Frances (Partial) vs Portugues in October

[goneboating]

Hello! I am planning my first Camino in mid October for ~15 days (unfortunately constrained due to commitments) and am in two minds on doing the Frances 'partially' starting at Leon/Astorga or the Portugues from Porto. Seeking help from this lovely community.

Here are the factors I'm weighing and initial findings:

More important factors to me

Community - favours Frances?
The communal experience with fellow pilgrims is critical for me. Do hope to connect with others who are taking a similar journey. I know Frances is best for this, and wonder if Portugues might be a little empty in October

Length/Completion - favours Portugues?
Given the unfortunately short time window, walking the Portugues will allow me to 'complete' one generally accepted route. Am concerned that if I walk the Frances from Leon/Astorga, I'll regret not having gone for a fuller experience.

Weather - tie up?
Understand it starts to get rainy this time of the year, and Portugues may be slightly rainier but not very different. Appreciate corrections if this is incorrect.


Less important factors to me

Albergues - favours Frances?
Availability is always a plus. Understand Frances has more Albergues, but Portugues also has suffficient numbers. Mid October should hopefully also have lower volumes beyond bed rush.

Infrastructure - favours Frances?
Understand Frances has less road walking and generally more built up infrasturcture


Non-factors

Cost
Coming from far away, so likely similar either way! Need to get ready to pay to get there.

Physical effort
OK for the challenge either way, hopefully no issues given the short timeframe!


Given this, I slightly favour going for the partial Frances at the moment, but I am very mixed on this. Would really appreciate any views from the community! Many many thanks

 

[Bradypus]

Given the unfortunately short time window, walking the Portugues will allow me to 'complete' one generally accepted route.

Starting the Camino Frances in Leon or Astorga is no more or less a "complete" journey than walking the Camino Portugues from Porto. All three places are part way along their respective routes. Personally I would consider any walk from my chosen start point to Santiago as "complete". I've always considered the recognised routes as a convenience for pilgrims to follow if they wish rather than an obligation or restriction.

 

[David Tallan]

While I agree with Bradypus that any starting point is arbitrary (except, perhaps, your front door), I do think there is much more of a sense of "starting in the middle" with joining the Frances in Leon or Astorga vs joining the Portugues in Porto. That's because such a high percentage of pilgrims start in Porto. Starting in Porto instead of Lisbon is like starting in St. Jean Pied de Port instead of Le Puy, numbers wise.

I found there was a fair amount of community on the Portugues from Porto in October (although, to be fair, I walked in the first half of October). For a two week first Camino, I would lean towards the Portugues from Porto, although the Frances from Astorga is certainly not a bad option.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Hello! I am planning my first Camino in mid October for ~15 days (unfortunately constrained due to commitments) and am in two minds on doing the Frances 'partially' starting at Leon/Astorga or the Portugues from Porto. Seeking help from this lovely community.

Here are the factors I'm weighing and initial findings:

More important factors to me

Community - favours Frances?
The communal experience with fellow pilgrims is critical for me. Do hope to connect with others who are taking a similar journey. I know Frances is best for this, and wonder if Portugues might be a little empty in October

Length/Completion - favours Portugues?
Given the unfortunately short time window, walking the Portugues will allow me to 'complete' one generally accepted route. Am concerned that if I walk the Frances from Leon/Astorga, I'll regret not having gone for a fuller experience.

Weather - tie up?
Understand it starts to get rainy this time of the year, and Portugues may be slightly rainier but not very different. Appreciate corrections if this is incorrect.


Less important factors to me

Albergues - favours Frances?
Availability is always a plus. Understand Frances has more Albergues, but Portugues also has suffficient numbers. Mid October should hopefully also have lower volumes beyond bed rush.

Infrastructure - favours Frances?
Understand Frances has less road walking and generally more built up infrasturcture


Non-factors

Cost
Coming from far away, so likely similar either way! Need to get ready to pay to get there.

Physical effort
OK for the challenge either way, hopefully no issues given the short timeframe!


Given this, I slightly favour going for the partial Frances at the moment, but I am very mixed on this. Would really appreciate any views from the community! Many many thanks

I did Porto to Santiago in 2019. I had no accommodation problems. Like most paths it has ups and downs...its hard to make comparisons.. I did notice that on the Portuguese way some of the paths are covered with small cobble stones I found that very hard on the feet, perhaps I need better boots. Many years ago there was a a lot of road walking but things have improved in recent years...

 

[henrythedog]

Neither route is complete or incomplete it’s an irrelevant concept. Both end in Santiago.

I’ve done both (the Frances multiple times) - go from Porto.