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Hi RosieHello all!
I will be doing my first Camino from September 10th to 25th, but I'm having trouble choosing a route and I'm hoping for some advice! My two options are walking the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Burgos, or walking the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago.
On the CF, I wouldn't get to Santiago and I'm worried that I would leave without the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching the end of the route. I'm not walking for religious reasons, but there's still something to making it to the end. On the other hand, the CF is supposed to have better pilgrim infrastructure and a wider range of people. I don't love crowds (I'm worried about the bed race,) but I'm definitely excited to meet people. I also think I would enjoy the scenery more here than on the Portugues. If I do the CF I definitely want to do Roncesvalles to Burgos, though, since its supposed to be more interesting than later parts of the route and hopefully marginally less busy. I could also go back another time and start at Burgos.
On the Camino Portugues, I would be able to complete the route and end up in Santiago. However, I'm worried about not meeting as many English I speakers as I would on the CF, and about the general availability of pilgrim infrastructure. I've seen a few comments that the CF is better for first-timers, and I don't want to miss out on the pilgrim culture of the CF.
As of right now I'm leaning towards the CF, but any advice would be welcome! If anyone has walked one or both, which would you recommend?
Thank you!
if you find that part within you that pulled you towards the camino pilgrimage, it might lead you to the path that is most suitable to you and what you are open to experience.
For the CF - I think actually you will get a great sense of accomplishment if you walk from Roncesvalles to Burgos (any reason why you are not starting at StJean?) and like you say, it sets you up for a return.
Hello all!
I will be doing my first Camino from September 10th to 25th, but I'm having trouble choosing a route and I'm hoping for some advice! My two options are walking the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Burgos, or walking the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago.
On the CF, I wouldn't get to Santiago and I'm worried that I would leave without the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching the end of the route. I'm not walking for religious reasons, but there's still something to making it to the end. On the other hand, the CF is supposed to have better pilgrim infrastructure and a wider range of people. I don't love crowds (I'm worried about the bed race,) but I'm definitely excited to meet people. I also think I would enjoy the scenery more here than on the Portugues. If I do the CF I definitely want to do Roncesvalles to Burgos, though, since its supposed to be more interesting than later parts of the route and hopefully marginally less busy. I could also go back another time and start at Burgos.
On the Camino Portugues, I would be able to complete the route and end up in Santiago. However, I'm worried about not meeting as many English I speakers as I would on the CF, and about the general availability of pilgrim infrastructure. I've seen a few comments that the CF is better for first-timers, and I don't want to miss out on the pilgrim culture of the CF.
As of right now I'm leaning towards the CF, but any advice would be welcome! If anyone has walked one or both, which would you recommend?
Thank you!
I agree with you on El Molino, out of the way but it is a Camino experience not to be missed. The evening meal was a feast, their own wine is great and to sit next to that wood fire was wonderful. We even came across a Camino friend there who we thought was well ahead of us. It was a great night.I met a couple in Pamplona who had walked from Roncevalles in one very long day! They had sent their bags ahead and possibly had a page missing in their book. That walk took me 3 days.
I too tossed about the idea of starting in Roncevalles but shared a cab with some people and started in St Jean. So grateful I did! It was pure magic.
One day out of Burgos there were literally no beds avaiable in the town we arrived at...but one pilgrim suggested we try for the place they were going... El Molino. The inn keeper arrived to pick us up and drive us to his rural casa, with the understanding that he would return us to the very same spot on the Camino the very next morning. A beautiful old mill in the country side. It was Magic! Dinner with 14 other pilgrims. It was a rare experience. I would like to suggest that you finish your Camino there! The film The Way used it as a location. The innkeepers are the grandparents of the lovely young lady who married Martin Sheen's grandson. ... Just a thought.
Your Camino will guide you to the places, the pace, and the people.
I started my Camino on my own and soon developed my little Camino Pod of lovely like minded folks and you will too.
The Caminho Portuges has an excellent infrastructure, is very well waymarked, is not crowdy, no bedraces,you meet all nationalities, the landscape you walk in is gordeous, the locals are very friendly and helpfull , the costs of living in Portugal are lower. the food is great.Hello all!
I will be doing my first Camino from September 10th to 25th, but I'm having trouble choosing a route and I'm hoping for some advice! My two options are walking the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Burgos, or walking the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago.
On the CF, I wouldn't get to Santiago and I'm worried that I would leave without the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching the end of the route. I'm not walking for religious reasons, but there's still something to making it to the end. On the other hand, the CF is supposed to have better pilgrim infrastructure and a wider range of people. I don't love crowds (I'm worried about the bed race,) but I'm definitely excited to meet people. I also think I would enjoy the scenery more here than on the Portugues. If I do the CF I definitely want to do Roncesvalles to Burgos, though, since its supposed to be more interesting than later parts of the route and hopefully marginally less busy. I could also go back another time and start at Burgos.
On the Camino Portugues, I would be able to complete the route and end up in Santiago. However, I'm worried about not meeting as many English I speakers as I would on the CF, and about the general availability of pilgrim infrastructure. I've seen a few comments that the CF is better for first-timers, and I don't want to miss out on the pilgrim culture of the CF.
As of right now I'm leaning towards the CF, but any advice would be welcome! If anyone has walked one or both, which would you recommend?
Thank you!
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