seeking advice/critique

[francesbe]

Hey all,

This past summer, I walked SJPdP-->Santiago-->Finisterre-->Muxia. I am now starting to plan my camino for this upcoming summer (July-August). I have about 50-53 days to walk, and am committed to a flight into Lisbon. Things I like: water, forests, dirt paths. Things I don't like: roads and crowds (but I like chatting at bars and albergues). Things I don't like, but actually I sort of do: hills. I am neutral about the heat. FWIW, I am a 55yo woman, and I did the last camino without injuries. I wish to remain injury-free.

Current thought: Porto-->Redondela (sp?) along the coastal. Bus back to Porto. Porto-->Santiago on the central. ( I don't need to do that last crowded chunk of walk 2x). The walk from Lisbon seems like a lot of road and not so pretty, but I am open to other ideas. Are there other interesting paths in Portugal that I can build into a 25-ish day walk? I know about Fatima...

Then I might bus/train to Leon. Camino San Salvador to Ovideo (over seven days so I don't die) and then the Primitivo, maybe taking 16-17 days to do it.

OR I might go to Astorga, walk to O Cebreiro (I loved that whole section), then go back to Ponferrada and do the Invierno over 18-19 days.

I'm sure there are things I am not thinking of. I know the Primitivo is more difficult than the Invierno, but it also seems to have more infrastructure.

I guess I'm not actually sure what my question is... maybe I am seeking critique?

 

[Kiwi-family]

It's a pity your flight is already booked into Lisbon! I'd have suggested San Salvador, Primitivo and then head south following the blue arrows towards Fatima and then any leftover time could be devoted to Porto! But them I'm not fond of breaking up my walk with transport.

 

[Lindsay53]

I walked the Portuguese from Lisbon in April 22. Seemed that there had been quite a lot of re-routing to reduce the amount of road walking required, so it may be what you are after.
You have a lot of time so you can easily fit in Fatima as well.

 

[VNwalking]

Here's a place to start thinking about Portuguese caminos:

The Camino de Santiago in Portugal - Spirit of the Camino

An overview of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal, including summaries of 10 routes from the popular to the remote.

spiritofthecamino.com

Here's one from Tavira, that Nick and Wendy walked few years ago, and it looks fantastic:

LIVE from the Camino Thread 'Nascente over two years 2021 2023 [belated notes]'

Jun 29, 2024

Nascente files, Part 1 2021


Preamble
This thread may be a bit late…but I decided it’s now time to post my notes on the ‘Triple’ that Nick and Wendy ‘inaugurated’ here in 2021. Thanks so much to @jungleboy and @Wendy Werneth for your detailed notes and your added encouragement via whatsapp as I navigated the Nascente.

The triple is a combo of the Caminho Nascente, joining up with the Camino Torres at Trancoso until Braga, and from there the final Caminho Geira e dos Arreiros to Santiago.

Aside: This year 2024, in September, I plan to walk the Camino Torres...

• gracethepilgrim

• 
• 

Tavira's a 4 hour bus ride from Lisbon, then the long walk North...

 

[CTLawGal]

I loved Norte/Primitivo/Finisterre - if you're flying into Lisbon, why not hop a quick flight to Bilbao (I think TAP Air Portugal flies there), and start there or bus/train/taxi to Irun or San Sebastian. I flew into Madrid spent a few days there before before flying to Bilbao, and then walking from San Sebastian. For me, that was 42 days and no rest days, I'm planning on 50 days from Geneva to Le Puy to SJPDP this spring.

Norte has amazing coastal views, solitude but support - definitely some elevation gain, but you could start in Bilbao and skip some of the worst of it. Primitivo was also amazing, lots of elevation gain but my body was ready for it by the time I got there. I walked it at 65, met people who were in there 70's, you can do it. I walked in spring and it was so beautiful to see the trees leaf in, the flowers bloom, everything was green and teeming with life. Maybe not long enough to fill all of your 50+ days solely with walking, but with rest days or side trips it might be enough?

 

[francesbe]

It's a pity your flight is already booked into Lisbon! I'd have suggested San Salvador, Primitivo and then head south following the blue arrows towards Fatima and then any leftover time could be devoted to Porto! But them I'm not fond of breaking up my walk with transport.

I thought about this, but decided I want to do the easier walking before the more serious hills.

 

[Lisa HS]

Hey all,

This past summer, I walked SJPdP-->Santiago-->Finisterre-->Muxia. I am now starting to plan my camino for this upcoming summer (July-August). I have about 50-53 days to walk, and am committed to a flight into Lisbon. Things I like: water, forests, dirt paths. Things I don't like: roads and crowds (but I like chatting at bars and albergues). Things I don't like, but actually I sort of do: hills. I am neutral about the heat. FWIW, I am a 55yo woman, and I did the last camino without injuries. I wish to remain injury-free.

Current thought: Porto-->Redondela (sp?) along the coastal. Bus back to Porto. Porto-->Santiago on the central. ( I don't need to do that last crowded chunk of walk 2x). The walk from Lisbon seems like a lot of road and not so pretty, but I am open to other ideas. Are there other interesting paths in Portugal that I can build into a 25-ish day walk? I know about Fatima...

Then I might bus/train to Leon. Camino San Salvador to Ovideo (over seven days so I don't die) and then the Primitivo, maybe taking 16-17 days to do it.

OR I might go to Astorga, walk to O Cebreiro (I loved that whole section), then go back to Ponferrada and do the Invierno over 18-19 days.

I'm sure there are things I am not thinking of. I know the Primitivo is more difficult than the Invierno, but it also seems to have more infrastructure.

I guess I'm not actually sure what my question is... maybe I am seeking critique?

Hi Francesbe! I host the Forum Community Chat Zoom, and I just wanted to invite you to join us to ask your route questions. We meet every Tuesday at 9am Pacific Time/ 6pm Spanish time. We always have a number of VERY experienced pilgrim regulars who can help you brainstorm suggested routes, and anything else you want to discuss. These people have walked SO many different Caminos! Everyone is welcome, of course. You can find us on the Forum, but to make it easy on you, I'm including the post below (we use the same zoom link every week, so you really just need to bookmark that):

Join our regular Tuesday around-the-world group for some casual Camino Chat. All Camino-related subjects, big and small, are open for discussion. We are pilgrims, and gonna-be pilgrims, who come weekly to ask questions, share tips, tricks, opinions...and sometimes just great Camino stories. All are welcome.

If you have a Camino topic you'd like discussed, feel free to put it in the comments on this thread...or just show up and ask!

Forum Zoom: Every Tuesday at 6pm (Madrid) / 9am (Pacific Time) THIS WEEK ONLY: 10AM PACIFIC TIME
NOTE: We use the same link every week...feel free to bookmark.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83996269915?pwd=NBzMcjmyrYYfLiV0UFRwcFpg05pDbm.1

 

[trecile]

Forum Zoom: Every Tuesday at 6pm (Madrid) / 9am (Pacific Time) THIS WEEK ONLY: 10AM PACIFIC TIME
NOTE: We use the same link every week...feel free to bookmark.

Is this correct for Tuesday, November 5th?
With the clocks in the US changing tomorrow, 6pm Madrid time will be 9am Pacific time.

 

[francesbe]

Hi Francesbe! I host the Forum Community Chat Zoom, and I just wanted to invite you to join us to ask your route questions. We meet every Tuesday at 9am Pacific Time/ 6pm Spanish time. We always have a number of VERY experienced pilgrim regulars who can help you brainstorm suggested routes, and anything else you want to discuss. These people have walked SO many different Caminos! Everyone is welcome, of course. You can find us on the Forum, but to make it easy on you, I'm including the post below (we use the same zoom link every week, so you really just need to bookmark that):

Join our regular Tuesday around-the-world group for some casual Camino Chat. All Camino-related subjects, big and small, are open for discussion. We are pilgrims, and gonna-be pilgrims, who come weekly to ask questions, share tips, tricks, opinions...and sometimes just great Camino stories. All are welcome.

If you have a Camino topic you'd like discussed, feel free to put it in the comments on this thread...or just show up and ask!

Forum Zoom: Every Tuesday at 6pm (Madrid) / 9am (Pacific Time) THIS WEEK ONLY: 10AM PACIFIC TIME
NOTE: We use the same link every week...feel free to bookmark.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83996269915?pwd=NBzMcjmyrYYfLiV0UFRwcFpg05pDbm.1

Thanks--I wish I could, but I live in NYC and the time doesn't work for me.

 

[francesbe]

I loved Norte/Primitivo/Finisterre - if you're flying into Lisbon, why not hop a quick flight to Bilbao (I think TAP Air Portugal flies there), and start there or bus/train/taxi to Irun or San Sebastian. I flew into Madrid spent a few days there before before flying to Bilbao, and then walking from San Sebastian. For me, that was 42 days and no rest days, I'm planning on 50 days from Geneva to Le Puy to SJPDP this spring.

Norte has amazing coastal views, solitude but support - definitely some elevation gain, but you could start in Bilbao and skip some of the worst of it. Primitivo was also amazing, lots of elevation gain but my body was ready for it by the time I got there. I walked it at 65, met people who were in there 70's, you can do it. I walked in spring and it was so beautiful to see the trees leaf in, the flowers bloom, everything was green and teeming with life. Maybe not long enough to fill all of your 50+ days solely with walking, but with rest days or side trips it might be enough?

I think this is close to what I'll do. Fly into Lisbon, train (or whatever) to Porto and walk the Central Route (I've never been to Portugal!), flight from Santiago-->Bilbao, then Norte to Primitivo. I do want uninterrupted walking time, and that seems like it'll give me a good chunk of it.

 

[CTLawGal]

I think this is close to what I'll do. Fly into Lisbon, train (or whatever) to Porto and walk the Central Route (I've never been to Portugal!), flight from Santiago-->Bilbao, then Norte to Primitivo. I do want uninterrupted walking time, and that seems like it'll give me a good chunk of it.

Sounds like a great plan! A little jealous, even though my own Camino is now on the horizon! I definitely need to go back! Buen Camino!