200km of the Camino Del Norte/Frances

[Calkrizz]

Hello all,

I'd love to complete the full camino Frances or camino del norte but unfortunately I have a young family and a business to run which pains me. I have managed to free up 8 days where I will be traveling over and covering 200km in an ideal world in May.

Can anyone give me any advice, tips or hints on where to start the walk, which camino will have the most scenery and which will have the best opportunity to sink a few lagers down on the way.

Appreciate your help and comments in advance. Please be as critical as you can as I don't get many of these trips away and it's something I hope will be perfect

 

[Dorpie]

Welcome @Calkrizz

A couple of questions to help us to help you- Do you want to get a compostela? What kind of scenery do you like?

Flying from Manchester is a bit of a pain as there are no direct flights to Santiago de Compostela or anywhere near the popular start point for the Frances of St Jean Pied De Port. You could however fly into Bilbao and walk the Norte from there, though you would still have to work out a return flight. Might be worth joining the Facebook group "Ultreia Mancunia" to get some advice on what sections of Camino are easiest to get to and from.

In terms of being sociable and enjoying a cerveza or two the Frances is your best bet. I'd either start from somewhere like Astorga and walk to Santiago or start somewhere a little closer to Santiago like Samos (or if you stretch your walk a little O Cebreiro) walk through Santiago and on to the coast at Finisterre.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[amancio]

8 days would be PERFECT for Camino de Invierno, stunning landscape, a bit lonely at times, but unique landscapes too. You can fly to Madrid, then train to Ponferrada, and then fly back to England from Santiago.
Else, you can to Ribadeo-Santiago in Norte, or Ponferrada-Santiago in Francés. You shall not be short of beer chances, even wine chances!