Looking for Camino recommendations for 1 week in October for solo female traveller

[Maggie.Blueberry]

Hello!

It looks like I may have a week in Europe in the second week of October and I have always wanted to do the Camino de Santiago.

I know a week isn't long but I want to seize the opportunity and at least get a taste of the famous journey.

So, I am seeking your recommendations on route or any advice you might have.

I will be a solo female traveller so I am interested in meeting other travellers on route. Also, it will be in the second week of October so I'm not sure if some routes tend to have more rain than others.

With these in mind (solo female, first timer, mid October), my search so far has led me to the Camino Frances from Serria or the Camino Portuguese from Tui. Any thoughts on these or others?

Are both of these starting points easily accessible if I fly into Santiago? Also, anywhere in Santiago where I can leave most of my luggage while I'm walking?

Also, if i have some time after the hike, any recommendations on a nice and relatively close place to spend a day or two?

I'm not sure about distances/trains/buses so any thoughts on how far it would be feasible for me to travel for a couple days. I might be able to get a flight out of somewhere else other than Santiago like Lisbon or Barcelona if they're feasible....(coming from Canada, distances in Europe always surprise me as shorter than I thought! Haha)

Anyways, thanks a million in advance!

Cheers,
Maggie

 

[HeidiL]

Both are good routes, but there will be more people on the Francés. If you want company and community, go for that, if you want solitary walks, walk from Tui.

Have a wonderful time, and welcome to addiction - it's really hard to stop at one...

 

[notion900]

Also, if i have some time after the hike, any recommendations on a nice and relatively close place to spend a day or two?

People rave on about Porto being very nice. Can anyone comment on what it's like at that time of year?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Are both of these starting points easily accessible if I fly into Santiago? Also, anywhere in Santiago where I can leave most of my luggage while I'm walking?

Sarria is the more accessible of the two. You can leave luggage in Santiago either with your hotel or with Ivar (see the link normally at the top of the page).

Buen camino.

 

[SYates]

Welcome to the forum @Maggie.Blueberry It really depends if getting a Compostela (this year) is important to you or not. If yes any of the 'last' 100km starting points are reasonable easy to reach by public transport. BUT you will be in Galicia which can by quite rainy in October.
If you don't want/need a Compostela this time, you could for example walk from Roncesvalles or Pamplona as far as you get, perhaps Logroño, and continue next year.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

First time?
Then Sarria and the French Camino

 

[WGroleau]

Also, anywhere in Santiago where I can leave most of my luggage while I'm walking?

If you can survive for a week on what you carry, why bother bringing anything else along? For that matter, whatever you think you'll need (or forget about till you're already there), consider which is more convenient: packing it to take to an airport, or saving the baggage weight to buy it when you need it?

 

[sulu]

Hi! Welcome to the camino. I can't tell you what the weather will be like in October, though it can be nice and warm! I
I did the Poruguese in October and I once walked from Samos in October. Both were warm and sunny but the Frances was busy with people who had known each other for some time and it was not that easy to feel part of the camino. On the Portuguese, admittedly I walked from Porto, we were a small number but we were friendly and people walked different distances so the group varied, it was easier to mix in. Personally I have always found it more possible to be lonely in a busy place than in a quieter one.
I would also reckon that it is easier to get to Tui or Valenca than to Sarria, there are both buses and trains from Santiago to Tui and Valenca is a must to visit, but then so are Pontevedra and Padron!!
Buen camino whichever you chose

 

[Tamsin Grainger]

Welcome to the forum @Maggie.Blueberry It really depends if getting a Compostela (this year) is important to you or not. If yes any of the 'last' 100km starting points are reasonable easy to reach by public transport. BUT you will be in Galicia which can by quite rainy in October.
If you don't want/need a Compostela this time, you could for example walk from Roncesvalles or Pamplona as far as you get, perhaps Logroño, and continue next year.

Buen Camino, SY

Last year there was practically no rain at this time of year. It was beautiful. Have a good walk!