Recommendations for 3rd Camino

[larry1948]

76 year old male looking to do another Camino around April 2025. Completed CF from SJPP in 2022 and Portuguese from Porto earlier this year. I’ve looked at del Norte, but wanted to keep days about 20 km. Looks like many longer days are necessary. Do enjoy meeting other pilgrims, so I’m less inclined towards the least popular routes. Save repeating all or a portion of the CF, I’m looking for routes to consider. Thank you in advance.

 

[KariannNor]

Primitivo in April 24 was, not too crowded, but always people everywhere to meet and talk with, both on the path and at the stayings. Almost all the stages can be taken in smaller portions.

 

[falcon269]

One in France. You will find it completely different!

 

[ParisOslo]

Why not in Rome direction!

 

[WalkingLester]

Primitivo!

 

[Bill905]

I agee with @falcon269 - why not consider Moissac to SJPP? No Compostela but an incredible experience. About 350 km, just a few days longer than the CP.

 

[dbier]

There's one stage in the Primitivo that's hard to do under 20km...you have to pick the 2 day route through Pola de Allende rather than go through Hospitales.

Other than that, the early Primitivo is hillier for longer than the same time frame on either the Frances or the Portuguese. If you choose to walk it, plan more days than the guides say.

Buen Camino.

 

[CTLawGal]

There's one stage in the Primitivo that's hard to do under 20km...you have to pick the 2 day route through Pola de Allende rather than go through Hospitales.

Other than that, the early Primitivo is hillier for longer than the same time frame on either the Frances or the Portuguese. If you choose to walk it, plan more days than the guides say.

Buen Camino.

Agree this! And also that while not too crowded, definitely enough people in April/May to meet and socialize with if you are looking for that kind of experience; I walked Norte/Primitivo in 2023 and walked with a lot of really interesting people. However, I would recommend starting on the Norte before the Primitivo if you have time - maybe in Bilbao if you don't have the time or want to avoid that chilienging first week of the Norte. It would give you some walking warmup before you hit the steeper elevation gain on the Primitivo. Spring was beautiful, flowers blooming, the coastal portions breathtaking.

I'm considering returning Spring 2025, but also considering Le Puy en Velay to walk through France, which was also recommended above. I speak French (and spent many days on my first Camino only speaking French with pilgrims who spoke no or limited English, which was a treat for me) so I would enjoy it for that reason as well; I've read posts on this forum that some find it less English-friendly if that's a concern for you. I haven't explored deeply enough to comment if Le Puy is compatible with your daily distance concerns. Maybe I should have added that I wilI be 66 for my 2025 Camino

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@larry1948, should you wish to investigate the Primitivo further, you might find this thread from @Thomas1 helpful because of the shorter staging.

Thread 'Caminó Primitivo 4/2024' https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-primitivo-4-2024.86290/

 

[domigee]

One in France. You will find it completely different!

In that case, maybe the Le Puy route (which I haven’t walked but my husband has).
It has pilgrims and some infrastructure… Apparently it is very nice
Other caminos in France are very lonely and you need to carry food!

 

[domigee]

Why not in Rome direction!

I second that!

 

[Rianne33]

The Via Lemovicensis from Vézelay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is very nice. I walked it this spring and there were always other pilgrims on the road. And enough pilgrim infrastructure too.

 

[larry1948]

Thank you all for the thought provoking replies.

 

[ParisOslo]

Thank you all for the thought provoking replies.

Imagine Florence to Rome!

And wonderful Italian cuisine every single day!

 

[Lexicos]

I’d go for the Le Puy en Velay Larry. It’s a beautiful route, really interesting old towns and stunning natural scenery. Plenty pilgrims too, though you will probably get some rain in April. Infrastructure is good too.

 

[josephmcclain]

I have the same question! after the Francés and the Primitivo, which Camino. I am seriously thinking about Conques to Saint-Jean! My French would definitely need some brushing up, but I would enjoy that. Am comments? I am 81!

 

[Paul J W]

76 year old male looking to do another Camino around April 2025. Completed CF from SJPP in 2022 and Portuguese from Porto earlier this year. I’ve looked at del Norte, but wanted to keep days about 20 km. Looks like many longer days are necessary. Do enjoy meeting other pilgrims, so I’m less inclined towards the least popular routes. Save repeating all or a portion of the CF, I’m looking for routes to consider. Thank you in advance.

Look to south Spain routes: Malaga-Cordoba; Almeria-Grenada: Cordoba-Merida; Cadiz-Seville; Seville-Merida. All well signed, plenty accommodation without too long a stretch; generally less busy; plus more delightful rural areas to walk through! Whatever, BC.

 

[Bill905]

I have the same question! after the Francés and the Primitivo, which Camino. I am seriously thinking about Conques to Saint-Jean! My French would definitely need some brushing up, but I would enjoy that. Am comments? I am 81!

All I can say is that it's a hell of a start to a Camino if starting in Conques. The stairs and hill to get out of Conques was one of the most difficult stages on the Camino for me (in my 70's), and it was in the middle of our Camino. If you decide to start there, take it easy on the first day. I am posting a graphic of the elevation profile of that stage, and here is the entry from my blog for that day "The horizontal measurement is 5 km per rectangle, and the vertical is 200 metres. Therefore, in about 4 kms of walking we descended about 1,000 ft (300 meters) and then we had to immediately climb that same 1,000 ft. It was very steep and gruelling!" Our target for that day was Noailhac ... and we made it!

You may want to consider starting in Livinhac-le-Haut, generally the first stage after Conques. Bon chemin! You will love the people, the vistas ... and especially the cheeses!

 

[Trekker One]

Primitivo for sure. My favorite by a mile out of seven walks so far.
It's a little hilly in spots, but very beautiful and not crowded...or at least in wasn't in the fall of 2018.

 

[josephmcclain]

All I can say is that it's a hell of a start to a Camino if starting in Conques. The stairs and hill to get out of Conques was one of the most difficult stages on the Camino for me (in my 70's), and it was in the middle of our Camino. If you decide to start there, take it easy on the first day. I am posting a graphic of the elevation profile of that stage, and here is the entry from my blog for that day "The horizontal measurement is 5 km per rectangle, and the vertical is 200 metres. Therefore, in about 4 kms of walking we descended about 1,000 ft (300 meters) and then we had to immediately climb that same 1,000 ft. It was very steep and gruelling!" Our target for that day was Noailhac ... and we made it!

You may want to consider starting in Livinhac-le-Haut, generally the first stage after Conques. Bon chemin! You will love the people, the vistas ... and especially the cheeses!

View attachment 177318

Great information! Thanks so much!!