Eternal dilemma: which Camino

[Westmalle]

Well, a newbie here. Got back from a touristic trip on Norther Spain just a week ago an got contagious from Camino atmosphere. I was carrying the idea of walking for quite some months actually before going to Spain by car, but now the thoughts became vocal.
I am a woman in late 30s, not exactly well fit, but with legs that can support km of walk (I walk at least 12km each day), but zero breath (I could spit a lung during climbing mountains).
I speak Italian, so understanding Spanish is a minor problem. I cannot support huge flows of people (like people on vacation in Italy in August).
I cannot take a month off from work and I am not sure my physical condition could support a month of walking (maybe even yes, but I don't want to regret the first Camino).
My perfectionism and emotional part would lead me to start at the starting point of a Camino and to end up in SdC, but the rational part that prevails says that I'd better choose something more doable and make a try.

I am (normally) a very organized tourist-traveller with booking hotels in advance, searching for parking spots ahead when travelling by car and reading carefully wine list of the restaurant where I want to eat (good food and wine freak), but I understand that this is not the spirit of Camino and I could give up on extreme advance organization and dedicate myself to crisis management in case needed.

Given the above, I am considering to organize a 10 days trip either in end April or in mid September 2024 to start with.
I would avoid the Sarria - SdC piece as it seems to be overloaded with people. Starting CF from SJPDP and making piece at a time would bring me immediately to climb the mountains and I not sure I can make it. I would like to leave CF still a bit there.

I have considered doing whole Camino Ingles, but reading various reviews, it seems there is a battle for a bed and being not exactly well fit, I don't want to start my day with this anxiety.

Portughese Way: making it from Tui saves some time, but it's not a complete one. Understand that it's the easiest one for walking. A week ago there are a terrible ocean smell though.

Primitivo from Oviedo inspires me, but understand that it's the most difficult one technically, so same as CF in the beginning.

Am I forgetting anything?
Experienced thoughts are most welcome!

 

[J Willhaus]

Sanabres coming from the south will be less crowded. The Invierno starting in Ponferrada might be a little too long for your time frame but worth consideration in you start in Montfort de Lemos.

If you have 10 days you could walk on to Finesterre or Muxia (my favorite place).

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

Sanabres could be a good choice. If you want to walk just 10 days and reach Santiago you count back 10 stages. Starting points could be Puebla de Sanabria (about 250 km) or A Gudina ( about 180 km)Both places are reachable by train. A good place for information is the website of gronze.com . (Don't let the length of the stages mentioned there scare you off, there are accomodations in between that are also in Gronze

 

[Westmalle]

Sanabres coming from the south will be less crowded. The Invierno starting in Ponferrada might be a little too long for your time frame but worth consideration in you start in Montfort de Lemos.

If you have 10 days you could walk on to Finesterre or Muxia (my favorite place).

I have been to Muxia this year and it's absolutely delicious. Was thinking about adding it in case I go for Ingles.
Another thing that does not convince me about Ingles is that it runs close to motorways and it does not inspire me much.

Will look into Sanabres now.

 

[Westmalle]

Sanabres could be a good choice. If you want to walk just 10 days and reach Santiago you count back 10 stages. Starting points could be Puebla de Sanabria (about 250 km) or A Gudina ( about 180 km)Both places are reachable by train. A good place for information is the website of gronze.com . (Don't let the length of the stages mentioned there scare you off, there are accomodations in between that are also in Gronze

I still have to decide whether picking up a Camino at intermediary point is something that I would like to consider. I have downloaded Gronze app, so will start looking at Sanabria.
I understand that I will have to give up on something, just need to decide on what.
If I go for starting from an intermediary point, what would be the medium difficulty most scenografical Caminos?

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

I still have to decide whether picking up a Camino at intermediary point is something that I would like to consider. I have downloaded Gronze app, so will start looking at Sanabria.
I understand that I will have to give up on something, just need to decide on what.
If I go for starting from an intermediary point, what would be the medium difficulty most scenografical Caminos?

The idea of an intermediate point is rather arbitrary I think. If there is fixed point of a Camino it would be Santiago. To me even that is not essential, for me the attraction is the walking itself, the meeting with other walkers with different backgrounds, motivations and so on. To me that is the spirit of the Camino; a walking community

 

[martin1ws]

...
Portughese Way: making it from Tui saves some time, but it's not a complete one. Understand that it's the easiest one for walking. A week ago there are a terrible ocean smell though.
...

The idea of a complete camino is highly overrated, because the starting points of 'complete' caminos are often random (why do some pilgrims think, a camino Portugués from Porto is complete, but not from Tui... if you can walk from Lissabon?).
I heared sometimes the only complete camino is starting by foot at your home door... so this idea need not be a argument for your choice for a 10-day-camino.

 

[alexwalker]

I still have to decide whether picking up a Camino at intermediary point is something that I would like to consider. I have downloaded Gronze app, so will start looking at Sanabria.
I understand that I will have to give up on something, just need to decide on what.
If I go for starting from an intermediary point, what would be the medium difficulty most scenografical Caminos?

Start in Pamplona on CF. Pamplona-Burgos is 216 kms and mostly easy walking. Continue next year from Burgos. Just my 0.02 Euros.

 

[dbier]

For the love of your lungs, if you want the Primitivo, start at Lugo.

 

[1man2dogs]

I have been to Muxia this year and it's absolutely delicious. Was thinking about adding it in case I go for Ingles.
Another thing that does not convince me about Ingles is that it runs close to motorways and it does not inspire me much.

Will look into Sanabres now.

Hi
I've just finished the Inglis, like last week .
Yes it does run close to motorways in a spot or two, but the rest more than makes up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk and I think I've convinced a couple of my nephews to walk it. I would happily walk it again without a second thought.
Sean

 

[trecile]

For the love of your lungs, if you want the Primitivo, start at Lugo.

And miss the Hospitales?

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

For the love of your lungs, if you want the Primitivo, start at Lugo.

And miss the most beautifull parts

 

[Betterisgood]

Hola,
Since you mentioned that you wouldn't like lots of people.....I recommend the invierno. Lots of information in the sub forum so I'll leave it at that. Love love love the invierno I'm currently planning my third......
Buen camino,
MaryEllen

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Westmalle - Okay, as somebody who's completed both the Inglès and the Primitivo this year if you really want to complete something then forget the Primitivo in just 10 days. The first week is the most interesting and enjoyable, i.e. before Lugo. The entire Primitivo is a 12 to 14-day walk for most moderately fit people. Especially after your comment about your lungs!
If your 10 days is 10 actual walking days then definitely do the Inglès and continue on to Finisterre . Yes the trail can definitely be full during holiday periods but indulge your love of booking things and book throughout! There are many cheap hotels and the private Albergue at Bruma can be booked. Because I was limited to five days that's exactly what I did in April this year. Yes the trail was fairly full - it was Easter week and Spain is on holiday so hardly surprising ! - and yes at Bruma everything was overflowing ( many people had to walk on) but because I'd booked at the private albergue 6 weeks before I had no issues whatsoever. I could simply stroll along, stop and enjoy the views or coffee, and roll in whenever I wanted, Zero stress.
You could take a different approach and simply stay off the traditional stages, that would also give you significantly more options accommodation wise.
If you are already walking 12 kilometers a day you could go and start walking tomorrow. Yes there are a couple of tough hills and one or two long annoying stretches near the road but the rest is absolutely beautiful!
And if you want a little more space than avoid the Spanish holidays and don't start on a weekend. Many people have posted here that they were on the trail and only ever saw fellow pilgrims of an evening simply because of their timing.
As a newbie myself (the Inglès was my first) I found it an excellent way to introduce myself to the Camino. And yes I'm now hooked!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

PS: there are also some excellent restaurants along the way.......

 

[peregrino_tom]

Westmalle, my view:
Walking 12km a day (every day??) is amazing. You will be in much better shape than most people who start out. But do some longer test walks.
I say this because while you mention that it is not in the camino spirit to book accommodation, the modern reality is that actually very many people do. And it's often a very sensible thing to do at the most popular times - which coincide with the two potential starting dates that you have mentioned.
So, test out how far you'll be able to walk in a day when, really, walking is the only major task you have to accomplish. (Most people on the camino end up walking far further each day than they'd ever imagined possible - and often enjoying it!). Then if you need to book accommodation before you start you'll have a truer idea of the best distances to create between stages.
Personally, starting from SJPdP would be my recommendation. And you can book accommodation halfway up the mountain to make the first day more manageable and less frightening. Lots of people report good things about staying at places like Orisson - but you must book well in advance. Or else walk the alternative lower route via Valcarlos. You could walk on to Logrono in about 8 days and celebrate with a good Rioja.. And if you enjoyed it, come back the following year and proceed a little more towards Santiago.
The Ingles option and the Sarria option (although better to start earlier on the path at O Cebreiro) are both good alternatives, but I think the Primitivo would be too much and the Invierno just too specialised for a first go.

 

[willydp]

I would recommend the Inglés.
I did that as a first due to lack of time (job related) and it was a wonderful walk and you enter into Santiago at the end.
You will never forget that first time
A first Camino with a happy ending
If you walk the Inglés, try to book in 'Hospedaria San Martiño Pinario' in Santiago, you still have time.
Buen Camino

 

[kenwilltravel]

Portughese Way: making it from Tui saves some time, but it's not a complete one. Understand that it's the easiest one for walking. A week ago there are a terrible ocean smell though.

Doing the Portuguese from Tui is certainly doable but have you considered starting from Vigo? First, like Tui, that would give you the 100 km distance to Santiago that you need for the Compostela. Second, the walk from Vigo to Redondela is very scenic, along the Vigo estuary, more scenic than Tui to Redondela. Third, you can fly into Porto and then take a train to Vigo, which makes it convenient to start from there. Finally, most of the ground is relatively flat so it's comfortable walking, a good choice for a newbie. Also, once you get to Pontevedra, you can consider whether to take the Spiritual Variant detour, which adds an extra day or two but is well worth it.

 

[wynrich]

We walked the Ingles this past mid-April. It's a really nice camino. It didn't seem at all crowded and we had no problem with accommodations. Most of the places we stayed were not even close to being full. But we don't stay in albergues.

 

[Westmalle]

To me that is the spirit of the Camino; a walking community

This is what I have underrated while driving it, but what I realize now reading this forum. I only need to match the "almost last minute" bed arrangements with my usual way of "booking in advance after having checked the best option"

I heared sometimes the only complete camino is starting by foot at your home door... so this idea need not be a argument for your choice for a 10-day-camino.

Thank you for this one. It gives me trigger to consider picking up an interim point.

Start in Pamplona on CF. Pamplona-Burgos is 216 kms and mostly easy walking. Continue next year from Burgos. Just my 0.02 Euros.

I would like to leave CF for future adventures in case I become "Camino dependant"

Yes it does run close to motorways in a spot or two

So, it's not a such long and annoying, is it?

If your 10 days is 10 actual walking days then definitely do the Inglès and continue on to Finisterre

I have to check it carefully. I would like to end up (again) in Finesterre...drove there by car and it's absolutely an amazing place. Would love to walk here, but need to understand if it's workable. My nice to have would be walking a piece of Camino to SdC, walk to Finisterre and stay a day or 2 there, just relaxing and back home, but I am afraid timing is not enough. Since I have no clue how it is walking for 10 days in a row, I might take it easier on the distances, especially first days.

You could take a different approach and simply stay off the traditional stages, that would also give you significantly more options accommodation wise.

Just as above, I might add a day to traditional stages.

Spanish holidays and don't start on a weekend

I was thinking to stick to Italian holidays end of April, but May 1st is a holiday in whole Europe, so might be crowdy.

Walking 12km a day (every day??) is amazing. You will be in much better shape than most people who start out. But do some longer test walks.

I will definitely try. I do walk to my office daily, it's 6km each way. If working from home, I do a morning stroll along the sea to cover the same distance. While I bearly ever walk in the mountains. That's why I do have muscles, but zero lungs.

The Ingles option and the Sarria option (although better to start earlier on the path at O Cebreiro) are both good alternatives, but I think the Primitivo would be too much and the Invierno just too specialised for a first go.

Thank you for this opinion. I don't want to make Sarria just because I am afraid it's too crowded for what I expect. I don't want to be alone (if my SO can join me it would be awesome, but not confirmed, so I might be solo), but neither be a part of a huge flow.

First, like Tui, that would give you the 100 km distance to Santiago that you need for the Compostela. Second, the walk from Vigo to Redondela is very scenic, along the Vigo estuary, more scenic than Tui to Redondela.

This makes it a very interesing option....



Really, that you all for the comments. I think I start to have a clearer picture of what I would like to do.

I would definitely like it to be a scenografic piece that ends in SdC, not too much crowded, but neither being almost alone, medium difficulty (otherwise I just add a day). Would love to end up in Finisterre, but need to check the timing available.

 

[1man2dogs]

This is what I have underrated while driving it, but what I realize now reading this forum. I only need to match the "almost last minute" bed arrangements with my usual way of "booking in advance after having checked the best option"

Thank you for this one. It gives me trigger to consider picking up an interim point.

I would like to leave CF for future adventures in case I become "Camino dependant"

So, it's not a such long and annoying, is it?

I have to check it carefully. I would like to end up (again) in Finesterre...drove there by car and it's absolutely an amazing place. Would love to walk here, but need to understand if it's workable. My nice to have would be walking a piece of Camino to SdC, walk to Finisterre and stay a day or 2 there, just relaxing and back home, but I am afraid timing is not enough. Since I have no clue how it is walking for 10 days in a row, I might take it easier on the distances, especially first days.

Just as above, I might add a day to traditional stages.

I was thinking to stick to Italian holidays end of April, but May 1st is a holiday in whole Europe, so might be crowdy.

I will definitely try. I do walk to my office daily, it's 6km each way. If working from home, I do a morning stroll along the sea to cover the same distance. While I bearly ever walk in the mountains. That's why I do have muscles, but zero lungs.

Thank you for this opinion. I don't want to make Sarria just because I am afraid it's too crowded for what I expect. I don't want to be alone (if my SO can join me it would be awesome, but not confirmed, so I might be solo), but neither be a part of a huge flow.

This makes it a very interesing option....



Really, that you all for the comments. I think I start to have a clearer picture of what I would like to do.

I would definitely like it to be a scenografic piece that ends in SdC, not too much crowded, but neither being almost alone, medium difficulty (otherwise I just add a day). Would love to end up in Finisterre, but need to check the timing available.

To be honest, after a minute or two I hardly noticed the motorways.

 

[David Tallan]

Thank you for this opinion. I don't want to make Sarria just because I am afraid it's too crowded for what I expect. I don't want to be alone (if my SO can join me it would be awesome, but not confirmed, so I might be solo), but neither be a part of a huge flow.

There is a lot of talk about the huge flow and crowds after Sarria. And certainly it can be like that. But it doesn't have to be like that if you don't want it to. It is very possible to walk in solitude or with just a few pilgrims if that is your wish. You just have to plan your daily stages accordingly and not stop at the most popular points. There are plenty of options (one of the advantages of this section) and you can get the walk you want.

Below is a photo I took in the last 50 km of the Frances, when it had been merged with the Primitivo for even more people. It was taken this past late July, the busiest time of year. I think you might notice the lack of a huge flow, contrary to what I had been led to expect. (Not the prettiest part of the day's walk, but they tended to be more winding, so you couldn't see as far ahead, and those don't make the point as well.)

 

[dbier]

Similarly, the stages and (few) cafés here on the Primitivo right now can be crowded, but I still manage to walk alone for most of the day.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

Well, a newbie here. Got back from a touristic trip on Norther Spain just a week ago an got contagious from Camino atmosphere. I was carrying the idea of walking for quite some months actually before going to Spain by car, but now the thoughts became vocal.
I am a woman in late 30s, not exactly well fit, but with legs that can support km of walk (I walk at least 12km each day), but zero breath (I could spit a lung during climbing mountains).
I speak Italian, so understanding Spanish is a minor problem. I cannot support huge flows of people (like people on vacation in Italy in August).
I cannot take a month off from work and I am not sure my physical condition could support a month of walking (maybe even yes, but I don't want to regret the first Camino).
My perfectionism and emotional part would lead me to start at the starting point of a Camino and to end up in SdC, but the rational part that prevails says that I'd better choose something more doable and make a try.

I am (normally) a very organized tourist-traveller with booking hotels in advance, searching for parking spots ahead when travelling by car and reading carefully wine list of the restaurant where I want to eat (good food and wine freak), but I understand that this is not the spirit of Camino and I could give up on extreme advance organization and dedicate myself to crisis management in case needed.

Given the above, I am considering to organize a 10 days trip either in end April or in mid September 2024 to start with.
I would avoid the Sarria - SdC piece as it seems to be overloaded with people. Starting CF from SJPDP and making piece at a time would bring me immediately to climb the mountains and I not sure I can make it. I would like to leave CF still a bit there.

I have considered doing whole Camino Ingles, but reading various reviews, it seems there is a battle for a bed and being not exactly well fit, I don't want to start my day with this anxiety.

Portughese Way: making it from Tui saves some time, but it's not a complete one. Understand that it's the easiest one for walking. A week ago there are a terrible ocean smell though.

Primitivo from Oviedo inspires me, but understand that it's the most difficult one technically, so same as CF in the beginning.

Am I forgetting anything?
Experienced thoughts are most welcome!

Here's your answer: Tui to start, then walk along the Minho River on a lovely flat trail sans peregrinos to A Guarda, a jewel. Then walk the coastal. Don't miss Baiona! Catch the afternoon train from Vigo to save s day. From Pontevedra walk the Variante Spiritual and the boat ride to Padron. On to Santiago for your compostella. All easy walking with unforgettable sights. Buen Camino!

 

[Westmalle]

I hope to start having more clear ideas now.
The total days of the trip would be 12, considering inbound and outbound flight. First option is end of April around May 1st Labor day. Second option will be mid September.
This means 10 days effectively in Spain.
I shortlisted caminos to Camino Ingles from Ferrol or a part of Portughese Coastal (o from Baiona or from Vigo - I have visited them both this year and liked them a lot).
I would like not to exceed 20km daily, trying to be realistic with what I can actually do. It means 6 days of walking.
I would love to walk to Finisterre as well, but I don't think I will have enough time for that without too much rush, but I would like to come back to see it again. Maybe I can walk Finisterre - Muxia part, I loved both places, then get back to SdC and catch a flight back to Italy.

 

[Rhod]

Doing the Portuguese from Tui is certainly doable but have you considered starting from Vigo? First, like Tui, that would give you the 100 km distance to Santiago that you need for the Compostela. Second, the walk from Vigo to Redondela is very scenic, along the Vigo estuary, more scenic than Tui to Redondela. Third, you can fly into Porto and then take a train to Vigo, which makes it convenient to start from there. Finally, most of the ground is relatively flat so it's comfortable walking, a good choice for a newbie. Also, once you get to Pontevedra, you can consider whether to take the Spiritual Variant detour, which adds an extra day or two but is well worth it.

Hi there, we did 5 days of the coastal caminho in may and am wanting to conyinue next year, the starting point is a question. Is vigo to sdc definetly more than 100 kms? My one guide says its 98,5.

 

[kenwilltravel]

Hi there, we did 5 days of the coastal caminho in may and am wanting to conyinue next year, the starting point is a question. Is vigo to sdc definetly more than 100 kms? My one guide says its 98,5.

For the purposes of the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, Vigo is within the 100 km limit. I worked in the office in 2019 and know that for a fact. No worries starting from Vigo.

 

[Rhod]

For the purposes of the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, Vigo is within the 100 km limit. I worked in the office in 2019 and know that for a fact. No worries starting from Vigo.

Great thank you

 

[Westmalle]

Me again. The planned period should be second half of September. I have shortlisted the Caminos to Ingles from Ferrol and a piece of Portughese Coastal from Baiona. Working on the first one for now.
I would like to add 1-2 days to classical stages, just to make sure I do not overdo.
So, my initial split is as follows:
Ferrol - Neda
Neda - Pontedume
Pontedume - Betanzos
Betanzos - Leiro (???)
Leiro - Bruma
Bruma - Sigueiro
Sigueiro - SdC

Not sure about Leiro as Bueno Camino app is not showing any accomodation in the village. I do not feel comfortable to make Betanzos - Bruma rush in one go. Any suggestions for another split maybe?

 

[willydp]

Check this info for more sleeping places:
Stage

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

How about this?

1. Fene (about 18.5 km)
2. Mino (about 19 km0
3. Presedo (about 21.5 km)
4. A Rua (about 19 km)
5. Sigueiro (about 17.5 km)
or: Torre de Marantes ( about 21.5 km)
6. Santiago ( 16 km or 12 km)

Buen camino!

 

[willydp]

Neda is an easy warm up day and you have the old mill

 

[Westmalle]

Thanks @Peterexpatkiwi , will look into this division as well.
For some reason wanted to stop in Betanzos and I wanted to split into 7 days.
That is what my excel shows for Ingles:

	Tappa	Km	Ascend, m	Descend, m
1​	Ferrol - Neda	13,77​	184​	175​
2​	Neda - Pontedeume	14,65​	345​	327​
3​	Pontedeume - Betanzos	19,62​	605​	608​
4​	Betanzos - Leiro	13,35​	406​	269​
5​	Leiro - Bruma	10,49​	337​	119​
6​	Hospital de Bruma - Sigueiro	24,33​	281​	433​
7​	Sigueiro - SdC	15,84​	328​	302​
		112,05​
	Average	16,01​	355,14​	319,00​

If I were to exploit Coastal Portughese, I have the following:

	Tappa	Km	Ascend, m	Descend, m
1​	Baiona - Vigo	26,29​	558​	542​
2​	Vigo - Redondela	16,39​	368​	385​
3​	Redondela - Pontevedra	19,64​	469​	472​
4​	Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis	21,05​	290​	289​
5​	Caldas de Reis - Pontecesures	16,11​	314​	328​
6​	Pontecesures - Anguera de Suso	11,17​	142​	113​
7​	Anguera de Suso - SdC	16,39​	396​	202​
		127,04​
	Average	18,1​	362,4​	333,0​

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Westmalle, can’t comment on the Portuguese as I have yet to do it.

Inglés- understand wanting to stop in Bentanzos, I enjoyed it. Personally, it’s Bruma I’d happily skip, although I did enjoy sunbathing on the lawn at the Albergue!
There’s an Albergue about 10km further, if you reworked things & could get that to work for you. Sorry, I’m at work so can’t be more specific.
Or stick with your plan, but if you can’t get accommodation in Leiro, then taxi to Bentanzos for the night, and back the next day. (Don’t know about buses). Make sure you take the taxi number with you!
If you got a cheap hotel for two nights, you could always leave your Main pack behind and just carry the day’s supplies for a super easy day….

 

[Westmalle]

@Westmalle, can’t comment on the Portuguese as I have yet to do it.

Inglés- understand wanting to stop in Bentanzos, I enjoyed it. Personally, it’s Bruma I’d happily skip, although I did enjoy sunbathing on the lawn at the Albergue!
There’s an Albergue about 10km further, if you reworked things & could get that to work for you. Sorry, I’m at work so can’t be more specific.
Or stick with your plan, but if you can’t get accommodation in Leiro, then taxi to Bentanzos for the night, and back the next day. (Don’t know about buses). Make sure you take the taxi number with you!
If you got a cheap hotel for two nights, you could always leave your Main pack behind and just carry the day’s supplies for a super easy day….

Understood about Bruma. I am just trying to keep the days averagely equal and would like to avoid bed rush. I have read somewhere that Bruma does not have a lot accomodations. Would like avoiding taxis back and forth, but if there is no place in municipal albergue, I can afford another accomodation.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Bruma itself has just the public and Private Albergues, and one place to eat. No shops, and if you want to go sightseeing it'll take you all of about 10 minutes. It's tiny. The hotel is I think around 1.5 km away, in O Meson do Vento. If you were to book the private Albergue (for example at the beginning of next year) you will be fine. Depending on the day you could easily get into the public one, but the Inglès has apparently gotten considerably more popular over the last couple of years. Public holidays, (especially if on a Tuesday or Thursday) motivate people to take the week off to walk. If you're fit, and so desire, the Inglès is easily doable in four days.
People here on the forum walked late March and middle April and had no issues. Several reported seeing absolutely nobody all day and meeting only seven or eight others in the evening. I on the other hand walked just before Easter, ( the first week of April) not knowing that Spain basically closes for that week and the trail was incredibly full. At 7:30 in the morning I started on the trail and quickly found myself surrounded by people. One group alone was over 40 - all Spaniards. Pontdeume was booked out (perhaps not the expensive hotels but certainly the Albergue and cheaper ones) and accommodation elsewhere was also stretched. At Bruma the people queuing for the public Albergue exceeded capacity somewhere around 11.00, it opened at 13.00. There must have been a lot of people starting very early! The private Albergue, nearby hotel and Pension were completely full ( bookings, not walk ins) apparently solely with pilgrims. The only option was for people to walk another 10 kilometres or get a taxi. It was like that most of the week according to the Hospitalier.

Numerous reports of the same situation in July and August, some from friends of mine. From what I understand it's a very common phenomena in Spain no matter which of the (more popular) trails you are on. Some have better infrastructure than others though and therefore can more readily cope.

Please understand I'm not trying to be a scare monger, just make you aware you need to inform yourself about Spain and its public holidays! And plan your camino accordingly so you don't get caught out. Or if time is truly tight you can simply book everything. Which fortunately was my situation so I had! You've still got lots of time to decide.

 

[Westmalle]

Another point that I should probably consider while organizing the days is daily luggage shipping from one place to another. What should I pay attention for in terms of accomodation choice if I will requested luggage forward shipping?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Sorry, not something I can help with. Perhaps search for luggage shippers for the Camino Inglès, assume they will have a list of collection points.

 

[J Willhaus]

Another point that I should probably consider while organizing the days is daily luggage shipping from one place to another. What should I pay attention for in terms of accomodation choice if I will requested luggage forward shipping?

Not all places have luggage pickup or drop off. Check with your luggage transport service before making reservations.

 

[Westmalle]

Not all places have luggage pickup or drop off. Check with your luggage transport service before making reservations.

I am pretty sure that I will be sending luggage forward rather than carrying it, so I should better book the accommodations to make sure my luggage will be picked up? How common is luggage pick up on Ingles?

 

[trecile]

I am pretty sure that I will be sending luggage forward rather than carrying it, so I should better book the accommodations to make sure my luggage will be picked up? How common is luggage pick up on Ingles?

You can use Correos to transfer your luggage. On their site when you choose a town there will be a drop down menu of the places that they pick up from and deliver to.

Rucksack transfer on the Camino de Santiago

Correos transfers your rucksack, suitcase or luggage along the Camino de Santiago stage by stage

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

 

[Westmalle]

So in the end the decision is...
Walking Camino Ingles end of September with SO. He's a more "comfortable" type of traveller, so will book accomodations in advance. Now will move to specific Ingles section to organize better.
Thanks to everybody for clearing my initial ideas...