Leon to Sarria - May & June 2024

[Ellann]

After just finishing to Portuguese Camino and vowing never to undertake another, I have begun to reconsider. I walked Porto to Santiago de Compostela and then Finisterre to Muxia, along with other long walks in Porto, so all up about 350 km.
I have never been drawn to walking the French Way, it is too long, and sections too hard for me. Many of the others have long stages. I need a way that allows for shorter stages so have begun to look at sections of the French way to my surprise.
I have no desire to walk from Sarria, I do not need to go to Santiago again, I don't desire another Compostela, but feel that Leon to Sarria is a doable walk for me. I know that September to October is very popular if not plain crowded, so considering May into June 2024.
Any advice, comments and anything else would be much appreciated from this wonderful think tank and brains trust.

 

[Martin-B]

Good morning.

Just returned from the Frances, completely agree with you about avoiding the last section from Sarria and not necessarily because of the numbers, the route you've chosen isn't bad but if difficult terrain is a problem the drop into Molinaseca can be a little difficult under foot if wet. If I were to pick a section that I'd do again Pamplona to Burgos with stops amongst others at Lorca, Torres del Rio, Navarette, the donativo at Granon if you can cope with a mattress on the floor and Atapuerca, Hostal la plazuela verde (work in progress) with options to carry on past Burgos, I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the Meseta though many dislike or even bypass this section. Hope this helps a little?

 

[J Willhaus]

May and June are also popular months.

 

[JerryStroebele]

I walked from Astorga to Santiago starting September 20 and did not consider it crowded, even after Saria. The exhilaration of walking into Plaza Obradoiro is worth waiting a few extra minutes at some busy bar/cafes along the way. I walked the Meseta this April and found it delightful, if a little chilly some nights in albergues. Buen Camino

 

[Charles Ross]

Good morning.

Just returned from the Frances, completely agree with you about avoiding the last section from Sarria and not necessarily because of the numbers, the route you've chosen isn't bad but if difficult terrain is a problem the drop into Molinaseca can be a little difficult under foot if wet. If I were to pick a section that I'd do again Pamplona to Burgos with stops amongst others at Lorca, Torres del Rio, Navarette, the donativo at Granon if you can cope with a mattress on the floor and Atapuerca, Hostal la plazuela verde (work in progress) with options to carry on past Burgos, I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the Meseta though many dislike or even bypass this section. Hope this helps a little?

We overnighted at
Albergue Parroquial de Grañón this last April and it was a memorable experience. The previous night we stayed in a Parador in Santo Domingo, expensive, comfortable but I remember little about the time I was there. Albergue Parroquial, the instant community, the beautiful church accessed through the choir loft the dinner and, yes, the mattress on the linoleum floor. . . . i remember every minute of that stay. I'm going back

 

[JCarpenter]

I agree about the trek into Molinesca being a bit rocky in wet weather but the heat is as much a concern. If you head out at 630 it can be too hot. I became overheated. Others have said a side step to the road is better because of the rockiness, but the heat must be accommodated. Leave as the sun comes up. But so worth it.

 

[Katherine Radeka]

We stayed at a wonderful Casa Rural in Grañon in a private room, and enjoyed soaking up the pilgrim atmosphere in the evening, then retiring to peace and quiet.

The Francés only really has some unavoidably long stages near the Meseta. Otherwise if you stay off stage, you can find lots of options.

We're planning to do the section from Pamplona to Burgos again because we loved it so much, and we're planning to have short stages so that we have plenty of time to explore the towns.

 

[Mercian Pro]

Leon to Sarria would definitely be my favourite week on the Camino Frances and the day from Villafranca to O Cebreiro the best day. We went during the first week of October 2019 and generally stayed in small hotels/guest houses. While we enjoyed all the other weeks we spent on the Camino over the years, this is the one that lingers in the memory.