Ingles or Portugues?

[LaneyHarper]

Hi!

My aunt and I are planning to walk the Camino in May 2019 for 10-11 days but are having difficulty deciding between one of the Portugues routes, the Ingles or another option (suggestions welcome!). We would like to end in Santiago. We decided not to walk the French way, Norte or the Primativo. We are looking for a route that is not to difficult (inclines as I have asthma), has less asphalt/pavement walking (my older aunt is worried about her feet). The Portugues coastal route from Porto seems relatively flat but more asphalt/ pavement walking. I’ve heard the Ingles route can be very rainy and muddy and it’s a shorter route. Not sure about asphalt/pavement walking the Ingles. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[LaneyHarper]

Hi!

My aunt and I are planning to walk the Camino in May 2019 for 10-11 days but are having difficulty deciding between one of the Portugues routes, the Ingles or another option (suggestions welcome!). We would like to end in Santiago. We decided not to walk the French way, Norte or the Primativo. We are looking for a route that is not to difficult (inclines as I have asthma), has less asphalt/pavement walking (my older aunt is worried about her feet). The Portugues coastal route from Porto seems relatively flat but more asphalt/ pavement walking. I’ve heard the Ingles route can be very rainy and muddy and it’s a shorter route. Not sure about asphalt/pavement walking the Ingles. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[SabsP]

Hi Laney,

I walked both and I think both are the same when it comes to amount of paved roads.Although more cobblestones on the Portugues.
The rerouting of the Ingles means that there are less steep hills.
I walked the Ingles when it was very muddy but you should be ok with a stick for balance.
In terms of beautiful towns the Ingles wins for me. Especially Betanzos is gorgeous to wander around.
Also lesser pilgrims and less pilgrim's commerce on the Ingles.
Happy preparations.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Portuguese is more and more crowded. Ingles is more and more paved.

 

[VNwalking]

I can't speak for the Portugues, but there is a fair amount of pavement on the Ingles. There are also the Sanabres from Ourense or the Invierno from Monforte de Lemos - but these will be hilly. But it's worth considering that if you want to end up in Santiago, you won't be able to completely avoid hills, no matter where you walk from.

 

[hel&scott]

If you are after a credencial then start the English Way at Ferrol. Don't do it in winter like we did as it can be pretty muddy. What road walking there is, is on pretty quiet roads. Other then that it's a short, well signposted route with some good alburges and pretty Galician villages. We had some fantastic meals on this route so don't be afraid to try your luck at some of the smaller upmarket joints.

The Portuguese Way from Tui is the second busiest caminos, so if you are trying to avoid the crush of the French Way you may want to take a closer look. Starting in Porto adds a lot of extra kms to the trip so I wouldn't say it's a direct comparison to the Inglés. Yes there is also a lot of cobbles and a far amount of busy main road walking. But it covers some interesting history and would give you a chance to experience a longer Camino. Just look into the threads on foot ware to help you come with the hard surfaces.

There are also other caminos that will lead you into Santiago, look at the route from Ourense on the Vdlp or others on the forum page. I am glad you are looking at the wider ways to Santiago and hope you find one that fits with what you and your aunt are looking for.

 

[Walking Lover]

Hi!

My aunt and I are planning to walk the Camino in May 2019 for 10-11 days but are having difficulty deciding between one of the Portugues routes, the Ingles or another option (suggestions welcome!). We would like to end in Santiago. We decided not to walk the French way, Norte or the Primativo. We are looking for a route that is not to difficult (inclines as I have asthma), has less asphalt/pavement walking (my older aunt is worried about her feet). The Portugues coastal route from Porto seems relatively flat but more asphalt/ pavement walking. I’ve heard the Ingles route can be very rainy and muddy and it’s a shorter route. Not sure about asphalt/pavement walking the Ingles. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

We did two days of the Coastal route after walking from Lisbon. Except for this section, the rest is a lot of road. We plan to do the Ingles next summer. From Brierley's guide, the % of road appears to be less.

 

[LaneyHarper]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[peb]

about 40% of the Ingles is asphalt, but in the main, it is quiet country roads.

Even ambling, the Ingles should be able to be achieved in 8 or 9 days, so consider either spending a day in A Coruna beforehand and some time in Santiago afterwards, or think about tacking the Finisterre route on the end (3 days or so)