choices from León: Francés/Finisterre or Salvador/Primitivo

[MichaelC]

From reading the forums it looks like it will take approximately 18 days (moderate pace, with rest days) for the following:

1. León > Santiago > Múxia
2. León > Ovieda > Lugo > Santiago

If you had the choice, and assuming you've already been walking for a couple weeks, which would you choose?

This is purely a hypothetical question. I'm planning on starting from Le Puy in May 2016, and have absolutely no idea what kind of mental or physical space I will be in by the time I reach León sometime in early July. I'll decide when I'm there (if I even have the time or energy) - but that won't stop me from dreaming of the different options now!

For me the pros and cons seem to be:

Francés/Finisterre: It's the classic route for a first camino. Perhaps more energy and excitement on the trail. Lots of resources en route. The final leg to the sea sounds like a peaceful way to end a camino & have time to reflect. Can time it to be in Santiago a few days before the Feast of St. James.

But: It's peak season. The reports of bed racing give me pause. I wonder if it would be harder to feel a bond of camaraderie on a crowded camino.

Salvador/Primitivo: It looks so incredibly beautiful. More wild nature and open spaces. Oviedo and Lugo both sound like great places for rest days. Less crowded than the Francés.

But: There are longer stages, and fewer villages. It would require more planning. And maybe there are more people on the Primitivo now, making it a challenge to find a bed?

 

[jpflavin1]

From reading the forums it looks like it will take approximately 18 days (moderate pace, with rest days) for the following:

1. León > Santiago > Múxia
2. León > Ovieda > Lugo > Santiago

If you had the choice, and assuming you've already been walking for a couple weeks, which would you choose?

This is purely a hypothetical question. I'm planning on starting from Le Puy in May 2016, and have absolutely no idea what kind of mental or physical space I will be in by the time I reach León sometime in early July. I'll decide when I'm there (if I even have the time or energy) - but that won't stop me from dreaming of the different options now!

For me the pros and cons seem to be:

Francés/Finisterre: It's the classic route for a first camino. Perhaps more energy and excitement on the trail. Lots of resources en route. The final leg to the sea sounds like a peaceful way to end a camino & have time to reflect. Can time it to be in Santiago a few days before the Feast of St. James.

But: It's peak season. The reports of bed racing give me pause. I wonder if it would be harder to feel a bond of camaraderie on a crowded camino.

Salvador/Primitivo: It looks so incredibly beautiful. More wild nature and open spaces. Oviedo and Lugo both sound like great places for rest days. Less crowded than the Francés.

But: There are longer stages, and fewer villages. It would require more planning. And maybe there are more people on the Primitivo now, making it a challenge to find a bed?

Hands down number two. The Salvador and Primitivo are two beautiful Camino's.

Make sure you get the Salvador passport in the Leon Albergue.

Ultreya,
Joe