Is Camino de Santiago from Sarria as bad as everyone thinks?

Camino de Santiago from Sarria is the most popular part of the Way of St. James as it allows all-ages pilgrims to join this amazing adventure everyone is talking about! But there are some downsides to this popular 100km path as it becomes busy. It was also my case until I went to India to walk Guirivala in Thiruvanamalai along with other 300.000 people!
This episode is about understanding what my mistake was while I share about this amazing trip in India and Camino de Santiago Frances from Sarria.

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[caminotellers]

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[dmwl]

I am glad to see this video. The animosity about Sarria to Santiago has felt so negative. Those who walk it should be welcomed and affirmed. Thank you!

[kayakerjer]

Interesting lesson. Thanks for sharing! On a walk across England with my wife I once became very frustrated with her slow pace and many breaks along the way. Fortunately, I looked inward and learned a lesson similar to yours. The problem wasn’t her pace, it was me. Now I celebrate the joy and shared experience of walking together as a couple, whatever the pace.

[grahamwallace]

I had the same issue on the Portuguese last September. From Lisbon to Porto is was reasonably quiet but from Tui to Santiago, it was a mass procession of ‘pilgrims’ with no back packs. Having already walked for three weeks I felt that they were almost cheating but gradually began to accept the everyone must do what they can and that walking for a week is a big achievement too.

[heldersrs]

I've walked Camino twice. First time in September/2016 beginning in Astorga and last time in May/June/2022 from Saint Jean Pied Port.
At my first time I stayed in the "main" cities of these last 100km: Sarria, Portomarin, Melide, Arzua, Pedrouso. It was a little crowded but not so much: it was ending of September and I had no problems.
But 2022 was a Holy Year and I used a better strategy: I slept in other cities, even in rural albergues, avoiding the cities where many pilgrims stayed. And it worked: I had many moments walking complitelly alone or only with few people.
In both times I could appreciate the beauty of rural Galicia, the woods, the little pueblos, the hórreos. It was wonderful.

[marlenecooper]

I yearn to walk the Camino. Heard about it years ago. Now at 76 years old I'm walking the Serria to Santiago in December on my own. Whatever will be will be 🙏🏼

[kitty_s]

Thank you for the vid! It's great that you had to go to India to learn that number (many/ few) is all relative. Sure, the number walking from Sarria is great, but much less than those you saw in India! You're also right when you said that not everyone has 30+ days for holidays. Sometimes, even a week of holidays is hard to get by. Also the logistical reasons - not everyone has the funds for a trip/ pilgrimage of 30+ days.

Also health reasons - not everyone has the strength to walk 30+ days. I saw a post from a lady in which she said that she did the whole 800 km, while her mom (a senior) joined her for the last 100 km. She was grateful that they experienced it together. Everyone's experience is different & precious. Buen camino!

[NickLivingLife]

This is one of my favourite of your videos Ricky. We all have that same heartbreak at Sarria and it’s really hard get thoughts together to understand what is happening. I’d only got as far as considering the Frances as 2 different Caminos. You are right though, the problem lies with ourselves and once we can understand that sometimes two different flavours can make a good thing like cheese and tomato make better pizza and than just cheese or just tomato.
Really enjoyed it. I always look out for on Camino, I think we would laugh a lot. 😊
All the best.

[Ken-ixcn]

Thank you Sir, days ago i was a little confused. I will be my first time in Europe, instead of visit Paris, Rome or London, I´ll do The Ccamino from Sarria. Some of my relatives told me I´m crazy becouse of my age (62) amd beside, they say it isn´t important to walk withouth sense 114 kilometers. Beside your video I´ve seen others which gets to touch the spiritual part of our soul. Thank´s to your message i get strongeer in my goal: I will do the Camino. God Bless You. Greetings from Mexico.

[ValerieFisk]

Hi Ricardo 👋
Such an interesting viewpoint. After meeting you last year I went through the same thoughts on the last 100km and arrived in Santiago on Ascension day. The crowds freaked me out so much I couldn't even stand to queue for my certificate and I promptly left for Muxia.
Now that you have shown things in a different light I will go get it one day.
Good to see you here .... Y me encanta tu camisa roja.

[Trip_Johnson]

You've just taught me something about myself. This really touched me. God bless you sir.

[andykrishnaputra]

A beautiful spiritual learning about the power of mind and its conditionings. In this “maya” everything is relative, and in that relativity we can eventually learn that ultimately we are beyond“maya” 💕

[chiarab]

Hi Ricky! This is the reason why I decided to do the camino Ingles next June instead of the last 100-120 km of the Frances and why I did the Portuguese along the coast and not the internal route because it has the same issue with the last km from Tui. My personal choice, of course, but I didn’t wanted to see too much crowd and experience a slightly unpleasant situation like “fighting” for beds or walking in “groups”. I will do the Frances one day, maybe splitted in two or three times but definitely do the last 100 km when it is less crowded than this! 😂😂😂

[shoshanafox]

I went to a meditation retreat in India when it was younger, 40 years ago. 10, 000 people! We ate in shifts, slept side by side on the floor. It was very interesting! Another transformative experience. 😅

[jamesburke]

Thank you for providing this very balanced perspective! Yes, Sarria + is very crowded, but it can still he rewarding. On my first Camino I almost skipped Sarria + to avoid a the "bed race, " but it turned out to be fine! It's just a different experience, with 10× more people, but also 10× more communal spirit!
A little hint: aim for albergues in between the staging points in the various guides. Most people religiously follow the guidebooks, and the villages in between are oftentimes starved for guests! I never made reservations, but have frequently slept surrounded by empty beds! I never failed to find a bed for the night. And... best of all.... I always found the people I was meant to be with, (for better or worse!)
The Camino always provides! Have faith, and develop all your common senses!

[robscamino]

Having walked that last section from Sarria three times in 2015, 2016, 2018 I don't think I could walk it last year I walked the Invierno from Ponferrada as the last stage of a Camino from Sevilla. It was wonderful! I'm sure many people will start to switch to the Invierno or Sanabres for short

[Life_pics_vids_moments]

Congratulations! You have found your way 🎉

[patrickmcsherry]

We did the Camino portion from Sarria to Santiago in early June and saw none of the crowds that are mentioned continually concerning this route. The trick was that the crowds are up and leaving at the break of day. Relax a bit over breakfast. Get a later start...when we did that, we would go for stretches where we could see no other walkers. Never did we run into a crowd. Those who complain that after walking for hundreds of miles that they run into crowds, the problem is not the crowds, but your unwillingness to make a change to your routine.

[SusanaXpeaceu]

What time of year would be warm enough but not like the queue for the bar? I was thinking October, so this time next year. Any thoughts

[phillipbrightmore]

An important video. Thank you for making it.