12-14 days to reach Santiago

[Skaisthelimit]

After perusing much of this forum, I am more confused and no closer to getting my answer lol!
I have just made the decision on short notice to do the Camino, but don't have the whole month to walk the whole Frances route. I have heard that the last of this route doesn't have the real feel of the camino because so many start in Sarria. I also recognize that there are tons of pilgrims here and to have any solitude is next to impossible and it's a race to see who gets to the next albuergue to claim their bed for the night.

My question is in reference to the idea of instead taking the invierno or Portuguese (then either coastal or interior ??!!) route but have heard that then the social aspect is almost nil and it is too isolated.

Any advice for which route is recommended for a first timer that wants both a social experience, but not the constant unavoidable onslaught of people ? Also in terms of scenery, I expect some road walking on all, but am really looking for as much natural dynamic, variety of landscape change.

Totally recognize I'm probably sounding a little high maintenance in wanting the "perfect camino"' and certainly expect and welcome challenges, however this is a very spiritual journey for me and because I do not have a lot of time to plan or research routes, any advice would be welcomed!

Thank you!

PS I am going this September

 

[Tincatinker]

Try the Primitivo from Oviedo. You'll still get a taste of the Frances from Melide onward. All Caminos are perfect; the avoidance of expectation makes them even better.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

After perusing much of this forum, I am more confused and no closer to getting my answer lol!
I have just made the decision on short notice to do the Camino, but don't have the whole month to walk the whole Frances route. I have heard that the last of this route doesn't have the real feel of the camino because so many start in Sarria. I also recognize that there are tons of pilgrims here and to have any solitude is next to impossible and it's a race to see who gets to the next albuergue to claim their bed for the night.

My question is in reference to the idea of instead taking the invierno or Portuguese (then either coastal or interior ??!!) route but have heard that then the social aspect is almost nil and it is too isolated.

Any advice for which route is recommended for a first timer that wants both a social experience, but not the constant unavoidable onslaught of people ? Also in terms of scenery, I expect some road walking on all, but am really looking for as much natural dynamic, variety of landscape change.

Totally recognize I'm probably sounding a little high maintenance in wanting the "perfect camino"' and certainly expect and welcome challenges, however this is a very spiritual journey for me and because I do not have a lot of time to plan or research routes, any advice would be welcomed!

Thank you!

PS I am going this September

Hi, my wife walked from Sjpdp to Santiago in September 2013 and from Sarria it wasn't a race. Why don't you begin your walk from Leon. It's a great place to stay and start. Have a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Leon is a "normal" fourteen days; in twelve days, Astorga to Santiago is typical. You can get to either place by bus or train. Buen camino.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

After perusing much of this forum, I am more confused and no closer to getting my answer lol!
I have just made the decision on short notice to do the Camino, but don't have the whole month to walk the whole Frances route. I have heard that the last of this route doesn't have the real feel of the camino because so many start in Sarria. I also recognize that there are tons of pilgrims here and to have any solitude is next to impossible and it's a race to see who gets to the next albuergue to claim their bed for the night.

My question is in reference to the idea of instead taking the invierno or Portuguese (then either coastal or interior ??!!) route but have heard that then the social aspect is almost nil and it is too isolated.

Any advice for which route is recommended for a first timer that wants both a social experience, but not the constant unavoidable onslaught of people ? Also in terms of scenery, I expect some road walking on all, but am really looking for as much natural dynamic, variety of landscape change.

Totally recognize I'm probably sounding a little high maintenance in wanting the "perfect camino"' and certainly expect and welcome challenges, however this is a very spiritual journey for me and because I do not have a lot of time to plan or research routes, any advice would be welcomed!

Thank you!

PS I am going this September

if it's your first Camio, do the French way, you will not regret it. Buen Camino

 

[Brendan Dawson]

After perusing much of this forum, I am more confused and no closer to getting my answer lol!
I have just made the decision on short notice to do the Camino, but don't have the whole month to walk the whole Frances route. I have heard that the last of this route doesn't have the real feel of the camino because so many start in Sarria. I also recognize that there are tons of pilgrims here and to have any solitude is next to impossible and it's a race to see who gets to the next albuergue to claim their bed for the night.

My question is in reference to the idea of instead taking the invierno or Portuguese (then either coastal or interior ??!!) route but have heard that then the social aspect is almost nil and it is too isolated.

Any advice for which route is recommended for a first timer that wants both a social experience, but not the constant unavoidable onslaught of people ? Also in terms of scenery, I expect some road walking on all, but am really looking for as much natural dynamic, variety of landscape change.

Totally recognize I'm probably sounding a little high maintenance in wanting the "perfect camino"' and certainly expect and welcome challenges, however this is a very spiritual journey for me and because I do not have a lot of time to plan or research routes, any advice would be welcomed!

Thank you!

PS I am going this September

Start in Leon (Camino Frances)....You will love it and don't spend any time worrying about the "Sarria start" folks. There are not THAT many. Besides they are on their Camino, not yours.
They are doing what they can, for whatever reason!!!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

don't spend any time worrying about the "Sarria start" folks

Don't worry about anything that is beyond your control!!

About 1/4 of the pilgrims start at Sarria, so the crowds do increase there. Those pilgrims typically walk the "published" stages, so you can avoid the herd by stopping before or after the standard towns.

 

[GreatDane]

I can only take about 2 weeks this year instead of 3, maybe flying from the US to Madrid Oct 1, train from Madrid to Sarria, walk it in low mileage off Brierley stages. I'd arrive mid day in SdC on a Saturday. Is there enough open on a Sunday to stick around in SdC for a day? Then probably a full day bus trip to Finesterre or Muxia. Is it a pretty ride? If I were to pick from either Muxia or Finesterre which is the better one for a day there, things to see, photo ops? Then the train from SdC back to Madrid, full day in Madrid to see the things I missed in my 3 days there last fall and then fly home.

I'll catch the middle, Burgos to Sarria some other year when I have more time!!!

 

[WldWil]

One of my very first post on the forum so similar. The very very short story is I decided to start at St Jean and get as far as I can this year (hopefully Sahagun) and hope to return in order to complete the journey.

Not a perfect solution, but the best one for me given the amount of time I have this year and next year.

 

[MTtoCamino]

My next one will be from roncevalles to Leon to Ovideo to Santiago so you could try from Leon to Ovideo & over.

 

[Skaisthelimit]

Thanks everyone...

 

[fiona12]

I did Leon to Santiago in Feb 2013 so can't comment on the 'crowds' but it was the perfect distance for 14 days. I also went at short notice, without expectation and hardly planning - except how to get to Leon from Madrid. A couple of days I diverted to the road as the snow was heavy and walking alone, without certainty of the route, would not have been clever. Now I know I have to do the first part.. trying hard to get there for next winter.

I agree with previous comments about not doing Brierley stages. Used that tactic to avoid a rowdy group..

 

[Skaisthelimit]

I even thought about doing the first stage then bussing it to start from Astorga....

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[SoniaK]

I even thought about doing the first stage then bussing it to start from Astorga....

Thanks for the thoughts!

Actually, that's exactly what I was considering doing too. I'm a newbie, though, so I don't know if this is a reasonable idea. Any input from the experienced pilgrims?? With 12-ish days, how far should we go from St. Jean and where should we begin the last stage? And how would we get transportation for the middle part we would be skipping (for now)? Thanks!!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Astorga to Santiago takes twelve days.

 

[SoniaK]

Astorga to Santiago takes twelve days.

Oops, you're right. Sorry about that (see what a newbie I am??) Would it make sense to walk from St. Jean to Puente la Reina and then take a bus (is there a bus?) to someplace that is about 7 or 8 days from Santiago (where would that be?) Maybe this just makes it too complicated?

 

[Mark Lee]

Oops, you're right. Sorry about that (see what a newbie I am??) Would it make sense to walk from St. Jean to Puente la Reina and then take a bus (is there a bus?) to someplace that is about 7 or 8 days from Santiago (where would that be?) Maybe this just makes it too complicated?

Walk from St Jean to Pamplona and from there take a bus to Sarria. Depending on your walking rate, it's on average about 5-6 days from Sarria to Santiago.
cheers

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Maybe this just makes it too complicated?

Keep it simple, I think. It gives you less to worry about. You can start in SJPdP when you have the time (if you still want to after walking the last part of the Camino).

You can get to Astorga on the train or bus.