First camino - 12 days in August - your opinion please!

[mira17]

Hello All,

My partner and I would like to walk part of the Camino for the first time over 12 days this August. We have been looking over this forum for several weeks, reading lots of wonderful posts and information, but now we seem to be unsure about which path to choose!!

We are very interested in the Santiago to Finisterre walk, so for that reason thought to combine it with about 7 days of walking leading to Santiago. Since some of the paths join the Camino Frances in the end, which we understand will be very crowded in August, we thought of starting with either the last bit of Via de la Plata (starting before Ourense) or the Camino Ingles.

It is difficult to know which to choose....we are both contemplative people and hoping for inspiring scenery and simplicity. We are both in good physical shape however will not have had much time to train for very long walking prior to our journey (so unsure about some very long days I saw as part of the Camino Ingles itinerary). I've also read about very hot August days on VdlP and wondering about that.

Thank you very much for your input! I'll also post this in the Camino Ingles section for feedback.

Cheers,
Mira

 

[Hanne]

Hello All,

My partner and I would like to walk part of the Camino for the first time over 12 days this August. We have been looking over this forum for several weeks, reading lots of wonderful posts and information, but now we seem to be unsure about which path to choose!!

We are very interested in the Santiago to Finisterre walk, so for that reason thought to combine it with about 7 days of walking leading to Santiago. Since some of the paths join the Camino Frances in the end, which we understand will be very crowded in August, we thought of starting with either the last bit of Via de la Plata (starting before Ourense) or the Camino Ingles.

It is difficult to know which to choose....we are both contemplative people and hoping for inspiring scenery and simplicity. We are both in good physical shape however will not have had much time to train for very long walking prior to our journey (so unsure about some very long days I saw as part of the Camino Ingles itinerary). I've also read about very hot August days on VdlP and wondering about that.

Thank you very much for your input! I'll also post this in the Camino Ingles section for feedback.

Cheers,
Mira

Hi Mira,
Go for Camino Portugués: Start the camino in Barcelos i Portugal (8 days walk from SdC), then Camino Finesterre&Muxía (4 days walk). Don't miss the last days walk to Muxía. There are buses back to SdC in the afternoon and in the morning.
There are also buses from SdC to Porto in Portugal. Remember the time-differens, when you pass the borderbridge just before Tui in Spain. You loose 1 hour walking North
Camino Portugués has the best entrance to Santiago through villages and parks.
Buen Camino !
Hanne

 

[LauraK]

I walked the VdlP in March. I really enjoyed the walk from Orense to Santiago. I am sure it will be less crowded that the CF. Pretty farm land and lots of rolling hills and valleys. Nice hospitaleros in the albergues. A beautiful view of the cathedral as you enter Santiago - much better than the CF. You don't have the long walk by the airport and through the city as you do on the CF. Orense is 4-5 days out so you could start in Laza or A Gudina. The hot weather you heard about occurs farther south on the VdlP. Once in Galicia, the weather is similar to the CF and Ingles. Make sure you have at least a day or two in Santiago. Great restaurants, Pilgrims museum, tour the Cathedral and seeing fellow Pilgrims! Hope this helps.