20 Days on El Camino for scenery and introspection. Best Routes?

[hwangdan]

Hello,
I leave for my first Camino in about 5 days and I've been spending quite a bit of time researching the routes. My reasons for doing this pilgrimage is to deal with a lot of emotional turmoil that I've been through recently. Thus, though I do love meeting people, I feel as though I won't be able to fully work through these things if I was constantly meeting people.

My original plan was to do the Camino Frances from Burgos to Santiago, but with reading posts about how crowded it can be this time of year, it kind of turns me off from that plan. It would be cool to do the most popular route across Spain, but I don't know if that's worth bumping shoulders on the roads and walking next to big highways.

I've been reading that Camino Primitivo is a lot less crowded and very beautiful. So I was considering starting in Leon, walking up to Oviedo and heading to Santiago from there? Any thought or other recommendations?

 

[hel&scott]

Lots of options, but with 5 days to make the call don't over think it too much. As much as i love isolated walking, it's not always the best for your mental health. If you only have 20 days and concern is over crowding, pick a route and section where you don't end up on the last 110 to Santiago, how about some starting in Le Puy and ending in St Jean pp. Or the Portuguese walk, Vdp to hot to contemplate in August. I hope you find your own way.

 

[KinkyOne]

Hello,
I leave for my first Camino in about 5 days and I've been spending quite a bit of time researching the routes. My reasons for doing this pilgrimage is to deal with a lot of emotional turmoil that I've been through recently. Thus, though I do love meeting people, I feel as though I won't be able to fully work through these things if I was constantly meeting people.

My original plan was to do the Camino Frances from Burgos to Santiago, but with reading posts about how crowded it can be this time of year, it kind of turns me off from that plan. It would be cool to do the most popular route across Spain, but I don't know if that's worth bumping shoulders on the roads and walking next to big highways.

I've been reading that Camino Primitivo is a lot less crowded and very beautiful. So I was considering starting in Leon, walking up to Oviedo and heading to Santiago from there? Any thought or other recommendations?

Hi, hwangdan,

Exactly what I thought about Salvador & Primitivo start reading your post.
Other options could be:
- Camino Ingles with epilogue to Fisterra and Muxia (or vice versa),
- Invierno with above mentioned epilogue,
- Portugues from Porto with epilogue or start few stages before Porto,
- Sanabres with starting point in Zamora on Via de la Plata.

All these are less than 20 days walking so you would have some spare days to enjoy either Santiago or the Atlantic coast in Fisterra/Muxia.

Buen Camino!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Via de la Plata is going to be super hot in 5 days. The Primtivo is apparently quite busy in the albegues: is that ok? Walk alone, spend the night in company.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I've seen a post recently that said that the primativo was not recommended for first timers.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I've seen a post recently that said that the primativo was not recommended for first timers.

Why would that be? I met many for whom it was their first, and not their last.

Many comments about prefering the Frances as a first, I think, are based on the idea that people want short days, lots of cafes con leche and a whole lot of socialisation.

But those people quickly come back and walk super quiet Caminos.

I guess constant chatter is not the only thing someone considering a C. is looking for. It may be, but it may not.

In fact, met quite a few people this spring for whom VDLP was their first.

 

[nycwalking]

Sometimes you can be alone in a crowd. If you wish that's how CF can play out. You can amble solo, say hi here and there or abandon solitude if you find a camino family. CF is just the perfect road for so many reasons.
Ciao.

 

[giorgio]

Based on my experience woud recommend Camino de Madrid . Magnificent scenery ,few pilgrims along the route and super infrastructure. Check the thread about it on the sections Caminos not ending in SDC , plenty of good infos there.

 

[christy wharton]

Hello,
I leave for my first Camino in about 5 days and I've been spending quite a bit of time researching the routes. My reasons for doing this pilgrimage is to deal with a lot of emotional turmoil that I've been through recently. Thus, though I do love meeting people, I feel as though I won't be able to fully work through these things if I was constantly meeting people.

My original plan was to do the Camino Frances from Burgos to Santiago, but with reading posts about how crowded it can be this time of year, it kind of turns me off from that plan. It would be cool to do the most popular route across Spain, but I don't know if that's worth bumping shoulders on the roads and walking next to big highways.

I've been reading that Camino Primitivo is a lot less crowded and very beautiful. So I was considering starting in Leon, walking up to Oviedo and heading to Santiago from there? Any thought or other recommendations?

Hi, the Caminos mentioned in your last paragraph would be very suitable. The 20 days would suit these. They are quieter and more varied and challenging but beautiful. Be realistic on the length of stages in the heat and inclines. You will join the Frances only for the last 2 days and so avoid the large schoolgroups etc. and tours this time of year on the Frances. Buen Camino

 

[eviemonkey]

Hello,
I leave for my first Camino in about 5 days and I've been spending quite a bit of time researching the routes. My reasons for doing this pilgrimage is to deal with a lot of emotional turmoil that I've been through recently. Thus, though I do love meeting people, I feel as though I won't be able to fully work through these things if I was constantly meeting people.

My original plan was to do the Camino Frances from Burgos to Santiago, but with reading posts about how crowded it can be this time of year, it kind of turns me off from that plan. It would be cool to do the most popular route across Spain, but I don't know if that's worth bumping shoulders on the roads and walking next to big highways.

I've been reading that Camino Primitivo is a lot less crowded and very beautiful. So I was considering starting in Leon, walking up to Oviedo and heading to Santiago from there? Any thought or other recommendations?

I'd stick to your original plan to be honest, Burgos to Santiago. That stretch of the Frances seems to tick the boxes you mention.

After Burgos, the Meseta will provide all the introspective opportunities and solitude anyone could wish for. The Meseta isn't the easiest introduction to the Camino, and isn't for everyone, but maybe that is exactly what you need right now, to be taken out of your comfort zone a little? Later on, once you've found your feet so to speak, the provinces of Leon and Galicia will provide the scenery. Charming towns, sweeping mountains, woodlands, forests and fertile green countryside until you reach Santiago.

I walked this time last summer and only really noticed the crowds, a couple of days before Santiago. Before that, if you want to meet people, they will be there for you on the Frances. If you don't, you can still have all the 'alone time' you need. Ideally, you may find a happy combination of walking alone and socializing later on in the albergues as you recognize familiar faces. Those meaningful connections you make in the evening may turn out to be the best antidote you need at present. I wish you well.

 

[hel&scott]

Sound advice above.

 

[Carol_Anne]

For beauty, the Northern Way to Bilbao.. Arduous, but flipping gorgeous. Gernika is so relevant. The Roman roads, the Basque people, amazing food, the ocean, small basque towns, sites used to film GoT. Not as many churches, very few pilgrims. Adequate number of pilgrim hostels. Take the train to Irun, start walking.

 

[KinkyOne]

For beauty, the Northern Way to Bilbao.. Arduous, but flipping gorgeous. Gernika is so relevant. The Roman roads, the Basque people, amazing food, the ocean, small basque towns, sites used to film GoT. Not as many churches, very few pilgrims. Adequate number of pilgrim hostels. Take the train to Irun, start walking.

Nice that you contribute but the last post in this thread was from Aug 1st 2017, more than a year ago

 

[Carol_Anne]

I often read old posts and find them very helpful. When I plan a Camino, I never restrict myself to only new posts. Every Camino has a lesson, and Pilgrims who share those lessons are helpful. For over 1000 years this journey has impacted lives, why do you worry about something in 2017?

 

[KinkyOne]

I often read old posts and find them very helpful. When I plan a Camino, I never restrict myself to only new posts. Every Camino has a lesson, and Pilgrims who share those lessons are helpful. For over 1000 years this journey has impacted lives, why do you worry about something in 2017?

I understand.
Thought that you were replying directly to the OP. Happened many times