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If you want to get started the same day you arrive you might want to see if Albergue Captn Txmista (sp?) is still operating. It's about 4kms down the trail from Irun so it gives you a little head start for the next day. I believe it is a private albergue vs municipal so it might be open.
I walked in 2017 from mid-May to end of June. The weather was generally quite good -only 4-5 days with rain but not a huge amount. Temperatures pleasant.
It was also before the "in-season" at the coast so finding accommodation was not an issue and higher summer rates were not in effect.
Buen...
I walked it in mid-May-June which worked well. No bed race and overall good weather. July and August are the "in-season" at the coast so busier and more expensive.
When I walked the Norte in 2017, it quickly became clear that my rain gear of choice was not equal to the task. I went in search of a poncho and finally found one that was much heavier than I would have liked but at least it kept me dry. Finding one was not as easy as I thought it might be...
I walked the Norte from mid-May until late June. This is still considered to be the off-season along the coast so finding places to stay that were reasonably priced was not an issue.
Another alternative is to continue on past Baamonde and stay at Albergue Witericus. For me the distance from Vilalba to Miraz was a little too long. Albergue Witericus is about 5k before Miraz. A very lovely facility run by a mother-daughter team.
When I walked the Norte in 2017 from mid-May to end of June, finding beds was not an issue. As @trecile mentioned, July and also August are high season on the Norte. If you avoid those months finding accommodation isn't likely to be an issue.
The VDLP, like the Norte, depends on time of year...
With respect to the wet weather on the Norte this past May, it was an unusually wet spring this year. I walked the Norte in mid-May-June of 2017 and only dealt with mud on 2 days.
I second the vote for Albergue Xabarin as one of the nicest albergues you'll ever find. The host Daniel was super accommodating and the place was immaculate. It's located between 2 supermercados so it's easy to make use of their kitchen.
Have you checked out the Camino Ingles? It's quite lovely and fits your time frame. It also ends in SdC. Another option is the Camino Sanabres from Lubian or thereabouts.
IMO, if your friend has knee issues, you might be better off taking the "low road." No point in overdoing it on your first day and risking an injury that could end your Camino.
Mid-May to June worked really well for me. The reasons that I liked that timeframe are: 1) lots of daylight hours for walking, 2) the weather at this time of year is usually good, but every year is different, 3) there are enough other people walking to make life interesting but not so many as...
And if you have it in you to go an extra 4k beyond Deba, there is a private albergue right on the camino route that takes reservations- el albergue de Izarbide.
When I walked this route I went Vilalba-Albergue Witericus(shortly after Baamonde); then Albergue Witericus-Sobrado. A lot depends on how far you are comfortable going each day. My recollection of this section is rolling hills but no significant climbs.
It took me 35 days. I do not walk like a mad woman and took side trips to As Catedras (highly recommended ) and the alternate route to Tapia de Casariego.
Have you looked into airbnb? When I was sorting out my first few days I toyed with the idea of getting an airbnb place in Pasajes. There were several but ended up making other arrangements.
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