Best starting point for 1 week visit

[cathyke]

Hi

I have one week to spend walking some of the Camino Frances (including travelling there and back) and would like some advice on which is the best section to do with only a week. I'm going in July, flying from London. Things I'm thinking about:
I've already walked from Astorga to Fisterra and don't really want to do that stretch again
as I've only a week, I don't want to spend ages getting there - so my starting point should be as easily accessible from London as poss
I don't want to do lots of road walking - much prefer quiet paths etc.

Anyone any advice?
Thanks
Cathy

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Cathy

Have you considered the Camino Ingles? You can fly from Heathrow to La Coruna relatively cheaply with Vueling Airlines and start from La Coruna or Ferrol. From Ferrol it's 5 days or so walking, which would hopefully allow for travel time.

The Camino Ingles is quite a different experience from the Frances. JohnnieWalker is the expert and his guide is great. Have a look on the Camino Ingles thread of the forum if you haven't already!

Buen Camino!

 

[pandawalker]

Looking back on my own walk, which was the entire stretch from Saint Jean Pied de Port, I have to say that my favourite part was the first week. Going over the mountains was just beautiful (pick a sunny day for it!), and the hike from Roncesvalles almost the whole way to Pamplona is green and refreshing.

If I had to choose how to spend a week on the camino again, I would do the St Jean - Pamplona bit, slowly.

From England you can easily get to the starting point with a cheap flight to Biarritz, Bilbao or Bordeaux, and then take the train from either place.

Enjoy!

P.

 

[zammy]

Le Puy to spallion in France
from Espallion bus\train to Toulouse

 

[daesdaemar]

I second the recommendation to do the Camino Ingles. It is a very nice walk - I've done it twice, and it allows you to do an "entire" Camino - at least if that idea appeals to you.
Read over the posts in the Camino Ingles portion of this forum.

 

[mmm042]

The Via de la Plata is wonderful, too. I'd recommend the section from Merida to Salamanca, which is very beautiful and includes the Caparra Arch. And both Merida and Salamanca are very beautiful, historic cities. Fly into Madrid, then take the bus to Merida -- it's very easy.

Melanie