Last 100km to Santiago which route

[Louiseann]

I have been gifted a camio for my 60th birthday! My partner and I are restricted to school holidays so plan to walk over the Easter holidays 2025. Sarria or vigo?

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Ferrol!

Really, the Ingles is a wonderful Camino, walking from the coast, along estuaries, through vineyards and forests, and into Santiago. Roughly in the middle is the wonderful town of Betanzos. And it’s not too crowded, but also not lonely

Another wonderful thing about the Ingles as a short first Camino is that you get the feeling of community without all the distraction of “where did you start?” Everyone starts at Ferrol (or A Coruna) and so you all have the same shared experience.

 

[Louiseann]

Thank you for advice! My research so far is blowing my mind!

 

[BernardK]

Hi Louiseann

Your camino your choice. there will be many saying this one that one... Try looking at some of the blogs on You tube. and see how each looks and the comments the Pilgrim makes. Best wishes. I make my camino's my way and have great enjoyment doing it for Me.!!! best wishes. Bernard

 

[DeaconJohnny]

Thank you for advice! My research so far is blowing my mind!

Louiseann, One of the best pieces of advice came from The Camino Guide on YouTube. He said if you have read books and watched several videos about the Camino then STOP and buy your airline ticket and GO!

 

[Tincatinker]

I’ll second @ShoshTrvls. The Inglés is a splendid “complete” Camino. One with a long history and a story to tell. In Holy Week you’ll have plenty of company so, perhaps, look at pre-booking your accommodation especially around Hospital de Bruma. In recent years I’ve found the diversion to Mesón do Vento worthwhile.

Happy planning

 

[Louiseann]

Hi Louiseann

Your camino your choice. there will be many saying this one that one... Try looking at some of the blogs on You tube. and see how each looks and the comments the Pilgrim makes. Best wishes. I make my camino's my way and have great enjoyment doing it for Me.!!! best wishes. Bernard

Thank you
I will take a look on YouTube as you suggest, before deciding. So far, it seems which route would be a fabulous experience

 

[Corned Beef]

I’ll second @ShoshTrvls. The Inglés is a splendid “complete” Camino. One with a long history and a story to tell. In Holy Week you’ll have plenty of company so, perhaps, look at pre-booking your accommodation especially around Hospital de Bruma. In recent years I’ve found the diversion to Mesón do Vento worthwhile.

Happy planning

As you are from London, you can also do the UK extension - Reading to Southampton - as a practice.

Camiño Inglés en Reino Unido - Camino Inglés

Etapas O Camiño Inglés no Reino Unido Estes territorios albergan rutas históricas que os peregrinos poden percorrer camiño de Santiago de Compostela. As peregrinacións forman parte da historia de Gran Bretaña dende a antigüidade. Os camiños pagáns convertéronse en viaxes relixiosas co...

www.caminoingles.gal

 

[Tanya Valdes]

Just an FYI logistically starting from Vigo would be a smart move because you could fly directly into the airport and start walking, could possibly save you time since you’re lacking that flexibility.

 

[Adelina]

Flying in and out of Santiago is an option. Take the bus from Santiago to Lugo (on the Primitivo) and walk back from there. Lugo is a beautiful ancient, walled city. It connects with the Frances so you'd get a taste of a lesser walked Camino as well as a very popular Camino! Ultreia!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have additional information on using Lugo as your start point at this post:

Post in thread 'Bus to Sarria to start (from Santiago)'

May 20, 2023

Monbus only has one bus a day from Santiago to Sarria I believe. Otherwise you bus to Lugo and then catch a bus from there to Sarria. There will be more daily options for this. The current schedule and the July schedule will be similar.

https://www.monbus.es/en

I often suggest walking the last part of the Camino Primitivo from Lugo for folks wanting to do 100 km to Santiago. The Primitivo joins the CF at Melida but there are alternative ways to Santiago. I say suggest instead of recommend because I've not done this walk myself. Lugo has a two kilometer walkable on top Roman wall...

• Rick of Rick and Peg

Besides following the Camino Primitivo to the Camino Francés at Melide there are other walks available from Lugo to Santiago as well.

 

[Tincatinker]

there are other walks available from Lugo to Santiago as well.

Ah, the thousand roads… There are many ways to Santiago and he himself doesn’t care which one you take. If the Pilgrim aspires to a Compostela they’d better take an approved one

 

[muddy-mama]

Hi you have been given some good advice already, Looking at you tube and the need to book over the holiday. Also look at Gronze.com for accommodation, distances and elevation.
I have walked 4 pilgrimages 3 to Santiago. My first was the Frances from Roncesvalles I personally wouldn't recommend Sarria for your first walk for 2 reasons
1) not many people walk only one pilgrimage and to walk the last section first to me doesn't make sense.
2) although this route has the best infostructure it is also the busiest. I walked this aged 68.
I walked from Porto to Finisterre the next year. I found Vigo hard to navigate. {f I was doing the last 100k into Santiago I would start from Tui or Valenca de Minho and add on the Spiritual route.
This year I walked the English way from Ferrol. I flew into A Coruna from Gatwick, Spent the day there and the following day caught a bus to Ferrol. giving me 2 days sight seeing before walking. I cut 3 stages short and in total walked for 8 days followed by 3 nights in Santiago.
I hope this gives you food for thought and if you want anymore details, where I stayed ect. do not hesitate to ask.

 

[trecile]

not many people walk only one pilgrimage

It may seem that way from reading forum posts, but I would guess that most pilgrims to Santiago are "one and done" sorts. However, I agree that if there is a chance that one will eventually walk a longer Camino Francés that it could be desirable to not walk the last stages first.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Ah, the thousand roads…

Warning, avoid the road to the White House. It's been miserable.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

I have been gifted a camio for my 60th birthday! My partner and I are restricted to school holidays so plan to walk over the Easter holidays 2025. Sarria or vigo?

I've walked both routes, both have their "ups and downs" and always beautiful. Happy birthday and Buen Camino!

 

[magnet77]

I have been gifted a camio for my 60th birthday! My partner and I are restricted to school holidays so plan to walk over the Easter holidays 2025. Sarria or

Camino Ingles, Ferrol to Santiago

 

[MaxHelado]

Vigo. No question in my mind.

 

[henrythedog]

I quite understand you being constrained to the school holidays - but does it have to be the Easter holidays? As well as route I’d suggest you also research the typical numbers on those routes, and when.

Spoiler alert: October half-term would be the right answer then Ferrol, Vigo, Sarria - in that order, they’re all good.