Spring '25 suggestions - CF, CdN, or CP

[jackh]

Hey everyone - new to this forum, and to the Camino! I'm a sophomore in college from the western US who will be taking a term off of classes this spring (April + May). I know this question has probably been asked a lot, but just hoping for some advice on which route to take and when.

To keep it simple:
- I am fairly flexible on dates between April 1 and June 1, 2025. I think the pass from SJPdP opens on April 1?
- I am hoping to keep my trip around about 30 days. Thus, I've ruled out some of the shorter journeys like CP from Porto or the Camino Ingles.
- I am fairly social but want introspective moments alone. The much-talked-about crowds of the Camino Frances worry me on this point because while I want to meet other travelers, I don't want to be surrounded by people the whole time. My timeline will probably include Holy Week - which is okay - but I don't want to have to stress about finding a bed for the night.
- I am hoping to not have to book many/any albuerges in advances, except for the first night. I am athletic and plan to do high mileage each day but don't want to constrain myself to a strict itinerary.
- The routes I am thinking about are the classic CF, the Portuguese route from Lisbon, or the North route (maybe even combining with the Primitivo?).

Thanks in advance for any advice. I am starting my planning a little last minute, so appreciate any tips you have for a young first-timer!

 

[MARSKA]

Welcome!!! You picked the right place to ask questions!

I, too, am from the US (Nebraska).

I walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC fall 2023 (Sept 20 - Nov 1) and spring 2024 (April 9-May 16) I'm sure more experienced pilgrims will chime in, but I highly recommend this route for a first time camino as do most pilgrims on this forum.

April/May is early for the Norte and the CP. Wet, windy and cold! Well, the CF over the mountains could be too.

The Napoleon route is closed until April 1, but weather dictates when it opens, not dates. However if the Napoleon route is closed you can walk over the mountains via the Valcarlos route which is open year round.

Reserve a bed from SJPDP through Pamplona. After Pamplona you should be ok to go night by night.

I experienced a good mix of "me" time and meeting others from around the world.

As a solo walker, I did not have problems finding a bed. There is almost always accommodations available for 1 person in a village.

Spring is a great time to walk!

 

[MARSKA]

Here is a great planning tooll!

https://godesalco.com/plan/frances

 

[Takahiwai]

I am athletic and plan to do high mileage each day but don't want to constrain myself to a strict itinerary.
- The routes I am thinking about are the classic CF, the Portuguese route from Lisbon, or the North route (maybe even combining with the Primitivo?).

Hi, @jackh, and welcome to the forum.
One question to ask yourself would be whether you're more interested in history or scenery. If you're a history buff, the CF would probably be your best bet, but if you love stunning scenery, then my vote would got to the Norte (in its entirety), or a Norte/Primitivo combo, especially since you're young, and full of vim and vigour!
I've never done, or been interested in doing any of the Portuguese routes, so I can't comment on that option.
Good luck, and buen camino, no matter which route you decide to follow!

P.S. Don't worry about last-minute planning - my next camino is coming up in about six weeks, and I have absolutely nothing planned beyond the start point.

 

[J Willhaus]

Early April there will be fewer pilgrims than May, but there will be many who join for the Easter week holiday in late April when the Spanish typically have vacation days. The Napoleon Pass may or may not be advisable due to weather so check with the pilgrim office if you are starting in St Jean. The Valcarlos route should be open or you can just start in Roncesvalles like many Spanish do or even Pamplona. You will be less rushed to finish in 30 days and both are easier and less expensive to get to from Madrid (and from Paris, too).

 

[Charles Ross]

On our 2 Camino Frances walks we met a few seniors who had fallen, face plants and the like. Balance is a problem for us older pilgrims and a surprising number of 20 year olds who had to give up, or said they were going to give up, as a result of injury: achilles, knee, foot injuries. It's not a problem to do a 30 klick day but when you string a bunch of them together it can create problems and it doesn't matter how old you are. Rest days and intra-day rest periods are essential to success, IMO. Buen Camino.

 

[trecile]

Don't push yourself too hard in the beginning. There will be plenty of time after the first week or so to walk longer distances. Last year I met a young man who started out doing double the distance of a typical stage the first couple of days on the Francés. Then he had to take two days off due to an Achilles injury, so he lost the head start that he had created, and was also plagued by pain in his Achilles for the rest of his Camino.

If you choose the Francés don't worry too much about crowds - even during the busiest times I've always had plenty of times when I've been mostly alone on the trail. The "crowding" is more of an issue in stages where there can be too few beds to go around during busy times. But if you stay in towns that are not typical end points in the popular guide books and websites you shouldn't have a problem.

Out of the routes that you are considering, the Camino Francés has the most robust infrastructure and it's easier to tailor the distances to your liking. The Norte can be more expensive, and some of the less expensive pilgrim accommodations don't open until as late as June, so keep that in mind if you are on a tight budget, but it is spectacular.

 

[ArleneLaskey]

Another great planning tool is right here under the Camino Planner header.

 

[Kristen Alvarez]

Hey everyone - new to this forum, and to the Camino! I'm a sophomore in college from the western US who will be taking a term off of classes this spring (April + May). I know this question has probably been asked a lot, but just hoping for some advice on which route to take and when.

To keep it simple:
- I am fairly flexible on dates between April 1 and June 1, 2025. I think the pass from SJPdP opens on April 1?
- I am hoping to keep my trip around about 30 days. Thus, I've ruled out some of the shorter journeys like CP from Porto or the Camino Ingles.
- I am fairly social but want introspective moments alone. The much-talked-about crowds of the Camino Frances worry me on this point because while I want to meet other travelers, I don't want to be surrounded by people the whole time. My timeline will probably include Holy Week - which is okay - but I don't want to have to stress about finding a bed for the night.
- I am hoping to not have to book many/any albuerges in advances, except for the first night. I am athletic and plan to do high mileage each day but don't want to constrain myself to a strict itinerary.
- The routes I am thinking about are the classic CF, the Portuguese route from Lisbon, or the North route (maybe even combining with the Primitivo?).

Thanks in advance for any advice. I am starting my planning a little last minute, so appreciate any tips you have for a young first-timer!

I agree with everything Marska said! I, too, am from the US (California) and I walked the CF in Aug/Sept and again in May/June. I loved both but there was something truly special about walking the CF in Spring when everything is blooming and fresh. Even the rainy walking days couldn’t dampen my spirit! I loved it all!! As a solo walker I never ran into accommodation issues. I also had alot of deep soul diving days walking alone, but met and walked with amazing people too. Not much more I can add to what Marska already said. Whatever you choose will be the right path. I’m so excited for you! Buen Camino!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I am a Norte fanboy because I like to hang out at the beach, walk on cliffs overlooking the sea, and I like people.... but not a ton of people... Norte skews a little younger I think...

And I have met a ton of first timers on the Norte, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to the notion that the Frances is a must requirement for your first Camino.

The last time I walked the Norte in Spring (April) the weather was beautiful, but that is always sort of a crapshoot no matter what Camino you walk...

Holy Week is a blast. There is a parade every day!