advice from Camino experts?

[Suz Siberia]

Hi - I have walked the CF last March on my own - snow, rain, sun - i loved every minute. I am in my 60's and the infrastructure of the Frances was ....comforting... - though I must admit the section from Sarria was not a favourite...beautiful but just not really for me.
I am walking alone again late September and October this year - I have looked at the Norte, Portugeuse, Via de la Plata, Le Puy from Cahors, Madrid.... - now I am just confused. Can someone advise which camino is the simpliest to walk after the Frances... I think it sounds like the Portugeuse - Central route. Commencing in Lisbon and completo in Porto - would this have infrastructure that would suit walking 20 - 25 klms per day? Many thanks Suz

 

[caminoagogo]

I'm planning on doing the Camino Portugués next year, so what I'm about to say is from research alone and not experience, but I believe the infrastructure is better from Porto to SDC than from Lisbon to Porto, so maybe that would be a better option. I've got a blog post regarding this that may be of some use: http://camino-a-go-go.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-plan-is-hatched.html#more. I hope this helps.

Buen Camino

 

[Kiwi-family]

VdlP has a couple of stages longer than 25km, but other than that infrastructure is excellent.
Madrid is excellent. San Salvador and Primitivo combo too!
Any would be easy enough. I've met first-timers on each route I've done.

 

[Suz Siberia]

VdlP has a couple of stages longer than 25km, but other than that infrastructure is excellent.
Madrid is excellent. San Salvador and Primitivo combo too!
Any would be easy enough. I've met first-timers on each route I've done.

They all sound great - thank you - which would you have done if you were walking on you own...?

 

[Kiwi-family]

They all sound great - thank you - which would you have done if you were walking on you own...?

I just walked the Madrid on my own, which was my first solo walk. I was hoping for a solitary time but still had someone sharing accommodations every night but one. If you wanted companionship in the evenings any of the other options had more people. Depends what you're looking for!
I'd walk anywhere on my own now!

 

[HeidiL]

They all sound great - thank you - which would you have done if you were walking on you own...?

I'd walk from Porto. Lisbon-Porto is lovely, but still a bit remote and lonely in places if you are walking on your own and a bit apprehensive.

 

[Via2010]

I would also suggest, you do the Portuguese from Porto. Infrastructure is almost as good as on the Camino Frances. You can do stages of +/-20-25 km with no problem. Not much climbing, nice towns, nice local people and nice food. Company of other pilgrims, but not as crowded as the CF after Sarria.

BC
Alexandra

 

[Anamya]

Another vote for Porto-Santiago. If you enjoy Port wine and plenty of food, that's the place to go!
Infrastructure was almost as good as Frances, with less people.

 

[Anamya]

I would also suggest, you do the Portuguese from Porto. Infrastructure is almost as good as on the Camino Frances. You can do stages of +/-20-25 km with no problem. Not much climbing, nice towns, nice local people and nice food. Company of other pilgrims, but not as crowded as the CF after Sarria.

BC
Alexandra

OMG, Alexandra, we posted at the same time with the same content! Agree 100% with you
I did that route last year and loved every minute.

 

[timr]

I have huge affection for Porto-SdC. I walked in November and sometimes 8-10 people in an albergue, but quite often alone.
I loved Madrid too in May and November and met VERY VERY few others. And I loved it.
Infrastructure on each is near perfect.

 

[Gail Dickson]

I have huge affection for Porto-SdC. I walked in November and sometimes 8-10 people in an albergue, but quite often alone.
I loved Madrid too in May and November and met VERY VERY few others. And I loved it.
Infrastructure on each is near perfect.

Another vote for Porto Santiago, either path central or coastal.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am walking the month of June in Portugal, first the Fisherman's Way in the south, then the Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago via the Spiritual Variant. All these posts are another encouragement for me as I have sometimes wondered if I am taking a step "backwards" to do this route. I have walked the Frances twice, Norte/Primitivo and a large portion of the Le Puy...all beautiful. I do love villages and am hoping when I turn on to the central route at Vila de Condes it will live up to my expectations from what I read.

 

[Anamya]

All these posts are another encouragement for me as I have sometimes wondered if I am taking a step "backwards" to do this route.

Why do you think it could be seen as a step backwards? Because it is shorter?
As the saying goes, "it's not about the length of the wand, but the magic it can do"

The only thing that is not so nice in the Portuguese are the cobblestones / asphalt. Everything else is great!

 

[AlwynWellington]

Can someone advise which camino is the simpliest to walk after the Frances...

I propoe you walk from Le Puy. Similar, if not better, pilgrim infrastructure.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Why do you think it could be seen as a step backwards? Because it is shorter?
As the saying goes, "it's not about the length of the wand, but the magic it can do"

The only thing that is not so nice in the Portuguese are the cobblestones / asphalt. Everything else is great!

No, not because it's shorter, but because some say less scenic and less interesting views compared to the others. I am quite confident I will be pleasantly surprised and love it!

 

[David]

On my first Camino I started in Moissac, in France. Such a beautiful, beautiful walk to St Jean (and a great lead up to popping over the mountain!).

 

[Kiwi-family]

No, not because it's shorter, but because some say less scenic and less interesting views compared to the others. I am quite confident I will be pleasantly surprised and love it!

I am one of the Porto to Santiago naysayers - but my comments were more about telling others what I found rather than saying I didn't like it - it's a village-to-village walk rather than big expanses through nature and if I'd known that beforehand I'd not have been surprised by it. Subsequently I've sent two couples on this route and they both loved it (in both cases it was their first camino and now they're planning to do more!)
I was told by some that the Madrid route was particularly underwhelming and so I went with very low expectations and LOVED it. @Camino Chris I hope the same for you!

 

[HeidiL]

The Madrid walk is lovely (though the sandy paths on the long, long slog through the forest killed my knee), but Spanish communication is essential, and you have to enjoy your own company, because there aren't (m)any pilgrims.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hi - I have walked the CF last March on my own - snow, rain, sun - i loved every minute. I am in my 60's and the infrastructure of the Frances was ....comforting... - though I must admit the section from Sarria was not a favourite...beautiful but just not really for me.
I am walking alone again late September and October this year - I have looked at the Norte, Portugeuse, Via de la Plata, Le Puy from Cahors, Madrid.... - now I am just confused. Can someone advise which camino is the simpliest to walk after the Frances... I think it sounds like the Portugeuse - Central route. Commencing in Lisbon and completo in Porto - would this have infrastructure that would suit walking 20 - 25 klms per day? Many thanks Suz

yep, the Portuguese, enough services, less pilgrims, lots of arrows
Buen CAmino

 

[Canuck]

I am walking the month of June in Portugal, first the Fisherman's Way in the south, then the Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago via the Spiritual Variant. All these posts are another encouragement for me as I have sometimes wondered if I am taking a step "backwards" to do this route. I have walked the Frances twice, Norte/Primitivo and a large portion of the Le Puy...all beautiful. I do love villages and am hoping when I turn on to the central route at Vila de Condes it will live up to my expectations from what I read.

Chris,
I hope the Fisherman's Way will bring as much joy and wonder as it did to me. It's a real treat.
On my part, in June, I'll be walking the Manchego, part of the Via Serrana and the Camino de Uclés.
Can't wait.
Cheers,
Jean-Marc