Which is the most scenic route?

[frdaz]

I'm new to this site and haven't seen the above question addressed. I did the Portuguese route last year and loved it. It has a nice diversity of terrain...beach, hills, farmland, forests, rivers, nice little towns, etc. I'd like to try another route next time. Any suggestions as to the most scenic?

 

[alexander ellul]

Camino del norte is very nice. Harder coz its more mountainous but worth going.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I think the Camino Aragones and the Camino Primitivo are in the top category for scenery.

 

[karenhypes]

We felt the Chemin Le Puy route was beautiful and you pass through some fabulous towns and villages. Of course the Camino Frances is the iconic route that offers so much, not only in scenery but in its history and the "Camino spirit". And for a great taste of France, the Chemin Arles offers a broad cross section of France and you continue to the Camino Aragones which is also very nice. Bottom line, any route you take you will enjoy and be glad you tried it.
Dayton

 

[dogtorbill]

Which of the routes has the best (still challenging, scenic, not too crowded) last 120 - 150K? I did Entire Frances last year, and by far, Sarria to Santiago quite a let-down segment. Only have 8 days this year. Considering Ingles (too short?), Primitive? Final segment of Norte, Portugese or other? Any suggestions??? Thanks, Bill

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Do the Camino Invierno. Start in Ponferrada and walk at least to Monforte de Lemos, and on to Lalín if possible. It is well-served with places to stay and great food. It follows a beautiful river valley lined with vineyards and forests and ancient churches. Very Galician, historic, and just enough varied terrain and backwoods Galician curiosity to keep it interesting.

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Which of the routes has the best (still challenging, scenic, not too crowded) last 120 - 150K? I did Entire Frances last year, and by far, Sarria to Santiago quite a let-down segment. Only have 8 days this year. Considering Ingles (too short?), Primitive? Final segment of Norte, Portugese or other? Any suggestions??? Thanks, Bill

I really liked Camino Inglés but for me it took only 4 days (recommended is 5-6). 8 days will be very short stages but you could explore the towns and surroundings more. It was not crowded at all. Or continue out to Finisterre or Muxía, that would be about 8 days.

 

[dogtorbill]

Ingles now becomes plan B. I'm looking into Lourdes to SJPP, as a prequel to Frances last year. Does this route exist with waymarkers & hostels/albergues???

 

[FatmaG]

Yes, the way from Lourdes to SJPdP is waymarked (2 possibilities, either as Jacobean Way or as GR, mostly common but sometimes slightly different). You will find more information on the sub-board "the Piémont route".
And, yes, you will find albergues - except perhaps in Saint Just/Ibarre (if I remember well).

 

[dogtorbill]

Looks like I may indeed be travelling Lourdes to SJPP. Any one out there done this? Feels more rewarding to end up at Lourdes, but will be going AGAINST the flow of the few pilgrims. May not be relevant if I wouldn't see any anyway. Any thoughts? Also waymarkers may completely confuse me!!! Does anyone know listings of hostels/albergues in this area? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hebergements; toward the bottom of the document for Lourdes to SJPdP.

 

[frdaz]

Looks like I may indeed be travelling Lourdes to SJPP. Any one out there done this? Feels more rewarding to end up at Lourdes, but will be going AGAINST the flow of the few pilgrims. May not be relevant if I wouldn't see any anyway. Any thoughts? Also waymarkers may completely confuse me!!! Does anyone know listings of hostels/albergues in this area? Thanks!

I like the idea of ending up in Lourdes, but I'd worry about missing the waymarkers going backwards since most are only visible going the other way. FYI there are BLUE waymarkers going backwards from Santiago to Fatima. Buen camino...

 

[FatmaG]

GR (Grande Randonnée)-waymarks are generally to be seen/read in both directions.
I did Lourdes-Saint Jean some time ago (in fact the whole way was Narbonne-Hendaye), but cannot tell you for sure if the GR continued after Oloron or not... (I think that yes, but check it out!)

 

[alexander ellul]

@dogstobill. Since you are on the French Pyrenees you can look up for Gites not Alberges. The route you are due to follow is refered to GR65 (Grand Randonnes).. The way markings are not yellow arrows but instead follow blue/yellow markings. Buen camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Look for the white over red; many are just paint on a tree or tape on a post rather than fancy like the last one:

 

[Al the optimist]

You could walk the Ingles from A Corunna to Bruma, bus to Ferrol and then walk from there to Santiago and really complete the Ingles!

 

[econodan]

I agree with Falcon about the beauty of both the Aragones and the Primitivo. But we're really mountain people, and so found the scenery along the Ruta del Salvador even more dramatic. The walking is great too.
You can read more and see some pics on our blog here, and find some more photos here.
Buen camino.
Dan