Todd Emerson
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May-June 2018
May-June 2024
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A very good combination with the Primitivo is to walk the Salvador first. It starts in The beautiful city of Leon and ends in Oviedo where the Camino Primitivo starts. The Salvador is very beautiful, mountanous, (but not more difficult than the Primitivo) not crowded. It will add 4 to 7 days.Hi Todd, welcome to the forum. I see that this is your first post.
The Camino Frances is a popular choice as a first Camino, for many good reasons. However, since you're an experienced hiker, I suggest that you consider the Camino Primitivo. You'll find lots of information and links to blogs, photos etc. in the Camino Primitivo subforum. It's about a 2-week walk so if you've more time, you could walk some of the Norte first and/or continue walking to Finisterre/Muxia after you arrive in Santiago.
There are of course lots of other options - and no bad choices! Happy planning and Buen Camino to both of you.
I’m sorry you ended up with resentment. I walked Frances for first time in September and found many ways to be alone and in silence. I looked forward to the solitude of the early mornings, walking to a spot where I could sit and look back in the quiet to watch the sun rise. Often the only sound I heard was tinkling of a bell on some sheep or a rooster crowing. Yes, there are spots wheee it is busier and more social. I personally would not stop at Ronsevalles again. I learned early to stop for the day ‘off the stages’ (as in Brieley book) stop before or walk on to next village if possible and you’ll encounter fewer people. No matter which route you’ve choose, buen caminoI will most likely never walk the Frances again because of how commercialised it has become, but had I not walked it, I would not have discovered the other trails. Mid-May is high season... so the question is, why the C.? Religion, history, social interaction, C. architecture?
I now resent the noise fellow walkers make behind me as I try to observe a bird. I do well walking alone all day but enjoy company here and there, and in the evening. I resent being charged 10€ for crappy fried food. And I enjoy visiting towns and cities of historic and architectural importance, even if not pilgrimage related. So I looooved the Norte.
But if you are high in social encounters, chatting your way through Spain, want to take full advantage of Middle Ages Camino history and architecture then the Frances might be right up your alley. Oh, and tolerate Pilgrim menus...
The Norte is gorgeous, with the sescapes, and lovely food. But it’s for long distance walkers while the Frances is more for the Camino-pilgrim-social -don't care for bad food person.
If you strive, or don't mind, the "social noise", I would vote for the Frances to find out what others are going on about. Push comes to shove, as you approach the mayhem of the Frances as you approach Sarria, detour on the San Salvador to Oviedo and then the Primitivo, or the Invierno from Ponferada, and get a wonderful experience with a bit of both worlds.
I walked my first Frances 10years ago. It was fantastic. No conga line, noone scaring the birds away with their chatter. Noone in front or behind. Since that time I walked parts of it three more times, including two post « The movie ». What a difference. My last experience on the Frances was terrible, two years ago, meging on it from the Primitivo in Melide. It was pure chaos. Never again. It is so sad to see the mess, the loud music, the pushing and shoving to get into albergues when the doors open, queuing to be able to order and eat a sandwich.I’m sorry you ended up with resentment. I walked Frances for first time in September ...
I walked my first Frances 10years ago. It was fantastic. No conga line, noone scaring the birds away with their chatter. Noone in front or behind. Since that time I walked parts of it three more times, including two post « The movie ». What a difference. My last experience on the Frances was terrible, two years ago, meging on it from the Primitivo in Melide. It was pure chaos. Never again. It is so sad to see the mess, the loud music, the pushing and shoving to get into albergues when the doors open, queuing to be able to order and eat a sandwich.
So yes, I could still try to make those special moments happen somehow, but I can’t be bothered as there are different routes, beautiful and quiet, with the more authentic interaction with fellow walkers and hospies as it was found in the Frances 10 years ago.
Jill, there is no cynicism. The OP asked for advice to pick between the Frances and the Norte. I explained what the pros and cons of each are for me. I said « if you liek a, b and c, then this one will be more up your alley, but if d, e and f are important to you, then opt for the other one ». Where is th cynism?However, newcomers, just starting out on their first camino didn’t walk it 10 years ago.
They are seeing it with fresh eyes.
The Camino Francés has changed in the last 10 years. It is different.
And a lot of it is so much better than 10 years ago. The infrastructure, the economy, the choice of accommodation, the beautiful new modern clean private albergues instead of the horrible old basic damp moldy cold refugios.
Times have changed.
For those who don’t like it, then take the cynicism and go walk somewhere else.
Jill
Hi NZers! Welcome...In our 60's we did our first Camino, the CF in 2016 April - May after deciding against the Del Norte out of fear really! We were all keyed up for it and at the last moment decided on the CF which was the best decision for us. We loved everything about it.Hello!
My husband and I are travelling from New Zealand to walk the camino for the first time starting in early-mid May this year. We are in our 30's and quite fit and used to tramping.
We have heard the Camino Frances can be overrun and very busy, and a friend recently had a great time walking the Camino del Norte. We are torn over which one to do, but i'm wondering if there is a better one to do at this time of year? Can anyone help us decide?
Thanks!
Yay my friend and I are setting out on our first Camino Frances on the 4th May so excited, to be so close to the start, months of thinking, walking and breaking in our boots, knowing there will be ups n downs, but will all be worth it when we reach Santiago !! Look forward to making new friends along the way !!!Hello!
My husband and I are travelling from New Zealand to walk the camino for the first time starting in early-mid May this year. We are in our 30's and quite fit and used to tramping.
We have heard the Camino Frances can be overrun and very busy, and a friend recently had a great time walking the Camino del Norte. We are torn over which one to do, but i'm wondering if there is a better one to do at this time of year? Can anyone help us decide?
Thanks!
There is no single answer to that question. I haven't walked in May-June but I have read hundreds of opinions on this forum. It seems that there are waves of walkers, both during a given day, and on a day-by-day basis. That is the only explanation for the widely different experiences that have been posted on the forum by very reliable members. There are various ways to reduce the crowds that surround youLots of people have said that the Camino Frances is "busy" in May-June.. but how busy is my question? In an average hour of walking, at mid-morning (say, 10-11am) evenly spaced between major towns, how many other people can you expect to see within eye/earshot on the trail?
I'm a first timer and going alone, so I'd like a little company, but the idea of teenagers blaring music down the road is unappealing.
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