Prentiss Riddle
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- Português and/or Francés in 2023
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This will probably generate as many wildly different opinions as socks or blister prevention, but for those of you who have walked multiple routes:
How would you rank the Caminos by difficulty, from easiest to hardest?
(If possible, please distinguish variations like the Portuguese Interior, Coastal, and Litoral.)
¡Gracias!
I've done 3 now. Porto to SDC easiest but beautiful, Frances next...about 4 tough stages amongst the 30 days then the Camino Norte....toughest first week I've ever experienced. As far as boredom difficulty goes....i've heard from other pilgrims Via del la Plato is monotonous.This will probably generate as many wildly different opinions as socks or blister prevention, but for those of you who have walked multiple routes:
How would you rank the Caminos by difficulty, from easiest to hardest?
(If possible, please distinguish variations like the Portuguese Interior, Coastal, and Litoral.)
¡Gracias!
That's an odd thing to offer up on this thread, especially as you haven't walked it. I loved Via de la Plata.i've heard from other pilgrims Via del la Plato is monotonous.
I walked the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte. Both were beautiful and challenging. Difficult to decide which was the easiest. I am getting ready to start VDLP in a few days and do hope it is not monotonous as someone said.
What a great topic! Thanks to you, Don, and others commenting on the VdlP... and glad to hear your experiences/comments ... we start APRIL 22 and I am so ready for the challenge.... Buen Camino Olimpia!Olimpia.........Do not worry about the VdlP it is far from monotonous. Yes it does have some long stages (plenty of time to contemplate), but these are broken up the minute (well first couple of hours at least) you leave Seville. The old Roman remains of Italica are just off the route and free to get in if you have an EU passport. The whole route is punctuated by history and great places to take some time out and see Merida, Caceres, Caparra, Salamanca and some equally fantastic albergues.
Buen Camino.
Don
First of all it's the longest Spanish Camino. I walked it in early summer and had two weeks of 40-48C temps. Furthermore fountains are quite scarce and you have to carry a lot of water. On later stages there is virtually no shade along the way and very rarely you can enjoy the forest or at least few trees on one spot. First four days are almost entirely on asphalt. Pilgrim accomodation is not available in all villages so that adds to the costs.I want to know why the Levante tends to end up as the hardest for those that have done it...and I'm waiting for an Invierno ranking!
My way from my garden gate to Santiago, divided in stages from easiest to hardest:
- Harald
I loved the Norte, do not be afraid!What makes caminos hard for me is steep hills and long stages. There are stretches with that on both Frances, Portuguese and Madrid, whereas the bit we did of the Levante was very pleasant.
On the other hand, some people might find never meeting other pilgrims hard - but since I tend to walk off season and try to stick to less-travelled walks, but bringing my husband, I'm used to that.
For people who don't speak any Spanish, the Madrid would be quite challenging - but I really loved it, apart from the day before Segovia, where my knee presented the major challenge.
The Camino I have been saying loudly that I will never walk because of the terrain is the Norte - and then I find people here saying it's the easiest one. This is typical - different people find different hings hard or easy, and there can't be one answer to this question.
Thank you for giving me something to think about!
And @mspath could rank them (winter Camino Frances only) by yearsI want to hear from @peregrina2000! She has probably done most all of the pilgrimage routes in Spain and I'd like to hear her opinion!
Absolutely she could!
This is interesting. I'm encouraged that @grayland found the Le Puy harder than the Vdlp, because the Le Puy did not trouble me and the Vdlp has me intimidated - probably because I abandoned it on my only attempt at it so far because of injury.
My list (easiest to hardest):
Turonensis (Chartres to Poitier)
Arles (from which we detoured to walk along the Canal du Midi)
Camino de Madrid
Camino Francés
Le Puy
Norte
The above ranking is based on terrain, and not related to enjoyment. The walk we enjoyed the least was the Turonensis.
Hola Don Camillo,You are definitely going to get numerous replies to this and in all probability they will all give a different list. For what it is worth I walked my camino's in an ascending order of what I reckoned was difficulty based on distance, infrastructure and route as discerned from research on this forum. As far as it goes this is my list but there will be other pilgrims who have completed more obscure camino's which may be more or less "difficult".
Easiest first;
Camino Frances.
Camino Norte/Primitivo.
Via de La Plata/Camino Sanabres.
Camino Levante.
Enjoyed them all but probably my favourite is VdlP and onto Sanabres.
Looking forward to other responses as I am short of camino ideas for 2018 .
Don.
This will probably generate as many wildly different opinions as socks or blister prevention, but for those of you who have walked multiple routes:
How would you rank the Caminos by difficulty, from easiest to hardest?
(If possible, please distinguish variations like the Portuguese Interior, Coastal, and Litoral.)
I have walked 5 Easiest to Hardest
Ingles
Finisterra
Frances
Protuguese Interior (From Lisbon)
Norte
I agree, the Camino del Norte is wonderful. First week may be tough coming out of the Pyrenees but well worth it. Following the coastline is wonderful.I loved the Norte, do not be afraid!
Salvador is easier than Frances?That's a not so easy to answer. What are main factors in categorizing easy/-ier from hard/-er? Is it elevation, mileage, infrastructure, weather conditions in which someone walked certain Camino, personal state of mind while doing it etc. But I'll try anyway. It'll be interesting for me also because I have never asked myself that question
(From easiest...):
1: Camino de Madrid
2/3: Camino Finisterre & Camino Muxia
4: Camino Ingles
5: Camino del Salvador
6: Camino Frances
7/8: Camino Sanabres & Camino de Invierno
9: Via de Bayona
10: Camino de Levante
For me it was but just a little bit. Second half of the Salvador is almost completely flat but on tarmac most of it which I don't like. One significant factor is the length of Frances. Also it has three notable uphills and few very demanding descends for my knees.Salvador is easier than Frances?
As far as boredom difficulty goes....i've heard from other pilgrims Via del la Plato is monotonous.
Don't give up on the VdlP Kanga. Two years ago I also had to abandon it at the half way point because of painful knees. The next year I returned wearing a knee brace and completed the camino without much difficulty. The second half is quite different when one gets on the Sanabres, and being further north at the same time of year (September) the weather was less harsh.This is interesting. I'm encouraged that @grayland found the Le Puy harder than the Vdlp, because the Le Puy did not trouble me and the Vdlp has me intimidated - probably because I abandoned it on my only attempt at it so far because of injury.
My list (easiest to hardest):
Turonensis (Chartres to Poitier)
Arles (from which we detoured to walk along the Canal du Midi)
Camino de Madrid
Camino Francés
Le Puy
Norte
The above ranking is based on terrain, and not related to enjoyment. The walk we enjoyed the least was the Turonensis.
Consider starting at Merida. I thought the Merida-Salamanca part was the best, but I walked on to Astorga rather than doing the Sanabres.I'm thinking of trying again this year, starting at the beginning of May.
@Thornley, I'll be walking the Le Puy route in June and you've got me shaking in my boots (I mean trail runners)! I'm planning for shorter days the first week snd hope I'll do ok! Yikes!
My way from my garden gate to Santiago, divided in stages from easiest to hardest:
Harald
- ....
- deviation from the Aragones to San Juan de la Pena (the hell of a hike, but I admit I underestimated it and was badly prepared)
Ok. So I should choose the way carefully if I make the decision for or against San Juan de la Pena.
Kanga,This is interesting. I'm encouraged that @grayland found the Le Puy harder than the Vdlp, because the Le Puy did not trouble me and the Vdlp has me intimidated - probably because I abandoned it on my only attempt at it so far because of injury.
My list (easiest to hardest):
Turonensis (Chartres to Poitier)
Arles (from which we detoured to walk along the Canal du Midi)
Camino de Madrid
Camino Francés
Le Puy
Norte
The above ranking is based on terrain, and not related to enjoyment. The walk we enjoyed the least was the Turonensis.
Everything I've read says Arles is far more challenging than Le Puy and due to this have been concerned about my fitness.
Go walk it, you'll be fine and I think you will really enjoy this route. I walked from Seville on my second Camino following the Frances and I still find the VDLP one of my most favourite Caminos. Lots of Roman history, interesting towns, better food than the Frances, great scenery and lots fewer pilgrims. Have fun preparing and I hope you enjoy the experience!I have only done the Frances so can't post a ranking. I was planning to walk vdlp santabres from Salamanca next month but the repeated ranking as about the hardest is scaring me a bit.
Your list gives me renewed confidence. .thanks from a Kiwi!!
The most difficult to the least difficult moments within all of the Camino’s I have done...please note that there were medical issues, weather issues and various personal issues that affect the response.This will probably generate as many wildly different opinions as socks or blister prevention, but for those of you who have walked multiple routes:
How would you rank the Caminos by difficulty, from easiest to hardest?
(If possible, please distinguish variations like the Portuguese Interior, Coastal, and Litoral.)
¡Gracias!
The most difficult to the least difficult moments within all of the Camino’s I have done...please note that there were medical issues, weather issues and various personal issues that affect the response.
A one day stretch on the Portuguese Litoral/Central that involved a steady uphill climb over loose rocks and mud with forest fires burning within 500 metres. Sheer horror and physical exhaustion.
The descent to Acebo with shin splints and no ibuprofena (3rd Francés)
An unintended extra night in Pontferrada due to dehydration that showed as a skin rash and resulted in a visit to hospital. ( zip off pants zipper line...and not enough water!) (2nd Frances)
Best moments
2. Being surprised in Puente La Reina by my pilgrim friends from the previous year.
1. While planning my 2nd Portuguese having my 20 yr old daughter ask if she could come with me
An interesting forum, but so much depends on what you find "difficult". Many folk have quoted 'isolation' as making a camino more difficult. But for me, I enjoy walking on my own, in solitude, listening to the birds and saying the odd prayer of thanks.10) Mozárabe: Granada to Mérida (walked alone for 16 days without seeing a pilgrim, infrastructure and signage fair)
An interesting forum, but so much depends on what you find "difficult". Many folk have quoted 'isolation' as making a camino more difficult. But for me, I enjoy walking on my own, in solitude, listening to the birds and saying the odd prayer of thanks.
A couple of years ago I walked the Ruta del Ebro and would say it's my favourite camino! And only 'hard' if you want lots of company.
Next year [2019] I hope to walk the Portuguese Coastal and am banking on it not being too crowded!!!
I agree completely, LT. I talk to everyone as I, too, speak just a little Spanish, having lived in Spain for eight years. But then, I'm a bit weird - I speak to all the animals I see - sheep, cows, birds - even the occasional butterfly.So true @Stephen Nicholls...... stopped often to talk with locals during their morning walks. This is something that I do on any Camino
But then, I'm a bit weird - I speak to all the animals I see - sheep, cows, birds - even the occasional butterfly..
WOW! Never heard of some of these routes. Could you send me some more info on the first 3! I walked Camino Frances and would like to brave enough to walk Le Puy. Need to learn French. This year it's MONTBLANC....This is interesting. I'm encouraged that @grayland found the Le Puy harder than the Vdlp, because the Le Puy did not trouble me and the Vdlp has me intimidated - probably because I abandoned it on my only attempt at it so far because of injury.
My list (easiest to hardest):
Turonensis (Chartres to Poitier)
Arles (from which we detoured to walk along the Canal du Midi)
Camino de Madrid
Camino Francés
Le Puy
Norte
The above ranking is based on terrain, and not related to enjoyment. The walk we enjoyed the least was the Turonensis.
Scroll down to see two maps of the Caminos in Portugal, Spain and France. Not all of them listed though:WOW! Never heard of some of these routes. Could you send me some more info on the first 3! I walked Camino Frances and would like to brave enough to walk Le Puy. Need to learn French. This year it's MONTBLANC....
WOW! Never heard of some of these routes. Could you send me some more info on the first 3! I walked Camino Frances and would like to brave enough to walk Le Puy. Need to learn French. This year it's MONTBLANC....
I really don't think it is monotonous (but it's only my opinion of courseI walked the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte. Both were beautiful and challenging. Difficult to decide which was the easiest. I am getting ready to start VDLP in a few days and do hope it is not monotonous as someone said.
Hmmm,can you explain why? I have walked The Inglés and found it easy. But when I read about the Primitivo it seems much harder?The Inglés is more difficult IMO than the Primitivo
I have walked the Inglés twice and the Primitivo in between. Terry had already walked the Primitivo when we walked the Inglés, to give me an easier Camino - as we thought. His comment at the end was 'If you can walk this you can walk the Primitivo'. I had to agree after walking both and the second time on the Ingles merely confirmed my feelings.Hmmm,can you explain why? I have walked The Inglés and found it easy. But when I read about the Primitivo it seems much harder?
Me too Chris, as I ponder Le Puy to Santiago or the Via Francigena!I love reading everyone's varying opinions and descriptions of the routes on this thread. It's giving me much to ponder when I will eventually be planning for 2019, after walking the Le Puy route come June.
Could you provide the link to your Torres videos, please?Easiest to hardest of caminos I've done (infrastructure, crowd, length of stages, solitude, ...)
caminos fisterra & muxía
camino portugues central (Porto-Santiago and Variante Espiritual)
camino francés
camino portugues (Lisbon-Porto)
Via Podensis (Le Puy-SJPP)
Primitivo ( with variante Hospitales)
Camino Torrès (Salamanca-Santiago by Portugal) hard challenging but as I enjoy walking on my own, in solitude (first pilgrim met after 480 km in Ponte de Lima) = my favorite camino, see my vidéos on youtube for example If you don't know this camino
Thank you for your answer! I have walked Camino Inglés 3 times and would gladly walk it again. To me the hills are nothing compared to the mountains around my homeI have walked the Inglés twice and the Primitivo in between. Terry had already walked the Primitivo when we walked the Inglés, to give me an easier Camino - as we thought. His comment at the end was 'If you can walk this you can walk the Primitivo'. I had to agree after walking both and the second time on the Ingles merely confirmed my feelings.
I think the daily elevations make the difference. On the Inglés there are more 'daily hills' but on the Primitivo there are less hills per day. We did not walk more than 20 kms most days on the Primitivo, which may have made it easier, but the daily distance on the Inglés was less over 8 walking days.
Henri. I wish you wouldn't post videos like that on the forum. Now I've REALLY got to walk another camino next year!here they are :
part I from Salamanca to Ciudad Rodrigo :.........part V Tui to Santiago :
We have visited the Cámara Santa twice, before it became part of the Cathedral 'tour'. We have the sello from there which can still be asked for at the ticket office, now in the Cathedral....................
In Oviedo there is this interesting case of The Sudarium in Oviedo. It is kept in the cathedral of San Salvador and is displayed to the public on Good Friday and 14 and 21 September. I suppose there will be big festivities on these occasions and well worth experiencing.
I haven't walked Via de la Plata. But I've heard repeatedly how boring the Meseta is on the Frances. To the contrary, I've chosen to walk that section again because I love it so much. But talking about which is boring or most beautiful is like the answers you get to what kind of shoes. Ask 5 people and you will get 5 wildly different opinions.That's an odd thing to offer up on this thread, especially as you haven't walked it. I loved Via de la Plata
This will probably generate as many wildly different opinions as socks or blister prevention, but for those of you who have walked multiple routes:
How would you rank the Caminos by difficulty, from easiest to hardest?
(If possible, please distinguish variations like the Portuguese Interior, Coastal, and Litoral.)
¡Gracias!
Hmmm ok so here's my HO!I want to know why the Levante tends to end up as the hardest for those that have done it...and I'm waiting for an Invierno ranking!
Hmmm ok so here's my HO!
But ask me which one I liked the most
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