4-in-one camino, is it doable?

[Valeriel]

Good day to all the experienced Pereginos,
I am a regular hiker, though not of the magnitude of having done any Caminos, however I wish to do a 4-in-1 Camino as this would be the only time in a long while that I will have such a long time off from work. I have 8 weeks to spare and was wondering whether this would be feasible. Starting on the French side in Orolon-Sainte-Marie, over the Somport Pass, continue with the Camino de Arogones to join The Camino Frances at Puenta la Reina up to Burgos. At Burgos to proceed north on a bus to Santander where I proceed onward with the Northern Route till Oviedo then go inland with the Primitivo Route onto Melide and Santiago. Should I have any wear left on my shoes I would like to proceed to Finisterre to finish at 'world's end'. My question is; is it doable in 8 weeks? It'll be unfortunately high season, August-September. I'm willing to camp on the Northern Route if no accommodation is available, would that be possible? Your valued opinion will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

That should be enough time. You can plot daily distances here:

https://godesalco.com/plan

 

[caminka]

you plan sounds perfectly reasonable. you can probably include a few rest days as well. burgos and oviedo immediately spring to mind.

start with a rough plan with distances and accommodation options, taking care not to overdo it at the start (and especially on the climb to somport).

if you haven't found gronze yet, it has an excellent overview of pilgrim (and other) accommodation: https://www.gronze.com/.

 

[evanlow]

Doable yes, but will miss part of the Frances and Norte. Then again, could be a great conversation piece.

 

[ksam]

Doable, but why not wait to Leon and try the San Salvador coupled with the Primitivo? I always think of them as companion walks, even though I haven't yet don the San Salvador (time!) Then you could turn right in Lugo and head over via the Camino Verde to Sobrado on the Del Norte and continue down towards Santiago. There is even a new stretch to avoid returning to the French route till .... well way down! Just a thought to ponder as you plot your walk! Buen Camino!

 

[t2andreo]

I only wish I had the time (and permission from the wife) to do the same...

Go for it! Your planned routing, Aragones, Frances, Primitivo, Frances, sound great.

 

[amancio]

It sounds great, but taking a bus between caminos breaks the magic in my opinion. Why not start in Le Puy, in France, and then just do the Francés normally?

 

[Valeriel]

That should be enough time. You can plot daily distances here:

https://godesalco.com/plan

Thank you so much for the link, I've viewed it briefly and will spend much more time familiarising myself with the different routes.

 

[Valeriel]

I only wish I had the time (and permission from the wife) to do the same...

Go for it! Your planned routing, Aragones, Frances, Primitivo, Frances, sound great.

Thank you for your inspiration.

 

[Valeriel]

Doable, but why not wait to Leon and try the San Salvador coupled with the Primitivo? I always think of them as companion walks, even though I haven't yet don the San Salvador (time!) Then you could turn right in Lugo and head over via the Camino Verde to Sobrado on the Del Norte and continue down towards Santiago. There is even a new stretch to avoid returning to the French route till .... well way down! Just a thought to ponder as you plot your walk! Buen Camino!

I thought of adding some sea breeze to a mostly inland trip. The distances between overnight stops on the San Salvador discouraged me a little, however there is still enough time, or even whilst walking might change my mind. Thank you all for the positive contributions.

 

[Valeriel]

you plan sounds perfectly reasonable. you can probably include a few rest days as well. burgos and oviedo immediately spring to mind.

start with a rough plan with distances and accommodation options, taking care not to overdo it at the start (and especially on the climb to somport).

if you haven't found gronze yet, it has an excellent overview of pilgrim (and other) accommodation: https://www.gronze.com/.

Is gronze only available in Spanish? I've checked it out once and couldn't find the option to translate it, it seems very informative.

 

[naplesdon]

How about turning north in Fromista and walking the Canal de Castille to Alar del Rey and from there proceed to Santander by train, bus or on foot and follow the Norte to the Primitivo? Add the alternative to continue from Alar del Rey to Potes and walk to Llanes.

 

[Tincatinker]

Is gronze only available in Spanish? I've checked it out once and couldn't find the option to translate it, it seems very informative.

Gronze only speaks Spanish; but its Spanish is even more basic than mine. You'll quickly find yourself translating its simple and repetitive phrases. Keep Google Translate open in a separate tab for if you get truly stuck while browsing.

And my nudge on your route planning: unless you are determined on a paddle or a swim in briny Biscay stick with the Frances to Leon, take the Salvador to Oviedo and be happy. You can always take a paddle in the ocean at Cee or Muxia..

 

[JabbaPapa]

Good day to all the experienced Pereginos,
I am a regular hiker, though not of the magnitude of having done any Caminos, however I wish to do a 4-in-1 Camino as this would be the only time in a long while that I will have such a long time off from work. I have 8 weeks to spare and was wondering whether this would be feasible. Starting on the French side in Orolon-Sainte-Marie, over the Somport Pass, continue with the Camino de Arogones to join The Camino Frances at Puenta la Reina up to Burgos. At Burgos to proceed north on a bus to Santander where I proceed onward with the Northern Route till Oviedo then go inland with the Primitivo Route onto Melide and Santiago. Should I have any wear left on my shoes I would like to proceed to Finisterre to finish at 'world's end'. My question is; is it doable in 8 weeks? It'll be unfortunately high season, August-September. I'm willing to camp on the Northern Route if no accommodation is available, would that be possible? Your valued opinion will be greatly appreciated.

If you're a fast enough hiker, there should be more than enough time, so much so that you could probably walk from Léon to Oviedo, as another option, which I've been told by a few people is a beautiful variant in its own right (though cyclists perhaps like it better than walkers do) ...

Your plan would also involve skipping most of the meseta, IMO a straightforward mistake given your generous time allowance.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It sounds great, but taking a bus between caminos breaks the magic in my opinion. Why not start in Le Puy, in France, and then just do the Francés normally?

I'd guess, for him, because 8 weeks would be unlikely to be enough for it

 

[Aglass]

Doable, but why not wait to Leon and try the San Salvador coupled with the Primitivo? I always think of them as companion walks, even though I haven't yet don the San Salvador (time!) Then you could turn right in Lugo and head over via the Camino Verde to Sobrado on the Del Norte and continue down towards Santiago. There is even a new stretch to avoid returning to the French route till .... well way down! Just a thought to ponder as you plot your walk! Buen Camino!

I agree with

Doable, but why not wait to Leon and try the San Salvador coupled with the Primitivo? I always think of them as companion walks, even though I haven't yet don the San Salvador (time!) Then you could turn right in Lugo and head over via the Camino Verde to Sobrado on the Del Norte and continue down towards Santiago. There is even a new stretch to avoid returning to the French route till .... well way down! Just a thought to ponder as you plot your walk! Buen Camino!

I agree re the Salvador - a really beautiful 5 days. I also did the detour from Lugo to San Salvador in 2013 (I didn't know it had a name), a crazy unforgettable 52km in the day

 

[trecile]

Is gronze only available in Spanish? I've checked it out once and couldn't find the option to translate it, it seems very informative.

Gronze only speaks Spanish; but its Spanish is even more basic than mine. You'll quickly find yourself translating its simple and repetitive phrases. Keep Google Translate open in a separate tab for if you get truly stuck while browsing.

Even easier is to use the Chrome browser, which will translate it for you automatically.

 

[Donna Sch]

Good day to all the experienced Pereginos,
I am a regular hiker, though not of the magnitude of having done any Caminos, however I wish to do a 4-in-1 Camino as this would be the only time in a long while that I will have such a long time off from work. I have 8 weeks to spare and was wondering whether this would be feasible. Starting on the French side in Orolon-Sainte-Marie, over the Somport Pass, continue with the Camino de Arogones to join The Camino Frances at Puenta la Reina up to Burgos. At Burgos to proceed north on a bus to Santander where I proceed onward with the Northern Route till Oviedo then go inland with the Primitivo Route onto Melide and Santiago. Should I have any wear left on my shoes I would like to proceed to Finisterre to finish at 'world's end'. My question is; is it doable in 8 weeks? It'll be unfortunately high season, August-September. I'm willing to camp on the Northern Route if no accommodation is available, would that be possible? Your valued opinion will be greatly appreciated.

My main concern is that it will be stinking hot even with doing a northern route. Whatever route you do consider the amount of water you are going to need to carry. You could end up needing 0.5-1l/hr at that time of year. It's a dry heat so the sweat evaporates straight off but that means you may not recognise early dehydration. Assume 4km/hr speed (and that's a good pace) which includes toilet stops, taking photos, food breaks. Definitely get a reflective umbrella.
And yay for pilgrims who do Caminos Mixtos!

 

[caminka]

I thought of adding some sea breeze to a mostly inland trip. The distances between overnight stops on the San Salvador discouraged me a little, however there is still enough time, or even whilst walking might change my mind. Thank you all for the positive contributions.

then perhaps instead of starting the norte in santander take the bus/train further to barreda and walk from there. you won't miss anything. the camino crosses the train tracks right next to barreda's train station. the first night stop could be beautiful santillana del mar which now has three albergues. if you arrive too early, you can side-trip to altamira caves.
later on the norte, be sure to stick to the coastal alternatives to get the most of the sea breeze. see this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/coastal-alternatives-to-the-nortes-asphalt.49578/.

 

[Valeriel]

Wow, this surely sounds interesting. Thank you for the suggestion, I will check it out.
Valerie

 

[Valeriel]

My main concern is that it will be stinking hot even with doing a northern route. Whatever route you do consider the amount of water you are going to need to carry. You could end up needing 0.5-1l/hr at that time of year. It's a dry heat so the sweat evaporates straight off but that means you may not recognise early dehydration. Assume 4km/hr speed (and that's a good pace) which includes toilet stops, taking photos, food breaks. Definitely get a reflective umbrella.
And yay for pilgrims who do Caminos Mixtos!

Thank you Donna Sch, I will bear that in mind..hydrate,hydrate, hydrate! and the reflective umbrella sounds like a good idea.

 

[Valeriel]

Canal de Castille to Alar del Rey

I like your idea as well to proceed to Fromista and then walk along the Canal de Castille to Alar del Rey and onto Potes and Llanes. i will surely check it out. Many thanks.

 

[Valeriel]

How about turning north in Fromista and walking the Canal de Castille to Alar del Rey and from there proceed to Santander by train, bus or on foot and follow the Norte to the Primitivo? Add the alternative to continue from Alar del Rey to Potes and walk to Llanes.

Hi, I checked the map and the stretch Alar del Rey to Potes seems really remote, is there a hiking trail, it seems a bit off the beaten track.

 

[naplesdon]

The Camino Lebaniego follows the canal and the northern end point is either Potes or Santo Torbio de Liebana, I admit I am unclear. I met a pilgrim from this forum named Canuck in a small town south of Fromista who was walking north to Potes. I was headed south and found the path along the canal going south to be poorly serviced, heading north from Fromista there are many towns.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Hi, I checked the map and the stretch Alar del Rey to Potes seems really remote, is there a hiking trail, it seems a bit off the beaten track.

Yes there's a trail -- it's getting up from Léon rather than from Burgos or thereabouts that's more complicated.