Helping 2 generations find the right Camino route

[Lewangen]

3 Mom/daughters need help deciding which route to take and where to start. The moms want to go three days early and meet the girls (30 year olds) in either Lugo or Sarria. If I back up, the Moms start in Villafrana del Bierzo and meet girls in Sarria. Alternatively we start in Grandas de Saline and meet girls in Lugo.

Moms want some solitude while girls would prefer a little more lively interactions. I have read posts about Sarria being a more beautiful, but busy route. If we are going in May, do we need to worry about the crowds? Other considerations?

Thank you and Buen Camino!

 

[Kiwi-family]

You're unlikely to find solitude from Sarria - although, that said, you can always walk alone during the day and poke your nose in a book in the evening. Neither route is bad! (there is probably no "right" option - you get to choose from some great possibilities and any of them can provide a wonderful experience) Another option to consider might be the Portuguese. Moms start in Barcelos or Ponte de Lima (depending how walking fit you are) and the girls join you in Tui. All easy places to get to.

 

[lt56ny]

From Sarria it is never quiet. It is pretty. It is a tough call. You are walking with the most important people in your lives so it is tough to go pick a "bad" route. I like the suggestion of going from Ponte de Lima on the Portugues. It is my favorite town of all the caminos I have walked. It is pretty, some road walking, after all it is the Portugues. Padron is also a really interesting city. There will be other Pilgrims but quieter for sure than from Sarria.

 

[David Tallan]

I have read posts about Sarria being a more beautiful, but busy route. If we are going in May, do we need to worry about the crowds? Other considerations?

I think you have that backwards. The Camino Primitivo (the one with Grandas de Saline) is generally considered the more beautiful and less walked than the Camino Frances from Sarria. The Primitivo is also generally considered a more challenging route, but that may not apply as much to the last part of it.

In May you should not see the same crowds on the Frances after Sarria that you will find in July/August. If you still find it too crowded you can avoid the crowds by stopping at villages that are "between stages" in the popular guidebooks or starting later or earlier.

Another consideration may be that there will be more infrastructure and support on the Camino Frances, which might be helpful for first-time pilgrims.

 

[Lewangen]

You're unlikely to find solitude from Sarria - although, that said, you can always walk alone during the day and poke your nose in a book in the evening. Neither route is bad! (there is probably no "right" option - you get to choose from some great possibilities and any of them can provide a wonderful experience) Another option to consider might be the Portuguese. Moms start in Barcelos or Ponte de Lima (depending how walking fit you are) and the girls join you in Tui. All easy places to get to.

Thank you for the response and suggestions. I will check out the Portuguese option and see if that will work for us.

 

[Lewangen]

From Sarria it is never quiet. It is pretty. It is a tough call. You are walking with the most important people in your lives so it is tough to go pick a "bad" route. I like the suggestion of going from Ponte de Lima on the Portugues. It is my favorite town of all the caminos I have walked. It is pretty, some road walking, after all it is the Portugues. Padron is also a really interesting city. There will be other Pilgrims but quieter for sure than from Sarria.

Thank you! I will check these cities out. It is very helpful to get other perspectives for a group of first timers on the camino.

 

[Lewangen]

I think you have that backwards. The Camino Primitivo (the one with Grandas de Saline) is generally considered the more beautiful and less walked than the Camino Frances from Sarria. The Primitivo is also generally considered a more challenging route, but that may not apply as much to the last part of it.

In May you should not see the same crowds on the Frances after Sarria that you will find in July/August. If you still find it too crowded you can avoid the crowds by stopping at villages that are "between stages" in the popular guidebooks or starting later or earlier.

Another consideration may be that there will be more infrastructure and support on the Camino Frances, which might be helpful for first-time pilgrims.

Many thanks for your thoughts and taking the time! TIme for a little more research.