Recommended section of the camino for 5-7 days in early November?

Five to six days is the normal time for Sarria to Santiago. Ponferrada to Santiago would be possible if you walk 30 km days.

Stage Partial (km) Cumulative (km)
1) Ponferrada - Trabadelo 32.4 32.4
2) Trabadelo - Fonfría 30.5 62.9
3) Fonfría - Sarria 33.7 96.6
4) Sarria - Gonzar 30.5 127.1
5) Gonzar - Melide 31.4 158.5
6) Melide - Rúa 32.1 190.6
7) Rúa - Santiago de Compostela 20.8 211.4

Walking Josh,

November 1 is a public holiday in both France (Toussaint) and Spain (Día de todos los Santos ). Many families travel during this time to pay homage to their dead relatives. Hence roads and transport may be extra busy; some businesses and services, but not all, will be closed. As always BE PREPARED with what you need!

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

Hi Josh.

This is a bit of an obscure choice, but I'm thinking about transport links to and from Madrid (assuming that's where you're flying to).

Sahagun to Ponferrada. You'd see a bit of the Meseta, the lovely cities of Leon and Astorga, then enjoy a few hills and pretty villages around the Cruz de Ferro. With seven days you could walk something like;
Day 1 - Sahagun-Calzadilla de los Hermanillos (14kms just to stretch your legs and get over the flight.)
Day 2 - CdlH - Mansilla (24.5kms)
Day 3 - Mansilla - Leon (18.6kms)
Day 4 - Leon - Villar de Mazarife (22.2kms)
Day 5 - Mazarife - Astorga (31.2 kms)
Day 6 - Astorga - Rabanal/Foncebadon (21.4/27.2kms)
Day 7 - Rabanal/Foncebadon - Ponferrada (34/28.2kms)

If you wanted to spend more time anywhere you could just stop in Astorga, which is also well connected, but the bit between there and Molinaseca or Ponferrada is great if you can do it. It sets up a nice 8 or 9 days into Santiago on your next trip! Buen Camino!