Five Lesser-Known Alternatives To The Camino Frances
The Camino Frances is the number one pilgrim trail in both France and Spain. It attracts many thousands of walkers each year, and while it’s certainly a worthwhile endeavor, it ignores the many alternative routes that see far fewer crowds and just as nice scenery. Here are five such alternatives.
1. The Camino Lebaniego
The Camino Lebaniego from Santander to Santo Toribio is a stunning 10-day pilgrimage that heads down from Santander’s fishing district on the north coast of Spain through to the sacred Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana. This route cuts through medieval Santillana del Mar, which is home to the World Heritage Altamira Caves, and Comillas, where visitors can finally see Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece ‘El Capricho.’ It’s a spiritual crescendo as one reaches the monastery housing the “Lignum Crucis”, which has earnt the nickname “Little Jerusalem.” Unlike Santiago’s more bustling vibe, this intimate route has a contemplative feel throughout.
2. Valencia’s mountain sanctuary
The 7 days of walking in Alicante is a circular route from the mountain village of Tarbena. Daily explorations include the 12th-century Arab citadel Castell del Moros and Algar waterfalls with its natural pools. This is a mountainous area, so it’s perfect for those wanting to ascend, take pictures, but never venture too far from their starting position. From the 1,000-meter summit of Sierra de Carrascal de Parcent, clear days actually have panoramic views all the way to Ibiza. The famous Jalon Valley has wine tastings in the vineyards, while five freshwater springs means there are ample stops along mountain paths.
3. The Via de la Plata
Spain’s longest Camino is to follow 1,000 kilometers of Roman roads from Seville to Santiago, attracting fewer than 5% of the Frances pilgrims (and Frances is already a very long route). This historic route will of course head through UNESCO cities like Mérida’s Roman theater and Cáceres’ medieval quarter, as it goes through Salamanca’s golden architecture too. There are almost too many stops to really consider at once, and instead, the trip is more about having a rough long-term plan, but then breaking it down into chunks which you plan as you go. It will take over a month to complete this French vacation, and even the climate will drastically change as you go.
4. Portuguese Coastal Camino
Starting from Porto’s cathedral, there is a famous 280-kilometer maritime route that Orbis Ways also covers, following the Atlantic beaches and endless fishing villages. The path goes through Viana do Castelo’s Sanctuary of Santa Luzia as it heads over the border and into Spain at the Minho River. Unlike the inland routes, the ocean breeze keeps you cool and the waves keep you sane. There are always opportunities for daily swimming and fresh seafood too.
5. Las Alpujarras
Walking in Las Alpujarras is a shorter 8-day journey through whitewashed villages beneath some of Spain’s highest peaks. It begins in Capileira above the Poqueira Canyon, where the route explores both Bubion and Pampaneira. The adventure ends in Trevelez, the highest village in Andalusia, known for its high-quality Serrano ham.
These routes all offer their advantages, be it shorter durations, which are perfect for limited vacation time, different landscapes, and in the case of Via de la Plata, a longer, more challenging route.