A good place to leave for Norte

[susan1971]

This is my second Francés. I would like to leave the Francés in either Burgos or Leon and travel to the Norte and walk for a while or possibly finish. What is the best city to join the Norte ?

 

[scruffy1]

Hands down San Sebastián/Donostia a beautiful little town with the best pintxos/tapas in Spain!

 

[Jan_D]

You can walk from Leon to Oviedo - this is the "Camino del Salvador". It's a really beautiful walk (on completion you can even get the "Salvadorana" certificate from the cathedral!) From Oviedo you walk straight up to Aviles to join the Norte.

 

[susan1971]

Thanks

 

[lt56ny]

Thanks

If you have the time yes start in San Sebastián but then you will have about
780 kilometers to get to Santiago. I think there is a Camino from Burgos north to the coast. If you start in Oviedo you will miss some of the best parts of the Norte.

 

[Jan_D]

If you start in Oviedo you will miss some of the best parts of the Norte.

True. You'll miss the amazing landscapes and food/culture of the Basque country, the gorgeous medieval towns (Santillana, San Vicente) of Cantabria...

On the plus side, the Norte gets very quiet after Aviles, as many pilgrims change to the Primitivo in Oviedo. So there'll be less of a bed race from here onwards. The Camino del Salvador in itself is stunning (although quite challenging, as it's through the mountains). And the western part of Asturias also has its charms: I'm thinking fishing villages like Cudillero, charming towns like Luarca, and the famous albergue on the cliffs in Tapia de Casariego. Not to mention some lovely stops in Galicia after that!

(But yes, I also wondered why you weren't considering the whole of the Norte for Camino #2?)

 

[susan1971]

True. You'll miss the amazing landscapes and food/culture of the Basque country, the gorgeous medieval towns (Santillana, San Vicente) of Cantabria...

On the plus side, the Norte gets very quiet after Aviles, as many pilgrims change to the Primitivo in Oviedo. So there'll be less of a bed race from here onwards. The Camino del Salvador in itself is stunning (although quite challenging, as it's through the mountains). And the western part of Asturias also has its charms: I'm thinking fishing villages like Cudillero, charming towns like Luarca, and the famous albergue on the cliffs in Tapia de Casariego. Not to mention some lovely stops in Galicia after that!

(But yes, I also wondered why you weren't considering the whole of the Norte for Camino #2?)

You might have convinced me.

 

[lt56ny]

You might have convinced me.

Thanks!!!!! Now would you call my wife and convince her I am always right because right now I never am. Write me for contact information hahah

 

[oursonpolaire]

Hands down San Sebastián/Donostia a beautiful little town with the best pintxos/tapas in Spain!

Several good sellos can be acquired here! and the stretch out of St Sebastian is very nice walking, if one doesn't mind a hill or two. However, I would not call it a little town (186,665 pop)! Given Susan1917's possible points of departure, Bilbao or Santander could be easily reached from Burgos or Leon.

 

[scruffy1]

Several good sellos can be acquired here! and the stretch out of St Sebastian is very nice walking, if one doesn't mind a hill or two. However, I would not call it a little town (186,665 pop)! Given Susan1917's possible points of departure, Bilbao or Santander could be easily reached from Burgos or Leon.

Bilbao? Must see the Guggenheim/Gehry museum no need to go in the walk along the river is enough but the best view is from the bridge with all the trucks roaring by, close by is the Fine Arts Museum which should be entered for the Basque art.

 

[Csutak]

I have finished the Norte several times in Ribadeo - oh, how exciting it is to get over the long bridge if it is windy! Then I got on the bus to Lugo and from there continued the Camino to Santiago.

 

[susan1971]

I have finished the Portuguese and Francés and had no problem with lodging. I read much about racing for beds on The Norte. Is that true? I want to relax not stress.

 

[Csutak]

I had a real problem with beds only once in Villaviciosa probably because they had a fiesta that time and even the hotels were full. I also had the feeling that they didn't like pilgrims in the hotels....

But it is true that on the Norte sometimes it's not easy to find a bed.

 

[Jan_D]

I have finished the Portuguese and Francés and had no problem with lodging. I read much about racing for beds on The Norte. Is that true? I want to relax not stress.

When are you thinking of going? I'm afraid it can be quite bad in the summer months (especially as much of the alternative accommodation is booked up by Spanish holidaymakers...)

 

[J.Patrick]

I started just across the border in France in Hendaye, crossing the bridge of Santiago, named for its ancient link to the pilgrimage. I wouldn't miss those first weeks for anything! The food, the beauty, the coast, the cobbles, the Basques! But be ready for a lot of elevation gain and lost each day.

 

[T0M]

Hands down San Sebastián/Donostia a beautiful little town with the best pintxos/tapas in Spain!

Ja Ja Ja... Hey Scruffy, I am the guy who was just asking you about this. I just now came across your comment here. It seems as if my homework is pointing me in the right direction.

 

[andralynn]

You can walk from Leon to Oviedo - this is the "Camino del Salvador". It's a really beautiful walk (on completion you can even get the "Salvadorana" certificate from the cathedral!) From Oviedo you walk straight up to Aviles to join the Norte.

I was thinking of doing the opposite, leaving Aviles and dropping down to the Francis to be able to experience both. I will be leaving San Sebastián May 27th this month

 

[Al the optimist]

I have walked the El Salvador twice, once in glorious sunshine. That time I rate it as the best views I have encountered. Then again I have not walked the Primitivo, which many rate highly. Why not the El Salvador then the Primitivo? Then save the Norte for a walk from Irun?

 

[andralynn]

If you have the time yes start in San Sebastián but then you will have about
780 kilometers to get to Santiago. I think there is a Camino from Burgos north to the coast. If you start in Oviedo you will miss some of the best parts of the Norte.

I’m on the Norte right now and started in San Sebastián and I can tell you it is BRUTAL and also beautiful but it is not for any person that is not in good shape. I trained every day with a full pack up and down a mountain close to my home for at least a month but it did not prepare me for this trek.
I don’t speak Spanish so I would recommend learning a little (Google Translator) has been a real gift. The people are so wonderful and helpful. The Camino, in my opinion, is more about the people you meet than the walking and sightseeing. I’m planning on learning Spanish and then coming back.