help needed (Portugal vs. France route in late November)

[Int'l Joseph]

Hello friends,
I am planning my first walk for late November this year - in 3 weeks. I'm am undecided on which path, France or Portugal.
If France i am thinking to start from Sarria as I only have 1 week.

I'm curious about any insights or opinions on the 2 route options (France v. Portugal) at this time of year.
also, I'm generally a 'figure out as i go single traveler', but curious if using an agency to prebook hotels is advisable.

thanks for any inputs.
regards,
Joseph

 

[HeidiL]

Both routes (from Tui, I assume, Porto might be a bit far in a week if Sarria-Santiago will take you a week) are lovely.

There WILL be more people walking from Sarria, so if you like walking in a group that will be better. If you like fish, the Portuguese route is better.

There is plenty of infrastructure, including albergues, on both routes - agencies are not at all necessary, but I'd get a couple of phone apps in case you feel like pre-booking hotels. I think most of us here have www.hotels.com and www.booking.com. Ordering a hotel/hostal for the

Look at some pictures, see which route appeals the most to you - and go for it!

 

[Int'l Joseph]

Thanks Heidi for your quick response. i understand many of the albuerges will be closed. i guess booking.com has all that figured out..?

lastly, do i need to order my pilgrim passport in advance? or are they easy to get at the albergues..?

thanks!

 

[Former member 91017]

Get yourself a "Wise Pilgrim" app.... it lists the albergues that are open all year, has direct contact information for each one, and will give you all kinds of live mapping features for any route that you choose to follow.
I leave for Lisbon tonight and will start walking from Coimbra on Wednesday. Hoping to hit SdC in the third week of November.
Whatever you choose, I wish you buen camino.
I've had the Frances experience twice.... this CP will be a new experience for me, more solitary (I think), wetter but warmer than the CF at this point.... and with lots of seafood (which makes me very happy).
I don't think there is a 'wrong' route to choose, but I don't think I would have started with the CP.... not having been an experienced trekker when I started out 5 years ago on my first.
That said... my last go on the Sarria stretch assured me that if I am ever on the CF again, I will head from Ponferrada on the Invierno. Just because I prefer to see more local people than people who are more or less "like me".