What would the most alternate Francés route look like?

[Ungawawa]

Once you've done the Brierley Frances route by the book a few times, I'm thinking it would be interesting to do an alternate route version, to keep it fresh. I mean, never straying so far from the Frances that you can't rejoin it but incorporating all the variations and detours possible.

I imagine you could start with the Baztan or Aragones and then meet up at Pamplona, include the detour to Eunate, Los Arcos via Luquin, the Camino Real out of Sahagun, the rarer southern variant out of Leon, the Dragonte out of Villafranca del Bierzo, take in a handful of those "complementary" caminos that they sign all over the place in Galicia, or possibly finish off on the Invierno.

That's the limit of my camino knowledge. What other suggestions have people got for mixing up the Francés so that it doesn't get too familiar, without straying too far from the beaten track that it's no longer the Camino?

 

[C clearly]

the Brierley Frances route

There is one basic Camino Frances, with many small variations. Brierley didn't invent and doesn't own a particular route - he documents the main sign-posted route, as well as some of the variations you mentioned. Other guide writers do the same. The references to "Brierley" stage endpoints simply refer to the towns where he ends the map of his daily route suggestion. The route is not different from other guides. A majority of walkers do not use the Brierley book and they mostly walk the same route.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

possibly finish off on the Invierno.

Maybe start on a different Camino too.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Santiago to St. Jean Pied de Port. I have walked back now three times. Enjoyed every time immensely (best one was in winter). Very different than usual, you tend to stay in different places, the terrain is easier or more difficult in different stages. The view is different.

The concept is different, it is lonely, and has some very special challenges walking forward does not! It is a more chilled out walk in a lot of ways.

Is is a truly different Camino Frances

Davey

 

[Ungawawa]

Santiago to St. Jean Pied de Port. I have walked back now three times. Enjoyed every time immensely (best one was in winter). Very different than usual, you tend to stay in different places, the terrain is easier or more difficult in different stages. The view is different.

The concept is different, it is lonely, and has some very special challenges walking forward does not! It is a more chilled out walk in a lot of ways.

Is is a truly different Camino Frances

Davey

I walked my last Frances in November, and you were right, it was quite a special experience. Fogs at twilight, amazing sunrises, snow up in the high ground near the Cruz de Ferro. It was so much more atmospheric than other times of year.

 

[André Walker]

Once you've done the Brierley Frances route by the book a few times, I'm thinking it would be interesting to do an alternate route version, to keep it fresh. I mean, never straying so far from the Frances that you can't rejoin it but incorporating all the variations and detours possible.

I imagine you could start with the Baztan or Aragones and then meet up at Pamplona, include the detour to Eunate, Los Arcos via Luquin, the Camino Real out of Sahagun, the rarer southern variant out of Leon, the Dragonte out of Villafranca del Bierzo, take in a handful of those "complementary" caminos that they sign all over the place in Galicia, or possibly finish off on the Invierno.

That's the limit of my camino knowledge. What other suggestions have people got for mixing up the Francés so that it doesn't get too familiar, without straying too far from the beaten track that it's no longer the Camino?

Take a look at the map. Maybe you'll find a Camino that suits you...