Invierno to SDC rather than Sarria

[KeyserSoza]

Started in SJPDP in mis-April. At Sarria we took a 30 min bus ride to Montforte de Lemos to finish to SDC via the Invierno route. Two days in and at Rodiero and the difference with the CF from Sarria is profound. There are circa 10 pilgrims in the Hostal this evening. It’s not every bodies cup of tea as the stages are longer and without cafes etc., but are very beautiful and as noted above quite. One obviously misses the social side of the CF but the local farmers are very friendly & helpfull.

 

[andycohn]

Started in SJPDP in mis-April. At Sarria we took a 30 min bus ride to Montforte de Lemos to finish to SDC via the Invierno route. Two days in and at Rodiero and the difference with the CF from Sarria is profound. There are circa 10 pilgrims in the Hostal this evening. It’s not every bodies cup of tea as the stages are longer and without cafes etc., but are very beautiful and as noted above quite. One obviously misses the social side of the CF but the local farmers are very friendly & helpfull.

Thanks, @KeyserSoza. . That's exactly what we were thinking of doing in the fall when we're planning to walk the Frances again. There are certain place on the Frances we'd like to see once more -- O Cebreiro, Samos, for example -- so didn't want to cut off to the Invierno at Ponferrada, but don't think we can face up to the crowds after Sarria. (We'll probably also avoid the crowds in the beginning by hitting the Frances via the Camino Baztan). Good to hear that others are thinking along the same lines, and have successfully made the leap.

 

[KeyserSoza]

I also meant to give a big shout-out for the spanking new Invierno Pilgrims office in Monteforte de Lemos. We had it to ourselves and the full attention of Fran who runs it who could not have been more helpful on details of options.

 

[Dani7]

Shhh

 

[Robo]

Be quick folks! The Invierno is going to get very popular in the next few years........

 

[Dani7]

Be quick folks! The Invierno is going to get very popular in the next few years........

Double shhhh !!!!

 

[Frankybaby66]

Started in SJPDP in mis-April. At Sarria we took a 30 min bus ride to Montforte de Lemos to finish to SDC via the Invierno route. Two days in and at Rodiero and the difference with the CF from Sarria is profound. There are circa 10 pilgrims in the Hostal this evening. It’s not every bodies cup of tea as the stages are longer and without cafes etc., but are very beautiful and as noted above quite. One obviously misses the social side of the CF but the local farmers are very friendly & helpfull.

Sshhh! You're supposed to keep it to yourself!

 

[Filippo05ff]

Thanks, @KeyserSoza. . That's exactly what we were thinking of doing in the fall when we're planning to walk the Frances again. There are certain place on the Frances we'd like to see once more -- O Cebreiro, Samos, for example -- so didn't want to cut off to the Invierno at Ponferrada, but don't think we can face up to the crowds after Sarria. (We'll probably also avoid the crowds in the beginning by hitting the Frances via the Camino Baztan). Good to hear that others are thinking along the same lines, and have successfully made the leap.

You will miss Las Medulas (mirador de Orellan) and the Rio Sil Canyon. Anyway me and my girlfriend did the same this april and may (we are going to the beach 10 km from Muxia now), even for the Baztan, and we find those routes absolutely fantastic!

 

[Pepper_E]

Started in SJPDP in mis-April. At Sarria we took a 30 min bus ride to Montforte de Lemos to finish to SDC via the Invierno route. Two days in and at Rodiero and the difference with the CF from Sarria is profound. There are circa 10 pilgrims in the Hostal this evening. It’s not every bodies cup of tea as the stages are longer and without cafes etc., but are very beautiful and as noted above quite. One obviously misses the social side of the CF but the local farmers are very friendly & helpfull.

Loved walking the Camino Invierno. Started in SJPdP and when we reached Ponferrada, simply took a left turn and moved on to the Invierno. Absolutely beautiful walk, well marked and many friendly locals along the way. After dealing with the Sarria crowds on my first Francés, the Invierno was a joy. With fewer services and just a sprinkle of Pilgrims it may not be for everyone - I loved it.

 

[andycohn]

You will miss Las Medulas (mirador de Orellan) and the Rio Sil Canyon. Anyway me and my girlfriend did the same this april and may (we are going to the beach 10 km from Muxia now), even for the Baztan, and we find those routes absolutely fantastic!

Good to hear! Looking forward to Muxia myself.

And yes, if we stay on the Frances to Sarria, we will miss Las Medulas and Rio Sil Canyon, but making choices always involves missing something. While we'll miss those places, we'll get to re-experience that magical walk along the ridge out of O Cebreiro and gaze in awe again at the murals at Samos, not to mention explore the alternative after Cacabellos that we didn't do the first time around.

And in the end, my "plan" is really just an idea. Maybe we'll get to Ponferrada and decide we're already sick of the Frances, and cut off on the Invierno there. Or maybe, we'll be loving the Frances and the new friends we've made so much that we'll decide to stick with the Frances after all, even after Sarria. For that matter, maybe we'll fly to Paris and decide we don't want to continue to Spain at all, and we'll walk to SJPDP via the Voie de Tours.

Who knows? We've made those kind of "game-day decisions before" -- tossing overboard at the last minute the "plan" we thought we had. Did it just last week, in fact, in Italy.

As my kids are fond of saying, "It's all good."

Anyway, as I sit here in my kitchen, I'm envious of you on the beach near Muxia.

 

[trecile]

And in the end, my "plan" is really just an idea. Maybe we'll get to Ponferrada and decide we're already sick of the Frances, and cut off on the Invierno there. Or maybe, we'll be loving the Frances and the new friends we've made so much that we'll decide to stick with the Frances after all.

That's exactly my "plan." I'll be joining the Francés from the Aragonés on Saturday at Obanos. I will decide when I reach Ponferrada which direction I want to go.

 

[Filippo05ff]

Good to hear! Looking forward to Muxia myself.

And yes, if we stay on the Frances to Sarria, we will miss Las Medulas and Rio Sil Canyon, but making choices always involves missing something. While we'll miss those places, we'll get to re-experience that magical walk along the ridge out of O Cebreiro and gaze in awe again at the murals at Samos, not to mention explore the alternative after Cacabellos that we didn't do the first time around.

And in the end, my "plan" is really just an idea. Maybe we'll get to Ponferrada and decide we're already sick of the Frances, and cut off on the Invierno there. Or maybe, we'll be loving the Frances and the new friends we've made so much that we'll decide to stick with the Frances after all, even after Sarria. For that matter, maybe we'll fly to Paris and decide we don't want to continue to Spain at all, and we'll walk to SJPDP via the Voie de Tours.

Who knows? We've made those kind of "game-day decisions before" -- tossing overboard at the last minute the "plan" we thought we had. Did it just last week, in fact, in Italy.

As my kids are fond of saying, "It's all good."

Anyway, as I sit here in my kitchen, I'm envious of you on the beach near Muxia.

I share with you this little "concha" I've found this afternoon by the ocean!

 

[Richmond Gardner]

That's exactly my "plan." I'll be joining the Francés from the Aragonés on Saturday at Obanos. I will decide when I reach Ponferrada which direction I want to go.

I think you will appreciate the quieter and also beautiful Invierno route, particularly as someone who is well familiar with the other Camino routes.

 

[trecile]

I think you will appreciate the quieter and also beautiful Invierno route, particularly as someone who is well familiar with the other Camino routes.

To be honest, I did enjoy the Aragonés, but it was a bit too quiet for me. I'm excited to be on the Francés now, at least for a while. I'll evaluate when I get to Ponferrada. I'm looking forward to not having to carry a lot of food or walk 15 - 20 km before I get to the first bar!

 

[Richmond Gardner]

To be honest, I did enjoy the Aragonés, but it was a bit too quiet for me. I'm excited to be on the Francés now, at least for a while. I'll evaluate when I get to Ponferrada. I'm looking forward to not having to carry a lot of food or walk 15 - 20 km before I get to the first bar!

I will say, Terri, that when i walked the Invierno in October 2022, it WAS very quiet. However, thst appears to be changing