Share your favorite alternate routes on the Francés

[Campo]

Hello Pilgrims! I'm doing some research on Camino Francés alternative paths and hoping you could share some of your favorites and why. I teach a university program over the summers and have been taking my students on three of them along our 500 mile program; Via Trajana, Pradela and Samos. They love these deviations so much and have been asking me to add some more to our itinerary and hoping to do so in the future. If you’re hesitant about revealing your paths to a group of 20 year olds, I promise we will treasure them and treat them kindly. Our program is very pilgrim conscious-- I try to instill in them the responsibility of being a pilgrim and sharing the path. I try to pass on some aesthetic and cultural dialogues of the Camino and hoping my influence helps a new generation of pilgrims. Would you share your ideas with us? Thanks in advance!

 

[SYates]

One of my favourite ones is the Camino Aragones (Somport) as a different starting point.
Buen Camino, SY

 

[Deleted member 12253]

My favourite by pass Estella in Vilatuerta at gable end of church go left. Well way marked easy to follow and you can then you have a choice for route to Los Arcos right for Monjardin or left via Luquin. You are on lovely mountain path well marked. No servicrs so bring some food etc. Luquin might have shop but not always open. You then join path into los arcos. Its where flood gates open me (tears) day to remember

 

[Iriebabel]

After Sarria And the stone bridge you will two sets of arrows at the railroad tracks . I would suggest taking the path to the right across the train tracks up the hill. Please be careful as this is an active railroad route.The views are terrific and not many pilgrims go this way. Ensure you have adequate water no fountains or cafes along the way as the path takes you up above and thru small hamlets. At times I questioned wheather I was on the right path but there are many camino sign post along the way.

 

[aname4me]

Take a look at this Other-Other Route into Burgos

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-other-other-way-into-burgos.46311/#post-580951

 

[KinkyOne]

Detour to Eunate in Muruzabal and merge with CF in Obanos.
Option on Calzada Romana (after Sahagun) through Calzada del Coto and Calzadilla de los Hermanillos.
After Leon to Villar de Mazarife.
From Hospital de Orbigo through Villares de Orbigo to Astorga.

Others I haven't walked on both or even three options.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My favourite by pass Estella in Vilatuerta at gable end of church go left. Well way marked easy to follow and you can then you have a choice for route to Los Arcos right for Monjardin or left via Luquin. You are on lovely mountain path well marked. No servicrs so bring some food etc. Luquin might have shop but not always open. You then join path into los arcos. Its where flood gates open me (tears) day to remember

When the Monjardin municipal and the private lodgings in the village were all full in May 2017, we were given instructions to head over to Luquin where a brand new albergue had just opened above a small bar. It was good sizef and nice and clean. We were a tired group of four, and had the place to ourselves. It was a lifesaver!

 

[Portia1]

Samos was nice. Also did Dragonate after Villa Franca—tough, poorly marked, no one else, but spectacular as well. Long day followed by climb to Faba—glad I did it but not again.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Samos was nice. Also did Dragonate after Villa Franca—tough, poorly marked, no one else, but spectacular as well. Long day followed by climb to Faba—glad I did it but not again.

I'm impressed you walked the Dragonate route, especially as a female! I know it was better waymarked last year to help. What year did you walk (climb ) it?

 

[Portia1]

I'm impressed you walked the Dragonate route, especially as a female! I know it was better waymarked last year to help. What year did you walk (climb ) it?

2009

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Thr river route from Poblacion de Campos to Villalcazar de Sirga is one that I particularly liked.

 

[Bala]

Thr river route from Poblacion de Campos to Villalcazar de Sirga is one that I particularly liked.

Very pretty walk, and when I was on it this past April it sounded like a million birds were singing. It definitely beat walking the main path along the road.

 

[Campo]

These are some great suggestions! Will be researching them for next year-- thank you all!