Sanabrés-unusual?

[JanosB]

My first Camino is due at the end of August, an old dream comes true.
I'm retired, I have time already. For a long while I insisted going to the CF.
As I learned more - especially on this forum - I changed my mind. I'm not looking for a tourist attraction, I'm rather avoiding the crowd, I'm looking for the original Camino -if at all possible. Now I have the plan: Sanabrés (extended), starting from Zamora, 15 days, 421 km. After Santiago, I go to the end of the world on foot or by bus, depending on my stamina.

But before I book my air ticket I’d like to ask for your opinion based on your experiences.

THX.

 

[Bradypus]

I have walked the Sanabres 3 times. An excellent choice if you want a quieter route. Important that you are aware that the sections from Puebla de Sanabria to Ourense have some serious hills. I've never used luggage transport but I think that is not an option before Ourense either if that features in your plans. Infrastructure is far more sparse than on the Frances or Portugues so more attention is needed to planning accommodation, food and water. The beauty and the solitude to appreciate it more than make up for any extra challenges in my opinion.

 

[Bonitatime]

Not sure how far you are walking we walked in May from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela
It was great

 

[Flog]

It's a nice route, certainly the quietest of the ways into Santiago. I'm thinking to walk in from Ourense before my next volunteering stint in Santiago in late Sept, it's always nice to arrive as a pilgrim and it's six years since I walked up the Plata/Sanabres..

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I really enjoyed the Sanabres this past spring and agree with everything @Bradypus has said.
I don't really know what "the original Camino" means to you, but I have found deep satisfaction on all the various ones I have walked.

 

[André Walker]

I don't know how much confirmation you need, but here's another one. Walked the Sanabrés in 2018 (end of September) and loved every kilometer/mile of it!

 

[Lindsay53]

That sounds like a great plan Janos. I walked that way last year and thoroughly recommend it.

 

[Eckart.S]

I agree, it is a great plan. But i would give myself more time unless i knew i can walk more than 25km day after day.

 

[Portach]

My first Camino is due at the end of August, an old dream comes true.
I'm retired, I have time already. For a long while I insisted going to the CF.
As I learned more - especially on this forum - I changed my mind. I'm not looking for a tourist attraction, I'm rather avoiding the crowd, I'm looking for the original Camino -if at all possible. Now I have the plan: Sanabrés (extended), starting from Zamora, 15 days, 421 km. After Santiago, I go to the end of the world on foot or by bus, depending on my stamina.

But before I book my air ticket I’d like to ask for your opinion based on your experiences.

THX.

As others have said, it is a lovely walk. I suggest you look at the average temperatures in Zamora at the end of August before deciding as it will likely be quite warm. Even with an early morning start, averaging 28km a day will involve some time walking in the heat of the day. Wishing you a buen camino

 

[Keikochan]

I am planning to walk from Samora in July. I am in Santo Domingo de Calzada today.
It’s not so busy on Frances but still a lot of peregrinos. I am looking forward to take bus from Leon. It will take 3 weeks for me to Santiago hoping to find affordable accommodations each day. I will let you know how it is on th way. And any advice from experienced peregrinos highly appreciated.

 

[dbeatriceb]

My first Camino is due at the end of August, an old dream comes true.
I'm retired, I have time already. For a long while I insisted going to the CF.
As I learned more - especially on this forum - I changed my mind. I'm not looking for a tourist attraction, I'm rather avoiding the crowd, I'm looking for the original Camino -if at all possible. Now I have the plan: Sanabrés (extended), starting from Zamora, 15 days, 421 km. After Santiago, I go to the end of the world on foot or by bus, depending on my stamina.

But before I book my air ticket I’d like to ask for your opinion based on your experiences.

THX.

I have walked it twice. The first time was when I connected to the Sanabres at the end of the Via de la Plata. Second time, my daughter and I walked from Ourense to Santiago as a “warm up” before walking from Lisbon to Santiago.
I would take care though, at the time of year you’re considering walking from Zamora, as the summer heat can be quite intense and there is little to no shade especially from Zamora.
I loved the Sanabres though and walked both times in early spring. It’s much quieter than the frances but I still met a good number of pilgrims, just not so much during the day while walking.

 

[LTfit]

If interested I'm posting in another thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-hip-on-an-old-camino.87595/#post-1269415
I left Zamora yesterday and walking to Santiago in about 15 days

Good luck whatever you decide. This will be my third time on the Plata/Sanabrés but the last time was 11 years ago.

 

[JanosB]

I am planning to walk from Samora in July. I am in Santo Domingo de Calzada today.
It’s not so busy on Frances but still a lot of peregrinos. I am looking forward to take bus from Leon. It will take 3 weeks for me to Santiago hoping to find affordable accommodations each day. I will let you know how it is on th way. And any advice from experienced peregrinos highly appreciated.

Buen Camino

 

[RussB]

Lovely Camino , quite and peaceful

 

[Karl Oz]

I've walked both. The CF may have more people but it offers so much all round - there are many reasons why it is is popular. On the other hand, the Sanabres is less travelled and is probably like the CF was 25 years ago.

 

[Zoe7]

I've walked both. The CF may have more people but it offers so much all round - there are many reasons why it is is popular. On the other hand, the Sanabres is less travelled and is probably like the CF was 25 years ago.

Thinking of starting at Molinaseca on the CF and at Sarria taking the train to Ourense and continuing from there into Santiago to avoid the crowds and industrial approach to Santiago.
Some questions: you mention the CF offers so much all around despite the crowds— would one miss a lot (lovely medieval villages, farms, historic sites, trails, old shrines and churches) by not doing the CF stretch between Sarria and Santiago?
Is between Ourense and Santiago a lot more arduous than the CF from Sarria, or more or less similar? Which one has more road, highway and asphalt? (Also, is luggage transport after Ourense a possibility if needed or not? Thank you!

 

[CarolamS]

Thinking of starting at Molinaseca on the CF and at Sarria taking the train to Ourense and continuing from there into Santiago to avoid the crowds and industrial approach to Santiago.
Some questions: you mention the CF offers so much all around despite the crowds— would one miss a lot (lovely medieval villages, farms, historic sites, trails, old shrines and churches) by not doing the CF stretch between Sarria and Santiago?
Is between Ourense and Santiago a lot more arduous than the CF from Sarria, or more or less similar? Which one has more road, highway and asphalt? (Also, is luggage transport after Ourense a possibility if needed or not? Thank you!

I would think carefully about why you want to switch over to a different route. There is definitely something special about the Camino Frances even though it's busy. You can avoid the large numbers on the CF by choosing accommodation in small places that are between the more popular towns. Either stop somewhere short of Sarria or walk though the town and stay somewhere further along the route. Or, if it's not too hot, start later than the crowds (having pre-booked your next night's accommodation).

Walking from your start point all the way to Santiago will, in my opinion, feel a more rewarding experience than splitting it into 2 different paths.

Alternately you could start walking the Sanabres from somewhere like Lubian if the Sanabres really appeals to you. Just because a lot of people have their first Camino experience on the Frances doesn't mean it's right for everyone!

Buen Camino whatever you choose.