Frances or Portugues last 100 in March

[thomasr]

Hi all, I'd like to travel the last 100km over about a week at the start of March.

I was wondering which would be the more scenic and enjoyable route, from Tui or Sarria, in March? I'd like enough infrastructure that its manageable but not huge crowds, would the Sarria route be OK because its off-season? Ideally some historic sites but especially nice views.

I know it will be poor weather but I'm quite fit and have some experience hiking so I'm not averse to a challenge!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bradypus]

For infrastructure the Frances will have the advantage. And you will have more company if you wish that. The Portugues has the advantage of passing through Padron if the historical/mythological aspect of the pilgrimage appeals to you. Having walked both I think that the Frances has the edge scenically though March is about as late in the year as I personally would consider walking it. I don't like crowds Weather? A complete lottery. I have walked the Ingles in January with no more than 20 minutes of drizzle in total and arrived in Santiago with sunburn. I have also been totally drenched on the Frances in August

 

[scruffy1]

Geography? 100k+- from SdC down the Camino Portugués puts you into Tui - not exactly an International Center of Transportation. Sarria is easily reached from many different options. I love the stages from Tui to SdC but arriving to your jumping-off place will be quicker and easier from Sarria.

 

[John H.]

If it is your first Spain walk, I would suggest Sarria. Something suggests to me that you might get a better feel for the bigger experience. Either way, have fun!

 

[David Tallan]

They are both very nice and both have sufficient infrastructure. The route from Sarria will be more crowded. I give a slight edge to Tui.
1) I think the towns/villages you walk through are more interesting: Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis with it's hot springs (or the beautiful scenery of the route of stone and water on the Variante Espiritual if you miss Caldas de Reis), and especially Padrón with its connections to St. James.
2) My recollection is that walking north into Galicia through wine country was nicer on the nose than walking west through cattle country (although, to be honest, I don't remember how much of the cattle country was between O Cebreiro and Sarria as opposed to Sarria and Santiago)
3) This way you will still be able to say you walked across Spain from the border to Santiago .

Really, it is the first reason that is driving the recommendation. Although, if you decide to start in Tui, you might reconsider and start on the other side of the bridge in Valença and experience a bit of Portugal.

Pros for starting in Sarria are experiencing some of the classic Camino moments: the climb up the stairs into Portomarin, with its fortress-like church, and the walk through the arched tunnel past the busking piper into the Plaza Obradoiro in Santiago.

 

[John Coleman]

Hi all, I'd like to travel the last 100km over about a week at the start of March.

I was wondering which would be the more scenic and enjoyable route, from Tui or Sarria, in March? I'd like enough infrastructure that its manageable but not huge crowds, would the Sarria route be OK because its off-season? Ideally some historic sites but especially nice views.

I know it will be poor weather but I'm quite fit and have some experience hiking so I'm not averse to a challenge!

Thanks in advance!

I have walked twice (& a lot longer!). For me, Tui in has less people, scenery brilliant on both have lots of facilities. I’d recommend Tui but both brilliant.