Which Camino?

[Rich1]

I'm sure this comes up a lot but looking for advice on which Camino to do next.

Did the CF on my own in 2015. Walking CF with my wife in 2 week blocks over 3 yrs - St Jean to Burgos last year, and on to Ponferrada recently.

I love the CF, both on my own and with company - the atmosphere, the villages, the churches and pilgrim masses. I find it a very spiritual/religious experince which is why I do it. Quite happy with my own company through the day ( I tend to move quickly) but always enjoy that camaraderie in the evening - especially a communal meal.

I have the chance to return again in August for enough time to do any of the caminos

So which do I do? Fancy doing something different but will it still like a pilgrimage? Will it give me that religious experience?

I do walk in the Lake District usually on my own and am more than happy with my own company. Distance and terrain is no issue. Don't want too much tarmac.

Have considered something like Madrid, Salvador, Primitivo. Everyone says Via de Plata is too hot in August.
Or just do CF again?

Views/advice welcome

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Don't know how many day's you have but why not doing the Salvador and Primitivo

But you have to make the decission witch Camino to walk .

Wish you well,Peter.

 

[MileHighPair]

Is August the only available time? If so, that is going to be tough. I agree the VdlP would be very hot if began in Seville. You could start farther north, Salamanca would be no warmer than Madrid. The Norte would be full of tourists. The Frances would be very busy (at least the last 100km). I think you might be on the right track with a combination of lesser known, shorter routes that could be combined. We can only offer our view, it is your decision. Buen Camino!

 

[giorgio]

Never been on CF in August but i'm sure it would be to busy and hot for my taste....
Out of the ones you mentioned ,would definitely pick the Camino de Madrid,perfect for a two-weeks time slot...

 

[Kitsambler]

Why limit yourself to Spain? You could walk from Le Puy in France. Or you could walk in Bavaria, which has several routes (Tillyschantz-Nuremburg-Ulm-Konstanz, or west from Nuremburg, or south from Munich). Both would be cooler than Spain. Switzerland is likely to be far too expensive in August. And if you're really looking for cooler climes, there's always the St Olav's Way in Norway.

 

[Mike Savage]

August in Spain, distance and terrain not an issue, hmmm . . . I would consider the Norte.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

I'm sure this comes up a lot but looking for advice on which Camino to do next.

Did the CF on my own in 2015. Walking CF with my wife in 2 week blocks over 3 yrs - St Jean to Burgos last year, and on to Ponferrada recently.

I love the CF, both on my own and with company - the atmosphere, the villages, the churches and pilgrim masses. I find it a very spiritual/religious experince which is why I do it. Quite happy with my own company through the day ( I tend to move quickly) but always enjoy that camaraderie in the evening - especially a communal meal.

I have the chance to return again in August for enough time to do any of the caminos

So which do I do? Fancy doing something different but will it still like a pilgrimage? Will it give me that religious experience?

I do walk in the Lake District usually on my own and am more than happy with my own company. Distance and terrain is no issue. Don't want too much tarmac.

Have considered something like Madrid, Salvador, Primitivo. Everyone says Via de Plata is too hot in August.
Or just do CF again?

Views/advice welcome

Primitivo. Vdlp in august crazy. Finished month ago and it was very hot then all the way. Lots of albergues closes july august i was told.

 

[Rich1]

We can only offer our view, it is your decision.

Absolutely correct...I'm sure the right way will present itself

Why limit yourself to Spain? You could walk from Le Puy in France. Or you could walk in Bavaria, which has several routes (Tillyschantz-Nuremburg-Ulm-Konstanz, or west from Nuremburg, or south from Munich). Both would be cooler than Spain. Switzerland is likely to be far too expensive in August. And if you're really looking for cooler climes, there's always the St Olav's Way in Norway.

Had considered Le Puy, but from my reading I reckon the costs would be much more and many people talk about the need to book ahead continually. Other sound interesting

 

[NoQ]

I'm also walking all August this year and am planning on doing the Primitivo, extended to Muxia / Fisterra. With a couple of extra rest days in Lugo and SdC that will work out to a good 3 weeks plus of walking.
I actually wanted to do the Frances again, but Mrs noq wants a change of scenery.

 

[Rich1]

Mrs R and I will be going o Muxia/Finsterre next year so that will have to wait.

I guess my concern is that whatever route, it still "feels" right - that it still has that pilgrimage feel rather than just being a scenic walk. However, i think that may be more to do with personal approach.

 

[Felipe]

I recommend the Piedmont way, in France, especially after St Bertrand de Comminges.
It goes along the Pyrinees, so it is cooler and more shaded than other routes. Less crowded, too.
And the landscape is magnificent, with some moderately challenging stages.

 

[AlanB]

Don't be put off the VDLP because of he heat. Spain in August is hot everywhere and the solitude of the route is very spiritual

 

[domigee]

Don't be put off the VDLP because of he heat. Spain in August is hot everywhere and the solitude of the route is very spiritual

You're a brave man! I started the VdlP in June and the temperatures in Andalucia and Extremadura were already much higher than they usually are on the Camino francés, let alone the North of Spain
The problem is also lack of available water and what you take with you gets hot really quickly.

 

[AlanB]

I walked in July 2015.It was great. Yes it's hot and I'm northern European but it's beautiful. Really, there were only a couple of days where water was an issue. Again, the solitude was wonderful and the locals were very welcoming of the foreign fool. Most of the villages in Andalucia/ Extremadura have municipal swimming pools- gratis for pilgrims.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Maybe look at St. Francis from Assisi to Rome?

 

[SYates]

I am wondering why nobody has suggested the Camino Portugues yet? You could 'tailor' your starting point to the time you have available and if you choose the coastal route it shouldn't be too hot. Yes, it will be busy, but a lot of the routes are busy in August. Also, many Portuguese people do speak English ;-) Buen Camino, SY