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Thanks, I will research that. i am leaning toward switching to the Norte because of it being along the coastline. Love the water and vistas.Have you considered the Invierno from Ponferada as an option, that's what I'll do next time rather than the Sarria option.
I think that other Caminos join up with the Frances at Melide, so thats a way to avoid crowds if that's why you wanted to switch.
Plenty of info on this forum about the Invierno.
From the maps I have checked, the Norte turns inland in the area north of Sarria. If you check maps you'll see that all routes start turning to Santiago with the final legs well away from the coast.Thanks, I will research that. i am leaning toward switching to the Norte because of it being along the coastline. Love the water and vistas.
It's also a really cool train ride from Burgos to Bilbao. Up and over the mountains.From the maps I have checked, the Norte turns inland in the area north of Sarria. If you check maps you'll see that all routes start turning to Santiago with the final legs well away from the coast.
You would need to head north and then quite a long way east if you want to get a decent walk along the coastline.
Have you considered walking the Norte instead of a Frances/Norte combo? Or making your way to the Norte much earlier. You could for instance take a bus from Burgos to Bilbao, and continue the Norte from there. Then you get a good walk from SJPDP, explore Burgos, a short bus ride, explore Bilbao and then head off on the other.
I took a side trip to Bilbao (to see the Guggenheim) and back from Burgos on my Camino, the bus station is in the middle of town in Burgos, and easy to get to, and a pleasant trip to Bilbao - I have to confess to snoozing off in the bus.
Why not just walk the Norte instead of the Francés?Thanks, I will research that. i am leaning toward switching to the Norte because of it being along the coastline. Love the water and vistas.
Sounds great to me! Will research it today. ThanksFrom the maps I have checked, the Norte turns inland in the area north of Sarria. If you check maps you'll see that all routes start turning to Santiago with the final legs well away from the coast.
You would need to head north and then quite a long way east if you want to get a decent walk along the coastline.
Have you considered walking the Norte instead of a Frances/Norte combo? Or making your way to the Norte much earlier. You could for instance take a bus from Burgos to Bilbao, and continue the Norte from there. Then you get a good walk from SJPDP, explore Burgos, a short bus ride, explore Bilbao and then head off on the other.
I took a side trip to Bilbao (to see the Guggenheim) and back from Burgos on my Camino, the bus station is in the middle of town in Burgos, and easy to get to, and a pleasant trip to Bilbao - I have to confess to snoozing off in the bus.
If you are walking the CF then you should walk it all including Sarria IMO. It gets bad press from some here as does the Meseta but its all part and parcel of the CF and unless you want to cherrypick the "best" bits then you should do it. I have been on that section twice, the path is beautiful and interesting, a little busier and noisier but that's life.I will start from SJPP on April 21st. I am not really wanting to stay on the French Way, at least from Sarria to Santiago. I would rather switch to Norte somewhere along The Way. Any suggestions on a good plan to do this?
The San Salvador:You could take the San Salvador from Leon, then walk to the Norte from Oviedo - continuing on the Ruta do Mar/Ingles thus avoiding the Francés freeway completely after Leon.
HiI will start from SJPP on April 21st. I am not really wanting to stay on the French Way, at least from Sarria to Santiago. I would rather switch to Norte somewhere along The Way. Any suggestions on a good plan to do this?
Me too.I must have walked a different Camino than most because I actually really enjoyed both the Meseta and the last 100km from Sarria!
Another way to stay in " the zone" from Sarria onwards, is to book habitacions a couple of days ahead. By then you will probably be walking with members of your camino family, so a room for two or four should not be too expensive. And I agree with all previous comments - grow where you've been planted! I.e. don't cherry pick your path, you will regret it imo.If you are walking the CF then you should walk it all including Sarria IMO. It gets bad press from some here as does the Meseta but its all part and parcel of the CF and unless you want to cherrypick the "best" bits then you should do it. I have been on that section twice, the path is beautiful and interesting, a little busier and noisier but that's life.
Why not just walk the Norte instead of the Francés?
This will be my first Camino. Part of wanting to do the Camino is meeting other Pilgrims. The Frances will give me a better opportunity to do that. At the same time, don't want the super crowds after Sarria. Guess i want my cake and eat it too!Why not just walk the Norte instead of the Francés?
I appreciate your perspective. Right now, my Camino is planning my Camino. I live reading, planning and dreaming about it. I realize that once I am walking and meet my Camino family, things will flow and become exactly what its supposed to be. Its all good!If you are walking the CF then you should walk it all including Sarria IMO. It gets bad press from some here as does the Meseta but its all part and parcel of the CF and unless you want to cherrypick the "best" bits then you should do it. I have been on that section twice, the path is beautiful and interesting, a little busier and noisier but that's life.
On the one hand, the Norte is by no means unpopulated with pilgrims. If you walk the Norte at any time but the depths of winter, I would expect that you would meet other pilgrims (and during the depths of winter you might want to walk the CF after Sarria to have a chance of meeting other pilgrims).This will be my first Camino. Part of wanting to do the Camino is meeting other Pilgrims. The Frances will give me a better opportunity to do that. At the same time, don't want the super crowds after Sarria. Guess i want my cake and eat it too!
I appreciate your perspective. Right now, my Camino is planning my Camino. I live reading, planning and dreaming about it. I realize that once I am walking and meet my Camino family, things will flow and become exactly what its supposed to be. Its all good!