Summer on the CF 2020

[KJFSophie]

Teaching a course on the Camino in Jan/Feb, having surgery in March, expecting first grandchild in May...looks like life has prescribed a summer camino as I'll be back to working in the fall. I'd like to run a possible plan to the well seasoned walkers...Begin in Pamplona July 22 ( a week or so after the running of the bulls ?) , walk as far as I can before landing in Santiago and departing back home August 24. I've just about a month and am no longer a speedy nor longer distance walker ( been there, done that ) I may avoid the congestion after Sarria. I have four Compostela already ( plus Via San Francisco, Italy ) and no real desire to obtain a fifth. Are there festivals in certain areas that time of year that I need to be aware of that would cause congestion and interruptions in travel/bus/taxi at any certain times that I should be aware of?
Thanking you all ahead for your expertise

 

[SYates]

You might want to consider taking the Invierno after Ponferrada ...
BC SY

 

[KJFSophie]

You might want to consider taking the Invierno after Ponferrada ...
BC SY

Can you tell me more about this option? benefits?

 

[Jan_D]

Can you tell me more about this option? benefits?

Pilgrims used to take this path to avoid the snow on and around O Cebreiro in the winter months. It separates from the CF in Ponferrada, so it's a way of avoiding the crowds. I haven't done it yet, but it looks absolutely beautiful: the walk takes you along the Sil river, and through some strange landscapes created by Roman mining activities. While definitely the road less travelled, it seems more and more people are becoming aware of it as an alternative ending to the CF, so I'd recommend doing it before the crowds arrive!

(Here's a brief overview of the route - and you can find lots of information and anecdotes on the forum...)

 

[KJFSophie]

Pilgrims used to take this path to avoid the snow on and around O Cebreiro in the winter months. It separates from the CF in Ponferrada, so it's a way of avoiding the crowds. I haven't done it yet, but it looks absolutely beautiful: the walk takes you along the Sil river, and through some strange landscapes created by Roman mining activities. While definitely the road less travelled, it seems more and more people are becoming aware of it as an alternative ending to the CF, so I'd recommend doing it before the crowds arrive!

(Here's a brief overview of the route - and you can find lots of information and anecdotes on the forum...)

Oh my ! I'm glad I asked the question! This looks like a very good possibility...I'll be researching this possibility. Thank you !

 

[JennyH94]

Hi KJFSophie -
The Invierno certainly looks to be a great option. John Brierley is about to publish his first Invierno guidebook and he spoke a lot about the peace and beauty to be found on this route when he visited Australia recently on a speaking tour.
There’s further information here on the Forum about the Invierno on the thread entitled Camino Invierno July 5th 2020.
Buen Camino Invierno and cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[peregrina2000]

Oh my ! I'm glad I asked the question! This looks like a very good possibility...I'll be researching this possibility. Thank you !

Oh my goodness, did someone say Invierno??????

Lots of good forum information and lots of rave reviews. Just scroll through the threads at your leisure.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-de-invierno.79/

And there is also a forum guide, last updated in January of this year, that is really all that you need to walk the Invierno.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/invierno-forum-guide.535/

To be fair, I know there are a few forum members who did not like it much. But I think the overwhelming consensus is that it is a beautiful camino with the “real camino feeling,” whatever that may mean to you. I’m only slightly embarrassed to say I have walked the Invierno three times now, and am truly hoping there are several more in my future!

 

[kdespot]

Peregrina2000, your blog entries and photos have thoroughly convinced me to do the Invierno next time! Thank you for sharing.