weather/geographical location

[ElenaR]

Hello All,
I was researching the forum before posting, but the amount information is overwhelming. So, I apologize if I missed a similar post that already has been answered.
My sister and I are planning to walk the Camino in mid-November 2013. We need help to choose a route. We only have a week with getting there and back. This is our first time walking. I did some research and the following are our options: Sarria to Santiago, Camino Ingles, Via de la Plata from Ourense, and the Camino Portuguese from Tui. My questions is would some routes would be better than other weather wise due to their geographical location or they are pretty much the same? For example, we are incline to walk the Camino Ingles because it’s “complete” way, but it runs from north to south vs. the Camino Portuguese that runs from south to north. I assume it’s warmer and dryer in Tui in November than in Ferrol. Also, what is the most scenic route out of all of them?
Thank you for your help.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The last 100 km of the Camino Frances is the most scenic in my opinion. The Camino Portugues is the flattest and has some dangerous road walking. The Ingles has at least one long stage. The Via de La Plata from Ourense has a big climb the first day, then seemed like a lot of road walking, some dangerous. The accommodations on the Camino Frances will give you the most flexibility in stopping each day.

Buen Camino.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

All of the routes you list have their good points and all have very scenic sections. They are all within striking distance of Santiago and imho the weather won't vary greatly from one to the other.

The route from Sarria is the most commonly walked. As you say the Camino Ingles is the only "complete" route - the long stage referred to can easily be split into two if desired. There are two routes out of Ourense both with a bit of an elevation but perfectly walkable. The Camino Portuguese has quite a lot of hard surface walking and one or two stretches on the road where care has to be taken.

Let us know what you decide!

John

 

[tyrrek]

As usual John is spot on.

It depends upon your priorities, but the Camino Ingles would be quiet and you may not experience the same cameraderie you would on the Frances. There you will meet other pilgrims at any time of year, and also have more accommodation options.

Another option would be to start in Santiago and walk out to Finisterre or Muxia. It would give you a taste of the Camino, a certificate, and help you plan your next Camino when you get hooked! Buen Camino!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

As usual John is spot on.

It depends upon your priorities, but the Camino Ingles would be quiet and you may not experience the same cameraderie you would on the Frances. There you will meet other pilgrims at any time of year, and also have more accommodation options.

Another option would be to start in Santiago and walk out to Finisterre or Muxia. It would give you a taste of the Camino, a certificate, and help you plan your next Camino when you get hooked! Buen Camino!

Or indeed from Muxia/Finisterre back to Santiago - another complete route!

 

[Al the optimist]

Camino Ingles. There has been much discussion of splitting the stage to Bruma elsewhere by using a collection shuttle service from and back to Bar Julia and those using it were very happy with the service.
Camino Finisterra. The walk over the tops just after Olveiroa gives views to die for! This route is less lonely than the Ingles.
JW is definitely the guy to give well informed adviceand is our very own Ingles "Guru", always good, well informed and helpful.
allan

 

[ElenaR]

Thank you very much for your replies. This forum has invaluable information. As I gathered from the previous posts that the weather does not very from location to location. So, now we just have to pick a route. The purpose of this trip is to celebrate my sister’s 50 Birthday. I wish my Mom had her a month earlier when the weather is nicer, but you can’t change it So, if not the weather, at least we want to enjoy the scenery The climbs and stretches do not concern us much; we are pretty fit. However, we would probably prefer to see less big roads and would like to meet other pilgrims. So now I incline to look into the Camino Frances and Muxia/Finisterre routes. Thank you again for all your help.
Elena