pilgrims were younger, spring breakers who did a lot of drinking and partying. Not my style. I broke off from the group early on. It was tough.

If I do another Camino I will do a different route. Like the Norte in the summer. Anyother Camino I would do in the Fall. I feel the CF is getting really, really crowded. Even still I highly recommend it as a first Camino.

Buen Camino :)
 
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Anybody here repeated Caminos ?
I have walked the French way, The Portuguese Way, The Primitivo, The Camino Sanabres, The Fisterrea / Muxia way.
I did not enjoy the Sanabres so much to be honest.
Has anyone repeated the French way, Sometimes I think memories are better left as they are, it's never the same when you go back and do something, it is no longer new and fresh.
Interested to hear peoples views on this.


Yes because I ran out of caminos. I started in sjpdp 10 times. Last time I walked in dark to orisson without any problem. 23 caminos in total and off in few weeks. It’s never the same different months weather etc. never same pilgrims. Always something new .The ingles way from Ferrell only Camino I did not enjoy but I had just walked from Iran to Santiago via primitivo so maybe spoiled and 40km seemed short trek buen camino
 
I walked the Frances in spring 2015 for the first time and loved it. The following year I walked the Norte/Primitivo combo and loved that one, too, although it was different. Last spring I walked the Frances route again with my adult kids and was happy to repeat it and still really enjoyed it. However, by the end I said to myself that I was "done" with the Frances as I want to keep experiencing new routes. This year I am walking the Le Puy as far as Moissac with two friends and am excited for a new adventure...but who knows, I say "never say never", so possibly I will indeed walk the Frances again!
 
Anybody here repeated Caminos ?
I have walked the French way, The Portuguese Way, The Primitivo, The Camino Sanabres, The Fisterrea / Muxia way.
I did not enjoy the Sanabres so much to be honest.
Has anyone repeated the French way, Sometimes I think memories are better left as they are, it's never the same when you go back and do something, it is no longer new and fresh.
Interested to hear peoples views on this.
I'm curious as to the reasons you did not like the Sanabres if I may ask, as I'm always thinking of possible new routes for the future.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I cant wait to do the Frances again. This time I want to explore more, stay in new places (repeat the places I liked), take longer, do detours, paddle my feet more in rivers. I felt there was so much I missed. I would walk through places early in the day, think they looked great, but keep walking.
Most of all, not follow any guidebooks stages.
 
I've pretty much walked every year since 2006, sometimes more than one route.
If you look at people's profile to the left of their messages, they usually list where they've walked.
 
You could try walking in a different season too. I found huge differences between winter and spring, both in the physical landscape and the people around me.
 
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Totally agree with all the above, to the point that I quaestion whether it's worth my posting.

I've done the Frances twice, once in spring and once in summer, both entirely different but equally good experiences. To be honest I'm still in love with it and would do it again, but at this point it's like a comfort blanket and I feel for my next camino I should do a different route, most likely the Norte.
 
Anybody here repeated Caminos ?
I have walked the French way, The Portuguese Way, The Primitivo, The Camino Sanabres, The Fisterrea / Muxia way.
I did not enjoy the Sanabres so much to be honest.
Has anyone repeated the French way, Sometimes I think memories are better left as they are, it's never the same when you go back and do something, it is no longer new and fresh.
Interested to hear peoples views on this.
I have walked Frances twice and both were good experiences although different. My first Frances was my first Camino so it was new exciting and rewarding. That I do not think can be repeated and it’s still my favorite trip. My second was with my wife and a completely different group of people but was also thoroughly enjoyable. I think every Camino has a slightly different flavour and experience.
 
In Ivar's Forum Store there is a map showing all of the Camino Routes on the Iberian Peninsula. Have you seen it? It provides much food for thought (sometimes too much IMO) with respect to choosing a Camino route. The point being, you have barely scratched the surface.

Check out @peregrina2000's profile- her list of completed Caminos is long and includes blogs for a good many of them. Also, have you considered any of the routes in France? The LePuy and Arles routes look intriguing.
 
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Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Will be back on the Frances for the fourth time in 2019. Every one so far has been different but wonderful.
 
Anybody here repeated Caminoos?
My wife and I walked the CF in 2013 and 2016, same seasons. They were different in many ways, the same in others. Both Caminos were wonderful; I’m sure we’ll enjoy a third if we do one. We’ve also walked the Cammino de Assisi and Cammino de Francesco (Northeast of Florence to Rome) twice in about the season and enjoyed them both as well.

Sometimes the best things in each pilgrimage repeated; sometimes they did not. The worst things (e.g., industrial roadway into Burgos, one unpleasant hostel, running out of water on day 3) didn’t repeat; we knew to avoid them. Each time, there were many new adventures to experience, and, most important, new people to meet.

No reason not to repeat, IMHO.
 
Subajunky have you thought of doing it in reverse? I know the Cathedral is the pivotal point of the Frances route but what if you thought about it being behind you and helping you along the way??

Just an idea. I'm sure everything will look entirely different in reverse.
 
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