Barobins
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francés fall/winter 2019
Hi,
I walked the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Finisterre in Nov/Dec 2019. I am now looking into a Spring Camino. Must. Go. Back. I’d love to hear any opinions on the options that I am considering, or anything I have not considered.
What I liked, and what I did not like:
I loved the crazy weather and the amount of pilgrims on the CF in November! I loved walking for hours and only running into a handful of people. I can count on one hand how many times I stayed at a full alburgue. I like to walk about 25km a day (I found 30 to be hard on my joints). I liked not reserving anything (frankly I rarely knew where I would be more than 24 hours in advance).
That being said, the people I did meet were a very important part of my journey, and I would not want to be any more solitary than I was. I dealt well with my social anxiety and introverted personality and I’m excited to try that again.
Then again, I did not like the disrespectful behavior of some of the pilgrims. Speaking with many hospitaleros, I heard some stories that made me understand why some Spaniards living near the Camino do not like the pilgrims. Summer sounds rough to me. But hey, I live in a coastal CA town and I have a hard time with the tourists too!
I had a hard time with pavement, again, hard on the joints and feet.
Anyway, I am considering the CP from Lisbon, the CN/Primitivo, or repeating the CF.
It looks like March/April numbers compare to November numbers (people wise) on the CF?? I am also really interested in the plants, so Spring would be novel. But I was just there!
The Norte/Primitivo appeals to me the most, but could be too uncrowded? The same goes for walking from Lisbon. I also hear the ratio of pavement to dirt goes up on these two. I’m wondering what that means. Starting in Porto sounds like a good option, but I’d like a longer trip.
Are the locals less jaded on the Camino Norte? Does it attract less “party pilgrims”? I am 52, the 20-something crowd could sometimes be trying.
A lot of questions, but any input is welcome.
Thanks so much for reading
Barbara
I walked the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Finisterre in Nov/Dec 2019. I am now looking into a Spring Camino. Must. Go. Back. I’d love to hear any opinions on the options that I am considering, or anything I have not considered.
What I liked, and what I did not like:
I loved the crazy weather and the amount of pilgrims on the CF in November! I loved walking for hours and only running into a handful of people. I can count on one hand how many times I stayed at a full alburgue. I like to walk about 25km a day (I found 30 to be hard on my joints). I liked not reserving anything (frankly I rarely knew where I would be more than 24 hours in advance).
That being said, the people I did meet were a very important part of my journey, and I would not want to be any more solitary than I was. I dealt well with my social anxiety and introverted personality and I’m excited to try that again.
Then again, I did not like the disrespectful behavior of some of the pilgrims. Speaking with many hospitaleros, I heard some stories that made me understand why some Spaniards living near the Camino do not like the pilgrims. Summer sounds rough to me. But hey, I live in a coastal CA town and I have a hard time with the tourists too!
I had a hard time with pavement, again, hard on the joints and feet.
Anyway, I am considering the CP from Lisbon, the CN/Primitivo, or repeating the CF.
It looks like March/April numbers compare to November numbers (people wise) on the CF?? I am also really interested in the plants, so Spring would be novel. But I was just there!
The Norte/Primitivo appeals to me the most, but could be too uncrowded? The same goes for walking from Lisbon. I also hear the ratio of pavement to dirt goes up on these two. I’m wondering what that means. Starting in Porto sounds like a good option, but I’d like a longer trip.
Are the locals less jaded on the Camino Norte? Does it attract less “party pilgrims”? I am 52, the 20-something crowd could sometimes be trying.
A lot of questions, but any input is welcome.
Thanks so much for reading
Barbara