Walking the Camino del Norte in Peak Season

[PhilB]

On July 5 we set off from Irun. I understand it’s high season with thousands of tourists and other walkers in the area. Has anyone walked the route during peak season? If so can you offer tips on getting accommodation in the smaller towns? I understand the tradition has been that pilgrims will always be guaranteed a bed. Is this still the case or has Covid and closures changed this tradition? Any other tips for July - August walking?

 

[davejsy]

On July 5 we set off from Irun. I understand it’s high season with thousands of tourists and other walkers in the area. Has anyone walked the route during peak season? If so can you offer tips on getting accommodation in the smaller towns? I understand the tradition has been that pilgrims will always be guaranteed a bed. Is this still the case or has Covid and closures changed this tradition? Any other tips for July - August walking?

First June is not peak season I wouldn't have thought, although at the end you then mention July and August. August would be peak season for Spanish holidays which will have an impact on a lot of the non-pilgrim specific accommodations along the coast that the Camino Norte runs along.

 

[Vacajoe]

There is no bed guarantee for pilgrims. Not even sure how that would work since it would require an infinite number of beds in every location to exist to accommodate the unknown numbers of pilgrims who may walk at any time. This impossibility will be immediately evident to you once you see the many small villages along the route.

You have two options to guarantee that you’ll have a bed every night: pre-book or be willing to taxi off the route to areas with less tourism. This is especially true on the Norte as the impact of beach goers heavily impacts the small availability of beds there. Unlike most of the CF, these destinations are extremely popular during the summer months with high heat driving the crowds directly onto the route.

If you must walk the Norte in the summer, be flexible and have extra funds to deal with the situation.

 

[PhilB]

First June is not peak season I wouldn't have thought, although at the end you then mention July and August. August would be peak season for Spanish holidays which will have an impact on a lot of the non-pilgrim specific accommodations along the coast that the Camino Norte runs along.

There is no bed guarantee for pilgrims. Not even sure how that would work since it would require an infinite number of beds in every location to exist to accommodate the unknown numbers of pilgrims who may walk at any time. This impossibility will be immediately evident to you once you see the many small villages along the route.

You have two options to guarantee that you’ll have a bed every night: pre-book or be willing to taxi off the route to areas with less tourism. This is especially true on the Norte as the impact of beach goers heavily impacts the small availability of beds there. Unlike most of the CF, these destinations are extremely popular during the summer months with high heat driving the crowds directly onto the route.

If you must walk the Norte in the summer, be flexible and have extra funds to deal with the situation.

Thank you.,yes as mentioned we start on July 5th. Locked in those dates cannot be avoided. We have pre booked in the bigger towns.

 

[trecile]

I walked the Norte in July 2018. Overall, acommodations were definitely more expensive than on the Francés, but there were affordable public and donativo albergues. I returned to the Norte last May, and some of those inexpensive pilgrim accommodations didn't survive Covid.

 

[PhilB]

I walked the Norte in July 2018. Overall, acommodations were definitely more expensive than on the Francés, but there were affordable public and donativo albergues. I returned to the Norte last May, and some of those inexpensive pilgrim accommodations didn't survive Covid.

Thank you that's the insight I am looking for. My wife walked the Frances ten years ago and never had a problem in getting accommodation based on the tradition that no town ever turns a pilgrim away. Sadly this is no longer seems be the case. It has surprised her to learn this news. Nevertheless we shall manage and book places ahead of time whilst still maintaining the spontaneity and excitement of the unknown.