Aspireworks
New Member
Hey folks! I really wasn't sure where to post this question, so I've posted it into both the El Camino Frances section, and the El Camino del Norte section -- I hope that is alright!
First off, hi! My name is Connor Drake, and I'm planning my first Camino - Super excited! But I'm a bit stuck when it comes to settling on which camino to take.Both sound excellent, and I'm really torn! This is a difficult question to ask, because there are so many factors to consider.
I'm leaning towards beginning near the start of autumn, and I want a trail that offers some time with other pilgrims, but a fair amount of time to myself.
The Northern Way appeals to me because it tends to follow the coast (which I love), is less crowded, and is more challenging. On the other hand, I'm a bit concerned that I won't get anything but coastal views. I want forests and meadows as well. Will I get that on the Northern Way, or am I just looking at coastlines? (As a side question, I would like to end in Santiago de Compostela - Is that pretty impossible with this route? Or can you follow it further to Santiago?)
The French Way has its appeals and concerns as well, though. That seems to offer a wide range of scenery, but almost no coastlines. From what I read, it tends to be pretty crowded (though I think I'll be lessening that to some degree by going in Autumn). It also seems fairly touristy - More so, at least, than the Northern Way - which is a bit of a turn off for me.
This is a very broad question, I know! It was difficult to put into words, but I hope I've given you some idea of what I'm after! So, the long and short of it, what do you recommend, personally? I'd love to hear your stories, especially if you've traveled both!
First off, hi! My name is Connor Drake, and I'm planning my first Camino - Super excited! But I'm a bit stuck when it comes to settling on which camino to take.Both sound excellent, and I'm really torn! This is a difficult question to ask, because there are so many factors to consider.
I'm leaning towards beginning near the start of autumn, and I want a trail that offers some time with other pilgrims, but a fair amount of time to myself.
The Northern Way appeals to me because it tends to follow the coast (which I love), is less crowded, and is more challenging. On the other hand, I'm a bit concerned that I won't get anything but coastal views. I want forests and meadows as well. Will I get that on the Northern Way, or am I just looking at coastlines? (As a side question, I would like to end in Santiago de Compostela - Is that pretty impossible with this route? Or can you follow it further to Santiago?)
The French Way has its appeals and concerns as well, though. That seems to offer a wide range of scenery, but almost no coastlines. From what I read, it tends to be pretty crowded (though I think I'll be lessening that to some degree by going in Autumn). It also seems fairly touristy - More so, at least, than the Northern Way - which is a bit of a turn off for me.
This is a very broad question, I know! It was difficult to put into words, but I hope I've given you some idea of what I'm after! So, the long and short of it, what do you recommend, personally? I'd love to hear your stories, especially if you've traveled both!