4-5 days route in April?

[Roi]

Hello expert pilgrims and future pilgrims!

I'm looking for a 4- 5 day stretch along the Camino to explore in early to mid April 2016, and would highly appreciate suggestions!

My main preferences:
- natural scenery preferred over urban and asphalt roads
- fairly comfortable access to beginning and ending points
- april weather permitting
- I'm relatively fit so physical challenges are more than welcome
- well-marked

Muchas Gracias y Buen Camino !

 

[julia-t]

Based on my own experiences of a 5-day walk last September, I would start in Saint Jean Pied de Port. You will have (weather permitting) the challenge of crossing the Pyrenees, wonderful scenery along the way to Pamplona (take the riverside walk in rather than the road), another challenge climbing Alto de Perdon, and reaching the bridge at Puenta la Reina. You may even be able to get as far as Estella or even further depending on your pace and fitness.

I managed 100km in 5 days, as far as Puente la Reina. I stayed at Refuge Orisson so only walked/climbed 8km the first day.

I am returning at the end of April to continue for another 5 days, hoping to reach Logrono. And planning for another few days in September.

Buen Camino, wherever you start you will have an amazing experience.

 

[Roi]

Hi Julia, thank you for the great info!
I'm concerned about the Napoleon Route being closed down due to weather in early to mid April.. Do you think having to use Valcarlos would still be worth it?

If you have an alternative that is less weather-dependent, I'd really love to hear it!

Thanks so much

 

[julia-t]

If the Napoleon route is closed, then all pilgrims will be walking the Valcarlos route (or they should be if not idiots), so you'll still have company and be able to share the experience with others. While it's good to walk alone sometimes, it's a wonderful part of the whole Camino experience to meet fellow souls.

I've not walked via Valcarlos, but I read many positive reports here and on various Camino facebook groups, so try searching this forum. In fact, there's a current thread - How Steep is Steep - where someone has posted graphs of the inclines on both routes crossing the Pyrenees. There's a pretty challenging climb before you get to Roncesvalles.

Or you could start at Roncesvalles. You still get to climb Alto del Erro with the subsequent descent to Zubiri, and Alto del Perdon after Pamplona.

I'm sure that as more forum members from across the different time zones log on, they will add their own suggestions for your 4-5 days.

 

[VNwalking]

If you want natural and challenging, julia-t's suggestion is a great one. And the Valcarlos route is gorgeous, not without a good stiff climb. After Pamplona the landscape is mostly pastoral, with options that take you into more natural places.
Other 4-5 day possibilities are:
Logrono to Burgos. Lovely small villages and lots of nature. And easy to access on both ends.
Astorga to Triacastella. Over the mountains into the Bierzo and after one flat day again up and down into Galicia. Plenty of nature, and bus access in Triacastella. Train and bus access in nearby Sarria.
Villafranca to Portomarin. Green and plenty of ups and downs. Weather could be interesting in Galicia.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Hello expert pilgrims and future pilgrims!

I'm looking for a 4- 5 day stretch along the Camino to explore in early to mid April 2016, and would highly appreciate suggestions!

My main preferences:
- natural scenery preferred over urban and asphalt roads
- fairly comfortable access to beginning and ending points
- april weather permitting
- I'm relatively fit so physical challenges are more than welcome
- well-marked

Muchas Gracias y Buen Camino !

The English from Ferrol or A Coruna or the Portuguese from Tui. All doable in 4 to 5 days. Buen Camino

 

[SabsP]

The Ingles from Ferrol to SdC.
The Portugues from Valenca/ Tui if ending in SdC is important for you in order to receive the Compostela.
Or the Epilogue from SdC to Fisterra.

All of them very well marked.