Route suggestions instead of yet another Frances?

[Ungawawa]

I've now done the Frances two and a half times, and the Norte once. I'm looking at doing another camino this springtime, but don't really know what to do. I could just redo bits of the Norte or Frances, and I know I would love doing this, but I'm looking for some new scenery and challenges.

I'd like a route that's at least three weeks long really, so I get deep enough into it to really detach from life. Meeting other pilgrims is also very important for me, so I'd like to have a decent number of people to socialise with at the albergue. Being alone day after day doesn't appeal right now.

Money is also a little tight this time, so i can't take a route that needs lots of expensive private accommodation. I'm looking at less than 30 euros a day.

Has anyone any suggestions of what route / route variants I might enjoy next? Stop me from doing yet another Frances!

 

[KinkyOne]

I've now done the Frances two and a half times, and the Norte once. I'm looking at doing another camino this springtime, but don't really know what to do. I could just redo bits of the Norte or Frances, and I know I would love doing this, but I'm looking for some new scenery and challenges.

I'd like a route that's at least three weeks long really, so I get deep enough into it to really detach from life. Meeting other pilgrims is also very important for me, so I'd like to have a decent number of people to socialise with at the albergue. Being alone day after day doesn't appeal right now.

Money is also a little tight this time, so i can't take a route that needs lots of expensive private accommodation. I'm looking at less than 30 euros a day.

Has anyone any suggestions of what route / route variants I might enjoy next? Stop me from doing yet another Frances!

What about Salvador/Primitivo combo? Plenty of albergues on both. Maybe a bit less pilgrims but you definitely won't be alone for days.
Or very slow and enjoyable Ingles from Ferrol followed with Muxia and then to Fisterra. Not really 3 weeks but close if you add a day in Ferrol, SdC, Muxia and Fisterra. Same about albergues and other pilgrims as in above option.
I would suggest Invierno but you'll be pretty much alone. Maybe it would be a bit better on Sanabres if you start in Zamora, it's beautiful.

Take your pick. There's plenty to choose from:

CAMINOS DE SANTIAGO | El Camino de Santiago de RayyRosa

Descripción de todos los Caminos de Santiago. Con una completa información sobre todas las rutas a Santiago, así como su historia, etapas, mapas etc.

www.rayyrosa.com

Buen Camino!


PS (I only gave you options for Caminos ending and/or going through Santiago)

 

[C clearly]

Sanabres from Zamora?

 

[Davey Boyd]

I was going to recommend Salvador/Primitivo as Kinky said.

But I like the idea of Sanabres from Zamora too!

If not ending in Santiago I would go for Geneva to Le Puy. I met enough people on it not to be lonely. But boy was it magnificent!

Davey

 

[KinkyOne]

Sanabres from Zamora?

Nope, Sanabres starts in Granja de Moreruela (be sure I know that, see my signature) but transport to either of this points is much easier if you go to Zamora (first). Which is a city of marvelous romanic churches (and all the rest of the sight-seeing spots) which you can enjoy not only one day. Three days easily.

But yes, then you can take a bus ride from Zamora to Granja and start Sanabres there. But why the bus instead of two days of beautiful walk???

 

[terryenroute]

Another vote for VDLP/Sanabres. Salamanca to Santiago 500 kms.

 

[C clearly]

Nope, Sanabres starts in Granja de Moreruela

Actually, I knew that, but was too lazy to type it out on my phone.

 

[Michael; Camino-addicted]

I had the same "problem" and decided to walk the Camino Vasco interior from Irun to Burgos. From there I continue on the Frances to Leon and then on the Camino Salvador to Oviedo. I will start at May 22 and I have nearly four weeks to walk.

Something for you?

 

[KinkyOne]

I had the same "problem" and decided to walk the Camino Vasco interior from Irun to Burgos. From there I continue on the Frances to Leon and then on the Camino Salvador to Oviedo. I will start at May 22 and I have nearly four weeks to walk.

Something for you?

Hola, Michael,

Actually you walked most of the Via de Bayona which goes through Irun but starts in Bayonne hence the name. Camino Vasco del Interior starts in Irun and ends in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. I'm sure you remember the split of the two just after the village of Estavillo.

Hope you liked it. I did

 

[LynneR]

Hi.
I had the same issue. I wanted a new experience, so I settled on CP: Porto - Espiritual variante - Santiago - Finisterre - Muxia.
I’m not going to rush, so I’ll have a little less than three weeks and everything will be new except Santiago. I live CF, but I want a new challenge and like the idea of a being spending time in both Portugal and Spain.
Good luck.

 

[intrepidtraveler]

How about the Chemin Le Puy in France. Unless you especially want to finish in Santiago, this route would fit your criteria.

 

[Michael; Camino-addicted]

Hola KinkyOne,

I hope I will like it - I will start in one month yipppiiiiii.

On the second view to Richards thread I saw, he would like to meet a decent number of pilgrims in the albergues. I expect not so many people on this way. I have heard from pilgrims that they have not met any other pilgrims on the whole Camino Vasco.
For me it would be not a problem, I can catch up new contacts after Burgos.

What are your experiences?

 

[Pilger99]

If you are looking for many people the second best choice after CF is Caminho Portugues.
From Lisbon / Fatima to Porto you will not find much company, but Porto to the north is busy from April to October. Only the Braga variant is an exception, with only a few hundred per year.
Accomodation might be a bit more expensive than on the Francés (e.g. 15€ hostels/pensions, not so much 5€ albergues), but you can find lunch for 6€. Coffee is 60ct.
The continuation to Finisterre is also a very common choice, so never to worry about company.

Via de la Plata is a good choice in Spring, but the numbers have not really increased during the last 10 years.
So 10-20pilgrims per day is what you can expect here. On the other hand it is almost 1000km, so one of the longer routes in Spain. I didn't followed the cost development there.

In France you may have to book accomodation with dinner/breakfast, which adds easily to more than 30€ per day. You might check your costs from the last tour.

 

[Ungawawa]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. It's going to take me a little while to look these all up on maps and see what you all mean, but I appreciate the suggestions. I bet I'll have to come back with more questions

 

[Ungawawa]

Well, I've looked at these possible routes, but I'm honestly almost as confused as when I started...

The obvious choice here for an affordable, decent length camino is probably the Portugese from Lisbon, but I've been reading a lot about how until Porto you barely encounter any other pilgrims. I really don't want to be almost alone for the first sixteen days. I can handle solitude, and enjoy a bit of it, but not that much of it.

The VdlPlata looks amazing and would be my go-to choice if I had a little more money, but with only 1200 euros, I'm not sure I'd make it the whole way, and I do like to finish what I start. Looks like I'd be leaving last week in May too, and the possible sun on this route is concerning me. Is it too late in the year to begin the Plata?

Salvador + Primitivo intrigues me. It makes almost no sense geographically, but to hell with that. I would tack on Finisterre and Muxia for sure. Can anyone tell me anything more about the Salvador?

The Sanabres, with or without Zamora, I know very little about. How busy is that route in June, and what is special about that particular route?

Decisions, decisions...