Is tent needed on Camino del Norte?

[Catalin Bulancea]

Hi people,

I've been reading some threads saying that albergues are fewer on Camino del Norte than on Camino Frances and that many of them are not available all year around.
Do you think I would need to carry a tent?
I plan to go this April...

Thanks,
Catalin

 

[evanlow]

Camino del Norte is more expensive because of that. Many albergue in the Basque area are actually youth hostel and cost 14 euros or more. In later places, those without albergue usually have hostal which is around 25 euros.

A tent is an alternative but then there is the extra weight issue and also where to pitch the tent as the route is more built up (you don't get to walk along the coast too often) as oppose to the flatter Camino via de la plata.

 

[Tincatinker]

@Catalin Bulancea welcome to the Forum. Take a look at this website http://www.gronze.com/camino-norte . Gronze contains information on all accommodations available on a stage by stage basis. While Albergue accommodation is sparser than on the Frances there is still plenty of it and most will be open in April. Gronze also provides opening times.

 

[Marc S.]

Evanlow, I tend not to agree with your assessment, possibly the albergue infrastructure on the Norte has improved in recent years. I walked the Norte in August/September 2014 and slept in albergues almost every night. mostly for the price of 5-10 euro. Also in the Basque country, there is a lot of albergues which makes it possible to to sleep in an albergue every night.

Having said that, there are less albergues as compared to the CF, so it involves a little bit more planning. (and checking the gronze site for availability), especially if you are on a tight budget and not able to occasionally sleep in a hotel. However, most pilgrims I met on the Norte did not carry a tent, so unless you prefer camping (many albergues allow people set up a tent) I would not take one.

 

[ParistoCapeCod]

Hi @Catalin Bulancea no to the tent, especially not in April, as it will not be crowded. Also there is not frequently a place to pitch it (a big no on private land.) If worst came to worst you can taxi ahead to an albergue and back to where you left off the next morning. Don't miss the albergue at Guemes! Buen camino

 

[grayland]

There is not a need for a tent.
There are albergues at easy distances the full distance of the Norte.
I would compare the number and spacing of albergues to my first Camino in 2009.
The number of pilgrims walking are also similar.
There are also other accomondations available all along the Norte.
It is now very popular.
No tent!

 

[Kanga]

I carried a tent on the Norte last year and would not do it again. Wild camping is illegal pretty much all the way, not many albergues in the towns have suitable gardens (there are exceptions, but they were not full anyway), and many camping grounds do not open until the high season in July.

 

[Catalin Bulancea]

Many thanks for your replies! I've checked Gronze, looks very complete!
What about ATMs? Do I need to bring money or can I pay with the card most of the times (albergues, lunch, etc)?
Thanks!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Many thanks for your replies! I've checked Gronze, looks very complete!
What about ATMs? Do I need to bring money or can I pay with the card most of the times (albergues, lunch, etc)?
Thanks!

ATM. Albergues do not take credit cards. Pensions May as Will some hostels that are not just for pilgrims hut these are not and just for pilgrims and the little bags where you'll be having brekfast and lunch Will be mostly cash. In The cities you Will be able tomuse your credit card In proper restaurants.

 

[Catalin Bulancea]

Ok, so money it is!

2 more questions if I may:
- Where is the Pilgrims Office in San Sebastian or Irun to take my pilgrim passport?
- Can I buy a guide for Camino del Norte in library in San Sebastian/Irun?

Thanks again!

 

[mspath]

You can get a Pilgrum Passport in Irun at the albergue. See more here. Note that it opens at 16:00 .

See also www.CaminosNorte.org.
This web is extremely complete.

Here is a handy list of bookstores marked on a map of Irun.

Buen camino!

 

[ParistoCapeCod]

Ok, so money it is!

2 more questions if I may:
- Where is the Pilgrims Office in San Sebastian or Irun to take my pilgrim passport?
- Can I buy a guide for Camino del Norte in library in San Sebastian/Irun?

Thanks again!

You can also download this guide to your phone http://www.cicerone.co.uk/

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Hi people,

I've been reading some threads saying that albergues are fewer on Camino del Norte than on Camino Frances and that many of them are not available all year around.
Do you think I would need to carry a tent?
I plan to go this April...

Thanks,
Catalin

No. Tent just a lot of weight you will dump. Try Gronce.com gives up to date Albergue beds