This is a reflection of my current camino, still ongoing on the way to Muxia. Starting in SJPdP in mid September, it has been a wonderful experience, meeting so many great people along the way. As I passed Astorga, the number of people started to increase rather much. No problem there as every one of us walking are equally contributing to "the crowd". But I decided to try the Invierno from Ponferrada in an attempt to have a more personal Camino until Santiago. And what a wonderful way the Invierno is!!! I like long days so I walked it in 8 days, arriving Santiago yesterday .. And in that time I met only 2 other pilgrims in total!! Amazing scenery and there is strong feeling of pilgrimage relative to the more busy CF. My only regret is that I don't speak Spanish so communicating was not easy .. But then again, not too complicated with hand signs and Google translate. The Invierno is less flexible in terms of accommodation but is was not a problem at all to find food and a bed.
@peregrina2000 has complied a wonderful PDF guide available for free on this forum and offline GPS map is available as app by wise pilgrim/wisely. My higest recommendations to the Invierno as an alternative way from Ponferrada to Santiago if you want a beautiful and solitary experience, in combination with the CF but avoiding the last (and crowded) 200 km.