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Camino de Santiago - looking for advice on a shorter section in mid November

I searched and couldn't find much. My wife and I will be in Portugal & Spain for 3 weeks starting in early November and we'll be driving through the mid and northern parts of both, since we've done the southern parts a few times. I would really like to walk a day or two on the Camino de Santiago, not for certificates but more to enjoy the countryside and the experience.

Looking for suggestions on which sections would be the most picturesque and enjoyable in mid November. Since we'll have a car, I can start/stop almost anywhere. Certainly willing to consider other hiking trails elsewhere but the Camino seems to be more suited with lots of small towns in case my ambitions and my body don't agree. Added to that, November could be bad weather, in which case, I can more easily make adjustments at the last minute.

I know there are Facebook groups for Camino de Santiago but I don't do Facebook. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Posted by
1224 posts

From what Ive researched for a coming trip to that region, the Navarre area and the area between Leon and SdC look most appealing (to me). Have you simply googled your question? I bet a Google search of "most scenic section of Camino de Santiago" would elicit many results, as there are so many forums dedicated to just the Camino hike

I just googled that and came up with a lot--

Posted by
4 posts

The problem is that there are so many travel forums these days, many with strange trolls. I'm new here, hoping to find like minded travelers after giving up on the two most popular forums. I'll dig a little deeper on Google and look further into your suggestion. Thanks

Posted by
6386 posts

Go to pilgrim.es/en. That site has all the Camino walks, stages and routes. Since you know where you’ll be, it should be fairly easy to find a section to walk.

Posted by
3387 posts

I walked the whole Camino Frances last summer. There are SO many parts that are very picturesque and others less so.
A nice section just for a couple of days would be these two...
Pamplona - Puente la Reina - Estella...this is a very ancient part of the path. Pamplona is, of course, beautiful and the other two towns are very typical of the ancient towns along the way. If you go this way you will also get to see the famous sculptures at Alto de Perdon. This isn't the easiest part of the Camino but it is very beautiful. In the middle of the town of Estalla is a church that sits high up on a massive rock...quite spectacular. There are a few other monasteries in town worth seeing. Ancient place.
Another really nice section would be from Estella - Los Arcos - Logrono...this is very different from the previous section. Flatter, with the sweeping stretches of road you see pictures of, and lots of small villages. The church in Los Arcos is worth seeing. Very unique interior and cloisters. Logrono is the best town in Spain you've never heard of. If you are lucky then all of the vineyards you'll pass through might have beautiful fall color. This part of the path has a section of Roman road you can walk on.
My favorite small place along the way was San Juan de Ortega. The monastery and pilgrim hostel there has been hosting pilgrims for almost 1,000 years. Tiny little place but one of a kind.
If you can, stop in the city of Burgos. Another place I had NEVER heard of before the Camino and I cannot believe it isn't more of a well-known tourist destination. The cathedral there is very unique and spectacular! Puts Notre Dame in Paris to shame....well, maybe that's a matter of opinion but it's truly worth the effort to get there.
It's truly impossible to choose a favorite but these sections are good for a small taste of the Camino. Just so you know, you won't be able to stay in the pilgrim hostels unless you obtain a pilgrim credential. Plenty of hotels though if you don't want to go to the trouble.
Let me know if you have questions!

Posted by
8934 posts

Have walked several portions of the Camino 3 different times including the section from Porto to Santiago. The best website and forum for information, routes, places to stay, etc. is this one:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/

For Nov. I think I would choose Portugal over Spain, due to the chance of snow farther north. The central route has more small towns than the coastal route.

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks for the great replies. I have checked many Camino sites and appreciate the personal experience that everyone has offered. We've been to many areas in Europe where there are great trails but since we always travel in November, most of them become more dangerous. We were in Crete last Nov and started walking some of the gorges but quickly realized that there were so few (sometimes none) other hikers that if we had a problem, it could become dangerous. Now looking for something easier with some fellow hikers but not busy. We looking for beauty and tranquility.