Duncan Idaho
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances 2014, Portuguese 2015, Finisterre 2015, Norte 2017, Aragones 2018, V d Plata 2019
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Hi All,
Am booked up and starting the Norte from Irun in mid-April. I have trawled around previous threads looking for posts on sections that might be prone to be muddy but have read some comments suggesting some sections were considered downright dangerous ?
I'm fit, healthy, wont be carrying too much weight and am planning to average around 25km a day. Am looking forward to the scenery and challenge but not so much that I want to risk slipping up in the mud and falling over a cliff !
Are my concerns misplaced are there some sections (particuarly between Irun and Santander) that looking back people would not do again or take the long way around ? Or sections if particularly muddy would make you think not so much?
Thanks ever for any helpm
Duncan
I beg to differ. Climbing up El Brusco, going from Santona to Noja should be forbidden, or at least rated a "double black diamond". It's a steep hill mostly made up of sand, on the very edge of a cliff with no ropes or barrier, what have you. It is so steep that at 5'4" I had to climb bits of it on my knees as I could not make the step up. If my poles had snap'ed or bent I would most likely have tumbled down to my death. And yet that is the route the tourism info booth suggested rsther than taking the road around it. There is a road, take a left and follow it. You do not need to tumble upon the surfer below.
There os another spot that was difficult to manage, again for a short person like me: coming down the hill jist after leaving the monastery in ... Just after Zumaia. Down bill in the woods, with cayons between where ypu woulf'd like to place your feet. But if you just sit on your toochy you'll mKe it down ok. Just don't go thinking you are a mountain goat.
Thank you all for the replies - it doesn't sound as bad as I had thought. I'll be careful around El Brusco
And thankyou Kurt for the reference to guide. Many Spanish is average but the maps look really useful, I will order a copy.
I beg to differ. Climbing up El Brusco, going from Santona to Noja should be forbidden, or at least rated a "double black diamond". It's a steep hill mostly made up of sand, on the very edge of a cliff with no ropes or barrier, what have you. With 8kg on your back your are also more likely to be thrown backwards if you lose your footing. It is so steep that at 5'4" I had to climb bits of it on my knees as I could not make the step up. If my poles had snap'ed or bent I would most likely have tumbled down to my death. And yet that is the route the tourism info booth suggested rsther than taking the road around it. There is a road, take a left and follow it. You do not need to tumble upon the surfer below.
There os another spot that was difficult to manage, again for a short person like me: coming down the hill jist after leaving the monastery in ... Just after Zumaia. Down bill in the woods, with cayons between where ypu woulf'd like to place your feet. But if you just sit on your toochy you'll mKe it down ok. Just don't go thinking you are a mountain goat.
I am overweight and not in good shape. I started end of May in Irun. Several muddy trails (dirt roads) and long descends between Irun and Bilbao. I took it slow and used my walking poles effectively I also had good traditional hiking boots that helped. I saw a number of people slipping and falling down. SO, Expect challenging trail conditions in April for sure. I had perfect weather and trail conditions for the rest of my walk.Hi All,
.... prone to be muddy but have read some comments suggesting some sections were considered downright dangerous ?
I'm fit, healthy, ..... I want to risk slipping up in the mud and falling over a cliff !
Are my concerns misplaced are there some sections (particuarly between Irun and Santander) that looking back people would not do again or take the long way around ? Or sections if particularly muddy would make you think not so much?
Thanks ever for any helpm
Duncan
The other factor I would mention is to look both ways carefully when crossing roads-- some Spanish drivers are very fond of their accelorators and a car which might have seemed to have been far away at first glance, was not at all so a second or two later.
There is normally an elevator to get down to Deba,.I can think of only two relatively dicey parts. The first is if you opt for the red-white GR trail (not the actual Camino) at the very end walking down into Deba. The trail there, at least in September, was broken, narrow and steep. Still, the GR between Getaria and Deba is mind blowing. The other kinda scary ( for me at least) part is the climb out of Santona (Noya?) and back down again. Not for the faint of heart. But not necessarily dangerous per se.
There is normally an elevator to get down to Deba,.
I can think of only two relatively dicey parts. The first is if you opt for the red-white GR trail (not the actual Camino) at the very end walking down into Deba. The trail there, at least in September, was broken, narrow and steep. Still, the GR between Getaria and Deba is mind blowing.
Are there any pictures of these parts? I love hiking but do not like going down anything steep, especially by a cliff.I agree with Anemone on this path. If it wasn't for my taller and stronger buddy I don't think I could have made it. Very nerve wracking for me!
Also many steep downhills on concrete paths were very slippery when wet. Each one of us three woman at different times landed on our bottoms. Luckily plenty of padding
There is a current thread going on at the moment, something along the lines of pilgrim rescued near Noja. Some have posted pics of said hills.Are there any pictures of these parts? I love hiking but do not like going down anything steep, especially by a cliff.
I've also read there are so many deaths every year? Are they from places like this or are they health related?
I've looked at a lot of pictures but haven't seen anything that looks steep or dangerous.
Thanks!
None. There is a steep descent and an ascent through the primitivo. Otherwise a normal coastal route.Are there any pictures of these parts? I love hiking but do not like going down anything steep, especially by a cliff.
I've also read there are so many deaths every year? Are they from places like this or are they health related?
I've looked at a lot of pictures but haven't seen anything that looks steep or dangerous.
Thanks!
If you want to purchase a great guidebook with excellent maps I recommend Guia Practica del Camino del Norte (Costa y Primitivo) 2015 (http://guias.editorialbuencamino.com/productos/guia-del-camino-del-norte-costa-y-primitivo) (in Spanish but very user friendly maps even if you don't read Spanish)...which shows the Camino del Norte, alternative routes, danger and caution areas, steep uphills and downhills, albergues, cathedrals, points of interest, and scenic lookouts...just got my copy in the mail today and it is the best guide I have found on the Camino del Norte and it was recommended by several Camino del Norte Associations.
Absolutely agree. Did the climb into Noja today and the surface is now slippery clay. We saw many people cut to ribbons from falling into the the shrubs and rocks.I beg to differ. Climbing up El Brusco, going from Santona to Noja should be forbidden, or at least rated a "double black diamond". It's a steep hill mostly made up of sand, on the very edge of a cliff with no ropes or barrier, what have you. With 8kg on your back your are also more likely to be thrown backwards if you lose your footing. It is so steep that at 5'4" I had to climb bits of it on my knees as I could not make the step up. If my poles had snap'ed or bent I would most likely have tumbled down to my death. And yet that is the route the tourism info booth suggested rsther than taking the road around it. There is a road, take a left and follow it. You do not need to tumble upon the surfer below.
There os another spot that was difficult to manage, again for a short person like me: coming down the hill jist after leaving the monastery in ... Just after Zumaia. Down bill in the woods, with cayons between where ypu woulf'd like to place your feet. But if you just sit on your toochy you'll mKe it down ok. Just don't go thinking you are a mountain goat.
I recognize that this thread is old but there may be some who are still interested. We walked the Norte in the fall of 2018 and I believe people here are confusing the climb out of Berria with the climb up from Castro Uridales and over a headland and down into Laredo. We saw the small sign that said 10k or 3 1/2 hours. We were incredulous as to how that would take us 3 1/2 hours. It WAS double black Diamond and not recommended for anyone not prepared. We climbed hand over fist up granite steps and when we reached the top we had to go through a keyhole in the cliff with a chain, thankfully attached to the rock. THEN you have to go DOWN for two hours very steeply when you are wrecked from the climb up. I will say it was thrilling and the views were spectacular but if anything goes wrong you would definitely need rescue.
I agree I have done it and it is dangerous and stressful, can you give further instructions on how to avoid it with an alternate route?I beg to differ. Climbing up El Brusco, going from Santona to Noja should be forbidden, or at least rated a "double black diamond". It's a steep hill mostly made up of sand, on the very edge of a cliff with no ropes or barrier, what have you. With 8kg on your back your are also more likely to be thrown backwards if you lose your footing. It is so steep that at 5'4" I had to climb bits of it on my knees as I could not make the step up. If my poles had snap'ed or bent I would most likely have tumbled down to my death. And yet that is the route the tourism info booth suggested rsther than taking the road around it. There is a road, take a left and follow it. You do not need to tumble upon the surfer below.
There os another spot that was difficult to manage, again for a short person like me: coming down the hill jist after leaving the monastery in ... Just after Zumaia. Down bill in the woods, with cayons between where ypu woulf'd like to place your feet. But if you just sit on your toochy you'll mKe it down ok. Just don't go thinking you are a mountain goat.
Thanks I will certainly taken this advise. A few years back I went that hill and couldn't understand the reason for it; definitely dangerous.I beg to differ. Climbing up El Brusco, going from Santona to Noja should be forbidden, or at least rated a "double black diamond". It's a steep hill mostly made up of sand, on the very edge of a cliff with no ropes or barrier, what have you. With 8kg on your back your are also more likely to be thrown backwards if you lose your footing. It is so steep that at 5'4" I had to climb bits of it on my knees as I could not make the step up. If my poles had snap'ed or bent I would most likely have tumbled down to my death. And yet that is the route the tourism info booth suggested rsther than taking the road around it. There is a road, take a left and follow it. You do not need to tumble upon the surfer below.
There os another spot that was difficult to manage, again for a short person like me: coming down the hill jist after leaving the monastery in ... Just after Zumaia. Down bill in the woods, with cayons between where ypu woulf'd like to place your feet. But if you just sit on your toochy you'll mKe it down ok. Just don't go thinking you are a mountain goat.
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