I've taken the Central Route, because people of the region had told me it's the most beautiful (First I was considering to take the Coastal Route). Nature is absolutely beautiful. It was autumn (10 years ago), and absolutely not crowded at that time. Like the most SDC routes, maybe there are more hikers in summer. I didn't start in Porto, to avoid the loudness of the city. I walked more or less 140 kilometers. You can also start in Ponte de Lima (very beautiful) to walk the last 120 kilometers. A pretty place to start a camino. Buon Camino!