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Hmm. I had not considered the Portuguese Camino because we will be in Madrid for a wedding so assumed that we would start in Spain. I have travelled in Portugal so was looking for new scenery but the Portuguese route would be different experience. I will read more about it. Up until now I had been focusing on the the Northern Route, The Invierno and the Camino Frances.I agree with @Grousedoctor that the Portuguese Camino would be a good choice. Another (shorter) option would be the Camino Inglés, then you could continue on to Finisterre and/or Muxía after enjoying a couple of days in Santiago.
Some stretches of the Aragonnes have no places to stop at bars/restaurants, but it is a lovely Camino.And there is always the Aragonés from Canfranc in the Pyrenees, or Jaca, to Puente le Reina. It is very scenic, there are other pilgrims, though not too many, and it passes through towns and villages but not too large. But the Inglés would probably tick most of the boxes.
I just posted a video on YouTube, Google I am a senior, which Camino is right for me? I think you may find it helpful.My husband and I (mid 60s and in good shape) will be in Spain for two weeks Mid May 2023 and plan on walking a camino or a few stages of a camino. We are struggling with which route to take. I would prefer to avoid large crowds and walking on paved roads/highways. But we would also like to be able to meet some other pilgrims along the way and have access to local restaurants/cafes during the day for food and drink. Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic and looking for Utopia?
You can maybe try the Camino Mozarabe from Almeria to Cordoba : nice scenery, no large crowds and no paved roads, a few cafes and restaurantsMy husband and I (mid 60s and in good shape) will be in Spain for two weeks Mid May 2023 and plan on walking a camino or a few stages of a camino. We are struggling with which route to take. I would prefer to avoid large crowds and walking on paved roads/highways. But we would also like to be able to meet some other pilgrims along the way and have access to local restaurants/cafes during the day for food and drink. Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic and looking for Utopia?
When I walked from Sahagún to Medina de Rioseco last summer, whilst I met several pilgrims simply from heading South, most of them told me that I was the first one they had met since leaving Madrid.I’ve not walked it, but if you are going to be in Madrid, why not just walk out of Madrid and head to Sahagun? It’s about 300 km, so perhaps a local bus out of Madrid to avoid the suburbs and cut off some kms.
What you see on a Camino is nothing like what you see when visiting a country... It's 10 to 100 times more.... We've done 3 Camino Portuguese, 2 from Porto and would HIGHLY recommend them as starting point... Either Porto or Tui Spain... Porto is due east of Madrid and I believe reachable by trainHmm. I had not considered the Portuguese Camino because we will be in Madrid for a wedding so assumed that we would start in Spain. I have travelled in Portugal so was looking for new scenery but the Portuguese route would be different experience. I will read more about it. Up until now I had been focusing on the the Northern Route, The Invierno and the Camino Frances.
Which route?We just finished the Portuguese in late October and found the route to be pretty difficult. As elders, we wanted to avoid bunk beds and needed to use the bathroom frequently, so we would look for private rooms. There are not the options available on the Portuguese as they were on the French. The Portuguese do not have the frequent villages and if they do, they don’t have the number of albergues we found on the French. We found they did not have pilgrim meals/pricing either. For your first Camino, I’d go for a portion of the French - way more pilgrim-friendly.
So many favorites. Mine is the Sanabre from Ourense. It is about one week with beautiful country, history, enough pilgrims, nice albergue, not crowded. Train to Ourense (one hour from Santiago) with two weeks you could then walk to Finnestere. Memorable and beautiful. P.S. I have walked the other Caminos recommended.My husband and I (mid 60s and in good shape) will be in Spain for two weeks Mid May 2023 and plan on walking a camino or a few stages of a camino. We are struggling with which route to take. I would prefer to avoid large crowds and walking on paved roads/highways. But we would also like to be able to meet some other pilgrims along the way and have access to local restaurants/cafes during the day for food and drink. Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic and looking for Utopia?
In a way you are.if I were yous I would start Pamplona to Leon on Frances way more facilities and more social with more choices of different choices of accomodation.all Camino's involve bits os road walking unavoidable.myself will be going on another trip on Frances this year my 19 th prob my last as now are 71yrs young starting at pamplona 18 th may prob reach Astorga hopefully Burn Camino whatever way yous choose.My husband and I (mid 60s and in good shape) will be in Spain for two weeks Mid May 2023 and plan on walking a camino or a few stages of a camino. We are struggling with which route to take. I would prefer to avoid large crowds and walking on paved roads/highways. But we would also like to be able to meet some other pilgrims along the way and have access to local restaurants/cafes during the day for food and drink. Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic and looking for Utopia?
Thank you . It was indeed interesting. And so are your other videos.I just posted a video on YouTube, Google I am a senior, which Camino is right for me? I think you may find it helpful.
I was concerned that the Primitivo might have too many steep inclines for our first attempt. My son completed the Primitivo in February 2020 and he is in much better physical shape than his parents.Consider the Camino Primitivo. It is 12-14 stages if you start in Oviedo. There are cafes along the way every day but the Hospitales day - check the day’s route in advance to make sure you know where they will be so you don’t miss them. This is a beautiful route and I met other pilgrims when I walked in May 2022 but also had stretches of solo time.
What if you started from Fonsagrada on Primitivo and did shorter stages? I encountered several people about a decade or so older than I and they simply walked 15K instead of 25+ and that made it far less "intense".I was concerned that the Primitivo might have too many steep inclines for our first attempt. My son completed the Primitivo in February 2020 and he is in much better physical shape than his parents.
I will check into that. Thanks.What if you started from Fonsagrada on Primitivo and did shorter stages? I encountered several people about a decade or so older than I and they simply walked 15K instead of 25+ and that made it far less "intense".
If you get the Wise Pilgrim app and load the maps onto your phone you can see endless possible combinations for very short days, long days, medium... and you can actually see where the resources are (bars, accommodations, transit, first aid etc). Playing around with any number of routes is possible (and fun!) if you buy the suite of route together (and so far I have found the the single purchase grants me all the updates for all the routes in the suite). @wisepilgrim is that correct?I will check into that. Thanks.
Is this a pilgrimage to the bones of Santiago or a bit of an adventure with a nice frame able certificate at the end? If you really want to avoid the crowds walk the Camino Verde from Lugo or the Ingles or Fisterra- Muxia- Santiago. Two of those at least will get you a Compostela; some great restaurants and bars and even mud on your boots. If you just want to walk some bit of a camino route; off road as much as is achievable and the odd pilgrim for a bit of colour try Burgos to Leon
It has already been mentioned....Compostela or not?
Then see your options...
Once you have reached a decision about whether you are going to walk to Santiago or not, then it will make sense what route options you have. There will still be routes that offer you the combination of things you seek. My own selection when I faced a similar choice some years ago was to walk the Camino Ingles, and then, after Santiago, walk to Muxia and Fisterra. Since then, I have walked the Camino Frances again, and the Central route of the Camino Portuguese in May and June.Also, as this would be a first Camino, I would definitely and strongly suggest that it should be continuous and end in Santiago de Compostela (or further, if the walk to Fisterra were wanted).
So many favorites. Mine is the Sanabre from Ourense. It is about one week with beautiful country, history, enough pilgrims, nice albergue, not crowded. Train to Ourense (one hour from Santiago) with two weeks you could then walk to Finnestere. Memorable and beautiful. P.S. I have walked the other Caminos recommended.
Great video. Thank you.I just posted a video on YouTube, Google I am a senior, which Camino is right for me? I think you may find it helpful.
Thank you. We have been discussing all of these options and have come to the decision that we do want to end in Santiago. So that still leaves many great choices and we appreciate all of the input to help us narrow down the best route for us.I am of a like mind @Tincatinker, @willydp and @JabbaPapa, and think you will only get clarity on this once you determine whether this is going to be a Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, or a walk along a section of one of the many camino routes.
I hesitate to say that this is a moot point, as I understand that phrase as a slightly different meaning on the opposite sides of the Atlantic. What is important will be your own motivation to walk "for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search" in order to receive the Compostela. Of course, you can walk with an attitude of spiritual search on any of the routes, and many here do.
Once you have reached a decision about whether you are going to walk to Santiago or not, then it will make sense what route options you have. There will still be routes that offer you the combination of things you seek. My own selection when I faced a similar choice some years ago was to walk the Camino Ingles, and then, after Santiago, walk to Muxia and Fisterra. Since then, I have walked the Camino Frances again, and the Central route of the Camino Portuguese in May and June.
Of these, the Camino France after Sarria was busiest, while the CP after Tui somewhat less so. I am not sure what you might think is crowded, but I generally avoided stopping at the Brierley stages, which avoids the busier towns. The downside of this is that you can miss out on exploring some quite wonderful places along the way.
"Large crowds" is a very relative term. I walked the CF in September, in 2021 from SJPdP, and in 2022 from Pamplona, both times I was practically alone for very long stretches. Scattered people at the beginning, now and then passing or being passed, I was actually grateful for an occasional chat.For the avoidance of large crowds, the Francès is right out, though I'd say so is the Português. Pilgrim numbers on that route are significantly higher than they used to be.
The Invierno would be good, though my understanding is that the numbers of pilgrims might still be too low for your hope to meet pilgrims, but not crowds.
So I would say the Norte, then finish on the Francès as usual, and face just a small dose of crowds.
Thank you so much for all of this information. It is very helpful and a great summary. We plan on hiking for a full two weeks after the wedding. The Portuguese, the Ingles with an extension and the Sanabres all sound like good options and have had multiple recommendations from others on this site. I also like the idea of doing a less busy part of the Frances and finishing it another time. Much appreciated.I think a bit more information will help narrow down the options. You say you will be in Spain for two weeks, some of which will presumably be taken up with the wedding and visiting people. How much of the two weeks were you thinking of spending walking (and traveling to and from the walking? You also mention "a camino or a few stages of a camino)? Am I to understand that getting to Santiago de Compostela and receiving a Compostela isn't terribly important to you?
I'm going to assume about a week's walk and offer a few possibilities.
If you want to end up Santiago with a Compostela:
- The Camino Portugues from Valença/Tui or Baiona. This probably has the best infrastructure. It is well traveled, but I wouldn't call it crowded, like the Frances from Sarria.
- The Camino Ingles. This gets you the experience of a "complete" camino.
- The Camino Sanabres from Ourense. This is less travelled, but I've heard good things about it.
If ending up in Santiago with a Compostela this visit is not too important, I would probably go with the Camino Frances, avoiding the last 120 km from Sarria. It has the best infrastructure, it the archetypical "camino" that you are most likely to recognize from books and videos, nd is chock-a-block with history and culture. There are a few options with this:
- You could start by the beginning in St. Jean Pied-de-Port, Roncesvalles, or Pamplona. If you get the bug and want to come back and walk again, you can just pick up from where you left off and continue walking the Frances.
- You could walk from Logroño to Burgos. Two cities that it should be easy to get to and from, especially from Madrid. You would get to see the landscapes of La Rioja and Castilla, enjoy the tapas in Logroño, see the chickens in the church in Santo Domingo, perhaps stay in the rustic but often recommended albergue in Grañon, and finish in the city of Burgos with its confection of a gothic cathedral.
- Or you could instead head to Leon and either (a) walk from there to Villafranca del Bierzo or to O Cebreiro, depending on how far you are comfortable in walking in a day, or (b) after seeing a bit of Leon, bus to Astorga and walk from there to O Cebreiro. Leon is a beautiful city and its cathedral, with the vast expanses of stained glass, is my favourite on the Camino. eon also has "the Sistine Chapel of Romanesque art". Astorga has the Epsicopal palace designed by Gaudi which now functions as a pilgrimage museum. (There is also a chocolate museum in the town.) Between Leon and Astorga is Hospital d'Orbigo whose long bridge was the site of one of the most famous jousting challenges of the middle ages. Beyond Astorga you leave the meseta for the hills and mountains, experiencing the famous Cruz de Ferro monument, the beautiful little towns of Molinaseca and Villafranca del Biero (and the Bierzo wine region) and, if you go that far, visit the picturesque village of O Cebreiro that can take you back a thousand years.
Those are a few of the many possibilities.
With a full two weeks, I would probably do the Portugues from Porto as a first pick. It gives a fairly complete experience, good infrastructure, other pilgrims without being too crowded, a Compostela, and a bit of a cushion if you need it and if you don't you can always walk on to Finisterre/Muxia.Thank you so much for all of this information. It is very helpful and a great summary. We plan on hiking for a full two weeks after the wedding. The Portuguese, the Ingles with an extension and the Sanabres all sound like good options and have had multiple recommendations from others on this site. I also like the idea of doing a less busy part of the Frances and finishing it another time. Much appreciated.
I would recommend the Camino Frances for first timers. There is more Camino infrastructure and more pilgrims in comparison to the other routes.My husband and I (mid 60s and in good shape) will be in Spain for two weeks Mid May 2023 and plan on walking a camino or a few stages of a camino. We are struggling with which route to take. I would prefer to avoid large crowds and walking on paved roads/highways. But we would also like to be able to meet some other pilgrims along the way and have access to local restaurants/cafes during the day for food and drink. Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic and looking for Utopia?
The worst outcome if you want to get your compostela is to arrive too late to get to the pilgrim office in time, and have a early flight out the next day. It sounds like you intend to avoid that.Any suggestions on how long to stay in San Santiago after completing a camino? Will we have energy left to sightsee?
Excellent choice, I walked the Camino central route from Porto Cathedral in 2017!Thank you so much to everyone for all of the advice and information.
We have decided to walk the Camino Portuguese.
Now wrestling with which route or parts of routes (zig zagging).
There is so much helpful information on this site and now there is even an app!!
Today I was reading all about socks - a lot more to consider than I thought.
Any suggestions on how long to stay in San Santiago after completing a camino? Will we have energy left to sightsee?
I would give yourselves a few days. At the very least, it is a cushion in case something comes up and it takes you longer to get to Santiago than you had anticipated (an injury, finding that you prefer to walk shorter days than you had thought, the decision to take a rest day along the way). The last thing you want is to be racing to Santiago at an unsustainable pace to catch a flight. If all goes well, it gives you unhurried time to get your Compostela, a few different opportunities to perhaps see the botafumiero swing, and time to see others arrive in Santiago who you might have met earlier along the way but who took longer to walk than you. While there is much to see in Santiago, you may find that you just like to spend time in the Plaza Obradoiro watching the pilgrims arrive.Thank you so much to everyone for all of the advice and information.
We have decided to walk the Camino Portuguese.
Now wrestling with which route or parts of routes (zig zagging).
There is so much helpful information on this site and now there is even an app!!
Today I was reading all about socks - a lot more to consider than I thought.
Any suggestions on how long to stay in San Santiago after completing a camino? Will we have energy left to sightsee?
This route sounds very good. Are there any small groups of people where the singles get together for a walk. Not sure as a woman I want to do this walk by myself....I agree with @Grousedoctor that the Portuguese Camino would be a good choice. Another (shorter) option would be the Camino Inglés, then you could continue on to Finisterre and/or Muxía after enjoying a couple of days in Santiago.
Groups on the Camino tend to form organically as people meet on the trail, in albergues, or while stopping at a bar for coffee.This route sounds very good. Are there any small groups of people where the singles get together for a walk. Not sure as a woman I want to do this walk by myself....
Thank you I joined the group.Groups on the Camino tend to form organically as people meet on the trail, in albergues, or while stopping at a bar for coffee.
If you are on Facebook there is a group called Camigas for Women on the Camino.
Myself every time I reach Santiago I like to have 2 full days walking about great city then usually walk on to Finesterre get bus back then if my schedule allows another day at least again love the atmosphere and ambience of beautiful city doing another another walk again this year from Pamplona to Astorga but won't reach beloved Compostela this year Buen Camino all peregrinos this yearI would give yourselves a few days. At the very least, it is a cushion in case something comes up and it takes you longer to get to Santiago than you had anticipated (an injury, finding that you prefer to walk shorter days than you had thought, the decision to take a rest day along the way). The last thing you want is to be racing to Santiago at an unsustainable pace to catch a flight. If all goes well, it gives you unhurried time to get your Compostela, a few different opportunities to perhaps see the botafumiero swing, and time to see others arrive in Santiago who you might have met earlier along the way but who took longer to walk than you. While there is much to see in Santiago, you may find that you just like to spend time in the Plaza Obradoiro watching the pilgrims arrive.
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