Camino Norte with a campervan, any advice?

[William Mckenzie]

Looking at walking the Camino norte through the winter months, sometimes walking route in both directions, sometime s walking & getting transport back to my van, feeling not having to depend on sleeping in hostels may be a good thing during the pandemic. Any advice on walking the Camino norte Dec,Jan Feb or I'm I mad?

 

[Vacajoe]

On the CN now and there are plenty of VanLife folks since the coastline is a surfing paradise. So you won’t be alone at night, but I’d imagine the trail will be fairly empty in places since it can be a bit treacherous in inclement weather (heck, it’s tough in nice weather, too!). Not sure it would feel like a Camino the way you have it planned, but it certainly would be a lovely hiking holiday at the shore.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi William
I see you joined the Forum in 2017 - and this is your first message... welcome!
I think that's an interesting idea and could make for an intriguing but demanding and time-consuming camino. Obviously the weather will be challenging, especially - I imagine - sleeping in the van when the temperatures are around freezing. I experienced snow and a couple of unheated albergues in early April around Comillas-Colombres and really didn't like it.
On the plus side, if you're a seasoned vanner then you'll probably be able to sniff out places along the coast where overnighters are tolerated. And these might include some great coastal locations.
You also have the novel possibility of doing circular walks using the alternative or coastal path options (as per Gronze).
I'd say definitely go for it and see what happens. If you meet other pilgrims and find out that albergues are actually a viable option (and who knows what the COVID situation will be then anyway), you might want to park up and continue on foot - who knows...?
Good luck, tom

 

[AlpacaArte]

I am so glad you have asked this question. I want to do the same thing with our motorhome but looking at the responses to cyclists I decided not to. I cannot get my head around ‘only one way to be a true pilgrim’. For me it is personal and we all do what we know we can do. If you do go for it would love to hear how you find it. I think finding a stopover for the MH will be relatively easy. I have been very tentatively planning but hadn’t thought of circular routes. I was thinking of a taxi back to the MH. Was thinking early Spring for walking so hopefully wouldn’t be facing the worst weather. Good luck with your camino and look forward to reading about it.

 

[William Mckenzie]

I'm a pretty seasonal camper, even to the point of Alaska in summer + winter, so north Spain in a campervan full of sleeping bags won't be a problem