Camino primitivo vs Camino del Norte difficulty

[Camino33]

I may walk the Camino Primitivo. I try to understand how difficult it is. I walked for one week on the Camino del Norte (Irun to Bilbao). I checked on Gronze and the profiles of the stages look similar, can I expect a similar level of difficulty?

Also, how are the conditions at the moment, is there snow? I saw the weather and it does not look particularly cold

 

[dick bird]

They are about the same, although the Hospitales section on the Primitivo might be nasty in bad weather.

 

[lt56ny]

I think it all depends on the person. I have walked the Norte and thought up to the split for the Primitivo it was the second toughest camino I walked after walking from Le Puy. I have heard many people say the Primitivo is the toughest. I was 64 when I walked it. I walked (not often during the day) with 5 or 6 young people who split off for the Norte. I thought I would never see them again but when I arrived in Arzua and was walking through town I was passing a pizza place and there they all were having lunch. So great to see them. Of course they immediately yelled out there is Grandpa and good to see you are still alive. They all said that without a doubt the Primitivo was alot tougher than the Norte. They all loved it and said I would have also. But they were glad I didn't go so they wouldn't have to carry me.

 

[Camino33]

I think it all depends on the person. I have walked the Norte and thought up to the split for the Primitivo it was the second toughest camino I walked after walking from Le Puy. I have heard many people say the Primitivo is the toughest. I was 64 when I walked it. I walked (not often during the day) with 5 or 6 young people who split off for the Norte. I thought I would never see them again but when I arrived in Arzua and was walking through town I was passing a pizza place and there they all were having lunch. So great to see them. Of course they immediately yelled out there is Grandpa and good to see you are still alive. They all said that without a doubt the Primitivo was alot tougher than the Norte. They all loved it and said I would have also. But they were glad I didn't go so they wouldn't have to carry me.

Thanks for your feedback and for the great story!

 

[Camino33]

They are about the same, although the Hospitales section on the Primitivo might be nasty in bad weather.

Thanks, great to know

 

[JerryStroebele]

Primitivo is definitely tougher but also shorter. Best to walk both. Buen Camino

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Prim 2x (with San Salvador), Norte 3x (Irun). Like said before above by others Norte is just longer. Primitivo is more alpine, but Norte is like constant up and downs. Those first days you walked on the Norte were the hardest BTW.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Camino33,
Pedant here....The title of your thread seems to ask about the relative difficulty between Norte and Primitivo. But your actual question asks how the Primitivo compares to the first week of the Norte, which you have already walked. I'm pretty sure dick bird was replying to your actual question, and I concur. The first week of the Norte is tougher than the rest of the Norte. It is pretty much equivalent to the Primitivo.

 

[Canche]

I think it all depends on the person. I have walked the Norte and thought up to the split for the Primitivo it was the second toughest camino I walked after walking from Le Puy. I have heard many people say the Primitivo is the toughest. I was 64 when I walked it. I walked (not often during the day) with 5 or 6 young people who split off for the Norte. I thought I would never see them again but when I arrived in Arzua and was walking through town I was passing a pizza place and there they all were having lunch. So great to see them. Of course they immediately yelled out there is Grandpa and good to see you are still alive. They all said that without a doubt the Primitivo was alot tougher than the Norte. They all loved it and said I would have also. But they were glad I didn't go so they wouldn't have to carry me.

San Salvador is the hardest

 

[lt56ny]

San Salvador is the hardest

Looking at the elevation gains and drops I would not argue with that assessment at all. In just 121K Gronze has one stage that is a 5 star difficulty (it is only 22.6K) and two 4 star difficulty stages. I have heard it was beautiful but not for this 69 year old anymore haha.

 

[Jan Jones]

Looking at the elevation gains and drops I would not argue with that assessment at all. In just 121K Gronze has one stage that is a 5 star difficulty (it is only 22.6K) and two 4 star difficulty stages. I have heard it was beautiful but not for this 69 year old anymore haha.

This 70 year old is planning to start the Salvador on 30 April, taking 9 days - before doing the Primitivo to Lugo in 14 days. Not without trepidation.

 

[lt56ny]

This 70 year old is planning to start the Salvador on 30 April, taking 9 days - before doing the Primitivo to Lugo in 14 days. Not without trepidation.

Take your time and buen camino.

 

[Canche]

Looking at the elevation gains and drops I would not argue with that assessment at all. In just 121K Gronze has one stage that is a 5 star difficulty (it is only 22.6K) and two 4 star difficulty stages. I have heard it was beautiful but not for this 69 year old anymore haha.

I’m 78 and did it last year but
I climb mountains and volcanoes at home. I also hike 2
Or three times a week but never did special training for Camino. I’ve done 5 caminos and 1/2 of Primitivo

 

[Canche]

I also have a knee replaced and major back surgery

 

[lt56ny]

I’m 78 and did it last year but
I climb mountains and volcanoes at home. I also hike 2
Or three times a week but never did special training for Camino. I’ve done 5 caminos and 1/2 of Primitivo

You should be applauded for your walks. As I prepare for Camino. 8 I have found the toughest camino for me was 8 years ago when I walked from Le Puy. Those first couple of weeks were really tough but so beautiful. I am sure I would not walk the Salvador now. I know it is really beautiful but not for me. Also I walk late in the year and I believe it can get alot of snow. Not sure if this information is correct. To each his own as the saying goes. This year I will walk the Vasco Interior to from Bayonne to Burgos. Then walk on the Meseta to Leon. (I love the Meseta like I loved alot of the VDLP. Those long flat stretches where I can drain all the crap that has accumulated in my head and be completely mindless). I will then bus to Porto and do the coastal and variante. If I have time at the end I will do one of my favorite semi-loops to Muxia and then Finestere. I look forward to walking along the ocean even though the winds may be strong and there may be lots of rain. I really like the solitude of just hearing the sounds the earth gives us.

 

[Canche]

You should be applauded for your walks. As I prepare for Camino. 8 I have found the toughest camino for me was 8 years ago when I walked from Le Puy. Those first couple of weeks were really tough but so beautiful. I am sure I would not walk the Salvador now. I know it is really beautiful but not for me. Also I walk late in the year and I believe it can get alot of snow. Not sure if this information is correct. To each his own as the saying goes. This year I will walk the Vasco Interior to from Bayonne to Burgos. Then walk on the Meseta to Leon. (I love the Meseta like I loved alot of the VDLP. Those long flat stretches where I can drain all the crap that has accumulated in my head and be completely mindless). I will then bus to Porto and do the coastal and variante. If I have time at the end I will do one of my favorite semi-loops to Muxia and then Finestere. I look forward to walking along the ocean even though the winds may be strong and there may be lots of rain. I really like the solitude of just hearing the sounds the earth gives us.

I love Finistere and Muxia