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I walked the Coastal Route and connected with the inland route at Redondella. I would have liked to have had a little more companionship on the coastal route, however, it forced me to interact more with the "locals". It is very beautiful. Way markings are not as good as with inland, however...
Agree with 4 hours and the comment about how large the airport is. Sometimes I feel like getting from the plane to customs in Madrid is like walking the first leg of the camino.
Obviously, the more Spanish you know the easier it will be for you. I took the Pimsleur course and it helped jumpstart me, but if I got in a rapid fire conversation, I was quickly lost and pulled out my translator app that you can speak your home language and it responds in Spanish. Also, you...
Thornily, I have talked with several who have done the way from Mont St Michel who thought that it was quite easy, so again, it depends on a lot of factors. For me, one day that stands out that I would have classified as really "difficult " was the first day on the "Alpinist" route of the del...
As a follow up, I feel that when someone says that way marking or even degree of difficulty was easy, it is important to ask them more questions, such as "were you traveling in a group so that you had an extra set of eyes, did you have gps or mapping support, was this your second time around...
I found the way marking satisfactory if you were staying on the standard recommend route, however, if you ventured to the alternative routes it was a little more challenging. I found this especially true on the Alpinist route on the first day.
I have used liner socks for the first parts of all of my caminos. Also, apply "Glide" to my feet. After the first couple of weeks of walking, my silk socks get really "gunked up" and I toss them without experiencing any problems. So I'm not sure that it matters for me. Perhaps my feet are...
If I had walked from SJPdP towards the end of the journey, I would have rated them about the same. I found the walk over the Pyrenees more difficult for me because it was my first camino, my pack was at its heaviest, I mistakenly tried to keep up with others, I hadn't had any sleep in 3 days...
In my opinion, the Norte also has a broader range of alternative routes to take that might get you closer to the sea, off the pavement, maybe longer, more secluded, some not as well marked and some much more difficult, more picturesque, etc. For instance, on the first day out of Irun, you will...
I have found that it is important when asking for feedback to be specific about describing your Camino characteristics such as you walk all the way, carry your backpack, in the case of the del Norte "want to make every effort to stay close to the sea, even if it includes more difficult...
Stayed in Larrasoana on a Sunday in May, 2012 and will never forget my experience. Was put in the overflow area even though others who came after me were placed in the main albergue. I found the facilities in the overflow to be fairly unclean and crowded. There was nothing open in the town. We...
I will violate one of my principles and comment on something that I am not an expert on, but I did meet a Portuguese lady, when I was walking the Coastal Portugal Caminho, who was born and grew up in Portugal and currently has been living in England, who told me that the Brazilian Portuguese...
Just completed del Norte last week and found it rather lonely, so I guess it does come in waves. Never had any problem with accommodations even after hitting Arzua. Did find the mood unpleasantly too festive after reaching Arzua; it's like the camino party just began. I'm even finding Santiago a...
Hi Annie, I'm 2 1/2 hours from Santiago, almost finishing del Norte. A few recommendations..... Skip Baamonde if you can, stop in a place about 100 m off the road about 6 km short of Miraz, wonderful place for a break named Cafe Rustico. It made my day...nice lady owner named Alene and the food...
Hi Annie, I'm also on Norte in beautiful town of Ribadesella. My timing has been a little off. The sea was calm so I missed seeing the bygones or blow holes after Pendueles. It was still beautiful. Also missed seeing the Tito Bustillo Caves here because they are closed on Monday and Tuesday. I...
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