Fátima Siblings Near Sainthood as Pope Francis Approves Miracle

Thanks @amorfati! - it is a very interesting article. It will be a great day at Fatima when Pope Francis visits - especially if he announces the canonisation. Cheers

I have read that more than 8 million pilgrims are expected in Fatima this year for the 100th Anniverary.

I am walking the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon starting in September but will be staying on the main route to avoid the crowds. Sometime in the future I will be back there and divert to Fatima when it is quieter.

Any pilgrims on the route going throuh Fatima should expect plenty of company on the 3-4 days prior to the 13th of May.

I lived near Alcanena (20km away from Fátima) and saw that the Santiago route to Fátima tended to be used by the younger pilgrims (scouts and walkers groups) while the majority of the pilgrims take the classic route along the national roads (sometimes alongside fast traffic).
Because this is a special date, considering its the centenary of apparitions, there is papal visit and there is also the canonization of Jacinta and Franciso, even the Santiago route should be filled with walkers.
More info in the english version of the Fátima Shrine website: http://www.fatima.pt/en

Pilgrims crossing the border at Valença will see the border control reinstated from the 10th to the 14th of May. Only 9 points will be allowed terrestrial border crossings. Presumably this means tight control coming into Portugal but not going out.
Not sure what this might mean for those on the Coastal and Interior routes.