Which 100 Kilometers to end in Santiago de Compostela

[JamesGeier]

Hi, I have walked the Camino Frances twice from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, once spring 2016 and again autumn 2017. The route does get busier starting at Sarria. I am considering walking the Camino de la Plata/Camino Sanabres starting at Seville next year. And in my research, a question has risen. If the last 100 km are needed to get a Compostela, why is the focus of so many pilgrims on the Sarria to Santiago route when other 100 km routes ending in Santiago exist that might be just as or even more enjoyable? Two examples to which I am referring are Ferrol to Santiago on the Camino Ingles or Ourense to Santiago on the Camino Sanabres. These are both about 115 km. In my research of the Via de la Plata/Camino Sanabres, it is said that the path from Ourense to Santiago is quite beautiful. So is the focus on the route from Sarria to Santiago more recent historical, as in that is just what people do now? Or is there some other reason?

Buen Camino,
--jim--

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I prefer the Camino Ingles from Ferrol. Sarria is popular because it is easy to get to.

 

[mspath]

Sarria will not be the 100 km spot for much longer but will be replaced by A Pena, in Paradela according to this recent account. http://www.mundicamino.com/noticias...lomtrico-100-desde-sarria-resucita-una-aldea/

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Sarria will not be the 100 km spot for much longer but will be replaced by A Pena, in Paradela according to this recent account. http://www.mundicamino.com/noticias...lomtrico-100-desde-sarria-resucita-una-aldea/

Sarria was never the 100 km point. It was just the closest city more than 100 km.

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi, I have walked the Camino Frances twice from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, once spring 2016 and again autumn 2017. The route does get busier starting at Sarria. I am considering walking the Camino de la Plata/Camino Sanabres starting at Seville next year. And in my research, a question has risen. If the last 100 km are needed to get a Compostela, why is the focus of so many pilgrims on the Sarria to Santiago route when other 100 km routes ending in Santiago exist that might be just as or even more enjoyable? Two examples to which I am referring are Ferrol to Santiago on the Camino Ingles or Ourense to Santiago on the Camino Sanabres. These are both about 115 km. In my research of the Via de la Plata/Camino Sanabres, it is said that the path from Ourense to Santiago is quite beautiful. So is the focus on the route from Sarria to Santiago more recent historical, as in that is just what people do now? Or is there some other reason?

Buen Camino,
--jim--

Hi, Jim,

One reason that so many people start in Sarria is definitely accessibility but that's what people think. You have to change buses in Lugo (another 100km point - Primitivo) when OTOH you can reach Ourense, Monforte de Lemos, Ferrol (also trains to all three) or Fisterra/Muxia easier.
I'm sure a lot of Sarria starters aren't even aware that there are more than just one official Camino de Santiago. Have you seen any feature film about Camino shot on VdlP or Primitivo?
But you will surely notice rise in pilgrim numbers after Ourense too.

Buen Camino!

 

[t2andreo]

You might consider the Camino Invierno, which starts at Ponferrada. It runs to the south of, and more or less parallel to the final segments of the Camino Frances. The overall distance, Ponferrada to Santiago is 38 km more.

However, if you are adhering strictly to the maximum 100 km idea, consider starting the Invierno at Monforte de Lemos. The Pilgrim Office lists THAT town as the final starting point to earn a Compostela. Monforte has good rail connections from Madrid - Chamartin to the rest of Spain. See www.renfe.com.

This year, a bunch of us veterans are trying the Invierno to update guide books, apps and to determine the viability of this historic route as an alternative for pilgrims desiring to avoid the summer crowds on the final, Sarria to Santiago segment. In fact, I depart for Madrid in two days to do my bit. I start from Ponferrada on Friday 13 April. The new CSJ guide, written / updated by Forum member Peregrina2000 and available here, provides a 9, 10 or 12-day calendar for walking this route.

Alternatively, you might consider the Porto to Santiago portion of the Camino Portugues. Overall, it is about 250 - 260 km, depending on which paths you choose. I believe there are currently three. However, if you are stuck on that 100 km thing, then you want to start either in Valenca, Portugal, OR just across the Eiffel designed bridge in Tui, Spain. This is the final starting point for short-walkers coming from this direction and designing the Compostela. Mind the one-hour time zone change when crossing the bridge.

Both of the routes above have ample services, accommodations and come recommended by many.

There are, and others will likely contribute here, options to walk only about 100 km. As I am not personally familiar with them, I cannot speak to them. So, I invite others to do so.

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Hi, I have walked the Camino Frances twice from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, once spring 2016 and again autumn 2017. The route does get busier starting at Sarria. I am considering walking the Camino de la Plata/Camino Sanabres starting at Seville next year. And in my research, a question has risen. If the last 100 km are needed to get a Compostela, why is the focus of so many pilgrims on the Sarria to Santiago route when other 100 km routes ending in Santiago exist that might be just as or even more enjoyable? Two examples to which I am referring are Ferrol to Santiago on the Camino Ingles or Ourense to Santiago on the Camino Sanabres. These are both about 115 km. In my research of the Via de la Plata/Camino Sanabres, it is said that the path from Ourense to Santiago is quite beautiful. So is the focus on the route from Sarria to Santiago more recent historical, as in that is just what people do now? Or is there some other reason?

Buen Camino,
--jim--

Any camino into santiago but not Sarria

 

[Bradypus]

I think @KinkyOne is right - many of those who walk from Sarria on the Camino Frances do so because they simply have never realised that other routes exist. Sometimes even those who have just walked all the way from SJPDP are only vaguely aware of the fact. After finishing the Primitivo I met a young man in Santiago who had just walked the whole Camino Frances. When he heard where I had been he asked if I had any plans to walk 'the real Camino' in the future.... I was not amused!