How to choose portion of trail to walk?

[Melcro1218]

Hello!
I’m from Vermont (USA), and new to this forum.
My husband and I are planning to walk a portion of the Camino in late April of 2025.
We’re trying to decide between Lisbon to Fatima or Vigo to Santiago. We will be flying in to Lisbon.
Any thoughts? Recommendations?
Thank you!
Melissa

 

[dbier]

In order to obtain tailored advice, you need to specify your desired goal.

Do you want a Compostela or Pilgrims Office distance certificate?

Then arrive in Santiago after walking a minimum of 100km on foot and getting a minimum two stamps/day.

Re Fatima, may the forum please correct me, but I don't think Fatima is a stop on a recognized Camino Route. I believe the route to Fatima shares with the Camino Route (s) , but diverges before Fatima.

 

[OzAnnie]

My husband and I are planning to walk a portion of the Camino

Hi Mel, welcome to the forum.

How many days will you have to walk ?
Have you thought of Porto to Santiago?
I think I’d choose either of Vigo to Santiago or Porto to Santiago. Just depends on the time you have.

Check the distances on this route or any others by looking at this site: www.gronze.com

There is a lot of information to be found on the Gronze site (including accommodation /albergues,pensions, hotels, hostels and details of linking to each other (phone , booking .com ) etc. ,

Buen camino

 

[dougfitz]

Re Fatima, may the forum please correct me, but I don't think Fatima is a stop on a recognized Camino Route. I believe the route to Fatima shares with the Camino Route (s) , but diverges before Fatima.

There are several well established and recognized caminho routes to Fatima, some that follow the same paths as the Camino Portuguese route for at least part of the way. As @dbier suggests, these routes will diverge at some point from the Camino Portuguese route.

I wasn't inspired by arriving in Fatima in the same way as I have been arriving in SDC. I think it would be more meaningful to someone who walked and then participated in the full range of religious services as well as visiting the various parts of the shrine. Unless you are deeply invested in the Marian traditions, I would suggest walking to Santiago as a first pilgrimage.