Starting from Sarria ...or not

[caminocoffee]

Which camino should we do next? My husband, 65 and I, 61 walked the Camino Portuguese from Valença to Santiago in June. -124 km. It was an amazing experience. The weather was perfect. We walked it in 9 days. Much longer than the average peregrino but it was our way. Some days we walked 16 - 20km while other days much less. While walking I knew it was just the beginning of many caminos. Unfortunately we could not walk from Porto. It would have taken too long. I do admire those who do.
We want to do another 100 -120 km camino stretch in July 2025 ending in Santiago. Two family members will be joining us (their first camino).
From Sarria seems to be the route to choose but is it?

 

[davejsy]

It depends what you want, but yes there is nothing wrong with walking from Sarria. It might be busy, but if you can avoid starting on a weekend, and assuming you are talking about early July I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[caminocoffee]

Thank you. Which is the best way to get to Sarria? From Madrid or from Porto? Madrid is further away but many people seem to use that route.

 

[Bradypus]

Probably quicker and cheaper from Porto. ALSA or Flixbus from Porto airport to Santiago then Monbus to Sarria. Probably via Lugo as there is only one direct Monbus per day

 

[trecile]

The good thing about Sarria to Santiago is that there are plenty of intermediary towns to stop in, which is especially helpful for those wanting to walk shorter stages.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Think about walking the Inglés. Quite a good Camino (as they all are). We walked it in 6 days, but you could stretch it out a couple more. Start in Ferrol and along The Way you pass through wonderful towns like Pontedueme and Betanzos (famous for their omelette). It’s about 110 km route. Buen Camino!

 

[caminocoffee]

Think about walking the Inglés. Quite a good Camino (as they all are). We walked it in 6 days, but you could stretch it out a couple more. Start in Ferrol and along The Way you pass through wonderful towns like Pontedueme and Betanzos (famous for their omelette). It’s about 110 km route. Buen Camino!

Yes it seems to be a much quieter way. Is Madrid to Ferrol the way to go by train/bus?

 

[Tincatinker]

More trains Madrid to A Coruña and then bus or train connection to Ferrol.
The Ingles is a lovely, short but entire Camino with a long history. Worth researching

 

[Varekai]

I'm walking the Ingles in a few weeks and it will be my first Camino. I'm really looking forward to it. You can either take a plane or train from Madrid to A Coruna, then a train or bus to Ferrol.

 

[Will O Dwyer]

We did the Ingles in May 2024.Great little camino.Flew to Madrid the flight to Santiago. Bus upto Ferrol.We took our time.Did it in 6 days.zThere were 3 of us.I'm 72 the other 68 and our good friend who had to use crutches.He showed us up.
Of the 4 camino routes I've done the English way has been the best.Enjoy.

 

[Varekai]

We did the Ingles in May 2024.Great little camino.Flew to Madrid the flight to Santiago. Bus upto Ferrol.We took our time.Did it in 6 days.zThere were 3 of us.I'm 72 the other 68 and our good friend who had to use crutches.He showed us up.
Of the 4 camino routes I've done the English way has been the best.Enjoy.

Oh lovely! Any particular tips for the Ingles? Any restaurants along the way that were particularly good? How scenic is it overall?

 

[mikerw1]

walked from Sarria in July, booked albergues really really beginner, it was fabulous i didnt socialise that much i was afraid of snoring if i had drunk too much, did have a day off which was great where i went a bit mad and had a posh meal, I took literally two pairs and two pants socks two t shirts, one walking pair of shoe light boots from mountain warehouse the smallest bag school type backpack, you really are well catered for i always got up early as a result of being sober had my bag under my bunk put in the sleeping bag liner crept out, i bought the liner and a microfibre towel all from mountain warehouse you really dont need anything i had a poncho from poundshop that i used once, it was fantastic to see youngsters mainly from Spain who were so respectful it was quite emotional, dont overthink it its safe, i used to get a few hours walking in you really have no stress eat the standard ham and cheese bocadillo and cafe con leche, that and water from the tap in a plastic bottle from supermarket, i am mean but no drama no rip off, just so much respect nobody cares what gear you got just chill and crack on the legs just get used to it, im back about 3 weeks everything was perfect it just flows, perhaps i shouldnt write this but all i did was copy an itinerary from a posh website and booked first albergue on booking.com Diolch yn fawr just do it

 

[1man2dogs]

Oh lovely! Any particular tips for the Ingles? Any restaurants along the way that were particularly good? How scenic is it overall?

I did the Ingles last Sept and i loved it. On the main road before you get to Bruma there is a little bar where they love pilgrims. They have stools to rest your feet and the woman who ran it scolded me for not putting my feet up.

 

[Varekai]

I did the Ingles last Sept and i loved it. On the main road before you get to Bruma there is a little bar where they love pilgrims. They have stools to rest your feet and the woman who ran it scolded me for not putting my feet up.

Ooh, Casa Avelina! This place is legendary. I've heard so many amazing things about the ladies who run it.

 

[Quahaug]

Which camino should we do next? My husband, 65 and I, 61 walked the Camino Portuguese from Valença to Santiago in June. -124 km. It was an amazing experience. The weather was perfect. We walked it in 9 days. Much longer than the average peregrino but it was our way. Some days we walked 16 - 20km while other days much less. While walking I knew it was just the beginning of many caminos. Unfortunately we could not walk from Porto. It would have taken too long. I do admire those who do.
We want to do another 100 -120 km camino stretch in July 2025 ending in Santiago. Two family members will be joining us (their first camino).
From Sarria seems to be the route to choose but is it?

Yes, it is. The Sarria start is a great way to do the shorter Camino. It’s a little crowed at the busiest times of the year so you might want to do it in early spring or early autumn. I did it the first two weeks of October and it was perfect.

 

[1man2dogs]

Ooh, Casa Avelina! This place is legendary. I've heard so many amazing things about the ladies who

From my experience, everything you hear about the place is true. If you don't stop here you miss out.

Ooh, Casa Avelina! This place is legendary. I've heard so many amazing things about the ladies who run it.

 

[caminocoffee]

Yes tips please!
We only have the Portuguese from Valença to compare it with. From Tui we did it in 8 days. We enjoyed our pace. Never started before 7:30 - 8:00 and stopped at many bars for cafe con leche along the way.
If we decide on the Ingles we will do it in 7 or perhaps 8 days. We need energy to explore further and enjoy the long daylight evenings in July.

We did the Ingles in May 2024.Great little camino.Flew to Madrid the flight to Santiago. Bus upto Ferrol.We took our time.Did it in 6 days.zThere were 3 of us.I'm 72 the other 68 and our good friend who had to use crutches.He showed us up.
Of the 4 camino routes I've done the English way has been the best.Enjoy.

Oh lovely! Any particular tips for the Ingles? Any restaurants along the way that were particularly good? How scenic is it overall?

 

[caminocoffee]

We did the Ingles in May 2024.Great little camino.Flew to Madrid the flight to Santiago. Bus upto Ferrol.We took our time.Did it in 6 days.zThere were 3 of us.I'm 72 the other 68 and our good friend who had to use crutches.He showed us up.
Of the 4 camino routes I've done the English way has been the best.Enjoy.

I did some research. Seems like a lot of asphalt/tar walking. Your experience with the paths?

 

[Will O Dwyer]

Oh lovely! Any particular tips for the Ingles? Any restaurants along the way that were particularly good? How scenic is it overall?

It has its own charm.Not as mountainous as the Norte as good as the Portuguese, much better than the French.
We decided to take our time We did Ferrol to Neda 16km
Neda to Pontedeume 13km
Pontedeume to Betanzos 21km
Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma 28km
Bruma to Sigueiro 24 km
Sigueiro to Santiago 17km.
Getting to the square in S d C is special.Take it all in.Cry have a laugh and shake people's hands.Make friends for life.

 

[Marian Patricia]

Which camino should we do next? My husband, 65 and I, 61 walked the Camino Portuguese from Valença to Santiago in June. -124 km. It was an amazing experience. The weather was perfect. We walked it in 9 days. Much longer than the average peregrino but it was our way. Some days we walked 16 - 20km while other days much less. While walking I knew it was just the beginning of many caminos. Unfortunately we could not walk from Porto. It would have taken too long. I do admire those who do.
We want to do another 100 -120 km camino stretch in July 2025 ending in Santiago. Two family members will be joining us (their first camino).
From Sarria seems to be the route to choose but is it?

It is absolutely beautiful and there are many services but it is a lot busier than other sections. You will see many more groups and tours along that stretch.

 

[KFH]

Two family members will be joining us (their first camino).

Three things to think about:
1- Family members
2- Santiago
3- Save Sarria--> for a fuller version of a later Frances?

Do your family members have a preference? Will they simply go along with what you decide? Will this likely be their only time doing a Camino? In which ways do you want to affect them on this Camino trip? What do you want them to take home with them? Do you want to do more Caminos with them?

How important is it for you (and them) to get to Santiago on this trip?

Are you interested in saving this last part of the Frances for another, longer Camino in the future?

Or perhaps save Sarria--->SdC for next year as the second leg (Astorga--Sarria?) of a Frances Camino which you do with those family members?

 

[caminocoffee]

Three things to think about:
1- Family members
2- Santiago
3- Save Sarria--> for a fuller version of a later Frances?

Do your family members have a preference? Will they simply go along with what you decide? Will this likely be their only time doing a Camino? In which ways do you want to affect them on this Camino trip? What do you want them to take home with them? Do you want to do more Caminos with them?

How important is it for you (and them) to get to Santiago on this trip?

Are you interested in saving this last part of the Frances for another, longer Camino in the future?

Or perhaps save Sarria--->SdC for next year as the second leg (Astorga--Sarria?) of a Frances Camino which you do with those family members?

Ending in Santiago is very special for a first camino so I do think they would want that. I would definitely stay 2 nights in Santiago this time. In June we only stayed one night and the last day to Santiago seemed much further and exhausting than expected so we were too tired to explore the wonderful city. The next day we were off to Porto.
On the camino Portuguese it was only my husband and me. It was great! Our own way, our own pace. Time to pray, meditate, time to build on our relationship, time to stop at churches, bars, connect with others. We met lovely people along the way. I think in a big group one tend to stick with the group. Perhaps meeting less other peregrinos.
Walking in big groups is not for us but I think the four of us will have fun. All over 60.
Starting later we might miss the crowds.

 

[David Tallan]

Which camino should we do next? My husband, 65 and I, 61 walked the Camino Portuguese from Valença to Santiago in June. -124 km. It was an amazing experience. The weather was perfect. We walked it in 9 days. Much longer than the average peregrino but it was our way. Some days we walked 16 - 20km while other days much less. While walking I knew it was just the beginning of many caminos. Unfortunately we could not walk from Porto. It would have taken too long. I do admire those who do.
We want to do another 100 -120 km camino stretch in July 2025 ending in Santiago. Two family members will be joining us (their first camino).
From Sarria seems to be the route to choose but is it?

There are a number of choices depending on what you are looking to experience and what you are looking to avoid. Other choices could be: the Camino Ingles, the Camino Sanabres from Ourense, walking Finisterre-Muxia-Santiago (or Muxia-Finisterre-Santiago).

Which to recommend would depend on the factors I mentioned above.

 

[Lurch]

It depends what you want, but yes there is nothing wrong with walking from Sarria. It might be busy, but if you can avoid starting on a weekend, and assuming you are talking about early July I'm sure you will have a great time.

I just finally completed the last leg of the CF last April. BUT, I want to go back! Will be 80 in a few months and believe that the walk from Sarria will be best for me. Personally, I like the crowds, such as they are. Walk a ways with folks from all over the world, share time at a table. Maybe it is my age, but the concept of “Viva la Company “ goes a long way with me.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I am typing this having arrived today on the Ingles from Ferrol. I have also done the Portugues from Porrino and the Frances from Sarria. The Ingles has been my favorite. Just the right amount of people and services, a really lovely walk, and while there are a few climbs in the middle, they are very doable, particularly if you split it up a bit.

 

[caminocoffee]

I am typing this having arrived today on the Ingles from Ferrol. I have also done the Portugues from Porrino and the Frances from Sarria. The Ingles has been my favorite. Just the right amount of people and services, a really lovely walk,

How was the Ingles different fom the others? (Apart from being less crowded). I have looked at some YouTube videos and there seem to be a lot of asphalt/ tar walking on the Ingles.

 

[henrythedog]

I wouldn’t now count on the Ingles being ‘less crowded’ per se. It has been ‘discovered’ recently as part of the increased emphasis on ‘just doing the last 100k’. Clearly it only has a fraction of the footfall of the Frances - but it has far less accommodation.

When I walked it about eight years ago (in February) I thought I saw one other walker.

In my opinion it’s more ‘authentic Galicia’ in that the facilities are there year-round for the locals predominantly and I felt like a guest in their country; not an experience I’ve had on much of the Frances.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

How was the Ingles different fom the others? (Apart from being less crowded). I have looked at some YouTube videos and there seem to be a lot of asphalt/ tar walking on the Ingles.

One of the things that I like about the Ingles is the change of scenery - going from the ocean, to estuaries to a wooded interior. There’s a good amount of tree cover for shade, and not as much waking through industrial outskirts (although there certainly is some).

It didn’t seem to me to be much more pavement than the others, and to the extent it might be, most of it is small country roads. There is very little walking next to highways - just because you are on a dirt path doesn’t mean it is a pleasant dirt path. And of the three, except for the fact that you don’t see the cathedral spires until you arrive, I’ve liked the approach into historic Santiago the best.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I did the Ingles last Sept and i loved it. On the main road before you get to Bruma there is a little bar where they love pilgrims. They have stools to rest your feet and the woman who ran it scolded me for not putting my feet up.

Casa Avelina. Carmen is the most delightful woman ever.