Kevin Considine
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
Sitting by a warm fire in the cozy Leenane Hotel in the heart of Connemara, Ireland, like other Camino veterans lamenting the coming winter I find my mind drifting back to thoughts of another Camino. Which one? An idea arises to share with fellow Camino Junkies looking for another challenge. And also for those who want to earn a single Compostela pondering which Camino to walk.
El Camino De 8 Compostelas- The Way of 8 Certificates.
This Camino is ideal for;
Of course if you have plenty of time the best way to experience the Camino de Santiago is to do so by starting from your home or if that is not possible from the classical beginning points. For example starting Camino Frances 790 kilometers from Santiago in St. Jean Pied de Port or Camino del Norte in Irun 825 kilometers from the Cathedral. The 8 Compostela Camino admittedly requires more planning but not significantly so. This walk requires up to 8 busses but fortunately short journeys of just over 100K from Santiago.
Below I will list the 8 segments of Camino de Ocho Compostelas and provide a brief overview of each:
1- Camino Frances starting in Sarria (117K). This is the most popular and most historical but also the most crowded.
2. Camino del Norte starting from Vilalba(122K) which allows for some quiet walking before connecting with the Camino Frances at Arzua(39K remaining on Frances). Also there is now a shortcut from Boimorto to Lavacolla which limits the walking on Frances to the last 10K. Alternatively to Vilalba one could start in Baamonde but not as accessible.
3. Camino Primitivo starting in Lugo(104k) provides a start in a beautiful city and like del Norte allows for some quiet reflection before connecting with Frances at Melide (55K remaining to Santiago).
4. Camino Ingles/Irish starting in Ferrol (118K) is a great alternative to Frances if you are going to do one short Camino to get a single certificate. This Camino is understandably getting more crowded but quieter than Frances and allows for stops in pleasant towns. Pontedeume is a picturesque coastal town and Betanzos is a nice stop. This walk does not connect with Frances until just a 100 meters or so from the Cathedral.
5. Camino Invierno starting in Monforte de Lemos (133K). If you are seeking solitude this is the best option. I walked this in August, 2019 and saw only 1 other pilgrim until A Laxe where you will connect with Camino Sanabres where you might run into a few more pilgrims for the final 50K.
6. Camino Sanabres starting from Ourense (116K) provides an easy access point and one of the more quiet of these 8 Caminos. If you like a quieter Camino but would like to have some connection with other pilgrims this would be a good alternative.
7. Camino Portuguese starting from Tui (110K) is an excellentoption. This walk is getting more and more popular but certainly less crowded than the Frances. If starting in another country is appealing one needs only to add another 2K and begin across the River Minho in Valenca, Portugal.
8. Camino Finisterre with a starting point in either Finisterre or Muxia (117K). Most people with extra time after a Camino will add a walk on to the edge of the world in either of these 2 beautiful but different coastal towns on the Atlantic. So you will mostly be passing other pilgrims coming from the other direction but why not if you are a contrarian.
In case you are wondering, I have walked all of these Caminos so while this overview reflects my personal opinions all have been enjoyable. There is no right or wrong, good or bad, on the Camino. It is the Camino and your Camino is YOUR Camino. Do what feels best for you.
Buen Camino!
El Camino De 8 Compostelas- The Way of 8 Certificates.
This Camino is ideal for;
- Those people desiring multiple Compostelas can earn up to 8 in just 6 weeks.
- Pilgrims who love Galicia. The entire walk is in this lovely Region.
- Pilgrims whose favorite part of the Camino is walking into Santiago.
Of course if you have plenty of time the best way to experience the Camino de Santiago is to do so by starting from your home or if that is not possible from the classical beginning points. For example starting Camino Frances 790 kilometers from Santiago in St. Jean Pied de Port or Camino del Norte in Irun 825 kilometers from the Cathedral. The 8 Compostela Camino admittedly requires more planning but not significantly so. This walk requires up to 8 busses but fortunately short journeys of just over 100K from Santiago.
Below I will list the 8 segments of Camino de Ocho Compostelas and provide a brief overview of each:
1- Camino Frances starting in Sarria (117K). This is the most popular and most historical but also the most crowded.
2. Camino del Norte starting from Vilalba(122K) which allows for some quiet walking before connecting with the Camino Frances at Arzua(39K remaining on Frances). Also there is now a shortcut from Boimorto to Lavacolla which limits the walking on Frances to the last 10K. Alternatively to Vilalba one could start in Baamonde but not as accessible.
3. Camino Primitivo starting in Lugo(104k) provides a start in a beautiful city and like del Norte allows for some quiet reflection before connecting with Frances at Melide (55K remaining to Santiago).
4. Camino Ingles/Irish starting in Ferrol (118K) is a great alternative to Frances if you are going to do one short Camino to get a single certificate. This Camino is understandably getting more crowded but quieter than Frances and allows for stops in pleasant towns. Pontedeume is a picturesque coastal town and Betanzos is a nice stop. This walk does not connect with Frances until just a 100 meters or so from the Cathedral.
5. Camino Invierno starting in Monforte de Lemos (133K). If you are seeking solitude this is the best option. I walked this in August, 2019 and saw only 1 other pilgrim until A Laxe where you will connect with Camino Sanabres where you might run into a few more pilgrims for the final 50K.
6. Camino Sanabres starting from Ourense (116K) provides an easy access point and one of the more quiet of these 8 Caminos. If you like a quieter Camino but would like to have some connection with other pilgrims this would be a good alternative.
7. Camino Portuguese starting from Tui (110K) is an excellentoption. This walk is getting more and more popular but certainly less crowded than the Frances. If starting in another country is appealing one needs only to add another 2K and begin across the River Minho in Valenca, Portugal.
8. Camino Finisterre with a starting point in either Finisterre or Muxia (117K). Most people with extra time after a Camino will add a walk on to the edge of the world in either of these 2 beautiful but different coastal towns on the Atlantic. So you will mostly be passing other pilgrims coming from the other direction but why not if you are a contrarian.
In case you are wondering, I have walked all of these Caminos so while this overview reflects my personal opinions all have been enjoyable. There is no right or wrong, good or bad, on the Camino. It is the Camino and your Camino is YOUR Camino. Do what feels best for you.
Buen Camino!
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I would never actually walk it either as a single Camino. And it would require standing in line too much as well.
