braindancer
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2024
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It won´t be as hot in May as it is later in the year, and as you head north you are heading away from the heat. There won´t be that many people either, the Norte is along a popular holiday coast, by the way. The VdlP is actually probably a much older route and pre-dates Christianity let alone pilgrimage by at least centuries - it was a Neolithic drove route for livestock. If you followed the CF, you wouldn´t recognise so many places as they jumbled up the sequences, even used locations not on the camino at all. And remember that whichever route you use to arrive in Santiago, you can still follow ´The Way´ by walking to Fisterra and Muxia.3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
I think for your first Camino, the Frances will give you the best experience. Although you might see more people, it’s surprising how walkers spread out during the walking day, especially at the speed you’ll be walking. There’s also the Meseta on the Frances which offers tranquility and plenty of space. Not to be missed from my experience. I walked the del Norte last September and whilst it is beautiful and a bit more physically challenging in parts, particularly the beginning, it didn’t feel quite as good to me. So, the CF gets my vote.Hello! Newbie here. I've been searching/reading for a while, and it's been incredibly helpful. However, I am still torn between several route options, and would appreciate opinions, suggestions, adviceI'll lay out my situation in some detail - hope it will help you help me. Thank you!
Who am I: 41 y/o male, living in California. Very fit (literally ran 7 marathons in the past 7 weeks). Have solid experience hiking, backpacking and light mountaineering. Have all my outdoor gear and know how to use it. Atheist. Introvert. Rudimentary Spanish ("agua por favor").
Motivation for doing Camino: 2 reasons.
1) As for many here, it started with the movie The Way. I watched it back in 2011 with my father, and we both liked it a lot. I thought about maybe doing it someday. Fast forward to 2020, and my father passed away suddenly. Somehow the whole thing with the movie character carrying his son's ashes spoke to me. I did a "virtual Camino" (covered the same distance on home trails while marking progress on the CF map) that same year, in my father's honor. It was meaningful, but I still feel that closing this "loop" and doing the actual route would be important. (No, I don't have his ashes.)
2) I am taking a break from working like a dog for 15+ years, and want to use this time to think about what I want to do next. A long scenic solo walk seems like a good way to do some housekeeping in my head.
Note: starting at "the start" and finishing at "the finish" is important for me. Religious/spiritual aspects are not. I'll get the Compostela as a badge of completion, but that's it.
Schedule constraints: I am planning to start in early May (can probably go as early as May 1 if I need to). I have all of May to get it done. Given that I am planning to cover 40+ km per day, any route should be doable. Ideally, I'd like to bake in 3-4 zero days in important/interesting locations to explore them.
With these inputs, I think I narrowed down my options to 3:
1. Camino Frances. Pros: this is the "movie route", so the closure will be most complete, plus I can probably relate to some locations from the movie. Cons: it's crowded, and especially so in May. I am really not a crowd person. I want to be able to think, zone out, meditate. Occasional human interaction is great, I'm not a sociopath, but when I read about "conga lines", I shudder.
2. Camino del Norte. Pros: not crowded, very beautiful. Cons: lots of pavement (I can handle it but don't love it). Not "the" route. (Yes, yes, I know, there's no such thing...)
3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
So, here I amWhat should I do? What am I missing? Thank you for any tips!
Really? its been quite a while since I jumped on NY subway but I can still do it for $3.00 or should we ajust for inflation?@lt56ny Just my opinion and as we say in New York, my opinion and 3 bucks will get you on the subway.
You don't have to stay on places that accept luggage. There are many that don't although they usually are also non-reservable and or don't have private rooms. It is indeed a busy route, but I still find it pleasant.I found the number of pilgrims on the CF in May 2023 not as disturbing as the quality of pilgrims. SO many tour groups, hopping in and out of vans (90% of the CF can be done in a car), large suitcases clogging every hostel entryway, very loud cyclists, and these tour pilgrims only talking to each other. So, IMO there are crowds and there are crowds.
I found the number of pilgrims on the CF in May 2023 not as disturbing as the quality of pilgrims. SO many tour groups, hopping in and out of vans (90% of the CF can be done in a car), large suitcases clogging every hostel entryway, very loud cyclists, and these tour pilgrims only talking to each other. So, IMO there are crowds and there are crowds.
I found the CF too crowded and changed over to the Sanabres in Burgos. It is not so much that I am looking for solitude, in fact I like the feeling of being part of a community ( mainly in the evening, walking alone I like). It seems like a paradox but despite the fact that you meet many people on the road, I did not get the feeling of a community. When you arrive in a town there are so many places to sleep and to eat that people disperse over many localities. You meet new people everyday. It feels like " loose sand", for a rather introvert person like me it is not so easy to make "lasting" contacts in such circumstances. When I walked the Sanabres ( and other caminos) you see and meet far less people. You see most of them practically everyday and I like that much moreI, too, lean towards the Frances as a recommendation. It is the archetypical Camino and the one most supportive for first-time pilgrims. It seems the one that best fits your impetus for walking a Camino.
Many (and it sounds like you are one of that number) are concerned about the numbers of pilgrims on the Camino. And I will admit that the beginning of May is one of the busiest times for those leaving from St> Jean Pied de Port on the Frances, as I expect you will want to do. But I will counter that worry with two statements. One is that, in my recent experience, solitude isn't too hard to come by if you really want it, even on the most crowded section of the Frances at the busiest time of year. The other is that I wouldn't rule out the possibility that you may come to appreciate and seek out the presence of other pilgrims and pilgrim community, rather than always seeking solitude, when you actually find yourself on Camino. Many find other pilgrims and the pilgrim community one of the most valuable aspects of their journey.
You also talk about seeking scenic beauty. And, having walked the Salvador and Primitivo routes last year, I can't deny that other routes have it in abundance. But the Frances has its share of scenic beauty as well: whether it is the mountains at the beginning or later by O Cebreiro, or the endless fields of wheat and poppies and sunflowers, or the rolling hills of vineyards or the many other forms of scenery available.
I am both a hiker and a walker and this distinction played a huge role in how my first Camino (May-June 2023) evolved.
I have done a lot of solo and not-solo backpacking in various US locations. I love it. But I also walk a lot just around town. I love solitude. I knew that the Caminos are ancient pilgrimage paths, but also that some are more remote and mountainous than others. So (using lots of resources on this forum and with help from many here) I decided to walk from Logroño to León on the CF and then take the San Salvador to Oviedo and then the Primitivo to Santiago. Solitude and mountains, that was my plan! Early in my journey, I even met two other solo female pilgrims with the same plan. I was vindicated!
I soon discovered that in order to make my plan work and reach Santiago with time to continue to Muxia, I needed to keep the pace, but I found that I wasn't taking as much time as I really wanted to take pictures of flowers (I'm a retired botanist) or just sit in a bar and watch the pilgrims go by.
Then, in Sahagún, at Albergue de la Santa Cruz, I was attending a mass in English (my Spanish is good enough to catch the gist of a homily but not the details) and the priest said "The Camino is a pilgrimage, not a hike." His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was trying to make my Camino into a hike. I was trying to convince myself that the lesser-trod paths with lots of elevation and solitude were preferable to the most popular, well-traveled, well-accommodated CF.
And even though I had previously told many people that the CF was not the way for me, I changed my plans, and continued on the CF.
By not taking the other route, I had plenty of time to slow my pace, take short days, and enjoy the long Spanish afternoons writing in my journal and watching the world go by. And I found so. much solitude. Except for the few days after Sarria. And even then, much of most days, I was able to see no one ahead and no one behind me. I walked into Santiago about ten a.m. and there were only three other pilgrims in sight!
So for me, there is a real distinction between hiking and walking. I allowed the Camino to show me how to let it all unfold and let go of my preconceived plans, and that has made all the difference.
Sounds good. Since you’re already super-fit hit Duolingo for more Spanish prep. Every bit helps and is appreciated.Thanks a lot everyone for sharing your thoughts! I will keep reading and researching but so far it seems that CF is most likely the right thing to do. Mostly because it is most likely to give me the feeling of "having done the Camino". I am not looking forward to the conga lines, but as someone pointed out, if I move fast, I can lose anyone I don't want to interact with.
...and if it turns out to be too easy, I'll come back next year and do a harder one
The "conga line" description is really overblown. Sure, you might encounter large groups walking together that resemble a conga line, but I wouldn't say that it's the norm.I am not looking forward to the conga lines, but as someone pointed out, if I move fast, I can lose anyone I don't want to interact with.
The "conga line" description is really overblown. Sure, you might encounter large groups walking together that resemble a conga line, but I wouldn't say that it's the norm.
Conga line. Four full Camino Frances during prime time, and I've yet to see one.
Starting early may on Frances shoulnt be that crowded. Always start at beginning of any Camino mid week to avoid the european walkers who often take a weeks hol. Fly in Friday or sat and start immediately. They often start at the big cities etc. Mid week u avoid them and less of a bed rush. Enjoy bon camino.Hello! Newbie here. I've been searching/reading for a while, and it's been incredibly helpful. However, I am still torn between several route options, and would appreciate opinions, suggestions, adviceI'll lay out my situation in some detail - hope it will help you help me. Thank you!
Who am I: 41 y/o male, living in California. Very fit (literally ran 7 marathons in the past 7 weeks). Have solid experience hiking, backpacking and light mountaineering. Have all my outdoor gear and know how to use it. Atheist. Introvert. Rudimentary Spanish ("agua por favor").
Motivation for doing Camino: 2 reasons.
1) As for many here, it started with the movie The Way. I watched it back in 2011 with my father, and we both liked it a lot. I thought about maybe doing it someday. Fast forward to 2020, and my father passed away suddenly. Somehow the whole thing with the movie character carrying his son's ashes spoke to me. I did a "virtual Camino" (covered the same distance on home trails while marking progress on the CF map) that same year, in my father's honor. It was meaningful, but I still feel that closing this "loop" and doing the actual route would be important. (No, I don't have his ashes.)
2) I am taking a break from working like a dog for 15+ years, and want to use this time to think about what I want to do next. A long scenic solo walk seems like a good way to do some housekeeping in my head.
Note: starting at "the start" and finishing at "the finish" is important for me. Religious/spiritual aspects are not. I'll get the Compostela as a badge of completion, but that's it.
Schedule constraints: I am planning to start in early May (can probably go as early as May 1 if I need to). I have all of May to get it done. Given that I am planning to cover 40+ km per day, any route should be doable. Ideally, I'd like to bake in 3-4 zero days in important/interesting locations to explore them.
With these inputs, I think I narrowed down my options to 3:
1. Camino Frances. Pros: this is the "movie route", so the closure will be most complete, plus I can probably relate to some locations from the movie. Cons: it's crowded, and especially so in May. I am really not a crowd person. I want to be able to think, zone out, meditate. Occasional human interaction is great, I'm not a sociopath, but when I read about "conga lines", I shudder.
2. Camino del Norte. Pros: not crowded, very beautiful. Cons: lots of pavement (I can handle it but don't love it). Not "the" route. (Yes, yes, I know, there's no such thing...)
3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
So, here I amWhat should I do? What am I missing? Thank you for any tips!
The other is that I wouldn't rule out the possibility that you may come to appreciate and seek out the presence of other pilgrims and pilgrim community, rather than always seeking solitude, when you actually find yourself on Camino. Many find other pilgrims and the pilgrim community one of the most valuable aspects of their journey.
Actually, the first weeks of May (and September too) are some of the busiest for pilgrims starting from SJPdP. Every year there are reports of pilgrims not finding beds in Roncesvalles, Zubiri, etc.Starting early may on Frances shoulnt be that crowded
It depends on where you start. It is one of the busiest times for departures from St. Jean Pied de Port, although it thins out somewhat after Pamplona. But even there, strategies exist for avoiding overcrowding.Starting early may on Frances shoulnt be that crowded.
Like many of us you want to know what you need to know before you need to know itHello! Newbie here. I've been searching/reading for a while, and it's been incredibly helpful. However, I am still torn between several route options, and would appreciate opinions, suggestions, adviceI'll lay out my situation in some detail - hope it will help you help me. Thank you!
Who am I: 41 y/o male, living in California. Very fit (literally ran 7 marathons in the past 7 weeks). Have solid experience hiking, backpacking and light mountaineering. Have all my outdoor gear and know how to use it. Atheist. Introvert. Rudimentary Spanish ("agua por favor").
Motivation for doing Camino: 2 reasons.
1) As for many here, it started with the movie The Way. I watched it back in 2011 with my father, and we both liked it a lot. I thought about maybe doing it someday. Fast forward to 2020, and my father passed away suddenly. Somehow the whole thing with the movie character carrying his son's ashes spoke to me. I did a "virtual Camino" (covered the same distance on home trails while marking progress on the CF map) that same year, in my father's honor. It was meaningful, but I still feel that closing this "loop" and doing the actual route would be important. (No, I don't have his ashes.)
2) I am taking a break from working like a dog for 15+ years, and want to use this time to think about what I want to do next. A long scenic solo walk seems like a good way to do some housekeeping in my head.
Note: starting at "the start" and finishing at "the finish" is important for me. Religious/spiritual aspects are not. I'll get the Compostela as a badge of completion, but that's it.
Schedule constraints: I am planning to start in early May (can probably go as early as May 1 if I need to). I have all of May to get it done. Given that I am planning to cover 40+ km per day, any route should be doable. Ideally, I'd like to bake in 3-4 zero days in important/interesting locations to explore them.
With these inputs, I think I narrowed down my options to 3:
1. Camino Frances. Pros: this is the "movie route", so the closure will be most complete, plus I can probably relate to some locations from the movie. Cons: it's crowded, and especially so in May. I am really not a crowd person. I want to be able to think, zone out, meditate. Occasional human interaction is great, I'm not a sociopath, but when I read about "conga lines", I shudder.
2. Camino del Norte. Pros: not crowded, very beautiful. Cons: lots of pavement (I can handle it but don't love it). Not "the" route. (Yes, yes, I know, there's no such thing...)
3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
So, here I amWhat should I do? What am I missing? Thank you for any tips!
You could start in Le Puy, France and go as far as you can in the amount of time you have. It's less crowded than the Francis, and you should reach the Spanish border within 3 weeks, if everything goes well.Hello! Newbie here. I've been searching/reading for a while, and it's been incredibly helpful. However, I am still torn between several route options, and would appreciate opinions, suggestions, adviceI'll lay out my situation in some detail - hope it will help you help me. Thank you!
Who am I: 41 y/o male, living in California. Very fit (literally ran 7 marathons in the past 7 weeks). Have solid experience hiking, backpacking and light mountaineering. Have all my outdoor gear and know how to use it. Atheist. Introvert. Rudimentary Spanish ("agua por favor").
Motivation for doing Camino: 2 reasons.
1) As for many here, it started with the movie The Way. I watched it back in 2011 with my father, and we both liked it a lot. I thought about maybe doing it someday. Fast forward to 2020, and my father passed away suddenly. Somehow the whole thing with the movie character carrying his son's ashes spoke to me. I did a "virtual Camino" (covered the same distance on home trails while marking progress on the CF map) that same year, in my father's honor. It was meaningful, but I still feel that closing this "loop" and doing the actual route would be important. (No, I don't have his ashes.)
2) I am taking a break from working like a dog for 15+ years, and want to use this time to think about what I want to do next. A long scenic solo walk seems like a good way to do some housekeeping in my head.
Note: starting at "the start" and finishing at "the finish" is important for me. Religious/spiritual aspects are not. I'll get the Compostela as a badge of completion, but that's it.
Schedule constraints: I am planning to start in early May (can probably go as early as May 1 if I need to). I have all of May to get it done. Given that I am planning to cover 40+ km per day, any route should be doable. Ideally, I'd like to bake in 3-4 zero days in important/interesting locations to explore them.
With these inputs, I think I narrowed down my options to 3:
1. Camino Frances. Pros: this is the "movie route", so the closure will be most complete, plus I can probably relate to some locations from the movie. Cons: it's crowded, and especially so in May. I am really not a crowd person. I want to be able to think, zone out, meditate. Occasional human interaction is great, I'm not a sociopath, but when I read about "conga lines", I shudder.
2. Camino del Norte. Pros: not crowded, very beautiful. Cons: lots of pavement (I can handle it but don't love it). Not "the" route. (Yes, yes, I know, there's no such thing...)
3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
So, here I amWhat should I do? What am I missing? Thank you for any tips!
The Norte was my first Camino. I loved it. I split off at Oviedo to do the Primitivo and I’m going back to finish the Norte this year. It’s along the ocean so May will probably be windy and wet, but I loved it. People, but never too many, plenty of infrastructure. I did some scenic variants so not as much road. Lots of climbing in and out especially the first week. Stunning views. I went in August, so swimming whenever possible. It was a great first. The shocker is coming into the last 100 miles. Then you’ll hit crowds like wow. My vote is Norte.Hello! Newbie here. I've been searching/reading for a while, and it's been incredibly helpful. However, I am still torn between several route options, and would appreciate opinions, suggestions, adviceI'll lay out my situation in some detail - hope it will help you help me. Thank you!
Who am I: 41 y/o male, living in California. Very fit (literally ran 7 marathons in the past 7 weeks). Have solid experience hiking, backpacking and light mountaineering. Have all my outdoor gear and know how to use it. Atheist. Introvert. Rudimentary Spanish ("agua por favor").
Motivation for doing Camino: 2 reasons.
1) As for many here, it started with the movie The Way. I watched it back in 2011 with my father, and we both liked it a lot. I thought about maybe doing it someday. Fast forward to 2020, and my father passed away suddenly. Somehow the whole thing with the movie character carrying his son's ashes spoke to me. I did a "virtual Camino" (covered the same distance on home trails while marking progress on the CF map) that same year, in my father's honor. It was meaningful, but I still feel that closing this "loop" and doing the actual route would be important. (No, I don't have his ashes.)
2) I am taking a break from working like a dog for 15+ years, and want to use this time to think about what I want to do next. A long scenic solo walk seems like a good way to do some housekeeping in my head.
Note: starting at "the start" and finishing at "the finish" is important for me. Religious/spiritual aspects are not. I'll get the Compostela as a badge of completion, but that's it.
Schedule constraints: I am planning to start in early May (can probably go as early as May 1 if I need to). I have all of May to get it done. Given that I am planning to cover 40+ km per day, any route should be doable. Ideally, I'd like to bake in 3-4 zero days in important/interesting locations to explore them.
With these inputs, I think I narrowed down my options to 3:
1. Camino Frances. Pros: this is the "movie route", so the closure will be most complete, plus I can probably relate to some locations from the movie. Cons: it's crowded, and especially so in May. I am really not a crowd person. I want to be able to think, zone out, meditate. Occasional human interaction is great, I'm not a sociopath, but when I read about "conga lines", I shudder.
2. Camino del Norte. Pros: not crowded, very beautiful. Cons: lots of pavement (I can handle it but don't love it). Not "the" route. (Yes, yes, I know, there's no such thing...)
3. Via de La Plata. Pros: solitary, starts in Seville, goes through cool towns. Cons: likely to be hot as hell in May?.. Not "the" route.
So, here I amWhat should I do? What am I missing? Thank you for any tips!
My first Camino del Norte was in a very wet July, and my second time on the Norte (last year) was a mostly dry May - you can never predict the weather!The Norte was my first Camino. I loved it. I split off at Oviedo to do the Primitivo and I’m going back to finish the Norte this year. It’s along the ocean so May will probably be windy and wet
The Norte is certainly the 'nicest', followed by the Portuguese (except between LIS and Porto)......., Via de la Plata has quite some long stretches, such as 35-40km a day with nothing in between. CF is the one I wouldn't recommend, as it is loaded with people (each day, about 250 do start in Roncesvalles), - no fun........The Norte was my first Camino. I loved it. I split off at Oviedo to do the Primitivo and I’m going back to finish the Norte this year. It’s along the ocean so May will probably be windy and wet, but I loved it. People, but never too many, plenty of infrastructure. I did some scenic variants so not as much road. Lots of climbing in and out especially the first week. Stunning views. I went in August, so swimming whenever possible. It was a great first. The shocker is coming into the last 100 miles. Then you’ll hit crowds like wow. My vote is Norte.
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