Which to choose

J

Jean Russell

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino de Finisterre/Muxia 2016

• Mar 1, 2024

• #1

In June I have time to walk to Santiago from either Ferrol or Ourense. I prefer less busy routes , scenic walking and the minimum of tarmac. I would appreciate comments from pilgrims who have walked these routes.

 

Peterexpatkiwi

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Inglès April 2023
Primitivo July 2023

• Mar 1, 2024

• #2

Hi Jean. I walked the Inglés last April, really enjoyed it- fairly scenic, a little more tarmac than I prefer though. To be fair, mainly on quiet backroads.
The numbers of pilgrims on this route are definitely increasing, it’s currently being actively promoted.

 

dougfitz

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Past: a few
Last: Gudbrandsdalsleden
Next: ?

• Mar 1, 2024

• #3

I walked the CI some years ago, and the Sanabres from Ourense last year. There will always be some road walking, but I don't recall it being excessive on either route. The scenery on each is a little different - the Sanabres goes nowhere near the coast, obviously. At the times that I walked, both were relatively uncrowded, and there was never an issue finding accommodation.

 

jungleboy

Spirit of the Camino (Nick)

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Some in the past; more in the future!

• Mar 2, 2024

• #4

I have walked them both.

Jean Russell said:

In June I have time to walk to Santiago from either Ferrol or Ourense. I prefer less busy routes , scenic walking and the minimum of tarmac.

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In my experience the Sanabrés had fewer pilgrims and (IIRC) less road walking, so I would perhaps opt for that. The variant to Oseira on the first day out of Ourense is a good option and also a short day to start off with. If staying at the albergue attached to the monastery, attending vespers with the monks is a beautiful experience. Later on, I would opt for more rural stays if possible as towns like Silleda have facilities but are otherwise pretty uninteresting.

 

dougfitz

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Past: a few
Last: Gudbrandsdalsleden
Next: ?

• Mar 2, 2024

• #5

jungleboy said:

The variant to Oseira on the first day out of Ourense is a good option and also a short day to start off with.

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I did this stretch in two days, first to Cea (~22.5 km from Ourense) the to Oreira (~8.5 km from Cea). Doing that in one day would have been too much for me.

 

Rita Flower

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2024 Via Podiensis

• Mar 2, 2024

• #6

I vote for Sanabres from Ourense. I haven’t walked from Ferol so can’t compare.
However, I absolutely loved this route when I walked a couple of years ago. Start with a few hours in the hot Springs at Ourense and exploration of the old town; a visit to the monastery in Oseira; days on the Galician tracks and trails with minimal road walking.
I remember thinking that this route will become incredibly popular in time. I thought it was wonderful.