Last 100km... March... nature... weather

[mattnpaige]

My wife and I are considering a "last 100km" Camino during the last week of March of 2025. I've read several reviews of each of the route options, and each one I read convinces me that's the one to do! So please let me know your recommendations and reasons!

A little about us and our priorities:
-We're very fit and avid hikers, so we're not intimidated by the terrain on any of the last 100 KM routes. We'd probably even prefer a hillier route to flat.
-We prefer nature, trails, views, and historic architecture. Quaint villages and rural landscape over suburban towns and roadways. We're ok with longer stretches between services and accommodations.
-We know we'll likely get pretty wet in late March, but we'd prefer a route that might be a little less rainy/windy/cold at that time of year

So what routes would you suggest? Thank you in advance!

 

[Turga]

Camino Inglés from Ferrol could be a good bet. Some hills, some quite steep but not long. Also a fair amount of road walking, but mostly on small, quiet country roads. Could also be wet, but at that time of year you could run into some rain almost everywhere.

Whatever you choose – Buen Camino!

 

[dougfitz]

If I were to repeat one of the routes I have already done, I think it would be the Variante Espiritual. You could choose to go by boat along the rio Ulla from Villanova de Arousa to Pontecesures (near Padron) rather than walk that leg. The Ruta da Agua e da Agua is a delight - a unique combination of historical industrial activity within the woodlands along the river.

I no longer do very long days, but if you are up to it, there are plenty of opportunities to do those, although I would suggest that giving yourself some time in the cities and major towns along the way is always worthwhile. There are plenty of others who better placed than me to provide advice on what longer stages have worked for them.

Buen camino

 

[VNwalking]

Invierno from Monforte de Lemos.

 

[Kitsambler]

Whichever route you choose -- It. Will. Rain. -- mostly daily. A rain jacket and rain pants in addition to your poncho and pack cover is not overkill.

 

[lt56ny]

Walk the Sanabras from Ourense or start even further back as it is just over 100k. The invierno also is really pretty. Both are super quiet. You will be walking in Galicia and the last hundred miles on any camino are all in Galicia. Galicia often equals rain. Hopefully you will be lucky.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

I would suggest that you do the Portuguese route from Valencawhich is situated on the South side of the border between Spain and Portugal.If you fly into Santiago you can either a bus to Valenca, It is a beautiful walk. Buen Camino.Lydia

 

[JerryStroebele]

Hueneja to Granada on the Camino Mozarabe will fit your criteria if you do not need to end at the Cathedral in Santiago. You will end at the Alhambra instead, likely nice and warm and dry. Buen Camino

 

[henrythedog]

Ending in Santiago, the last 100km of the various routes do not differ significantly in terms of terrain and certainly not climate. You have a very typically long menu of things to optimise in a very short time - if you’re ’fit and avid’ it’s three days walking.

Wherever you start you’ll spent a fair proportion of your precious time getting there and back

Just go with the herd and start in Sarria. There’s little to be gained by being more sophisticated.

 

[livingproof]

I would suggest that you do the Portuguese route from Valencawhich is situated on the South side of the border between Spain and Portugal.If you fly into Santiago you can either a bus to Valenca, It is a beautiful walk. Buen Camino.Lydia

That is great to hear Lydia. I am walking from Porto to SdC from 20 Mar next year. I know it will be raining a lot, but I don't mind walking in the rain. You just need the right gear. I'll give my boots a waterproofing too.

 

[lt56ny]

So what routes would you suggest? Thank you in advance!

Wherever you start you’ll spent a fair proportion of your precious time getting there and back

Just go with the herd and start in Sarria. There’s little to be gained by being more sophisticated.

Very true about the amount of time spent getting to your starting point. I have to respectfully disagree about starting in Sarria. For some pilgrims like myself the idea of walking from Sarria is almost, dare I say, depressing. I really seek quiet and tranquillity and to hear the sound of only nature and my feet on gravel (sometimes). I don't think it is a matter of sophistication. Listening to people talking and talking or hearing their music, or being in a pack of many pilgrims is a wonderful thing for many. It is the opposite for me. I think there is a huge amount for my mind and spirit to be gained from walking a peaceful, much more solitary route. To each his own but I have a feeling the OP may prefer a quieter camino. But will not know unless he comments.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Because I will be going on a pilgrimage/study trip to Nicea (anniversary of first Ecumenical Council) and Constantinople, I thought I should not go on the Camino, but 10 days ago I got an awful longing to go on the Camino, and as luck would have it(or guardian angel) I got very cheap flights to Santiago on April 29th to May 7th with Aerlingus. If I come from Vigo to Santiago that gives me 4 days extra, so I thought I would love to start from Triacastela. The 3 times I have been in Triacastela I have come walking. so now my problem is How can I get from Scq airport arriving 16.15 to Triacastela that evening. Can anyone suggest a way? Is there a bus from Oviedo to TRiacastela? How much would a taxi cost? What are the chances of getting somebody to share a taxi. How do I go about hiring a taxi in advance? I am very happy and at peace that I have booked flights, everything else are details to work out. My neighbours who like to lie on beaches in the sun think I am more than half mad. But all of you will understand me. Lydia