Options for shorter routes

[jrickards]

My wife and I are considering the Camino Frances in 2020 but because of holiday restrictions at her work (no more than 3 weeks between June 1 and Sept 1 and, depending on what others with more seniority ask, 3 weeks might be allowed but broken into 3 separated weeks), we are thinking that it might be best that we consider a shorter route with the hope that if the last week is into this restricted period, it shouldn't be a problem.

Some sites suggest starting at Sarria but that is only 1 week, we're hoping for somewhere between 2 and 3. Are there good starting points somewhere between 200-300km from Santiago? I realize that really, you could just start at any point but some points might be easier to get to than others.

 

[trecile]

This site https://godesalco.com/plan can help you plan to figure out a good starting point for your Camino.

 

[jrickards]

Yes, that is good information but I don't know if one location is better than another (one might be on a bus or train route, the other might require more transportation options to get to).

 

[Davey Boyd]

How about the Camino Primitivo? The original camino. It is very very beautiful, and you could get to Santiago easily in your time frame. Starts in Oviedo, very easy to get to. You would be doing a full route too, no need to come back to finish it. (Means WHEN you do come back after getting addicted you can do a different one)!
I have seen many pilgrims do the Primitivo as their first camino, none were disappointed.

Or see trecile's post and find somewhere easy to get to on the Frances. Burgos? Leon?

Whatever you decide
Buen Camino!

 

[Davey Boyd]

Yes, that is good information but I don't know if one location is better than another (one might be on a bus or train route, the other might require more transportation options to get to).

Tell us where you fancy and we can advise on transport options. Mainly you need somewhere that is do-able at your pace/daily distance with a buffer 'just in case'. Got 3 weeks? work out 2.5 weeks and start there for instance. Extra time at the end means you can explore santiago or go on to Finisterre/Muxia for example.Better than finding you haven't enough time because of injury/blisters so you have to rush and not enjoy.

Davey

 

[jrickards]

How about the Camino Primitivo? The original camino. It is very very beautiful, and you could get to Santiago easily in your time frame. Starts in Oviedo, very easy to get to. You would be doing a full route too, no need to come back to finish it. (Means WHEN you do come back after getting addicted you can do a different one)!
I have seen many pilgrims do the Primitivo as their first camino, none were disappointed.

This sounds like an awesome idea, I'm not familiar with this route/way, I'll have to look it up. I like the idea that I can count it as a complete route/way.

Many thanks

 

[Anamya]

Hi @jrickards!

If you want to stick with the French route, starting in Leon can be a good option. t is a beautiful city and very easy to access by train/bus/flight from Madrid or Barcelona.

Other options for a two-week (three counting traveling times, rest days and visiting Santiago) cound be the Primitivo, as talked above, or the Portuguese Camino, starting in Porto (Portugal), also easy to access from Madrid/Barcelona by cheap flight with Vueling.

I walked the Portuguese Camino last year and loved it. Visit gronze.com, it is in Spanish but shows most of the routes with suggested stages and list of accomodation.

Buen Camino!

 

[MichaelC]

I think a 2-week walk from León to Santiago would make a wonderful Camino.

 

[jrickards]

Whenever I search for information on camino routes, most of the sites I encounter are tour sites. What is a good site for routes in general that also includes a good description of the primitivo?

 

[KinkyOne]

Whenever I search for information on camino routes, most of the sites I encounter are tour sites. What is a good site for routes in general that also includes a good description of the primitivo?

Take your pick:
https://www.gronze.com/
http://www.mundicamino.com/los-caminos/
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/mobile/
http://www.rayyrosa.com/loscaminos
and plenty more on web.

Buen Camino!

 

[Walking Lover]

My wife and I are considering the Camino Frances in 2020 but because of holiday restrictions at her work (no more than 3 weeks between June 1 and Sept 1 and, depending on what others with more seniority ask, 3 weeks might be allowed but broken into 3 separated weeks), we are thinking that it might be best that we consider a shorter route with the hope that if the last week is into this restricted period, it shouldn't be a problem.

Some sites suggest starting at Sarria but that is only 1 week, we're hoping for somewhere between 2 and 3. Are there good starting points somewhere between 200-300km from Santiago? I realize that really, you could just start at any point but some points might be easier to get to than others.

Leon to Santiago took me 16 days. I love this section.

 

[KinkyOne]

But then again why would you pick a shorter route???
I can understand you take the shortest one to your supermarket, but Camino...???

Sometimes I try to be funny, sorry, English isn't my native language );

 

[AlwynWellington]

@jrickards , the suggestions above are all commendable.

A different approach is one I encountered in April 2016, in France.

I started at Le Puy-en-Velay and arrived at Saint-Jean-pied-de-port at the end of the month. On the way I encountered many who were there for a week or two. Each year they returned to where they had stopped last year and carried on for another week or two.

The infrastructure is about the same as in Spain, but fewer walkers to trip over.

That approach may meet your needs just as well. And, of course, Saint-Jean is not the end of that trip. Rather it is just a way point as you continue on to Compostelle.

Michelin put out a very good guide book # 161.
That, and the equivalent for Spain, were my preferred references during the day.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)