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This is my next choice for a Camino walk, so I will be interested to learned as well. There are parts on the Frances that required longer walks (i.e. 17 Kms Carrion de los Condes to Calzadilla de la Cueza) with no infrastructure in between, so that is not new....
Hi, I have been thinking about the Norte too though I don't know yet if I will be doing it alone - knowing my kind of walking partners we might be walking with some distance between us and possibly just meeting up in the evenings. Can I just ask what your friends had heard was scary/dangerous/not advisable? Is it the danger of getting lost, no one will find you if you are injured, or that there are people around who might hurt or harm you?
I completed most of Norte (20 days) and Primitivo in June. Your concerns about longer walking distance and the availability of alberques are not warranted, although there are less accommodation options than frances.. I would get a good guidebook with current accommodation info and plan your stages that suits your needs. I staged my walk and kept the distances to about 20-25k, staying mostly in private alberques and hostels. And occasionally i would take a bus/taxi in/out of major towns to reduce the walking distance. w.r.t safety for solo women, i saw more females peregrinos than men for some reason, that is a male perspective of course. You can find my stages here: http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...of-norte-primitivo-may-25-june-27-2014.27811/I walked the Camino Frances in September and October 2013 alone and felt quite safe. I will walk again in 2015, but am considering the Norte. Just got an e-mail from another of the solo women I met last year, who has been talking with some pilgrims about the Norte. Their reports were that the Norte often required much longer walks hetween much less available albergues, and that there were parts of the Norte that should not be walked alone.
Does anyone have any feedback about that? I'm not a wimp or a worry-wart, but I'm not careless about my personal safety either. Can I hear from solo women who have walked the Norte?
Nidarosa and other women who are contemplating the CN. I walked in 2011 and can't say enough good stuff about it. It is a beautiful and very rewarding walk. Although I have not walked the CF to compare but as I have walked many other walks around the world I have to say it is one worth the effort. I will say if you are wanting a relaxing stroll through the countryside (although there are quite a few sections that will give this) this is not for you. I won't lie there are challenging parts. Especially the first week. Be aware of the mud if it rains. Going down hill in the mud it's hard. Yes you can go distance before stopping but as I always say day three and those hiking legs kick in just walk. Again I won't lie. I did get lost a few times. I didn't have a map just followed arrows and sometime if not looking can miss but in every instance a local helped me out. They were the most wonderful people who where so excited to help a pilgrim along. Sometimes even if not needed. It was like their duty to look after us. Never once did I feel in danger. There were always other pilgrims around at some point. If you are really scared of being injured and no one finding you I would advise get an e-pirb. (Personal location beacon). I don't take mine for the camino but when I go bush in Australia I Do.Hi, I have been thinking about the Norte too though I don't know yet if I will be doing it alone - knowing my kind of walking partners we might be walking with some distance between us and possibly just meeting up in the evenings. Can I just ask what your friends had heard was scary/dangerous/not advisable? Is it the danger of getting lost, no one will find you if you are injured, or that there are people around who might hurt or harm you?
Simeon
I'm glad you added a few of your averages day lengths after quoting it took you 34 days, so that any of us who are not as revved up as you; can read into (your 34 ) an extra 10 to 15(hope not) more days. In other words I won't be comparing my days to anyone else's as it will take what it will take. (Arriving fitter I hope than I start !)'. Still nice to know a baseline though. Ps you did walk to fin. and Muxia or bus that bit . I bussed that bit last year and have no regrets about that.
Hi AnnieHi Simeon, Raj, and Michryan
So kind of you all to keep updates coming thru on the Norte/primitivo route. I read all the posts. I'm also in the band of merry pilgrims setting off in sept. (Irun 2/9/14).
Annie
It's nice isn't it? Just to know another forum member is going same way. I have no doubts that we will meet others on our walking days. So many of the English speaking contingent aren't lucky enough to have caught onto this forum yet. So hoping to meet some more lovely people this year including many non English speaking.Hi Annie
I'll be behind you, possibly going even more slowly so may not catch up. Arriving in Biarritz on 10 Sep and thinking of walking from there. I've been following the 2014 threads and you're the only other CN person I can recall.
Buen Camino!
Mary
Thanks, Annie. I may book accommodation for the night I arrive but haven't yet. I too am taking it as it comes unless I find albergues are full before I get there. I expect to hit Irun around 14th.Re planning, I've only booked my accomm at entry in Barcelona for a couple of nights and train ticket to Irun.
I thought I'd wait until I arrived to Irun and see if I could get into the arlburgue there first; and if full, deal with it then. Not worried about that side of things. So looking forward to this walk though. To be as one with the world around me.
All the best for your walk and your planning Mary. Buen Camino
Annie
I walked the Camino Frances in September and October 2013 alone and felt quite safe. I will walk again in 2015, but am considering the Norte. Just got an e-mail from another of the solo women I met last year, who has been talking with some pilgrims about the Norte. Their reports were that the Norte often required much longer walks hetween much less available albergues, and that there were parts of the Norte that should not be walked alone.
Does anyone have any feedback about that? I'm not a wimp or a worry-wart, but I'm not careless about my personal safety either. Can I hear from solo women who have walked the Norte?
Thank you. My impression is that the Camino - all of them - are a pretty safe place to be for a woman of any age travelling alone and I just wanted to clarify if there was some specific threat or danger that made the Norte different to the others. I am hoping to walk it without the very long stages and bivi-and-tarp it in between, and that is the only thing that worries me slightly. But I realise that has more to do with not being used to it than anything else. But of course, if there is something women should be alert to, I would rather know!
@woodswoman : Thank you for getting in touch and finding out. All those points are valid points and I think most of those who consider the Norte are aware of those aspects of the walk - in fact I think it's why a lot of them want to walk it! - and I am glad you clarified so no one is scared off the Norte by non specific warnings. Seems I need to practice my bivying anyway!
My friend was talking to others as she arrived in Santiago last October . They were talking about the Norte, she said, and since I can't ask THEM, I'll assume she knew what she was telling me.Pregúntale a tu amigo si no estará hablando del Primitivo....
Ask your friend if he is not talking about the Primitivo....
Hi Annie and Jodipup x 2, That would be great if we managed to be in the same place at the same time somewhere along The Way. Do you have Forum patches? (Not plugging them, just wondering. As I'm beginning to feel part of this forum community I'll be keeping a special eye out for anyone with a patch.)Hi Mary and Annie. My husband and I will be leaving from Irun on 10 September walking CN and Primitivo. Hopefully we will meet up somewhere. We are very excited to be doing our first Camino. Buen Camino
Yes. Have forum badge. But it's been waiting to get hitched to my backpack for some time.Hi Annie and Jodipup x 2, That would be great if we managed to be in the same place at the same time somewhere along The Way. Do you have Forum patches? (Not plugging them, just wondering. As I'm beginning to feel part of this forum community I'll be keeping a special eye out for anyone with a patch.)
Mary
Actually, either you are a male or female, one thing i would be careful about are the dogs. Last year, I heard about dogs on the Frances but never encountered any problems. But in June this year, i had to swing my walking poles to scare the dogs away on few occasions. And one guy from Holland was bit by a dog and he was still bleeding when i bumped into him at a bar. He said the dog sneaked behind him and he would have killed that dog if he had anything in his hands. Dogs were also refusing to let some woman pass until the owners called the dogs in. So, be ware of dogs and make sure you have some walking sticks with you....This was on the primitivo.Okay, I'm the one who posed the question....
So they apparently weren't talking about the dangers of being harmed . . . That clarifies it for me. Hope it does for you who have responded, as well.
Hi DutchYes, OzAnnie, i will surely be walking on sept 2nd. My initial plan is/was/is to walk the Frances again, but the Norte is pulling....i am in doubt, although i don't what i am in doubt for. So i thought, i am gonna buy a guide for the Norte. Maybe it will "do" something with me.
Two days ago i received the guidbook "the northern caminos". I dont like the book. Its too heavy and i don't like the setup. Its just not clear. I think i like the "simplicity" of the brierley guides and maps better.
Anyways...the Norte...flight are booked for september first, but will i go from Biarritz to SJPP or Irun? I'm still undesided
I also prefer the Brierley's format. But, this guide was my primary source for the Norte/Primitivo last month. This one is thicker because they decided to use a shorter length. Other than an awkward way of presenting the maps across the pages and missing "elevation profiles" of the stages, the guide is very precise, brief and current on accommodation. Several fellow peregrinos would ask me for recommendation for accommodation from this guide. One can get used to it. They also offer this guide in e-reader form if you use a smartphone. I loaded the English version of the "Northern ways to Santiago" published by the Spanish government into my smartphone to supplement for elevation profiles. One can also get better maps/elevation profiles from Gronze or Eroski sites. Either route you decide, Buen camino.Two days ago i received the guidbook "the northern caminos". I dont like the book. Its too heavy and i don't like the setup. Its just not clear. I think i like the "simplicity" of the brierley guides and maps better
Hi DutchYes, OzAnnie, i will surely be walking on sept 2nd. My initial plan is/was/is to walk the Frances again, but the Norte is pulling....i am in doubt, although i don't what i am in doubt for. So i thought, i am gonna buy a guide for the Norte. Maybe it will "do" something with me.
Two days ago i received the guidbook "the northern caminos". I dont like the book. Its too heavy and i don't like the setup. Its just not clear. I think i like the "simplicity" of the brierley guides and maps better.
Anyways...the Norte...flight are booked for september first, but will i go from Biarritz to SJPP or Irun? I'm still undesided
In 2013, twice as many walked the Camino del Norte as the Camino Primitivo. The number of pilgrims on the Camino Portugues was over four times that of the Primitivo.I also at some point have to make a choice (if starting Irun) to keep on walking the Norte or take the primitivo. I have no idea. I get the feelimg lots of peopel go for the primitivo. Why would that be? Is the Norte less attractive after the Primitivo choosing point (oviedo)?
As for the number of pilgrims, that probably is based on nothing.
Hi Annie
I'll be behind you, possibly going even more slowly so may not catch up. Arriving in Biarritz on 10 Sep and thinking of walking from there. I've been following the 2014 threads and you're the only other CN person I can recall.
Buen Camino!
Mary
The guide book I used is The Northern Caminos by Laura Perazzoli and Dave Whitsun. It was the only English one I could find. There's a kindle version if you have the technology with you. But I wanted a hard copy to pull out at need. It has mostly good advice about what's available in the smaller towns/villages but some places had closed even in Oct.Hi Mary,
I am about to start the CN from Biarritz also - how did your camino go??
Happy for any advice you may have; I have all the gear I think but just wondering if you can recommend a guidebook/whether you would recommend ringing albergues ahead/any places you had any issues.
I also haven't been able to find where to get my Camino Passport from other than online (which I am too late for haha), is it possible to get along the way?
I would appreciate any advice and to hear how your walk went!
Cheers,
Madi
Starting in Bilbao on May 8th as a solo woman.
It's reassuring too read all your comments. If you have any other suggestions or advice for solo women it's really appreciated!
Have a great day
I walked the Norte and Primitivo solo last summer, and nothing but fantastic experiences! I was also concerned at first, as I had no phone and wasnt' sure how remote it was. I had no problems. I did also hook up with pilgrims en route who I walked with. I would recommend checking each stage carefully for directions, especially in first week, as there are alternates. There are a few places where arrows had been blacked out during first stages, I believe because of some local controversy. I would also recommend the coastal route GR into Pasajes, which is spectacular, but long and challenging. bring snacks and lots of water from Irun to Bilbao. There is a Geopark with amazing rock stratigraphy called Flysch, the longest in world, and amazing cave art! Don't miss Guemes albergue, the true spirit of communitas on the Camino. Ultreia and Buen CAmino!I walked the Camino Frances in September and October 2013 alone and felt quite safe. I will walk again in 2015, but am considering the Norte. Just got an e-mail from another of the solo women I met last year, who has been talking with some pilgrims about the Norte. Their reports were that the Norte often required much longer walks hetween much less available albergues, and that there were parts of the Norte that should not be walked alone.
Does anyone have any feedback about that? I'm not a wimp or a worry-wart, but I'm not careless about my personal safety either. Can I hear from solo women who have walked the Norte?
Thank you K Malpica. I've been getting a few more great resources about the Norte, as well as one I created myself from the Spanish Norte book, using just the elevation diagrams in each "Stage" section. But the one I got yesterday, which had better walking maps and the elevations, though not lists of albergues, came from this link: http://tourism.euskadi.eus/.../Caminos del Norte… If you are interested, anyone, you might try it. It doesn't show up as a web-link but as a PDF in whatever form your computer uses. I am a Mac user, and it came to my "Preview" application. Really helpful for what I personally was looking for in a map/book.
I will also say that personally, I wouldn't recommend getting the little pamphlet map from the Confraternity of St. James. I bought it, 4 British pounds plus shipping, which was fine as a cost, until I received it. A few pages of copied paper, with a cover, and nothing much that was useful at all. I offered it to anyone on the American Pilgrim's Face book page, and someone asked for it. So I'll pass it on, but I was really disappointed in the no-value information. This link above has some usable info, lots of it. Thanks all, for the info.
I've just walked from Santander to Ribedesella alone and felt 100% safe. There's enough pilgrims around in the evening to set off with next day if you're worried. It's a wonderful Camino. I'm coming back to do the Irun to Santander and finish via the Primitivo n another month. It's so beautiful.I walked the Camino Frances in September and October 2013 alone and felt quite safe. I will walk again in 2015, but am considering the Norte. Just got an e-mail from another of the solo women I met last year, who has been talking with some pilgrims about the Norte. Their reports were that the Norte often required much longer walks hetween much less available albergues, and that there were parts of the Norte that should not be walked alone.
Does anyone have any feedback about that? I'm not a wimp or a worry-wart, but I'm not careless about my personal safety either. Can I hear from solo women who have walked the Norte?
I used the guide published by Cicerone, Laura Perazzoli and Dave Whitson "The Northern Caminos, Norte, Primitivo and Ingles" It worked great. I also saw the one from the tourism office you mentioned, which was good too and free! Good luck and Buen camino!
I am going solo in mid-May....switching my first plan to walk CF...but this is the most popular season and I'm going primarily for the social aspect. I love to hike and am very fit, so the physical aspect seems better...
I am thinking of starting in SFDPP until Pamplona and then taking the bus up to San Sebastian and continuing on the Northern route to Santiago.
Is the Norte wetter than Frances in mid-May/June?
Has anyone done this? What is the route like these days, as compared with the last entries back in '14 and '15.
This feels right to me. So excited!
Gracias!
Sue
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