- Time of past OR future Camino
- Sept/Oct 2023
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If not CF then which Camino?
Posts about an over-crowded Camino have me worried. I chose the CF for my 1st based upon the strong recommendations of the experienced pilgrims on this forum. I now understand and agree that the CF is the best in regards to infrastructure, community, etc. But if crowds cause it to be extremely unpleasant, then what?
I have come to realize that I probably wont make it to SDC this trip. I have around 40 actual walking days and out of those I will want to add rest days and/or very short days. My original plan was to start from Pamplona but I'd love to experience a little bit of France and the beauty of the Pyrenees so I adjusted my plans to begin in SJPdP.
I am flying into and out of Madrid - arriving Sept. 21 and departing Nov.2. I plan on overnights somewhere to recover from jetlag before beginning my Camino.
So- I am asking experienced pilgrims - what is your 2nd choice route(s) or variant(s) given the above, if CF is not doable? Just trying to have a back-up in place.
the VDLP and Moz are on my list too... but as you say, it has to be in the cooler months.It is a hard decision. Normally the beginning of September is also very busy in SJPDP. By late October, some albergues are beginning to close up as the pilgrim traffic dissipates. You might think of starting at Somport and walking the first week or so on the Camino Frances through Aragon. Then when you get to Puente la Reina, you will have experienced the silence of the first week or 10 days before you meet more pilgrims. There are also more places to stay after Puente la Reina. You could then branch off at Ponferrada to walk the Invierno to help miss some of the crowds in the last 100 km of the CF.
Another alternative might be to do the Norte or Primativo. There is infrastructure, but lots fewer pilgrimsI think the Portuguese will still be pretty crowded as it is gaining in popularity. When I retire in another year, I want to walk the Via de la Plata and/or the Mozarabe in the cooler months.
The Camino Francés is great for first timers because it has the best infrastructure, and in general (with a couple of exceptions), towns with accommodations are between 3 - 10 km apart, making it fairly easy to adjust stages to your needs and abilities.IMHO: Don't skip your plan for the CF. Things will calm down to normal; you'll learn a lot on your first week, and you'll be fine. It is a fantastic Camino. Worst case: Take a bus/train to another Camino as a last resort.
I agree with @trecile and others who say you should proceed with your first choice - from SJPP (or Pamplona). Based on what you have now learned, you know it is wise to book up to Pamplona, and then assess the situation on the ground. I would expect you to have no particular problems.I think that you will be fine starting in the second half of September - just reserve up through Pamplona. I wouldn't pre-plan any rest days - rather see how you feel as you go.
What are your reasons for this advice?Whatever you do, do NOT walk the Norte. At least not until after May 12. And avoid the Primitivo until after June 2.
I am flying into and out of Madrid - arriving Sept. 21 and departing Nov.2.
September to early November?
For first time pilgrims, I tend to recommend the Frances or the Portugues. The Frances if the perspective pilgrim has more time; the Portugues if they have less. Yes, they have the most pilgrims. They also have the most infrastructure. More infrastructure = more flexibility = better able to adopt strategies to address any challenges that you face (like full albergues). So, in general, with 40 days, I'd still be recommending the Frances. But you are asking for a Plan B.If not CF then which Camino?
Posts about an over-crowded Camino have me worried. I chose the CF for my 1st based upon the strong recommendations of the experienced pilgrims on this forum. I now understand and agree that the CF is the best in regards to infrastructure, community, etc. But if crowds cause it to be extremely unpleasant, then what?
I have come to realize that I probably wont make it to SDC this trip. I have around 40 actual walking days and out of those I will want to add rest days and/or very short days. My original plan was to start from Pamplona but I'd love to experience a little bit of France and the beauty of the Pyrenees so I adjusted my plans to begin in SJPdP.
I am flying into and out of Madrid - arriving Sept. 21 and departing Nov.2. I plan on overnights somewhere to recover from jetlag before beginning my Camino.
So- I am asking experienced pilgrims - what is your 2nd choice route(s) or variant(s) given the above, if CF is not doable? Just trying to have a back-up in place.
I'm not sure what will help calm your fears here. Both my heart and my head say heed the advice you have already listened to select the CF in the first place, and the advice you are getting in this thread.Posts about an over-crowded Camino have me worried. I chose the CF for my 1st based upon the strong recommendations of the experienced pilgrims on this forum. I now understand and agree that the CF is the best in regards to infrastructure, community, etc. But if crowds cause it to be extremely unpleasant, then what?
What do you want to compare? Accommodation situation on the Norte versus the Francés, say SJPP to Pamplona or a bit further, right now during the first week of May? The same question but for August? Or a comparison of now here versus there then when you plan to walk according to your profile information? A comparison for the whole distances or for selected sections and if so which ones?accommodation options [on the Camino del Norte] there compared to France?
The problem with the Northern route in August is that many places along the route are popular holiday destinations. So, while there will be fewer pilgrims, private albergues (those that accept tourists), pensions and hotels will be full of tourists and more expensive due to demand. Of course, there are still some places that only accept pilgrims, but not as many as on the Francés.I'm going to travel the last week of August. Predicting exact what it will be like then is as impossible as predicting what the weather will be like 3 months from now. But how crowded it is experienced now can perhaps give an indication, was my thought. I also wonder how it is experienced in the NW, is it as "usual" to spend nights in albergues, an "equal" proportion of pilgrims to other tourists?
Thanks, this was very useful information for me. I would very much like to decide on a route, Potoguese is also on my wish list. If you had to choose PC or NC Aug/Sept and were a beguinner, which would you choose? know everyone has personal preferences and maybe an impossible question. I want to see all the places and do any route, but don't want to walk in a queue or worry too much for where to spend the night.. (speaking spanish is ok, know some..)The problem with the Northern route in August is that many places along the route are popular holiday destinations. So, while there will be fewer pilgrims, private albergues (those that accept tourists), pensions and hotels will be full of tourists and more expensive due to demand. Of course, there are still some places that only accept pilgrims, but not as many as on the Francés.
Once you get into September the tourist numbers drop.
Reading your posts that you have written I would have to say that the idea that you walk a less traveled camino especially the Southern Ones like the VDLP or the Mozarabe would constitute a huge mistake for you. More planning is needed, as is more experience, the infrastructure is minut compared to the Frances or Portugues, very few other pilgrims and when you plan on leaving it would be brutally hot. A combination or some mix of the Primitivo, Salvador and Invierno may prove to be a difficult undertaking. Physically they are far more difficult than the Frances or the Portugues. The Le Puy Camino is beautiful and the food is great but again it is a more difficult camino especially the first few weeks. The same can be said of the Norte. For you I would have to totally agree with many of the others that have said stick with the CF, book the first few days to get your feet wet and then go for it. The Camino Portugues is also a good option.Thoughtful comments, all. Thanks!
I tend to advise Portugues over Norte for beginners. Admittedly it is based on what I have read rather than personal experience. The recommendation is based on more infrastructure on the CP and less physical challenge. It also depends on how much time you have.Thanks, this was very useful information for me. I would very much like to decide on a route, Potoguese is also on my wish list. If you had to choose PC or NC Aug/Sept and were a beguinner, which would you choose? know everyone has personal preferences and maybe an impossible question. I want to see all the places and do any route, but don't want to walk in a queue or worry too much for where to spend the night.. (speaking spanish is ok, know some..)
The Norte is spectacular as is the Camino Portuguese and I can tell you that right now it is very crowded on the Frances as we are in Leon and just have a fairly short amount left up to Sarria because we have done that last bit before. I shudder to think of how many people will be walking from Sarria to Santiago considering how busy the rest of this has been.If not CF then which Camino?
Posts about an over-crowded Camino have me worried. I chose the CF for my 1st based upon the strong recommendations of the experienced pilgrims on this forum. I now understand and agree that the CF is the best in regards to infrastructure, community, etc. But if crowds cause it to be extremely unpleasant, then what?
I have come to realize that I probably wont make it to SDC this trip. I have around 40 actual walking days and out of those I will want to add rest days and/or very short days. My original plan was to start from Pamplona but I'd love to experience a little bit of France and the beauty of the Pyrenees so I adjusted my plans to begin in SJPdP.
I am flying into and out of Madrid - arriving Sept. 21 and departing Nov.2. I plan on overnights somewhere to recover from jetlag before beginning my Camino.
So- I am asking experienced pilgrims - what is your 2nd choice route(s) or variant(s) given the above, if CF is not doable? Just trying to have a back-up in place.
At this time of year it shouldn't be too crowded between Sarria and Santiago. It becomes more crowded in the summer, especially July and August with those walking only the last 100km, including lots of church, youth, and family groups as I detailed in this thread - https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/a-tale-of-two-caminos.80411/I shudder to think of how many people will be walking from Sarria to Santiago considering how busy the rest of this has been.
Good point about language and it;s something I have given a lot of thought. My Spanish isnt great. I'm refreshing in preparation but without extended time being immersed I will only be able to understand/ express simple phrases.How much Spanish do you speak? While I have only walked the CF, I think the further you go from the amenities along it, the less English you can expect. The CF is totally manageable with little or no Spanish abilities.
I agree with the others. At the time you’re planning to walk, there wouldn’t be crowds along the CF. The people posting about crowded current conditions are describing the most popular season, or closely adjacent.
Early September is much busier than late September. You’re mainly walking in October, which is not considered a crowded season.So- I am hearing that Sept IS the crowded season (although I'll be walking late Sept through the first of Nov).
I am currently on the camino del Norte. Lots of climbing and once you leave Zarautz, accommodations become scarce until Bilbao. I did part of the Francis last year. Way different. Way easier in so many ways. I agree for first time out try to stick with Francis.If not CF then which Camino?
Posts about an over-crowded Camino have me worried. I chose the CF for my 1st based upon the strong recommendations of the experienced pilgrims on this forum. I now understand and agree that the CF is the best in regards to infrastructure, community, etc. But if crowds cause it to be extremely unpleasant, then what?
I have come to realize that I probably wont make it to SDC this trip. I have around 40 actual walking days and out of those I will want to add rest days and/or very short days. My original plan was to start from Pamplona but I'd love to experience a little bit of France and the beauty of the Pyrenees so I adjusted my plans to begin in SJPdP.
I am flying into and out of Madrid - arriving Sept. 21 and departing Nov.2. I plan on overnights somewhere to recover from jetlag before beginning my Camino.
So- I am asking experienced pilgrims - what is your 2nd choice route(s) or variant(s) given the above, if CF is not doable? Just trying to have a back-up in place.
I think it depends on where and when you walk. On the Camino Frances starting from SJPP, September is a crowded season (especially the first half of September). As we have been hearing, for this same route and starting point, late April/May is also a crowded season. On the other hand, for the same route starting in Sarria, July/August is the crowded season.So- I am hearing that Sept IS the crowded season (although I'll be walking late Sept through the first of Nov).
I wouldn't worry about that at all for your planned Camino. That, you are more likely to find between Sarria and Santiago in August. And even then there are strategies for avoiding the crowds. I've seen people walking in solitude during these last 100 km in those months. It is all about when you walk and where you stop.I am more concerned about the unpleasantness of a crowded path - people in front, people behind - like walking on a street in Manhattan.
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