5 days on the Camino in June/July- looking for recommendations :)

[charhathaway]

Hi Everyone!!
My partner and I have stumbled upon a little time off from work (never happens) after a wedding in late June in England. We are in our mid/late twenties. We will have ~7 days extra after the wedding and as avid-campers/runners I would love nothing more than to hike the Camino.
Our prorities are good food (we are big foodies and want the food to be a part of the experience), beautiful scenery, and cute cities to sleep in at night/explore if we have the energy for it! We want to enjoy the route/our surroundings and do not want to speed through the journey. We do not feel strongly about finishing in Santiago, but really just want to enjoy the journey and spend time together walking.
With our priroties above, would love recommendations on what route to take for 5 days (with 2 days on the front and back side of our journey for travel time/exploring cities).
Thank you in advance <3

 

[Robo]

Tough call. I've just been going through the same decision process for a short Camino.
Do you want a Compostela at the end?
This means you need to walk 100kms +.

For me, the choice would be Muxia-Finisterre- Santiago.
Stunning scenery, some nice towns in the first couple of days, great food.

I plan to do that route next with my wife. (I walked it last year)
But we'll take 7 days.
You could easily do it in 5.

There are many other routes of course.
But they might be a bit too crowded for you, or quite remote and lacking in 'foodie' attractions.
Cute cities might be a challenge in 5 days and if you also want to end in Santiago.
Many Camino routes tend to be in the countryside, passing through cities here and there.

On the Camino Frances for example, over 800 kms, the 'cities' you pass through are Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Astorga. On the Via de la Plata, over 800 kms you pass through Seville, Zafra, Merida, Caceres, Salamanca, Zamora, Astorga.

So 'cities' are not really a feature. But it's all relative of course. Many of the routes pass through towns and large villages that are very interesting and have great places to eat.

But......Some of the nicest meals I've had, were in the middle of nowhere.
Like at a Donativo Albergue on the Via de la Plata.
And we're big time foodies. (Pat and I probably spend more on 'good' food if we find it, than on accommodation)

That Donativo beat them all.

Sorry, I just reread your post and note that ending in Santiago, is not important.
That changes things!

Some more suggestions coming up..........

 

[Robo]

Other 5 day suggestions.

I'd still include Muxia-Finisterre-Santiago
Logrono to Burgos (Frances). Great food at each end and wonderful walking.
Zafra to Caceres (Via de la Plata) Great food at each end and wonderful walking.
Astorga - O Cebreiro (Frances) Good food places all the way.

There are so many routes. I'm sure others will have lots more suggestions.

 

[trecile]

Look into the Camino Inglés. I know that you aren't concerned with finishing in Santiago, but that could change as you meet others who are headed there. The Camino Inglés is a "complete" Camino in itself, so that can be satisfying.

Camino Inglés | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

El Camino Inglés corresponde a la ruta de peregrinación utilizada en la Edad Media por devotos ingleses, irlandeses y de otros países del norte de Europa, que llegaban en barco al puerto de A Coruña y, en menor medida, a otros situados en las rías de Ferrol, Ares y Betanzos. Hoy, tras la...

www.gronze.com

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Another vote for the Inglès, although there's a bit more road walking than I prefer. Albeit mainly quiet back country roads.
Several attractive towns to explore along the way - including the beginning, Ferrol. Great food if you look for it, with the added bonus that you're coastal. - great seafood!
Consider mixing things up slightly, and don't just do the standard stages.
Finally, it's very easy to get to the start from Santiago, so you can fly in and out of Santiago

 

[jungleboy]

Our priorities are good food (we are big foodies and want the food to be a part of the experience), beautiful scenery, and cute cities to sleep in at night/explore if we have the energy for it!

Not to try to discourage you in any way because we all love the camino but these are pretty high expectations. Just be aware that given the village-to-village nature of the camino, food can sometimes be ordinary, scenery is often mundane and there aren’t a lot of cities. It’s not glacier lakes and Michelin stars. That said, it’s a wonderful experience, mostly for reasons you might not have even thought of yet.

 

[Robo]

Not to try to discourage you in any way because we all love the camino but these are pretty high expectations. Just be aware that given the village-to-village nature of the camino, food can sometimes be ordinary, scenery is often mundane and there aren’t a lot of cities. It’s not glacier lakes and Michelin stars. That said, it’s a wonderful experience, mostly for reasons you might not have even thought of yet.

Very nicely put.
Perhaps for many the 'inner journey' is the attraction of the Camino, whilst the 'outer journey' is the cream on the cake. At times. But not always.

 

[davejsy]

I would say Pamplona to Logroño, easy to navigate yourself to and from as both are major well-connected cities. Amazing historical cities to easily lose a day in either side, and with endless food options. Then in between you have the beautiful Puente la Reina and Estella both wonderful places with true Camino vibes and wonderful scenery in-between.

It is only an easy four day walk, but that might suit you if you want to take your time. If you wanted more walking then you could easily taxi from Pamplona to start further back, or ditto the other end.

 

[Simperegrina]

I would say Pamplona to Logroño, easy to navigate yourself to and from as both are major well-connected cities. Amazing historical cities to easily lose a day in either side, and with endless food options. Then in between you have the beautiful Puente la Reina and Estella both wonderful places with true Camino vibes and wonderful scenery in-between.

It is only an easy four day walk, but that might suit you if you want to take your time. If you wanted more walking then you could easily taxi from Pamplona to start further back, or ditto the other end.

And maybe a bodega stop or two…!

 

[pinkwadingbird]

Since good food and cute villages are 2 things you're looking for and arriving in Santiago isn't a priority, how about San Sebastian-Bilbao on the Camino de Norte.

 

[dbier]

Lugo to Santiago.

 

[charhathaway]

Hi all!! Wow, what a great community this forum is!! You all have stellar suggestions.
I found a thread that recapped Fishermans Way route which, although not a Camino, seems like the best route for what we are trying to achieve. Thank you all mucho for your insight <3