Hi, tyrrek,
I am sorry I missed you in Santiago. I too have walked from Ourense and think it is a nice alternative "starter", especially with a detour to Oseira. In fact, I walked last time with a 20-something Spanish woman I met in Ourense who was doing just what you suggested, because she didn't want to go to the Frances and had time only for about 100 k. She thought it was a great "first Camino."
Another option would be five days on the Primitivo, starting a bit before Lugo, though the day into Lugo isn't among the most spectacular of Caminos. Norte from Baamonde also qualifies. And, though it's getting crowded, I think the Portugues from Valenca or Tui may actually be the nicest of the 100 km options. Nice towns, good albergues, and there's a donativo option in the monastery in Herbon a few km from Padron which is on my "must visit" list.
So there are lots of non-Frances 100 km options for those who want to walk into Santiago but are put off by the crowds. The "problem" with any 100 km stretch is that by that time the camino families are pretty tight and the person starting out may have trouble connecting. But the woman I met in Ourense who was just starting out is now a close personal friend, and she was welcomed into our little Vdlp group.