Seeking input, considering changing my Camino starting point...

[AnaR]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th. I am reconsidering my route now. This is my first Camino. I am 57, a woman and will be starting on my own. Part of my enchantment with walking the Camino is that there will be others from around the world walking as well. While I enjoy alone time, it is not a goal for me on the camino. I am concerned that I will feel too isolated on the Camino Portuguese on my own. And honestly, although I am not a fearful person, the reports of women being harassed recently have made me a little nervous as well. I have a month, and so am considering changing to the Camino Frances starting somewhere where I can reach Santiago de Compostela by November 2nd. I am in pretty good shape for the walk I think, but have no desire to race, rather this trip is for relaxation and reflection for me. Any thoughts about the population of pilgrims on the Portuguese and Frances routes in October as well as any recommendations for where to start on the Frances route or other tips, I will be grateful to receive. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful camino!
Cheers,
AnaR

 

[SabsP]

Hi AnaR,

Both are lovely routes, each in their own individual way. My first Camino was the Frances in April 2011 and to me it was the ideal introduction into the Camino life. This year I walked the Portgues from Porto in August/ September.The Portugues is getting more popular so also more pilgrims. But yes the Frances is more populated and has more albergues/ hostales if you want to walk a short day.

I would suggest walking the Frances , you will certainly get the Camino bug and come back! Maybe starting in Pamplona / Logrono or somewhere in between these two cities. Gives you time to reach Santiago in the designated time.

 

[AnaR]

Thank you so much for your reply! I will look at these places.

 

[Marc S.]

I walked the Portuguese and Frances, both in October. Also on the Portuguese there will be pilgrims, particularly from Tui onwards, so I doubt if you would feel very isolated there. However, I see that you have app. 24 days walking days available, which is quite a lot for the Portuguese (in fact you could walk from Porto to Santiago and back in that period), so - as you seem to have time - I would opt for the Frances instead. I do not know how fast you walk, but by starting in Burgos, Logrono or Pamplona, you should be able to reach Santiago. You can always come back and walk the Portuguese next time around (it is perfecly doable in two weeks). Buen camino !

 

[nirvana]

dear ana,
both caminos might not be very busy in october, but there will be enough pilgrims to make friends for sure!
i'm your age and been walking both the frances and portugues for a couple of times, mostly on my own or partly with pilgrims i met on the camino.
i always felt save and proteted and never had been harassed on the about 5000 km of spanish camino i have been walking so far. on the camino you live in a community of caring people.
considering that you have plenty of time and are in good shape, the portugese is a bit short. it is nice and easy and not so challenging, you could walk it also when you are 70
actually i find it doesnt make much sense to compare caminos in a touristy way, because pilgrimage is an inner process, but it might help at times to add some challenges and most of all follow the desire of your heart and you can never go astray.
the spiritual attraction of the camino frances is very strong as well as its sweet transforming energy.
it is very beautiful! just go for it, you can do it
in 3-4 weeks you can easily walk from burgos to santiago, so you can also cross the wonderful magic meseta, the land of wind and fire... before you come to the mountains and galicia, the land of earth and water. so your camino is complete. this is what i would do. you might even have time to go to finisterre. i wish you a wonderful camino!

 

[mountaingoat999]

AnaR

starting from Burgos your be spoilt for choice for company.
also very easy to transport too ... as said before the Meseta is nice and your have time to walk to fisterra.

 

[Melez]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th. I am reconsidering my route now. This is my first Camino. I am 57, a woman and will be starting on my own. Part of my enchantment with walking the Camino is that there will be others from around the world walking as well. While I enjoy alone time, it is not a goal for me on the camino. I am concerned that I will feel too isolated on the Camino Portuguese on my own. And honestly, although I am not a fearful person, the reports of women being harassed recently have made me a little nervous as well. I have a month, and so am considering changing to the Camino Frances starting somewhere where I can reach Santiago de Compostela by November 2nd. I am in pretty good shape for the walk I think, but have no desire to race, rather this trip is for relaxation and reflection for me. Any thoughts about the population of pilgrims on the Portuguese and Frances routes in October as well as any recommendations for where to start on the Frances route or other tips, I will be grateful to receive. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful camino!
Cheers,
AnaR

I am a 67 male in pretty good walking shape. Have been on Camino in Spain and France several times. I am thinking of walking Porto to Santiago at end of October and want to know what I can expect. Cold isn't a huge factor (I am Canadian) however, I am a bit spooked by information that many of the refugios/albergues are closed. I will need to decide PDQ so any advice/information would be MOST WELCOME. Bon Camino. Mel

 

[Thornley]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th. I am reconsidering my route now. This is my first Camino. I am 57, a woman and will be starting on my own. Part of my enchantment with walking the Camino is that there will be others from around the world walking as well. While I enjoy alone time, it is not a goal for me on the camino. I am concerned that I will feel too isolated on the Camino Portuguese on my own. And honestly, although I am not a fearful person, the reports of women being harassed recently have made me a little nervous as well. I have a month, and so am considering changing to the Camino Frances starting somewhere where I can reach Santiago de Compostela by November 2nd. I am in pretty good shape for the walk I think, but have no desire to race, rather this trip is for relaxation and reflection for me. Any thoughts about the population of pilgrims on the Portuguese and Frances routes in October as well as any recommendations for where to start on the Frances route or other tips, I will be grateful to receive. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful camino!
Cheers,
AnaR

Frances first Ana,
Portuguese second

 

[SabsP]

I am a 67 male in pretty good walking shape. Have been on Camino in Spain and France several times. I am thinking of walking Porto to Santiago at end of October and want to know what I can expect. Cold isn't a huge factor (I am Canadian) however, I am a bit spooked by information that many of the refugios/albergues are closed. I will need to decide PDQ so any advice/information would be MOST WELCOME. Bon Camino. Mel

Hi Melze,
You will be ok, only take into consideration that you will have to plan a bit ahead. I just took a look at th Gronze site. All official albergues are open. There might be other openinghours but there will be a note where you can find key/ hospitalero.
The new private ones where I stayed , told me that they were still unsure about their openingtimes so also a good idea to call them ahead.
The Casa Fernanda and my favourite Acogida from Antonio in Pedra Furada are open and will take a reservation.
http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-portugues

If something is closed, especially in Spain you will easily find a cheap pension and pay 20 € for a single.
Good luck.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th. I am reconsidering my route now. This is my first Camino. I am 57, a woman and will be starting on my own. Part of my enchantment with walking the Camino is that there will be others from around the world walking as well. While I enjoy alone time, it is not a goal for me on the camino. I am concerned that I will feel too isolated on the Camino Portuguese on my own. And honestly, although I am not a fearful person, the reports of women being harassed recently have made me a little nervous as well. I have a month, and so am considering changing to the Camino Frances starting somewhere where I can reach Santiago de Compostela by November 2nd. I am in pretty good shape for the walk I think, but have no desire to race, rather this trip is for relaxation and reflection for me. Any thoughts about the population of pilgrims on the Portuguese and Frances routes in October as well as any recommendations for where to start on the Frances route or other tips, I will be grateful to receive. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful camino!
Cheers,
AnaR

Hi Ana, I would say Burgos. You're have time enough and you are not alone.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Look for my Camino Forum patch on my bright red pack, Ana! I depart SJPP 1 October.

 

[wawpdx]

I would like to cast my vote for starting in Logrono. Even though the park walk on your way out of town will feel like a bit of a strange beginning, there are wonderful albergues in the first few days and you can even stop to see the chickens in the church.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Look for my Camino Forum patch on my bright red pack, Ana! I depart SJPP 1 October.

A few days to go and than off you go.
Wish you a great journey and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Seabird]

Look for my Camino Forum patch on my bright red pack, Ana! I depart SJPP 1 October.

Buen Camino! Hope the wedding went well.

 

[Seabird]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th.
Cheers,
AnaR

Buen Camino AnaR!

 

[annakappa]

Considering the time of the year, I would personally go for the Francés, mainly because you will certainly find more company.

 

[AnaR]

Thank you all so much for your replies and input on my "which Camino" question! Already I feel that I have friends on the camino! I believe that I will walk the Frances from Longorno or Burgos. My flight arrives in Porto (I am flying from Washington, US) so I will need to find my way to my staring point. I am thinking that I would like to start from Longorno but not sure about transport from Porto, the flights that I see are prohibitively expensive. Do any of you know if a train (I love trains!) runs from Porto to Longorno? Or, I could fly into Pamplona, much cheaper and take a bus to Longorno? I would start in Pamplona, as I have always wanted to visit there, but not sure that I would then have time to make it all the way to Santiago.
Again, many thanks to all from this newbie!
AnaR

 

[AnaR]

dear ana,
both caminos might not be very busy in october, but there will be enough pilgrims to make friends for sure!
i'm your age and been walking both the frances and portugues for a couple of times, mostly on my own or partly with pilgrims i met on the camino.
i always felt save and proteted and never had been harassed on the about 5000 km of spanish camino i have been walking so far. on the camino you live in a community of caring people.
considering that you have plenty of time and are in good shape, the portugese is a bit short. it is nice and easy and not so challenging, you could walk it also when you are 70
actually i find it doesnt make much sense to compare caminos in a touristy way, because pilgrimage is an inner process, but it might help at times to add some challenges and most of all follow the desire of your heart and you can never go astray.
the spiritual attraction of the camino frances is very strong as well as its sweet transforming energy.
it is very beautiful! just go for it, you can do it
in 3-4 weeks you can easily walk from burgos to santiago, so you can also cross the wonderful magic meseta, the land of wind and fire... before you come to the mountains and galicia, the land of earth and water. so your camino is complete. this is what i would do. you might even have time to go to finisterre. i wish you a wonderful camino!

Thanks so Much Nirvana!

 

[AnaR]

I would like to cast my vote for starting in Logrono. Even though the park walk on your way out of town will feel like a bit of a strange beginning, there are wonderful albergues in the first few days and you can even stop to see the chickens in the church.

Yes! I would like to start in Longorno I think. Thank you!

 

[AnaR]

Look for my Camino Forum patch on my bright red pack, Ana! I depart SJPP 1 October.

Okay Debrita! I will . Buen Caminha to you !

 

[nirvana]

Dear Ana, if you can get a flight yo pamplona that would be excellent. You could start there though i reckon it would make sense to have no time pressure but a couple of spare days just in case of injuries or just days of rest. From pamplona you can take cheap buses to Estella, Logroño, santo domingo de la calzada which also would be a beautiful starting place or Burgos. From Porto it would take much time to travel overland (via lisboa and madrid or vigo, santiago...) at leadt 2 dsys and quite expensive. And yes, sure you already have friends on the Camino

 

[alhartman]

I have started from Pamplona twice as it is an easy and cheap airport from USA West Coast. On map I think you can walk from Pamplona airport to CizurMinor (or taxi about 5km).
Pamplona-Burgos is 11 stages and Leon-Santiago is 16 stages. So a CF without the meseta can be done in your 24 days if you skip a few days by bus. Meseta is some of the best long distance walking but for me doesn't have the great fungsui of the early CF or Galicia. ( Astorga-Santiago is 11 stages).
I'd recommend starting in Pamplona then play it by ear after Burgos. The Basque country is magical for walking and fall food--tapas, pinchos, lamb, laRioja wine. IMO one of the sections not to be missed. Happened into Puente laReina one fall for a chili festival--air filled with the smell of roasting peppers!
Lots of bus/train options along the way. One year I walked with a friend from Leon to Ponferrada, took the train back to Pamplona, walked to Burgos, bus to ???, walk to Santiago . Only confusion was getting Compostella-- they did not know what to use as my starting point!! So you can hopscotch if you wish--only the map books and guides are linear!!
My notes show RENFE stations in Roncevalles, Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Sahagun, Leon, Astorga, Ponferrada, and Santiago. Not sure all on same routeschedule, but at least RENFE

 

[Marc S.]

hi Ana. I love trains as well, it is such a nice way to travel. There is an overnight train that will take you from Porto (change in Coimbra) to Burgos in only 9 hours. The same train also goes to Pamplona (extra 3 hours) if you want to visit this city as well (I would, if I were you). From Pamplona I am sure you can easily bus into either Logrono or Burgos.

 

[Kay803]

Hello Fellow Pilgrims!

Until recently I have been planning to walk the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto on October 8th. I am reconsidering my route now. This is my first Camino. I am 57, a woman and will be starting on my own. Part of my enchantment with walking the Camino is that there will be others from around the world walking as well. While I enjoy alone time, it is not a goal for me on the camino. I am concerned that I will feel too isolated on the Camino Portuguese on my own. And honestly, although I am not a fearful person, the reports of women being harassed recently have made me a little nervous as well. I have a month, and so am considering changing to the Camino Frances starting somewhere where I can reach Santiago de Compostela by November 2nd. I am in pretty good shape for the walk I think, but have no desire to race, rather this trip is for relaxation and reflection for me. Any thoughts about the population of pilgrims on the Portuguese and Frances routes in October as well as any recommendations for where to start on the Frances route or other tips, I will be grateful to receive. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful camino!
Cheers,
AnaR

Hi Ana

I am 55, I started in Porto Sept 25, in Pontevedra tonight. Before I reached Tui, I saw a grand total of 4 other pilgrims lol. Since Tui, there's several people of all ages and nations on the Way.

I also am walking alone, but I never felt isolated, the route went through villages and towns, and local people were very friendly.

I loved walking the coast for so many days, but I actually DID come for solitude and thinking time

Hope this helps and Bom Caminho.

 

[AnaR]

Thank you so much Kay! I have decided to walk the Camino Frances this time. I am happy for you that you have had solitude on your Camino so far. It is very helpful to get your input. I will still spend a day in Porto but then travel directly to Pamplona from there to start the walking part of this journey. Perhaps Portugal for me another journey... May your pilgrimage continues in peace. Thanks again.
Cheers
Ana

 

[OzAnnie]

Thank you so much Kay! I have decided to walk the Camino Frances this time. I am happy for you that you have had solitude on your Camino so far. It is very helpful to get your input. I will still spend a day in Porto but then travel directly to Pamplona from there to start the walking part of this journey. Perhaps Portugal for me another journey... May your pilgrimage continues in peace. Thanks again.
Cheers
Ana

Hi Ana
Decisions.......... Now don't be surprised whilst spending the day in Porto if you meet a like minded pilgrim or group about to set off or on their way already. You may decide to join them. You would have time at the end to include the walk the finistere and muxia and still have time to relax with friends in Santiago after all that. Go with whatever feels right.
You can always pick up a credential at the cathedral in Porto . Make sure you have a look at the beautifully tiled walls in Porto train station and whichever way you end up - once you start they are all wonderful ways. Bom caminho/ buen Camino

 

[ranthr]

I have walked from Porto once in the middle of September and twice on the Frances in October, last time in 2016. There were still a lot of pilgrims in October on the Frances. I would suggest you could start in Leon or Astorga and have no race to SdC. Most albergues will be open.
If you choose to start in Porto check up openingtimes of albergues on www. gronze.com and be aware that there are a lot of cobblestones along the way.