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To see many of these routes on a map, go to the Mundicamino website. You can link to information about suggested daily stages.more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain
To see many of these routes on a map, go to the Mundicamino website. You can link to information about suggested daily stages.
An excellent tool for planning a day-to-day itinerary for some routes is the Camino Planner at https://godesalco.com/plan. Another tool that provides route information and accommodation options is gronze.com.
It is useful to think of the Camino as a network of walking paths leading to Santiago de Compostela, based on the routes that pilgrims have used over more than 1000 years as a pilgrimage to the tomb of Santiago (St. James). In olden times, people would start at their home or parish church wherever it was (in Europe), walk to Santiago and home again.
A common misunderstanding is that there is a single governing body that manages the Camino. There isn't. There are many local governments along the routes, and local associations that maintain paths and promote the Camino in their region, but each operates according to their own laws and objectives. Many of those associations are members of the Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago, but there are other organizations and websites to help pilgrims.
Is the Compostela important?
People can start at any point they choose. However, if they want to receive a Compostela from the Cathedral in Santiago, they must have walked the last 100 km or cycled 200 km of one of the approved routes. That's why many people who don't have much time will start walking at Sarria on the Camino Frances, or at Tui on the Camino Portuguese, or they walk the Camino Ingles. Those are shortest routes that qualify for the Compostela. For official information about the Cathedral and compostela, and statistics about pilgrim arrivals, see the website of the Cathedral Pilgrim Office.
Is it important to have many companions and reliable infrastructure?
By far the most popular route with the best developed infrastructure is the Camino Frances. The route by this name starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France, crosses the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles in Spain, and continues over 800 km across Spain to Santiago. It's important to understand that it is not the be-all and end-all of Caminos, the "official" route, the "whole Camino" or anything of the sort. See this thread if you still need convincing about that.
Do you speak Spanish?
You can get away with speaking almost no Spanish on the Camino Frances. In fact, if you WANT to practice your Spanish, you might be disappointed! On less popular routes, you will have more challenges to communicate, but here's where your personal comfort level matters.
Are you comfortable with day-to-day coping challenges?
These are generally not major issues, and most people do fine, but on less popular routes, you need to be a little more flexible and self reliant. On the Camino Frances, everybody around you knows exactly what you are looking forward and there is usually someone nearby who speaks English. On less popular routes, people are still extremely helpful but it can be more of a challenge. Distances between lodgings may be longer and you need to be able to develop a plan B from time to time. You might be walking alone most of the time.
Have fun! Some people just like to show up, but others really enjoy detailed planning.
I know who will answer this question, but it might be tomorrow. Maybe you could give some more information to help - for example,Which Camino -- with the most Spanish spoken -- has the the most dirt trails?
That's Hannibal, although Hadrian did more than his fair share of travelling!Scotts first pick was over alps down the steps carved by Hadrian but he couldn't guarantee me an elephant to carry my essentials.
By far the most popular route with the best developed infrastructure is the Camino Frances
I have glanced through some of the replies, and now have this to say: if you want to walk in the footsteps of countless others, and leave the same trace for those who may follow - yes, the Frances is the one I recommend. I followed my companion, and for logistical reasons we walked the Camino from Roncesvalles - the starting point for many Spaniards at that time (2006). The issue of where it actually begins, I will not contest! Subsequently we walked the Portugues - time allowed it. Next, the beautiful but - for me - knee challenging Salvador, and latterly the Ingles - once again time was the determining factor.Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
I could have written that!I always recommend the CF to those walking a first camino, even though I have walked others. Lots of them are nice and interesting hikes, but the CF is unique. It was the main route walked by the medieval pilgrims, in their hundreds of thousands, and for that reason alone it is something special. No other route has the history, the scholarship, the prominence, the stories and legends, and the religious significance. For me it is "The Pilgrim Road". I was lucky enough to walk it first in 2001, when it was relatively quiet, but recently I went back and walked it again, and I still found it special, something undefinable. The other routes I have walked, the Norte, the Vdlp, the Portuguese, the Primitivo, the Madrid, and several of the routes in France, also have great qualities and sometimes more beautiful countryside, better paths, unique cities, but the Francés will aways remain my favourite. And it is interesting that when I took a bunch of new walkers on the VdlP and then transferred to the Sarria section for the last 100km - they too much preferred the Francés (even though I love the Via, and its the one I am inching to walk again).
Certainly agree with great infrastructure for solo women (and men). Only had one time in 32 days where I was a little uneasy but the total experience was fabulous@Dave2525, I agree.
I think for newbies who were intrigued by "The Way", but had not heard of the camino prior nor done much hiking, that their best choice is the Frances...especially for a woman going it alone.
The infrastructure can't be beat.
My answer to this question is impressionistic and based on my similar dislike of pavement.Which Camino -- with the most Spanish spoken -- has the the most dirt trails? I ask because walking on pavement is hard on my old work injuries, so the less of it can have to walk, the better.
Know thyself!
My first Camino was chosen for me. A friend of mine was planning to do the Frances from St Jean to Santiago alone. My wife was so outraged at this idea that I was sent to walk 10 days with him from Pamplona to Burgos. It was a life-changing decision - you all know the rest - I met some amazing people with whom I am still close - I saw some historical sites (and sights) that took my breath away.Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
That is such great advice. Now that the newbies (I hope no one thinks that is condescending, because actually I would give a lot to be able to experience my own first camino again!) know that there are many different camino options, it is well worth giving those questions some thought. Of course for many of us, who have never done anything at all like this in our lives, the answers to a lot of the questions will only be made apparent after the first camino.
And to those great questions I would add — do you want to be enveloped in human relationships, forming a proverbial camino family, or do you see your camino as a time to hash through personal issues, for solitary reflection and maybe contemplation of some of the universe’s larger questions?
I don’t think @Marbe2 and I are suggesting that the answers to these questions will give you a definitive answer about which camino to walk, but they are all relevant and will also help give you realistic expectations about what you are likely to find once you start.
Buen camino, Laurie
Gracias por esto.So good to see some new members jumping in — after all, the generation to generation transfer of camino love and knowledge is what we’re all about here! And I can see from the responses that there are lots of us old-timers eager to discuss something other than the virus.
My answer to this question is impressionistic and based on my similar dislike of pavement.
One thing to keep in mind is that since this is a village to village hike (with occasional cities thrown in), there is bound to be pavement. Those looking for a wilderness thru-hike on dirt trails like the Appalachian Trail will be disappointed, unless they change their expectations and embrace the differences. The Francés has a lot of pavement, and is gaining more and more of it as the numbers of pilgrims grow and the authorities pave over what used to be dirt/mud trails. In the region of Galicia (northwest corner), which is where all caminos converge, virtually all of what used to be dirt trails has been covered with crushed rock. This is less damaging to the feet and tendons than pavement but it is nowhere near as nice as walking on well maintained dirt trails. I have found though, that those who are determined to avoid asphalt can frequently find a dirt shoulder alongside the road, and I always take that option when possible. Hiking sticks are a great help even on flat terrain, because they will help avoid face-planting when the dirt shoulder has an unexpected covered hole or a surprise piece of garbage hidden under the grass.
So, with that as a backdrop, I would hazard the guess that the Camino de Madrid (Madrid to Sahagún, where it joins the Camino Francés) has the least amount of pavement. This is in large part because this was a recently ”manufactured” camino, put together by the association to give their members a way to walk from home. But it is extremely untraveled, you are likely to meet at most a handful in those few weeks. The pilgrim infrastructure is excellent, the villagers are helpful, kind, and delighted to have someone ”unusual” to talk to, and there is a lot of walking through wide open agricultural fields. In spring, those fields are oceans of waving green grasses with huge splotches of red poppies, it is all quite a good backdrop for reflection and getting into the satisfying groove of rhythmic walking. Lots of information if you scroll through the Camino de Madrid sub-forum, which is linked here. @jungleboy’s recent ”live from the Camino” thread is a great one to start with. Most of us who have walked this Camino find that the interaction with village residents is very special on this route. And very little English is spoken!
The Camino del Norte, which goes along the northern coast of Spain but frequently along the side of a national road, also has a lot of pavement. Compounding the frustration is the fact that the road is only a few short kms from the ocean and its many dirt trails. You can avoid much of the pavement by taking coastal alternatives, but a GPS would be necessary. The rewards are that you get to walk across some of Spain‘s most gorgeous scenery.
The Mozárabe from Almería also has a lot of dirt trails, but you have to be a very adventurous first-timer to take that as your first camino, I think.
Lots to think about, but there is no wrong answer! Buen camino, Laurie
That is a great question and I suppose some of the answers to that can be found in an older thread about introverts and extroverts, if I could only find it.And to those great questions I would add — do you want to be enveloped in human relationships, forming a proverbial camino family, or do you see your camino as a time to hash through personal issues, for solitary reflection and maybe contemplation of some of the universe’s larger questions?
That is a great question and I suppose some of the answers to that can be found in an older thread about introverts and extroverts, if I could only find it.
Be careful about encouraging that idea and the terminology of "full" or "whole" Camino.Or pick a different route altogether that will allow you to complete a 'full' camino within the time you have available? I would go for the last option personally, but I'm a bit of a 'completionist'.
My brain agrees. My heart protests.Be careful about encouraging that idea and the terminology of "full" or "whole" Camino.It is certainly arguable that a "full" Camino de Santiago should get to Santiago. But other than than, it exists only because (a) you walked from home, or (b) the name on the maps changes, or (c) it is the full Camino that you walked.
I do understand this. My first Camino was just Astorga to Santiago, due to time constraints. I was pretty certain that I would be going back, but wanted to get a mini-but-full Camino. So I picked a starting point that had good presence on a map (i.e. name in bold font) and was the right distance. It was a good "full" but short Camino.My brain agrees. My heart protests.
I don't know why but I felt it necessary to "start at the start" of my first Camino... Somehow, though, I convinced myself that I'd feel cheated if I reached Santiago after starting at some other arbitrary point.
Are you really walking 77 km/week (7 days x 11 km/day)? If so, you are putting in plenty of mileage for training! Maybe you are demanding too much to sustain. Marathon runners don't train at marathon distances.I am currently at 7 miles a day (11km), working toward 12 (20km).ways to increase my distance in a day. tactics, ways to increase my distance in a day.
It's surprising that more people don't walk the Inglés, since it is a "complete" Camino that can be done in less than a week.We were very much restricted in terms of time. I was very grateful when I learned of the other options for walking the last 100km besides Sarria. It was nice to say we walked a complete Camino even if it is the shortest that ends in Santiago.
Big fan of the Ingles also! Ferrol, Pontedeume and Betanzos are such wonderful towns.It's surprising that more people don't walk the Inglés, since it is a "complete" Camino that can be done in less than a week.
Well, if you live in the United States and pay for costly airfare in addition to sitting on a plane for 8-10 hours, the Ingles by itself at just one week long, just isn't long enough unless combined with an additional route...imo.It's surprising that more people don't walk the Inglés, since it is a "complete" Camino that can be done in less than a week.
Agree. it probably would be a welcome addition to another european destination.Well, if you live in the United States and pay for costly airfare in addition to sitting on a plane for 8-10 hours, the Ingles by itself at just one week long, just isn't long enough unless combined with an additional route...imo.
It's a better choice for those who already live on the east side of the Atlantic.
But many North Americans fly to Spain and only walk from Sarria or Tui.Well, if you live in the United States and pay for costly airfare in addition to sitting on a plane for 8-10 hours, the Ingles by itself at just one week long, just isn't long enough unless combined with an additional route...imo.
It's a better choice for those who already live on the east side of the Atlantic.
That's probably true, especially if they are still working and have limited vacation time. Being retired, I normally never think of time restrictions others may have.But many North Americans fly to Spain and only walk from Sarria or Tui.
Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
The level of socialization can be well managed on even the heavily trafficked Camino's ie: Frances, Primitivo and Norte. You can walk solitarily and socialize communally in evening.That is a great question and I suppose some of the answers to that can be found in an older thread about introverts and extroverts, if I could only find it.
So many different scenarios and circumstances with the Camino. As an expat Brit living on the coast of western Canada we naturally visit family in London when returning to Europe therefore less time to walk.That's probably true, especially if they are still working and have limited vacation time. Being retired, I normally never think of time restrictions others may have.
I love doing trail research and had never seen this site. Fantastic! https://hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/#route?id=1102966&map=10!43.1253!-8.3584@BookGirl305, welcome. Here are two links that might help fill your information gap.
Hiking.WayMarkedTrails.org with an emphasis of the Ingles. Click on "routes" to select details. Scroll in for more details. Scroll back for more options, including across Europe and the rest of the world.
One of the websites mentioned in Way Marked Trails for the Ingles.
And so I say kia ora, kia haha (be healthy, take care and be strong) and get going when it is safe for you and all you will encounter.
From my unscientific study of the Norte, I'd say that those who choose it for a first Camino are more experienced hikers/backpackers and younger people.I know the Norte also receives a share of first time pilgrims, but since I haven't walked it myself (yet) I'm less likely to recommend it to a first-time pilgrim.
Just a quick note that sometimes the human relationships we form on the Camino help us to hash though personal issues and consider some of the universe's larger questions. Sometimes the answers come from conversation rather than contemplation - especially when those conversations are deep and with people far from home, as is often the case on the Camino....
And to those great questions I would add — do you want to be enveloped in human relationships, forming a proverbial camino family, or do you see your camino as a time to hash through personal issues, for solitary reflection and maybe contemplation of some of the universe’s larger questions?
...
I agree with David here.Just a quick note that sometimes the human relationships we form on the Camino help us to hash though personal issues and consider some of the universe's larger questions. Sometimes the answers come from conversation rather than contemplation - especially when those conversations are deep and with people far from home, as is often the case on the Camino.
which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why
Nothing wrong with starting with the Francés, it has infrastructure, information and a lot of kindred souls to meet. The Norte can be over-run with beachigrinos in summer, but otherwise is a good alternative. If you don't have time to do the whole journey (or live in Europe so you can come back and do the rest another year), I'd suggest the Aragonés from Canfranc (or start over the border in France and cross the Pyrenees via Somport). It has other pilgrims, good waymarking, plenty of albergues and cafes en route, significant cultural sites and stunning scenery. It connects with the Francés just before Puente La Reina so you could carry on to Santiago from there and get the best of both worlds.Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
I certainly agree that this is a lovely walk, and a good first stage for a first taste of the camino. But to say that it meets any definition of a "full" camino is pushing it a bit, methinks. Surely you recognize the possibility of a definition of a "full" camino that includes ending in Santiago de Compostela where the relics of St. James are said to be?1. Le Puy en Velay to Conques. Chemin de Puy, France. Nine to ten days.
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To me it meets any definition of a "full" camino. ...
By "full" I was thinking more in an emotional or spiritual sense, along the lines of what the elements of a camino are. This section has a distinct beginning and end point with historical and religious significance, and at least when I walked it a definite sense of shared purpose. There was a feeling of being part of something bigger on trail, even though very few of us were walking jusqu'àu bout in one season. I realize that not everyone felt this way on this section, but I suspect that has a lot to do with it being a French-language dominant rather than an English-dominant environment.I certainly agree that this is a lovely walk, and a good first stage for a first taste of the camino. But to say that it meets any definition of a "full" camino is pushing it a bit, methinks. Surely you recognize the possibility of a definition of a "full" camino that includes ending in Santiago de Compostela where the relics of St. James are said to be?
There are many pilgrim routes in Europe and around the world. What distinguishes the "Camino" pilgrim routes is that they wend towards Santiago de Compostela.
To be clear, I wasn't meaning to suggest that one couldn't come up with a reasonable definition of a "full" Camino that included this section. I recognize that different people look for different things in a full Camino and this certainly ticks all of the boxes for some. I was just arguing against the expressed idea that this section ticks all of the boxes for everyone and that no reasonable definition of a "full" Camino includes Santiago de Compostela as a destination. That seemed to be going a little too far to pass without a gentle challenge.By "full" I was thinking more in an emotional or spiritual sense, along the lines of what the elements of a camino are. This section has a distinct beginning and end point with historical and religious significance, and at least when I walked it a definite sense of shared purpose. There was a feeling of being part of something bigger on trail, even though very few of us were walking jusqu'àu bout in one season. I realize that not everyone felt this way on this section, but I suspect that has a lot to do with it being a French-language dominant rather than an English-dominant environment.
This sounds like an Irish or English breakfast to me...yum.I don't think it qualifies as a full Camino Inglés without bacon, eggs, sausages or black pudding, baked beans, fried bread and a pot of tea.
Certainly. A full one.This sounds like an Irish or English breakfast to me...yum.
Donde esta Heinz HP Sauce senor?I don't think it qualifies as a full Camino Inglés without bacon, eggs, sausages or black pudding, baked beans, fried bread and a pot of tea.
I will be doing my first camino when Spain opens up. I am open to and have studied various routes. I've decided to choose which camino based on the season/time of year when it is opened to Americans and how many government albuergues are open. I plan to go every year until I die so there is time to be able to do many routes, so it doesn't matter which one I start with.Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
Does a camino have to go to Santiago? There were a number of holy shrines in mediaeval times to which pilgrims could make a pilgrimage: in England, Canterbury and Walsingham were two of them. But the two other major pilgrimage destinations were, of course, Rome and Jerusalem: though not being in Spain, perhaps they shouldn't be termed "caminos", but if the Via Francigena is not a camino, what is it?I certainly agree that this is a lovely walk, and a good first stage for a first taste of the camino. But to say that it meets any definition of a "full" camino is pushing it a bit, methinks. Surely you recognize the possibility of a definition of a "full" camino that includes ending in Santiago de Compostela where the relics of St. James are said to be?
There are many pilgrim routes in Europe and around the world. What distinguishes the "Camino" pilgrim routes is that they wend towards Santiago de Compostela.
Since Camino is the Spanish word for way or road, I would say that routes in non Spanish speaking countries wouldn't be Caminos. Call them Vias or Ways, or simply pilgrimage routes. The routes in Portugal are Caminhos - the Portuguese word for road.Does a camino have to go to Santiago? There were a number of holy shrines in mediaeval times to which pilgrims could make a pilgrimage: in England, Canterbury and Walsingham were two of them. But the two other major pilgrimage destinations were, of course, Rome and Jerusalem: though not being in Spain, perhaps they shouldn't be termed "caminos", but if the Via Francigena is not a camino, what is it?
For me, the simple answer to your final question is "a pilgrimage". There are many pilgrimage destinations and pilgrim routes around the world, some Christian, many not. My own understanding of the English language usage of the word "Camino" is that it doesn't encompass them all. I wouldn't call the Hajj a Camino, nor would I call a Camino the Hajj. "Pilgrimage" is, for me, the broader term. In my usage, and as I've most often seen the word, the word "Camino" is used as a narrower term, specifically for those routes which eventually end up in Santiago de Compostela and the journeys people undertake on those routes.Does a camino have to go to Santiago? There were a number of holy shrines in mediaeval times to which pilgrims could make a pilgrimage: in England, Canterbury and Walsingham were two of them. But the two other major pilgrimage destinations were, of course, Rome and Jerusalem: though not being in Spain, perhaps they shouldn't be termed "caminos", but if the Via Francigena is not a camino, what is it?
As you know, I very much disagree with this position.To get back to your first question: "Does a camino have to go to Santiago?". As I've indicated above, for me the route as a whole has to go to Santiago. But the individual journey that one undertakes on such a route doesn't necessarily have to go to Santiago.
If you go back to post #63, where I entered this discussion, you will see that I did so precisely to hold space for the view that you espouse so eloquently. I haven't changed my views from that posting.As you know, I very much disagree with this position.
The excellent mademoiselle Warcollier (who edited the first modern edition of the Codex Callixtinus, and was a Founder of the modern Camino) wrote --
La seule chose qui importe c'est d'arriver à Compostelle ;
Only one thing matters ; to get to Compostela.
I read that in 1994 ; to this date, it remains the single best piece of Camino advice I have ever come across.
The Camino as such really is that simple ; that raw ; that brutal.
Once you have started ; well, you jolly well finish.
Not to me, and it never will be -- except by extension to the traditional Via Romea routes between Compostela and Rome, and the late Mediaeval and Renaissance grand and petit tours, leading in any case to Rome and Jerusalem, and in the longer one also to Compostela."Camino" is slowly becoming a word that is used in English to describe a certain way of spending time walking and a certain trail with a certain infrastructure and a certain range of philosophies associated with it. It is no longer restricted to Spain and to the Ways of Saint James in Spain, either the traditional ones or all the other ones that have sprung up in recent times.
I typically join discussions from the first posts, then carry on from there, but it's a broad principle, and there may be exceptions.If you go back to post #63, where I entered this discussion, you will see that I did so precisely to hold space for the view that you espouse so eloquently. I haven't changed my views from that posting.
One of Henry Ford's famous quotes about the Model T was, "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black."Reading this thread made me realize that the camino experience has morphed into another shopping choice experience not unlike buying an auto. My grandfather’s model T was black; he was an early adopter and glad to have a car in addition to horses and wagons.
But ... didn’t you pick this model because you were not aware of the other models? Weren’t the popular choices at the time also Roncesvalles-SdC, start in Le Puy and start in Paris/Benelux/from home in France?I am grateful that for my first camino the choice was the black Model T—SJPdP to SdC in 34 stages
I certainly agree that there is much more choice now in terms of marked routes with infrastructure and the knowledge of said routes than there was when you started, but I think when you take it down to one possible choice, you simplify perhaps too much. When I did my first camino in 1989 the guides I found from the Spanish tourism department and in Spanish bookstores all showed the route through the Somport pass as well as the route from SJPdP. A friend of mine who walked in 1990 started in Arles rather than SJPdP (although for his own strange reasons he still chose to walk through Roncesvalles rather than through Somport). Other accounts from the time period (for example, Laurie Dennett's A Hug for the Apostle describe people starting well before SJPdP (in Laurie's case, from Chartres, I believe).I am grateful that for my first camino the choice was the black Model T—SJPdP to SdC in 34 stages
My own experience in 2016 was much different, when I was walking with my teenage son. We didn't need to reserve for the vast majority of our Camino from Roncesvalles, although having run into a bit of a bed race in Triacastela, we chose to reserve most nights for the last 100 km or so.The Camino is an everchanging experience; and it is fully ‘discovered’; 2028 EstadosUnidos camposteled in 2005, growing to nearly 21,000 in 2019. There was a ‘bed race’ in 2005, I got last bunk 3 times and floor 3 times and shut out once; but in 2016 Leon-SdC walk with adult daughter we needed to reserve nearly every night.
It became your black Model T, although other routes were the Model T's for others.I am grateful that for my first camino the choice was the black Model T—SJPdP to SdC in 34 stages.
Well, once you have started, you have started. Finishing or not is out of your hands.Once you have started ; well, you jolly well finish.
It depends.which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why?
Are there caminos that are also less crowded that you would recommend for first time walkers?We loved the Camino de Madrid. This was part of a camino combo that saw us walking from Loyola to Logrono on the Camino Ignaciano, an incredibly mountainous, quiet, challenging but breathtaking walk. We bussed to Madrid, spent a few days, then bussed out of town to start our walk. It was delightful from start to finish. Very few other peregrinos, a combination of great cities (Segovia, Valladolid as a side visit, Madina del Rio Seco, Sahagun), meseta as well as hills and villagers embracing us all along the way. We were treated so special we forgot about the conga line of the Frances...until we hit the Frances at Sahagun. We saw more walkers in two minutes than we had seen on the Ignaciano and Madrid combined. We would not recommend it for first time walkers who don't know the routine of being a pilgrim. On several occasions, we entered a seemingly empty village as our destination. We knew what to do; find the main plaza, set on a bench, act like an exhausted, miserable, starving peregrino. Not much acting needed, but it's important to stay put and wait for the villagers to emerge to help you. And they will. And don't forget to get the beautiful certificate in Sahagun at the convent of the statue of the Peregrina.
Welcome to the forum, @amy374 ! You should find a lot of information to help you with your decision.Are there caminos that are also less crowded that you would recommend for first time walkers?
Firstly, I found the advice given to you in the post you quoted to be a bit unusual.Are there caminos that are also less crowded that you would recommend for first time walkers?
During Covid, the CF has the most open infrastructure making it the best for first timers.Since there seems to be an uptick in optimistic potential pilgrims on the forum, I thought I would raise this issue for broader discussion. It has been discussed before, but fresh eyes and thoughts might be energizing.
If you are a newbie, and if you are like me, when you started planning your first camino, you had no idea that there were more than 45 caminos criss-crossing all over Spain. So by default most first time pilgrims go to the Camino Francés, St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, made famous in The Way and undoubtedly the most popular camino. I’m not challenging that or suggesting it’s the wrong decision, but I thought I would ask the broader forum — which camino do you recommend for first-timers, and why? Are there newbies out there who are thinking about this? If so, please join the discussion!
Happy New Year to my forum friends, Laurie
Puerto Peregrino,.....Today I find myself in Valencia, the priority was due to a business trip. My team of people is leaving home tomorrow. I decided to go on a pilgrimage. I don't have a normal jacket or a normal backpack, I don't know the details I should know. I don't want to know them so that I don't give anything to try to discourage me .. I have no idea what I'm doing, I don't even have a sleeping bag .. but I still feel ready for the trip ..
Thank youPuerto Peregrino,
What great timing! All your digital readers will be very curious to learn how it all works out.
Do write more when you can.
Wherever/whenever/however you do go
Buen camino.
Puerto Peregrino,
What great timing! All your digital readers will be very curious to learn how it all works out.
Do write more when you can.
Wherever/whenever/however you do go
Buen camino.
I don't know if I chose the route .. or if the route chose me .. but I start in Valencia .. and if I come to Santiago de Compostela .. I will rightly call it the Camino de Levante
Thank you very much, i appreciate it@Puerto Peregrino, I wish you every joy in your journey.
Don't worry too much about your gear. My only counsel is keep it as light as possible. A message that I got from my reading was to see if what your carried could have at least two functions. But it takes a while to discern what that means for any one.
Finally I say from the other language of my country:
kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui (take care, be strong, confident and patient)
Well, @VNwalking it's been a long time since you replied to this post about how to choose a first Camino. I have scrolled through all of the replies on this thread, but your answer spoke to me: "Someone with 6 weeks who's comfortable with solitude, who wants a contemplative walk with an abundance of history, architecture, and natural history? I'd say Viejo-Olvidado-Invierno." This is me. I'm a solo backpacker with a lot experience hiking mountains at high elevations, I'm recently retired, and I have long wanted to do a Camino. I am discouraged by what I read about the crowds of the CF, yet I am interested in a spiritual Camino. I speak passable (not fluent) Spanish. I want vistas, nature, small towns, churches, albergues with available beds, and a way into Santiago that is not on the crowded CF. I guess my question to you is about "Viejo" because I am having trouble finding that route. Is it part of another longer one? Thanks!Well, once you have started, you have started. Finishing or not is out of your hands.
But back to the original question...
It depends.
Someone with a week free and no experience of walking any distance (but who wants 'camino experience' would probably be best off walking the Frances from Sarria.
- What is their intention for walking?
- How much time can they spend?
- Are they seasoned walkers?
- Are they capable of longer stages?
- Are they comfortable with company, or solitude?
- Do they speak Spanish (or Portuguese, depending on the route)?
- Do they have any particular interests that might determine the route (history, architecture, geology, flora and fauna)?
Someone with 6 weeks who's comfortable with solitude, who wants a contemplative walk with an abundance of history, architecture, and natural history? I'd say Viejo-Olvidado-Invierno.
Those are the two ends of the continuum, with quite a lot of possibility in between.
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