Camino Frances calls more strongly than the other caminos

[JustJack]

In 2023 I walked the CF from SLPDP. In 2024 I walked the Vía de la Plata from Seville. For 2025 I was/am going to walk the next logical option - the Camino Portuguese. Seeing something different by starting in Portugal seemed like an obvious choice after two long caminos in Spain. So recently I’ve been consuming copious amounts of CP content online. And for whatever reason I’m just not feeling the pull towards the CP, and have surprisingly been thinking of returning to the CF for a second time. I’m not sure what it is, I think maybe I have the perception that the CP won’t feel as much like a camino, compared to the CF. Certainly the VDLP didn’t feel as camino-y as the CF (which I expected going in and didn’t mind). But I kinda miss that communal pilgrim feeling you get on the CF.

Anyone else find themselves returning to the CF after walking other caminos? I disliked the crowds the first time so not sure why I wouldn’t mind them the second time, except perhaps that I’ll be expecting it and I’m also used to it.

 

[trecile]

How about the Camino del Norte or Primitivo?

 

[JustJack]

How about the Camino del Norte or Primitivo?

Perhaps it’s inherent laziness, or perhaps it’s because I live in the mountains. But caminos that are constantly up and down don’t excite me as much. I don’t mind some up and down. And the occasional big up and down, such as you get on the CF. But up and down all day doesn’t excite me. The long windy roads across the meseta are what really grab my imagination. And the coastal views just don’t grab me as much as views of old villages and cathedrals. Perhaps it’s because I live on the coast.
That said, I have a framed map hanging on my wall that shows all the camino routes in Spain, and I’d love to walk each one. There’s a chance I’ll walk the CF again next year and afterwards say never again. After the blissful solitude of the VDLP it’s going to be jarring to walk the CF.
But something I missed while walking the VDLP is all the villages being so close together, like they are on the CF. The notion of “second breakfast” just doesn’t exist on the quieter routes. Often there wasn’t even a first breakfast stop. And there are so many iconic things to see along the CF. And such a variety of scenery as you walk west. That route really seems to have everything. And there’s something uniquely special about that particular route. Hence the crowds.

 

[trecile]

If you decide on the Francés again, I recommend starting on the Camino Aragonés. It's about a week's walking from Somport to where you join the Francés at Puente la Reina.

Camino Aragonés | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés por Aragón o Camino Aragonés enlaza el puerto de Somport en la frontera hispano-francesa con la localidad navarra de Puente la Reina, donde se une al Camino Francés procedente de Roncesvalles. El Camino Francés por Aragón debe su origen al Camino de Arles (Vía Tolosana), una de...

www.gronze.com

 

[Robo]

A very personal choice of course.

Having walked the CF 2 and a bit times, it does have a strong 'pull' and is somewhat unique and special I think.

Last year I walked VdlP, Invierno and Fisterra/Muxia.

I loved those routes (all 3) and I think I'm 'sold' on remoter routes from now on.

I did get 3 days on the Frances crossing between routes. I was worried about crowds and at first it seemed 'crazy' busy. I saw more people at 6:30 am leaving Astorga than a whole month on the VdlP!
But...........I loved being on the CF again.

I don't think I would want to walk the whole route again though. There are too many other routes to try. And the 'busyness' of the CF was a great vibe for a few days, but not sure I'd enjoy 40 days of it.

I suppose it's a balancing act between the Social aspects and Solitude?
And in that, we probably all seek different things.

The VdlP was perfect for me in that regard.
A few people to make friends with, but lots of solitude.

I'm certainly looking at other more remote routes now. Le Puy, Mozarabe......
But none so far have felt as 'intense' from a Camino perspective as the Frances.
Or camino-y to use your term.

I'm not sure it's all down to the route though.
Perhaps it's more of a mindset thing?
The VdlP felt very "camino-y" for the first week, but them kind of morphed into an enjoyable long 'hike'.
The Invierno was quite intense.
Maybe for me, 'solitude' is a factor.

But there again as soon as I stepped onto the Frances again, wow!
I could feel the energy.........

Who knows?

Maybe you need to try to think of the things that make a Camino so special for you.
Maybe even make a list and share it. See what routes others might suggest?

Just don't have too many expectations. I try not to have any really.
Could be a 'buzz kill' if the route isn't what you hoped for.

PS.
The Portuguese doesn't call to me either.
Not sure why.
It seems wrong to disregard a route sight unseen.
But I only have a finite time on earth and only so many Caminos left in me, and there are other routes with a stronger call.

 

[efdoucette]

I walked the Camino Frances in 2011. Life enhancing. I walked it again last month, but only from SJPdP to Burgos, and I walked with an old friend. It was indeed different, many more pilgrims. I was a bit apprehensive, knowing that it has become more popular. What I didn't expect was how much I enjoyed the additional numbers. With more people come more interactions, for me, just more fun. And, you can still find your seclusion when you want.
I've walked many Camino trails over the years, and all have their charm. But there is nothing like the Camino Frances, in my opinion, of course.

 

[Robo]

I walked the Camino Frances in 2011. Life enhancing. I walked it again last month, but only from SJPdP to Burgos, and I walked with an old friend. It was indeed different, many more pilgrims. I was a bit apprehensive, knowing that it has become more popular. What I didn't expect was how much I enjoyed the additional numbers. With more people come more interactions, for me, just more fun. And, you can still find your seclusion when you want.
I've walked many Camino trails over the years, and all have their charm. But there is nothing like the Camino Frances, in my opinion, of course.

I tend to agree.
Though I recall one breakfast on the VdlP where I think 12 Pilgrims were in the local cafe getting breakfast.
It just felt noisy and intrusive!
Because for the rest of the time it was generally just the locals and me....or 1 or 2 other Pilgrims.

A couple of weeks later I was having a breakfast on the Frances and there must have been 50-60 Pilgrims having breakfast!

But it was a good vibe!

Go figure.........

 

[efdoucette]

I tend to agree.
Though I recall one breakfast on the VdlP where I think 12 Pilgrims were in the local cafe getting breakfast.
It just felt noisy and intrusive!
Because for the rest of the time it was generally just the locals and me....or 1 or 2 other Pilgrims.

A couple of weeks later I was having a breakfast on the Frances and there must have been 50-60 Pilgrims having breakfast!

But it was a good vibe!

Go figure.........

I wonder if we just enjoy seeing all these first timers? Knowing how much we enjoyed our first CF, and knowing what they are in for, in a good way. A bit of a club isn't it?

 

[Sirage]

I'm certainly looking at other more remote routes now. Le Puy, Mozarabe.

Robo - as one aussie to another, I have difficulty with calling Le Puy remote, let alone more remote - it is the most popular route in France and connects seamlessly with the Frances.

Sometimes the understanding of routes can get confused between remoteness with number of peoples walking. The Mozarabe might be remote but appears to be getting quite popular.

For remote and few pilgrims I can accept the Camino starting in Xabia

 

[Juspassinthru]

If you decide on the Francés again, I recommend starting on the Camino Aragonés. It's about a week's walking from Somport to where you join the Francés at Puente la Reina.

Camino Aragonés | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés por Aragón o Camino Aragonés enlaza el puerto de Somport en la frontera hispano-francesa con la localidad navarra de Puente la Reina, donde se une al Camino Francés procedente de Roncesvalles. El Camino Francés por Aragón debe su origen al Camino de Arles (Vía Tolosana), una de...

www.gronze.com

Highly agree with @trecile with a bit of prejudice as I too did this route earlier this year. Down hill from Somport. Flats with some hills along the river and you join the CF In Puente La Reina to feed your Francés needs.

None of my Camino’s have been the same and it’s not the route, it’s me that’s different. As Hereclitus said:

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

Go walk my friend.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I think maybe I have the perception that the CP won’t feel as much like a camino, compared to the CF. Certainly the VDLP didn’t feel as camino-y as the CF (which I expected going in and didn’t mind). But I kinda miss that communal pilgrim feeling you get on the CF.

The Português has become increasingly CF-like in recent years, particularly from Porto northwards.

The Faro > Lisbon > [Fátima] > Porto sections do have fewer pilgrims, though as you get closer to Porto the numbers did seem to increase when I was there.

There's no lack of community from Porto onwards, whether on the Central or the Coastal or so on. Only the more easterly and southerly Portuguese Camino routes can be more solitary.