Portuguese or Frances?

LynneR · Jan 31, 2019

Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

Anamya · Jan 31, 2019

I loved the CP and highly recommend the route.
Scenery is beautiful, food is amazing and there is a lot of History to explore.
It is surely very different from CF, but different in a good way. It is easy to fall in love with CF, but if you never try other routes, how will you know if CF "is really your thing" or if CF "is the thing you are not afraid anymore"?

Porto itself is a marvellous city - I recommend spending 2 days there before you start walking

LynneR · Jan 31, 2019

Anamya said:
I loved the CP and highly recommend the route.
Scenery is beautiful, food is amazing and there is a lot of History to explore.
It is surely very different from CF, but different in a good way. It is easy to fall in love with CF, but if you never try other routes, how will you know if CF "is really your thing" or if CF "is the thing you are not afraid anymore"?

Porto itself is a marvellous city - I recommend spending 2 days there before you start walking

Good advice. Thank you!

Tassie Kaz · Jan 31, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

There is no such thing as an ideal trail.
Ever. Anywhere.
You will always have to compromise on something, somewhere.
To know you love the CF, you had to get out there & give it a go.
How do you know you won't feel the same about another path unless you take the same chance?
A number of different people have responded to you & shared their experiences of the CP but we can't say what YOU will like or dislike. Only you can do that.
If think you already have your answer...so go with your instincts.
I wish you all the very best.

jefferyonthecamino · Jan 31, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

I'd go for the CP. If it doesn't meet your expectations you'll return to the CF with 'muchas ganas'.
and yes, there are some sections on the CP in galicia which don't exactly make the cut for outstanding beauty.
good luck and buen camino!

Walking Lover · Feb 1, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

82% is on the cobblestones or other hard surfaces; some is along highway with speeding cars. Glad to have done it once, but wouldn't again. I could do the F over and over again.

LynneR · Feb 1, 2019

Walking Lover said:
82% is on the cobblestones or other hard surfaces; some is along highway with speeding cars. Glad to have done it once, but wouldn't again. I could do the F over and over again.

Hello-
In regards to your comment, did you walk the central route or the coastal route.
Thanks again!
Lynne

Anamya · Feb 1, 2019

Walking Lover said:
82% is on the cobblestones or other hard surfaces;

What a precise number!
So many people talk about the cobblestones... they are there, indeed, but I was probably one of the lucky one that never felt any trouble walking on them. Comfortable shoes were surely worth wearing

I walked Central in 2017, and would surely repeat the experience if the opportunity was there. It's just that i like to experience different trails, so I will go for other ones before i start repeating the ones I already know

andywild · Feb 1, 2019

I walked both the CF and the CP last year and noticed a huge difference..
The main thing was the CF being much longer gave a sense of detachment that the shorter CP couldn't offer.. after ten days on the CP I was still under halfway and it felt like an adventure.. the CP from Porto felt like 100km leaving Porto and 100km arriving at Santiago if that makes any sense?
I found the CF much more social too.. again maybe the extra time spent on CF brings people out of their shell more.. who knows?
That being said, I'm glad I did the CP. I enjoyed it, met some nice people, experienced my first francesinha saw some fantastic towns, villages, scenery.
The CP was a live changing adventure, the CP was an incredibly enjoyable walk..

And it only felt like 81% cobbles at most..
(To be honest it didn't feel anywhere near that.. I had no issues at all)

If I do two caminoes this year I'll do them both. If I only have time for one it will be the CF..

After rereading this post I notice how uselessly ambivalent it is.. however it took a while to type out so it's staying...
Wherever you go you'll have a fantastic walk.. why worry?
Buen Camino!!

David Tallan · Feb 1, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

I've walked the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Finisterre and the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago. My motivations for walking the CP were: (a) time - it was about the right length for the time I had available, (b) I wanted to try a different Camino. I had two experiences on the CF and was looking to see what another was like, and (c) I had heard good reports of the CP as a nice Camino to walk.

I walked the first bit along the seashore but then headed inland and walked it mostly along the Central route. I wasn't disappointed by the route. It certainly wasn't as epic as the much longer CF, but I knew that going in and it was a factor of the time I had available.

On the CF you get this sense that you are part of a mighty flow of pilgrims that stretches back a thousand years. You pass through towns named after the Camino and through the stories of saints who were sainted for their work supporting the Camino. The CP also has a rich history of pilgrims dating back to the middle ages, but there is no question that they weren't in the same numbers as on the CF. On the other hand, you pass through Padron with its rich history and close association with St. James. You can see where he was preaching when he was alive and where the boat with his remains fetched up.

On both routes you walk through some forest, a lot of farmland and small towns and villages. If you are walking from Lisbon, you'll get some cities, too. One of the key differences between the two routes is apparent as soon as you enter Galicia. On the CF, when you head west into Galicia, you are walking through dairy country. On the CP, as you walk north into Galicia, you are walking through wine country. The smells and road conditions are different.

Stacyv · Feb 2, 2019

I found the CP did not have quite the same camaraderie of the CF but it’s beautiful and Porto is gorgeous. I walked the coastal route, and took the Senda Litoral at every opportunity especially as you leave Porto. It joins up with the central route partway. This route follows beautiful coastline and well recommended. There are also less cobblestones on the coastal route. Oh and the pastries are amazing!!

Charlie11 · Feb 3, 2019

Thanks LynnneR for your question and,all, for your replies. I’m in the exact same position, walked CF in 2016 and 2018. I plan to walk again in 2019 and as much as I love CF feel I have to try CP.

Walking Lover · Feb 3, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello-
In regards to your comment, did you walk the central route or the coastal route.
Thanks again!
Lynne

We walked 2 days on the Coastal from Porto

formysons · Feb 4, 2019

Stacyv said:
I found the CP did not have quite the same camaraderie of the CF but it’s beautiful and Porto is gorgeous. I walked the coastal route, and took the Senda Litoral at every opportunity especially as you leave Porto. It joins up with the central route partway. This route follows beautiful coastline and well recommended. There are also less cobblestones on the coastal route. Oh and the pastries are amazing!!

Stacyv, what is "the Senda Litoral"
I plan to walk the Porto to SdC route in late August and need as much info as possible.
I will walk solo, female, 75y of age.
After this route I would like to walk to Finisterra and Muxia, then the Ingles from Ferrol.
I have 5 weeks walking time, is this possible, I am a slow stroller and plan to do no more than 20km per day.

sempervivum · Feb 4, 2019

Dear formysons,

The camino from Porto to Santiago is a lovely one, less cobblestones and greener.
Some stages are longer than your planned daily walking distance, but you can adjust them on the way.
Think a bit in advance; you can always call ahead for accommodation.
Late august will be a hot time for travelling at any age... sometimes too hot...
Don't leave Porto without a proper visit. Two days will do just fine. If you have three, go on a cruise on Douro.
Enjoy!

Ray J · Feb 4, 2019

CP or CF?

Short answer: Yes. (Also to France, BTW)

Seriously, though, they're both great. Cobblestones? Many fewer on the CP than the CF, IMO (but that may have been due to taking the coastal route). As noted above, there are sections where you're on narrow roads with no shoulders, but not that many.

The CF was our first, so it'll always be special, but we loved Portugal just as much for different reasons: Fewer people on the trail, great food, lovely scenery, among others.

If you do the CP and have the time, I strongly recommend including the Rota Vicentina. We started in Sagres and went north, others go in the opposite direction then take transportation up to Lisbon to begin the CP. If you're interested, you can check out some of my recent posts on it.

Enjoy!

David Tallan · Feb 5, 2019

formysons said:
Stacyv, what is "the Senda Litoral"
I plan to walk the Porto to SdC route in late August and need as much info as possible.
I will walk solo, female, 75y of age.
After this route I would like to walk to Finisterra and Muxia, then the Ingles from Ferrol.
I have 5 weeks walking time, is this possible, I am a slow stroller and plan to do no more than 20km per day.

Going north from Porto to Santiago there are four routes. From west to east they are:

the Senda Litoral. This is the one that hugs the coast. From Porto Cathedral you walk down to the river and along the river to the ocean. Then you walk north along the shore.
the Coastal. This one will often connect to the coast but doesn't walk right along it. For this one, you head north out of Porto instead of west and then gradually head over to the coast.
the Central. This is the oldest and most walked route.
the Interior. This is the easternmost route. It is the least walked route and is not covered in many of the printed guidebooks.

So the Senda Litoral is the route that, unlike the Coastal, actually walks right along the coast.

Former member 22438 · Feb 5, 2019

David Tallan said:
Going north from Porto to Santiago there are four routes. From west to east they are:

the Senda Litoral. This is the one that hugs the coast. From Porto Cathedral you walk down to the river and along the river to the ocean. Then you walk north along the shore.

the Coastal. This one will often connect to the coast but doesn't walk right along it. For this one, you head north out of Porto instead of west and then gradually head over to the coast.

the Central. This is the oldest and most walked route.

the Interior. This is the easternmost route. It is the least walked route and is not covered in many of the printed guidebooks.

So the Senda Litoral is the route that, unlike the Coastal, actually walks right along the coast.

One correction David The INTERIOR caminho Português does not start in Porto.
You have to go to Viseu to start and that is far away from Porto , situated in the east side of Portugal nearby the mountains of the Serra de Estrella. Viseu is a beautiful town btw.
It leads to the Portuguese -Spanish border to Chaves and to Ourense in Spain where it hits the Via de la Plata and continues on this camino to Santiago
Lot of people think the INTERIOR is the same as the CENTRAL caminho but both are totaly different.

Pega bem e bom caminho

ricardo.ha77 · Feb 26, 2019

LynneR said:
Hello, after two partial CF trips (from Cebreiro in 2016, then from Burgos in 2018), I am considering a walk from Porto this summer. I would also walk to Finisterre then to Muxia since Porto is a shorter walk and I've never walked to those towns.

My questions for you experienced Camino walkers is if I will be disappointed by CP or is the new scenery worth the trip? New challenge, new towns? Or stick with what I already know that I love? My other option would be to do a longer CF, probably from France. I keep thinking that I've been through those towns twice now and I don't want them to lose the magic and charm I experienced in the past.

I read a couple comments about cobblestones and lack of scenery on CP. Is this so?? Someone even commented that it is a bit depressing. I certainly don't want to go all that way and be disappointed.

All I know is the Camino keeps calling me back....but which way?
Thank you,
Lynne

Since you already have been on the CF for the last to years, I would try something different!
Last year my girlfriend and I walked the CF from SJPP+Muxia+Fisterra, so following my own advice, this summer we will do the CP Central from Lisbon.
From the little I know from Portugal, I'm sure we will not be disappointed!

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