I am planning to start the
Camino Frances in early September but am really concerned about the crowds that I keep reading about. That's not what I expected, but with the increased popularity of the Camino I guess I'm not surprised. Peace, solitude, and reflection -- not compatible with the masses and trying to hunt down a bed. So I'm thinking about taking a different route. I'm flying to Paris from the US and currently have reservations to Biarritz/SJPP but I'll change or cancel that if necessary. I think the Norte might be too difficult for me. Please, what do you recommend?
Hi
@Evvie Even crowded the CF is a great first Camino.
I've done it 2 and a bit times, and only venturing on to a different one next year.
There is crowded and crowded. It's not like walking down the main street of a city crowded.
We've had hours without seeing another pilgrim, and other days there might be 10 within sight.
And even crowded, the last 100 kms from Sarria is somewhat special I think.
You start to lean a few tricks if you want to avoid the crowds.
Start earlier or later in the day.
Walk for more hours. Many people stop at 12-2 pm to get the Albergue beds.
We walk till 4 or 5 pm, as we start later, about 9 am. The afternoons are often deserted on the trail.
(we book 1 day ahead so we are not rushing for a bed)
Then avoid the end stages shown in the guidebooks.
These are arbitrary stages based on the average distance the author believes people might want to walk.
If you are not 'average' like most of us aren't, then you'll adapt your daily distances anyway.