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Camino del Norte

The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Is it possible to do Camino del Norte in Sept 2023 without reservations?
My previous experience , Irun - Santander, was that tourist or surf towns required some planning ahead unless you have a big budget. I suppose you could avoid reservations by staying in more obscure places or by being first to arrive at a Donativo. So much depends on your comfort level and how you deal with the daily challenges. How far are you willing to walk when cold, wet, or tired? Sleep on a porch?

Hard to give advice on this issue when so much depends on you.
 
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I plan on doing it without reservations!! Perhaps we'll meet along the Way!!
Me three and my friend walking with me four. God willing!!! Three weeks to go!!! That being said, I have a reservation for the night we arrived and just made one in an albergue in San Sebastian as I’m afraid that is a big destination and I don’t want to be stuck at pricey hotels.
 
Hi,
I walk the Norte regularly (each summer, or Easter)as I love it so much.
Nowadays I tend to go as far as Santander.
The only real bottle necks are San Sebastian and also Deba.
Deba has 1 albergue only and access is frustrating as you must first go to the tourist office before the Albergue. The tourist office closes during the day and as such you cannot guarantee a bed until it opens they register you and give you a ticket. Opening(or more importantly closing) hours of Tourist need to be checked in advance of arriving. In Deba there is only one Pension, Zumardi, a nice place but regularly booked out.
Having said that if you organize yourself and know the timingsof tourist office
you should be ok as the Albergue has 56 beds.
All other stage ends , Getaria, Markina, Gernika, Bilbao etc , all have options to consider.
Also worth pointing out I mainly travel alone, occasionally, with my wife (Where I book Zumardi,Deba well in advance)

Best of Luck its a beautiful route.

Peter
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Me three and my friend walking with me four. God willing!!! Three weeks to go!!! That being said, I have a reservation for the night we arrived and just made one in an albergue in San Sebastian as I’m afraid that is a big destination and I don’t want to be stuck at pricey hotels.
I’ll be there too !!
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Me three and my friend walking with me four. God willing!!! Three weeks to go!!! That being said, I have a reservation for the night we arrived and just made one in an albergue in San Sebastian as I’m afraid that is a big destination and I don’t want to be stuck at pricey hotels.
What albergue did you use in San Sebastian and would you recommend it please?
 
What albergue did you use in San Sebastian and would you recommend it please?

We stayed at Albergue La Sirena, which is a youth hostel, but they charge you more if you are not in your young years. It was well located, great hospitality, great price for San Sebastian. I would stay there again and we actually stayed two days cause my knee was in big time pain after doing the whole route from Hondarribia taking the coastal routes so we needed a rest day! :)
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms

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