Ariel Mallett
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino del Norte
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I left the last days of March and walked the whole month Of April...my sassy hat I was dying to wear was not worn once....my gloves were used to wrap fragile shells ...Hi,
I too am considering walking the Camino del Norte solo next year. It seems that the distances are doable, but I am worried about the weather as I'm going in April/May. I have heard that Alberges are open from Easter onwards, so I do not plan to carry a shelter of any type. I can tell that some people put a lot of planing in before hand--but it appears that some don't even take a map and just walk following the arrows.
How much planning, in terms of maps and planned out sections, is necessary? Is it possible to just get a map and plan each walk at the beginning of every day? If so, where do I get a map that is sufficiently detailed of the Camino del Norte? Is this http://www.csj.org.uk/product/camino-de-santiago-maps/ a complete set of maps for all of caminos or is it just for the Camino Frances? Does anybody have any suggestions for good guides of the Camino del Norte?
Does anybody think that the weather in April will be too harsh/cold? Should I plan on having difficulty finding open accommodation that early in the season? I have also heard that things are more expensive in the off season, is this true?
Also (last question, promise!) would it be possible to combine a number of routes? I am torn between taking the Camino del Norte all the way from Irun to Santiago, or taking it from Irun to Oviedo, then from Oviedo following the Camnio del Salvador to Leon where I would connect to the Camino de Frances. The latter would be longer of course, but I'm also worried it might feel to flustered or hectic, changing routes so often. Is it likely to get lost if I change between routes like this?
Thank you!
Hi,
I too am considering walking the Camino del Norte solo next year. It seems that the distances are doable, but I am worried about the weather as I'm going in April/May. I have heard that Alberges are open from Easter onwards, so I do not plan to carry a shelter of any type. I can tell that some people put a lot of planing in before hand--but it appears that some don't even take a map and just walk following the arrows.
How much planning, in terms of maps and planned out sections, is necessary? Is it possible to just get a map and plan each walk at the beginning of every day? If so, where do I get a map that is sufficiently detailed of the Camino del Norte? Is this http://www.csj.org.uk/product/camino-de-santiago-maps/ a complete set of maps for all of caminos or is it just for the Camino Frances? Does anybody have any suggestions for good guides of the Camino del Norte?
Does anybody think that the weather in April will be too harsh/cold? Should I plan on having difficulty finding open accommodation that early in the season? I have also heard that things are more expensive in the off season, is this true?
Also (last question, promise!) would it be possible to combine a number of routes? I am torn between taking the Camino del Norte all the way from Irun to Santiago, or taking it from Irun to Oviedo, then from Oviedo following the Camnio del Salvador to Leon where I would connect to the Camino de Frances. The latter would be longer of course, but I'm also worried it might feel to flustered or hectic, changing routes so often. Is it likely to get lost if I change between routes like this?
Thank you!
Hi,
A few answers to your questions, firstly the weather. Because the Norte follows the Atlantic coast the weather is changeable and difficult to predict, so you will probably encounter everything from glorious sunshine to rain in biblical proportions. The answer to this is carry a good set of waterproofs, warm fleece for the evenings, and some lighter clothes and sunblock. I walked in May / June 2013, which turned out to be one of the wettest springs in North Spain in living memory, and despite the mud and rain, still had a really good walk.
In my experience, very little planning was necessary. Usually people in the alberges talk about the options for the next day, and its easy to work out what your choices are, depending on how long / short day of walking you want and what the weather is like. Some people worry about this and spend ages poring over guides, but I decided early on that I wasn't going to get stressed over it, and just let the camino unfold in front of me, it worked and allowed for spontaneous activities and friendships to form.
There is a good English guide book called The Northern Caminos see this link to find details
http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/informationSheet.cfm?isbn=9781852846817.
The author Dave is a contributing member to this forum, and posts updates and information on this here.
Having walked in the spring, I returned in the summer the following year and walked a short stretch in the height of the summer, but found it much less enjoyable. For me it was far too hot, very crowded with tourists and much more expensive. because it was so much quieter in the spring, prices in cafes, bars, restaurants were lower and there was always space in the alberges. The beaches were empty and the locals were all helpful. The camino had a very different feel in the spring, there were more older people walking it, in a relaxed and unhurried way. In summer the age range was much lower and everyone was walking faster, to beat the heat of the day and find a bed early, which gave it more of a competitive and less camaraderie edge. I definitely preferred it in the spring.
As mentioned above, one of the simplest choices is to set off on the Norte, and as you progress towards Villavisocia, decide whether to stay on this route, or head along the Primitivo. There is no rush to make this decision, just see how you feel as you walk along.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as occur to you, its what this forum is all about.
Walking the Norte in the spring was one of the best things I have done in many decades, I had more fun and laughs with other pilgrims than I'd ever anticipated, and it allowed space for time for reflection and valuable insights. If you enjoy it half as much as I did , then you are in for a great walk.
I took no long johns sort of item...Thank you for the advice, I went ahead and got a copy of Dave's guide on Amazon along with a NatGeo map of Northern Spain. Using that and a list of albergues I will plan my route loosely. I think I will take your advice, it was my gut feeling too, to decide on the last leg of the Camino as I near Oviedo. I decided today to carry a 33L pack, with roughly 12-15lbs of gear inside. This minimalist idea has really got me excited for a month or so of walking with a purpose. I'm feeling pretty good about things already! Regarding the weather, do you think that a set of base layers and one fleece will be enough to keep warm on the cool and rainy days? I'll be bringing good rain gear, to protect from the wind and water, as well but was considering bring a lightly insulated jacket as well. Would that be unnecessary?
Ariel
Hello Ariel,Hi,
I too am considering walking the Camino del Norte solo next year. It seems that the distances are doable, but I am worried about the weather as I'm going in April/May. I have heard that Alberges are open from Easter onwards, so I do not plan to carry a shelter of any type. I can tell that some people put a lot of planing in before hand--but it appears that some don't even take a map and just walk following the arrows.
How much planning, in terms of maps and planned out sections, is necessary? Is it possible to just get a map and plan each walk at the beginning of every day? If so, where do I get a map that is sufficiently detailed of the Camino del Norte? Is this http://www.csj.org.uk/product/camino-de-santiago-maps/ a complete set of maps for all of caminos or is it just for the Camino Frances? Does anybody have any suggestions for good guides of the Camino del Norte?
Does anybody think that the weather in April will be too harsh/cold? Should I plan on having difficulty finding open accommodation that early in the season? I have also heard that things are more expensive in the off season, is this true?
Also (last question, promise!) would it be possible to combine a number of routes? I am torn between taking the Camino del Norte all the way from Irun to Santiago, or taking it from Irun to Oviedo, then from Oviedo following the Camnio del Salvador to Leon where I would connect to the Camino de Frances. The latter would be longer of course, but I'm also worried it might feel to flustered or hectic, changing routes so often. Is it likely to get lost if I change between routes like this?
Thank you!
As for changing routes, there really is no way to know if you are on one or the other - it's always just one step in front of the next. .........
Not my experience at all. The Norte has wonderful coast with mountains alongside in places and the Primitivo goes up and over mountain passes with amazing views of further mountain ranges and of places you are heading towards in the distance. The Francés is, no doubt, different again but I cannot comment as I have only walked the far sections from Palas de Rei after reaching there from the Primitivo. One foot in front of the other, yes, but always seeing the changing scenery and appreciating how it changes.
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