Which was the Best Camino of these Four?

Having just recently walked the Via de la Plata, the Camino Invierno, the Camino Fisterra and part of the Camino Frances.......which do you think was the best Camino?
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I love to talk and share about all aspects of the Camino!
And hear your tips too!
👇FAQ. I've added a list of videos down below that address common questions or fears for new Pilgrims.
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TIMESTAMPS (in case you want to skip) 👇
0:00 Intro
2:25 Via De La Plata
8:10 Camino Frances
13:41 Camino Invierno
20:55 Camino Fisterra
24:24 Recap & The Most Enjoyable Camino
28:00 Outro
⚡ Camino Blog ⚡
For more details about each journey you can visit the detailed blogs at robscamino.com/
It includes daily videos, blogs and photos.
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This was quite a Camino adventure for me. Although I had walked 3 Caminos before, this one was longer, more remote and a little harder to plan and manage as I went along.
1,200 kms over 60 days. I started in Seville on the Via de la Plata aka the VdlP. I headed north to Astorga, where I joined the Camino Frances briefly. Then at Ponferrada I veered off onto the Camino Invierno. The 'Winter Route'. And on reaching Santiago, I continued on to Finisterre (Fisterra) and Muxia.
It was an amazing journey, completing 3 different Camino routes and visiting another briefly (Camino Frances).
Each route was very different. But I was surprised at the end, to discover which Camino route I enjoyed the most!
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GOOD CAMINO VIDEOS FOR NEWBIES
I thought it might be useful to point these out, as they address a lot of questions that Pilgrims have when planning their first Camino:
🦶🏽 How to Avoid Blisters on the Camino - Yes it can be done:
• How to Avoid Blisters ...
🤐 What They Don't Tell You about the Camino - 10 Things to Know:
• What They Don't Tell Y...
🧳 Camino de Santiago Packing List:
• What's in my Pack for ...
⚠️ Camino Warning - Before You Walk the CAMINO de Santiago:
• Camino Warning - Befor...
📅 Planning your First Camino - 12 Camino de Santiago Planning Tips:
• Planning your First Ca...
👟 Camino de Santiago Footwear - Boots, Shoes, Trail Runners or Sandals?:
• Camino de Santiago Foo...
✈️ Camino Travel - Trekking Poles on the Plane:
• Camino Travel - Trekki...
😨 8 Common Fears about the Camino:
• 8 Common Fears about t...
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The Camino de Santiago consists of numerous pilgrimage paths across Europe, all leading to St. James's tomb in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. THese include:
1. **Camino Francés**, the most renowned, crosses northern Spain, starting in France.
2. **Camino Portugués**, from Lisbon or Porto, combines urban and rural landscapes.
3. *Camino del Norte* offers picturesque views along Spain's northern coast.
4. **Camino Primitivo**, the first known pilgrimage route, is both challenging and rewarding.
5. **Camino Inglés**, preferred by English and Irish pilgrims, is shorter and commences at the ports of Ferrol or A Coruña.
6. **Via de la Plata**, the longest route, initiates in Seville and traverses western Spain.
7. *Camino Francés from Sarria* covers the last 100 km, the minimum required for the official pilgrimage certificate.
8. *Camino de Finisterre and Muxía* starts from Santiago, ending at the "End of the World".
9. *Camino Portugués Coastal Route* is an alternative coastal path from Porto.
10. *Camino Sanabrés* offers less-traveled paths from Granja de Moreruela, providing a unique spiritual experience.
Each path offers a unique journey through history, culture, and nature, contributing to the rich tapestry of the Camino de Santiago experience.
#caminodesantiago #caminovideo #caminoroutes

[@robscamino]

Three and a bit Caminos.......and which one was best? Did the answer surprise you? Which Caminos have you walked, or are planning to walk? ERROR. Santiago to Fisterra to Muxia was 6 days, not 10.

[@fecardona]

Hey Rob, thanks for these wonderful insights and helpful first hand material. I’m doing my first camino (Frances) in mid-May 2024. You’re the David Attenborough of the Caminos!

[@robscamino]

LOL. Glad they are helpful. Pat and I are planning Le Puy for next year. We want to try a new one.

[@thelimitdoesnotexist2705]

Hi Rob, i came across your video in a thread on Ivars forum! What a great video. I also felt the emotion at Finisterre, its where i ended my camino. It felt like the end to me more sitting on the beach watching the sunset than Santiago did, which surprised me. Ive never come across your videos before, new subscriber :)

[@robscamino]

Welcome to the channel....... Yes, Santiago has never felt like a good 'finish line' to me

[@peterfontaine4627]

What a beautiful description of your latest adventure! I could really sense the feel of each of the pathways that you walked. Can't wait to get out there myself. Congratulations on another transformational experience.

[@robscamino]

You'll love it. Buen Camino 🙂

[@rudymazar8666]

I have done the camino Portuguese at the end of 2022 and loved it ! following all your advice . Thank you !

[@robscamino]

Glad it helped. When's the next one ? 🙂

[@rudymazar8666]

@@robscamino Maybe 2024 ... I like the sound of the Invierno in the european summer or spring!! I will watch all your blogs and videos...

[@robscamino]

@@rudymazar8666 Summer might be hot. It's good to check historic weather conditions. I do that before selecting dates. Sites like: www.accuweather.com www.wunderground.com www.yr.no/nb and others

[@bobmcghee1984]

Congratulations on reaching out to 10,000! Bob

[@robscamino]

Thank you! and thanks for your support!

[@joanbelmont5450]

It sounds like you had a marvelous Camino experience Rob! I can’t wait to catch up with your videos on your blog. You had shared the link with me a month ago but I have been so busy with classes. Definitely looking forward to absorb that great experience you had! May God continue to bless you friend 🙏🏻

[@robscamino]

The day by day Blog with videos is here: robscamino.com/blog/

[@joanbelmont5450]

Thank you Rob!! 🎉

[@julianlord5366]

I was only on the VDLP last year for one day and two nights -- just one thing to add, apart from the typical branching off to the Sanabrés, you can also branch away onto the Camino Torres at Salamanca, which would be a way to avoid the "crowds" on the busier Samanca > Astorga section, if you wanted to. Because I was walking south, I met about 40 pilgrims on that one day, so considerably more than you did on your whole VDLP !! Though that was in July, so bang in the middle of Camino season. Then again those 40 or so were the only pilgrims I met on the entire section between Medina de Rioseco and reaching the Portuguese Way. The Catalan Way is similar in some respects to the VDLP. I even had a very similar experience seeing those Francès mountains walking towards Logroño on the Catalan/Ebro Way two years ago ... 1,000 to 1,200 K is my usual minimum -- though my Home to Rome in 2025 will be just a short 800K job, that's simply how far Rome is from here. As to the Francès, I would never go to Santiago with at least one part of that walk being on the Francès.

[@robscamino]

Great tips and insights Julian. You have to love the Frances. It's very special I think.

[@stephenreid_66]

Congratulations Rob on your exploits, you're some man for one man, I'm inspired to do the Invierno now,sounds like a good walk

[@robscamino]

It's a great Camino!

[@DavidHRyall]

I agree about the beauty being the community, that's such a great point! The intermittent solitude is nice, but it's the people and the connections that really make the journey worth it for me, and open my heart and soul ❤️

[@robscamino]

So true!

[@AmyDeerie]

I have found the video, Rob - i'm going to check out your blog now :)

[@robscamino]

The Invierno part of the Blog starts here: robscamino.com/category/camino-invierno-to-santiago/

[@laurap.5804]

Very very interesting video!!!!

[@robscamino]

The outcome surprised me!

[@shaunminehan]

So wonderful to hear all your Camino stories Rob. Just delightful. The donativo in Rabanal brings back nice memories. Glad they still serve cake and a cuppa tea in the afternoon! What a lovely little hamlet it is there.

[@robscamino]

I would certainly stay there again...

[@WoutervanTiel]

That is very interesting for a new comer thinking of starting on the Frances, then hopping north to catch some of the Norte, and then the primitivo to Santiago and on to Muxia and then to Porto and on to the Azores. Maybe once I'll be on the Frances I'll stay there. I'll come back with a bike for sure i can already tell.

[@robscamino]

Sounds like a great journey...

[@robscamino]

Come back with a bike? See what you think after walking a Camino 😉

[@lugsdin]

Wow - amazing effort Rob!! Well done. And sounds like it was all perfect with no problems or issues - fantastic!

[@robscamino]

No problems at all. I'm getting better at it maybe 🙂 Though my shoes started to fall apart at about 600 kms! Thank Heavens for Duct Tape!

[@evansfitts4632]

Rob, I just finished the Camino Frances (June 22)! I viewed your videos prior. They were spot on! The journey was all a grand adventure. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Very helpful!

[@robscamino]

Glad to hear you had a great experience. When's the next one? 🙂

[@DavidHRyall]

Welcome back! 🎉

[@robscamino]

I'd like to say it's good to be home. But I always find my heart gets left in Spain. Just a bit. 🙂

[@DavidHRyall]

I'm so glad you got to do Fisterra and Muxia! So worth it 🥰

[@robscamino]

It really is!

[@rikclaymore8004]

Great video Rob, a real cliffhanger ! I’m planning 2nd Camino having done the Frances … this certainly helps in weighing up the options

[@robscamino]

So many Camino Routes, so many options........and so little time 😳 I might start doing multiple shorter routes I think.... But, that long one was really something!

[@susanneal3781]

Thank you, Rob. Loving your journey on your caminos can't wait for more of your fantastic exploits .buen camino ✨️

[@robscamino]

Glad you liked it

[@bmtdoc]

Thank you for your heartfelt reflections. One day soon, I hope to explore it.

[@robscamino]

I hope you can make it soon. Buen Camino.

[@bethsola2617]

Great video, thanks so much for your thoughts

[@robscamino]

Glad you enjoyed it....... makes a change from talking about boots and poles......

[@carolinesaunders6656]

Well I wasn't expecting that as your conclusion 😊 Heartening to hear as I will be starting from St Jean in 2 weeks time. I walked the Francés from Logroño last year, so I'm not sure how I'll feel when I reach that point and it's no longer new to me. I do enjoy your videos Rob. I'm a similar age and your attitude sits very comfortably with me.

[@robscamino]

I didn't expect it either! But I do love the Frances even after 3 times. I think I'll have to add a 'bit of it' to any future Caminos 🙂

[@grantthepilgrim]

Santiago to Muxia is a beautiful Camino, can’t recommend it highly enough. The Frances has an energy which I put down to the people walking it generally having a wonderfully positive experience. Cheers Rob

[@robscamino]

Agree on both counts. Maybe it's all in my head, but I think those millions of pilgrims walking the Frances over a thousand years, leave an energy behind that is quite unique. 😉

[@iainthompson502]

Very interesting Rob - am thinking of the Camino del Norte next year but starting in Edinburgh, and following the old route from Mt Sainte Michel as closely as possible on a bicycle.

[@robscamino]

Sounds like an amazing trip!

[@dittanymorgan7039]

Really surprised me. After just coming back from the Frances, I’d thought that I need to do a far far more remote camino. I may still but interesting what you said. I truly hated from Sarria onwards because of the crowds, had to really reign myself in to not get unbelievably irritated, although had a couple of wonderful meals with some camino friends that I’d caught up with from before. Thanks once again for your hugely insightful videos. Love them. Can’t wait for the rest. I need to figure out how in earth to put mine together now

[@robscamino]

I get it. The last 100 kms on the Frances needs a change in mind set to enjoy it. But I always enjoy it.

[@robscamino]

Maybe mix it up a bit? Try a more remote one and do a bit of the Frances?

[@johnavery5384]

Excellent, thank you. Very reassuring that you still loved the Frances despite the crowds. Nit Pick, I thought St James’s stone boat made landfall in Padron.

[@robscamino]

Ah You might be right John. Though it sure 'felt' like he landed at Fisterra 🙂

[@britchie7224]

As I was watching, Rob, I thought that maybe we ( husband and I) should walk the Frances and then go on to the invierno, given the anticipated business in September/October. But no, first timer, I'm hearing you and sticking to the Frances. Thanks for your sincere, honest review

[@robscamino]

Just accept, that the last 120 kms or so, will be busy. Accept it and embrace it........

[@salvatoregranata7878]

My first camino was the Francis, however I found it too congested, my Camino is the GR65 in France but after watching you now. Everyone talks about the Camino Inferno but no one as enthusiastic as you. Astorga and Burgos because of "El Cid" are my two favourite locations on the Francis. Every Camino offers a cross-section of Spanish lifestyle, as I follow my paternal Spanish heritage. Thank you for the informative video.

[@robscamino]

The Invierno is great, if you don't mind being alone.

[@thelimitdoesnotexist2705]

@salvatoregranata7878 the GR65 is my favorite camino so far

[@robscamino]

@@thelimitdoesnotexist2705 I must try it one day!

[@Motorallyrider]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@robscamino]

It surprised me........

[@Motorallyrider]

@@robscamino We are planning on the Frances leaving Brisbane 20 April 24 - 2 June 24. 44 days and a flexable schedule.

[@robscamino]

Sounds wonderful.

[@janemillington8392]

What is the situation in regard to gratuities? I love your vids. Thanks for sharing. I live in NZ and am heading off to SJPDP in 3 weeks.

[@robscamino]

In Spain it's optional and not normally added to the bill like in some countries. I tend to just leave any change they bring back, keeping anything more than a euro. or if I have paid by card, a euro or two. That would be after a full meal. For a coffee or something, just a few cents.....

[@KiwiPilgrim]

Thanks, Rob. I thoroughly enjoyed this overview of your camino routes. I have only walked the Camino Frances from SJPdP, so I have yet to experience other Camino routes. All going well, however, starting in September, my husband and I are going to walk from Lourdes to SJPdP on the Chemin du Piémont Pyrénéen, from there we'll train to Bayonne and walk the Camino Baztan to Pamplona and then train to Ponferrada as we hope to finish with walking the Invierno so your Invierno blog sections were so interesting to me. Thanks for sharing.

[@robscamino]

Wow! Sounds like a great plan.......

[@KiwiPilgrim]

@robscamino All going well. We've yet to try, but the heart is willing 😊

[@thelimitdoesnotexist2705]

@KiwiPilgrim how did it go?

[@KiwiPilgrim]

Sorry for the late reply, I've only just seen your question. Our three different camino routes went very well - all very different from each other. We loved them all. We went on to walk a 4th camino route as we had spare time before returning to New Zealand. We walked the Caminos Teresianos, a camino route following the life of St Teresa of Ávila rather than another St James camino. It was wonderful too. Thus route took us from Ávila to Alba de Tormes then we walked on to Salamanca.

[@stephkachel9191]

Congratulations on completing your 4th Camino and perhaps your most interesting one.

[@robscamino]

It was certainly interesting. Though I think a first Camino, like a first love, is always special 🙂

[@rudymazar8666]

Were the Australians from Brisbane.??My friends Frank and Patty just came back from that camino...

[@robscamino]

No, Sydney.

[@SetCCC]

Wow! What an amazingl trip. I can't wait to hear all about it. How was it different doing the camino for 60 days vs 30 days?

[@robscamino]

Sounds like a good video topic. Short answer it was great. And the variety of 4 different rotes was really good. Though I'm not sure I'll do 60 days again. It's hard on those left behind and to be honest, I think I'd gained all I was going to, by 30-40 days.

[@SetCCC]

@@robscamino very interesting! I'm looking forward to your videos!

[@robscamino]

There is a day by day blog here, with daily videos. robscamino.com/blog/

[@cdnsamurai1253]

Hi Rob, thanks for this video, I always appreciate your insights. I am planning to complete the Via de la Plata in April '24. You mentioned that you kept your stages below 25km typically. I was wondering if you could share the daily stages you used. I am inclined to take the Sanabres route once I get that far north but am curious about your stages up until that point. What you describe on the Via de la Plata sounds wonderful to me!

[@robscamino]

You'll love the VdlP. You can see a daily blog here: robscamino.com/category/camino-via-de-la-plata/

[@cdnsamurai1253]

@@robscamino Ah! Perfect, thank you!

[@robscamino]

I can't actually add an image of the stages plan here, but it will be just a list. Note that there are 3 stages where a taxi was used for part. A. the infamous 16 kms section of road early on (day 4) B. getting around the embalse long stage after casa de caseres (day 17) C. a hotel pickup from Arco de Capara (day 19) I headed North from Granja. But I had some Sanabres sections 'planned'. DAY Kms Stop 1 10.00 Santiponce leave by 9 am 2 12.80 Guillena (arroyo by Tower) 3 18.90 Castilblanco 4 28.70 Almaden (first road section by taxi) 5 14.90 El Real de la Jarra 6 20.00 Monesterio 7 21.44 Fuente de Cantos 8 22.12 Zafra 9 20.62 Villafranca de los Barros 10 27.27 Torremejia (Try?) 11 15.96 Merida 12 0.00 Merida 13 16.80 Aljucen 14 19.10 Alcuescar 15 27.40 Valdesalor 16 22.00 Casar 17 41.00 Grimaldo (part by taxi) 18 20.27 Galisteo 19 29.50 Hostales Austurias-Jarilla (part by car - hotel pickup) 20 20.44 Banos 21 12.89 La Calzada 22 20.90 Fuenterroble 23 21.30 San Pedro 24 23.86 Salamanca 25 0.00 Salamanca 26 14.27 Calzada de Valdiecel 27 19.89 El Cubo 28 13.65 Villanueva de Campean 29 17.67 Zamora 30 0.00 Zamora 31 18.88 Montamarta 32 20.90 Granja (then North) 33 25.00 Tabara 34 22.90 Santa Marta 35 21.10 Villar de Farfon 36 15.10 Mombuey 37 13.40 Entrepenas 38 18.30 Peubla 39 0.00 Peubla 40 22.00 Padonelo 41 18.10 Vilavella 42 12.90 A Gudina 43 19.60 Campobecerros 44 14.40 Laza 45 19.20 Vilar de Barrio 46 13.80 Xunqueira 47 21.80 Ourense 48 0.00 Ourense 49 12.40 Tamallancos 50 24.30 Castro Dozon 51 18.40 A Laxe 52 21.30 Dornelas 53 20.10 Deseiro 54 9.00 Santiago

[@cdnsamurai1253]

@@robscamino This is great, thank you for taking the time for doing this. I tend to plan everything out beforehand, but I am going to try to be a bit more flexible next time around. I look forward to seeing more of your work!

[@robscamino]

I tend to 'go with the flow' when there. But for the VdlP and Invierno, accommodation options can be more limited and daily stages need a bit more thought. So I planned them out in detail. When there, I change the plan as I go........

[@laurap.5804]

Hi, was surprised to hear you slept in hostels with others!!!! Who was your experience? Could you sleep without being awake due to snoring????

[@robscamino]

It was good. Snoring did not keep me awake. I was tired, and used ear plugs...... I'll do a video on the whole experience.

[@somehappenings246]

Great travels I don’t want to pry But out of concern Your eyes look different and are reflecting the light oddly Did you change your lighting? If not,… Have you seen an eye dr recently?

[@robscamino]

All good. Thanks for your concern. I have my eyes regularly checked. I have very strong lights in the studio, at many different angles. Probably the ring light behind the camera was set brighter... It does look a bit odd. (I mainly shoot business videos, hence the studio setup).

[@brianduffy6154]

So Rob love your insights but you have given me a dilemma. I walked the Camino Frances, Camino Finnisterre, and Camino Portuguese from Lisbon in one go in 2022 and the Via Francigena to Rome in 2023. This year I was planning Rome to Jerusalem but with the war will postpone. Instead I was thinking of the VdlP but after hearing your views have had second thoughts. I have looked closely at the Camino Del Norte / Primitivo as an alternative but the prospects of rain, a lot of road walking and the seaside holiday vibe along the way are off putting. Also I have walked long sections of the south-west coast path in the UK and the regular ascents and descents are no fun and the 180 degree views of the sea horizon become tiresome. So what do you recommend I do? The other thing I would mention is that in your first impressions post on the VDLP you were very upbeat and talked about feeling the spirituality of the route but by the last day your views were markedly different and you sounded a bit fed up. I wonder what happened. My feeling is you are very gregarious hence your going on the Frances three times and the lack of fellow pilgrim interaction wore you down. There is nothing wrong with that of course but I wonder if you recognize that as a natural bias. Thanks again

[@robscamino]

That's a tough call Brian. I have reflected on it a lot. I think what changed for me on the VdlP is that after the first couple of weeks. I spent a lot of time walking with others. Maybe I loved the solitude, and perhaps that in turn fed my spritual needs? Caminos often turn out to be different than our expectations, and often I think they give us what we need at the time. Whilst I loved my 3 days on the Frances, it was probbaly enough. I loved the solitude of the Invierno. Who knows? We keep walking..........🙂

[@sendirios8064]

Hoy Rob. Hope you are well. Love your videos! How would you like to chat/interview a novice Pilgrim that just complete from Villafranca to Santiago and although watch all of your videos but still had so many lessons learned to say the least! You would probably, after talking with me, you might die laughing or have a heart attack.. Sendi

[@robscamino]

Let's have a chat. Are you in Ivar's Forum? We can connect there.

[@sendirios8064]

@@robscamino Hi Rob. Thank you for getting back to me. Are you ready for a good laugh! 😂. Joking aside I loved it and want to do The Camino again! I’m not familiar with Ivar’s forum but I will look for it. I will also be glad to share my email with you. If it is ok with you. Best regards Sendi I’m not familiar

[@robscamino]

@@sendirios8064 Best not to share emails here. Join Ivar's Forum and send me a message there. www.caminodesantiago.me/community/

[@sendirios8064]

@@robscamino Hi Rob, I'm in Ivar's page and member's section. There are a several Rob's If ok which one is you?

[@robscamino]

@@sendirios8064 Robo

[@shaunminehan]

Hey did you pre book Camino Frances beds on this trip?

[@robscamino]

I was only 4 nights on the Frances. I booked Astorga the day before. Rabanal was a Donativo so couldn't book, El Acebo was an Albergue I booked on the day, Ponferrada was a Hotel I booked the day before.

[@astcal]

while I really appreciate you summarize and review the trips, it would be much more helpful if you can add some visual, such as maps, and text for all those names etc. just some constructive suggestions.

[@robscamino]

I understand. All a question of time, but I'll see what I can do. You can see the route here: It's an interactive map. robscamino.com/where-is-rob/

[@joeninho4528]

Why does nobody ever do the Portuguese? On KZbin I mean. It is one of the most beautiful, and historical.

[@robscamino]

I just searched KZbin for "camino portuguese" and came up with hundreds of videos. I just haven't got around to walking it yet, but I'm sure I will at some stage.

[@alsever7732]

Whoa! You missed something IMPORTANT!!! At Finisterre, you walk across the highway to the beach away from town. Once there you kneel in the surf and let 7 waves hit you in the chest and..PUFF.. your sins are forgiven! Did it several times! It works! Walked the Frances, Primitivo, Portugese, Norte--hope to walk the plata this year. My favorite? The FRANCES!! NOTHING like it. Hope to NEVER walk from Sarria to Santiago again!

[@robscamino]

Sounds like I need to go back 🙂