Hi all, I realize since I'm posting this thread on the del Norte thread I might receive some biased comments, but here goes -
I feel the camino calling again, and am trying to decide which route to choose. I've previously walked the Ingles in 2017 and Primitivo last fall (2022), the latter being the most amazing experience ever.
This time, I would like to walk a little longer, but still probably wouldn't be able to manage much more than 3 weeks off work mid Sept to the beginning of Oct.
So basically my question is: Would it be nicer to walk mid-sept-oct from Irun to wherever I can manage on the Norte, or from SJPDP onwards on the Frances?
I'm not fussed about getting to SdC this time, since I've already made the journey twice and expect I'll do it again when I have more time. I did highly enjoy the scenery of the Primitivo and the intimacy of seeing the same people at the end of each day.
On the one hand, I've had the Camino bug for quite a while and have yet to walk the Frances, mostly due to time limitations but also worried about it being too busy and commercialized. I'm more of a quiet type, and do like walking alone sometimes, but also enjoyed having a Camino family so much the last time. Since I'm thinking about mid-September, I'm thinking the Frances might be extremely crowded and that the bed-race will be on.
A side note: a group of Camino friends is considering walking the Frances from March 1st, but I wouldn't be able to join until March 11th, which would mean joining somewhere after Burgos. So I had a thought of maybe walking the first part of the Frances this fall and then joining them when I can for the next part.
This has been a bit of an incoherent post, but if by any chance anyone who has walked the first three weeks of both routes can share from their experience, I'd be highly grateful!
I feel the camino calling again, and am trying to decide which route to choose. I've previously walked the Ingles in 2017 and Primitivo last fall (2022), the latter being the most amazing experience ever.
This time, I would like to walk a little longer, but still probably wouldn't be able to manage much more than 3 weeks off work mid Sept to the beginning of Oct.
So basically my question is: Would it be nicer to walk mid-sept-oct from Irun to wherever I can manage on the Norte, or from SJPDP onwards on the Frances?
I'm not fussed about getting to SdC this time, since I've already made the journey twice and expect I'll do it again when I have more time. I did highly enjoy the scenery of the Primitivo and the intimacy of seeing the same people at the end of each day.
On the one hand, I've had the Camino bug for quite a while and have yet to walk the Frances, mostly due to time limitations but also worried about it being too busy and commercialized. I'm more of a quiet type, and do like walking alone sometimes, but also enjoyed having a Camino family so much the last time. Since I'm thinking about mid-September, I'm thinking the Frances might be extremely crowded and that the bed-race will be on.
A side note: a group of Camino friends is considering walking the Frances from March 1st, but I wouldn't be able to join until March 11th, which would mean joining somewhere after Burgos. So I had a thought of maybe walking the first part of the Frances this fall and then joining them when I can for the next part.
This has been a bit of an incoherent post, but if by any chance anyone who has walked the first three weeks of both routes can share from their experience, I'd be highly grateful!