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I’ve been walking for two weeks from Bilbao. It’s rained probably 1/3 of those days. On the days it did rain, it lasted from minutes to hours. It’s weather - hard to predict what you are going to get.
Our hospitalera had video of the mountain route from last summer: very overgrown, missing signs, but a beautiful view. She said only to do it if it’s absolutely clear and you have gps. As for the costal route, it’s poorly maintained. If it’s raining or been raining, stay on the road.
Yeah, all my favorite Camino folks (on this thread! Aragon forever! 😂. Okay, while you do take the train from Zaragoza all the way to Canfranc Estacion, you can also take a train from Madrid to Zaragoza, if that is any easier for you.
I highly encourage you to walk from Oloron-Sainte-Marie...
Stopped recently because my bar of soap was next to a baggie of electrical device charging cables. While both are allowed, it comes up on the X-ray as a suspicious device. Now I place them in separate pockets on either sad of my backpack
It’s not the same as being open as an albergue, BUT there is a donativo stand being operated at the site currently. It’s off to the side of the roadway and in what was the entryway to the accommodation. It allows pilgrims to still see inside the ruins without getting into the danger zone.
Loved the regular reporting! I know it’s difficult to post every evening, but so many of us really appreciated your insights into what was happening at each stage on the Norte. Thank you!
A bit off-topic, but it’s about data: is there ever a “one day count” where all the pilgrims at albergues on a specific day are counted? While it would miss those at hotels, etc, it would be fascinating.
Tincatinker is absolutely correct: most of your ride will be on roadways. The few downhills suitable for a bike are muddy right now in the Llanes area, but the CdN is 800+ kms so it’s impossible to tell you the conditions over the entire route or when you eventually reach an area. Where you...
Fascinating! I don’t think weather has any effect. I think the biggest factor is when pilgrims start walking (weekends, holidays, religious observances) but you won’t be able to judge that with your data. However, I think whatever you can figure out will be fascinating
It’s higher than that looks, actually, since the “trail” surface they reference is an often gravel or stone! Sure it’s not a “roadway” of asphalt or concrete, but it still is hard on the feet
Buen Camino app lets you plan daily stages and gives that breakdown. If you set your stage from the first city until the last, it provides the same breakdown for the entire route.
The 40 days or so on the Norte are mostly on asphalt or cement. Pick any individual section and it’s the same. Take the coastal/country variants…and it’s the same!
The Aragon is mostly trail.
Such a treat to meet you (I was #3 for the day!). “Celebrity” sightings on the Norte are rare! 😎. Arrived in Llanes and am shocked By the low numbers of pilgrims - I think I finally outpaced the crowd that started late April in Irun! More more pleasant to not be in a huge wave of folks...
So currently on the Norte a few days past Santander. I was in a huge bubble of folks that were overwhelming the accommodations so I walked on but went too far and joined into another bubble!!! This is NOT the CF where you have multiple options of cheap accommodations. If you can’t secure a...
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