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Personally, I would probably choose the Portuguese, mostly because the Francés from Astorga is 'incomplete'. Without getting into the debate of what constitutes a complete camino (if such a thing exists), if you do the Francés from Astorga and then get the camino bug, you might be left with a bit of an awkward decision subsequently - i.e. whether to do the first part of the Francés and stop at Astorga, or do it all and repeat the Astorga-SdC part. The Portugues from Porto is not exactly complete either (as the CP starts in Lisbon), but most people start in Porto so it has the feel of a complete camino, whereas starting the CF in Astorga, you would have the feeling of joining mid-stream.
If I had asked this question then I would say @jungleboy answered it for me. Start in Porto.I have decided to either begin in Porto and end in Santiago or begin in Astorga to end in Santiago.
Hey everyone, I hope you’re well.
I am new to this website (this being my very first post).
I am planning my first camino and would like make the best options for my camino as a solo traveller (30 yr old woman). I plan to go the last two weeks of April: 16-28th.
I have decided to either begin in Porto and end in Santiago or begin in Astorga to end in Santiago.
I am gluten free due to having celiac disease, do any of you have any recommendations for which way will be best for my dietary needs? I am a fairly fit person, I am active and work out 3-4 times a week wether it be weight training or yoga
I have done some research and have planned out:
Camino Frances:
Astorga to Santiago de Compostela:
267 km (166 mi), 11 days, 24 km (15 mi) / day
_____
Camino Portuguese:
Porto to Santiago de Compostela: MOST POPULAR
221 km (137 mi), 10 days, 22 km (13.5 mi) / day
If you have any tips or recommendations please let me know. Thank you!
Cheers!
Ginelle
Best of luck in May!This is a super helpful summary to keep in mind - is it strange that I haven't even done my first Camino yet (will be walking the CF from SJPP starting May 6) and I'm already considering options for my second?
Welcome @Gii and Buen Camino!
Thank you for all the information, I appreciate it!Best of luck with your camino. Regarding your two options, you can't really go wrong. Both offer excellent infrastructure (accommodation, eating options, way-marking etc) and the chance to meet other pilgrims, although in Covid times this is a bit more complicated.
Personally, I would probably choose the Portuguese, mostly because the Francés from Astorga is 'incomplete'. Without getting into the debate of what constitutes a complete camino (if such a thing exists), if you do the Francés from Astorga and then get the camino bug, you might be left with a bit of an awkward decision subsequently - i.e. whether to do the first part of the Francés and stop at Astorga, or do it all and repeat the Astorga-SdC part. The Portugues from Porto is not exactly complete either (as the CP starts in Lisbon), but most people start in Porto so it has the feel of a complete camino, whereas starting the CF in Astorga, you would have the feeling of joining mid-stream.
Another consideration is the option of the central vs coastal route from Porto. If walking on the coast for a few days appeals to you, then that is something the CP offers that the CF does not. Or if the coast doesn't inspire you, the central route is a more historic path with plenty of highlights. There are several possibilities for rejoining the central from the coastal and regardless of which one you take, the Variante Espiritual towards the end is highly recommended.
The CP also gives you the chance to walk in two countries, although northern Portugal and Galicia have much in common so you wouldn't note as many differences in culture, architecture etc as you would if, say, you spent a few days in Madrid and then a few days in Lisbon.
Good luck and buen camino!
I didn’t really it was Easter until after I had selected my vacation dates. Thank you for the tips!My first Camino was from Astorga to Santiago, and I thought it was a great choice. I have been back since to walk from SJPP, and points between, and haven't been disappointed!
Are you aware that your first few days are at the end of the very busy Easter Week? You should probably line up accommodation in advance for the nights of April 16 and 17.
I would advise allowing an extra day for the walking, and an extra day in Santiago if you can.
As @jungleboy said, there is no wrong choice here.
Excellent! Thank youAs @jungleboy says the advantage of the walk from Porto is that feels more like a "complete" Camino, especially since most of the pilgrims that you meet will have just started too. The other big advantage that Porto has is the ease of getting to your starting point, since you can fly right into Porto and start the next day if you want without having to take trains and/or buses to get to your starting point.
This makes a lot of sense. I am active but I have never done that many kms in consecutive days. Thank you!They are both excellent choices. I would probably go with Porto for a first Camino of that duration because it has a little more of a time cushion being a bit shorter Camino. You may find you won't like to walk quite as far in a day as you think you will. For example, my son's feet really blistered with successive days of 25km+ but didn't when we dropped down to 20-25km on the Frances. When I walked from Porto, I ended up doing it in 13 days, occasionally preferring two shorter days to one longer one. If you find that you arrive in Santiago with time to spare there is plenty to see or you could consider walking on to Finisterre and/or Muxia.
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