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I am sure you will enjoy the Camino! Utreia!Thank you for your reply Kerdi, it is very hepful!
I am sure this question has been asked time and time again, but I would appreaciate any advice you have to offer to me, especially the members who have done both routes.
A friend and I are planning on doing the Camino in second half of September 2017 and we are having some trouble deciding on which path to take, French or Northern. We are leaning strongly towards Northern for it is less crowded and follows the coastline, but would nevertheless like to ask some questions and get some advice to make sure we are making the right choice. Some info to help you get an idea about us: for both of us, this will be the first, and most likely, last, Camino. We are planing on going by bicycle. For us, this is more of a cultural experience and an adventure, rather then a purely spiritual journey, so we don't mind if the places are a bit more touristy. What we were wandering is:
1.) El Camino del Norte is supposedly much more mountainous. What is the path like for someone on a bicycle? We are both in our 20s and in a relatively good physical shape, but are not athletes by any means. What steepness can we expect?
2.) One of the main motivations for choosing this route for us is the coastline. But are we talking only about the view or will we be close enough to the coast to go swimming and such at least every couple of days?
3.) Can we nevertheless expect some forests and meadows, and not only the coast the whole way?
4.) How much of the path is close to the highway compared to El Camino Frances? How disturbing is it to be that close to the road?
5.) How much would we be missing out on by not going to places like Pamplona, Burgos and Leon?
6.) How much are we missing the traditional Camino experience by not going on Frances route?
7.) How fast can someone on a bicycle expect to finish the Northern way?
8.) How much more expensive is the Northern route compared to the French one? We are both students on a budget.
9.) I feel very uncomfortable asking this question, but how often does bike taking happen and how careful should we be with our bikes?
We are grateful for your kind advice and consideration!
Hi Kylie, I did walk the Norte (in May/June) and I absolutely loved it. Albergues were fewer and more expensive (as the municipal-type only tend to open in July/Aug and I had to stay in a few pensions at times). The coast was stunning with several opportunities to walk on along beaches & to swim.Hello! Just checking on this to see which Camino route you chose in the end? What was your experience like and how would you answer the same questions now that you've walked it?
Thanks!
what fantastic replies. I have been wondering about the same topic and viola the answer appeared.
Hi Kylie, I did walk the Norte (in May/June) and I absolutely loved it. Albergues were fewer and more expensive (as the municipal-type only tend to open in July/Aug and I had to stay in a few pensions at times). The coast was stunning with several opportunities to walk on along beaches & to swim.
I also took a detour into the Picos de Europa (from San Vicente de la Barquera to Santo Toribio), which I would highly recommend for those who have time.
Buen Camino!
Michele
There’s less infrastructure (eg: number of albergues, people who speak English), so in that respect the Francés would be easier. It depends how adventurous you are/feel. I know many people who chose the Norte, Primitivo or Via de la Plata as their first camino.As a beginner, would it be difficult to walk Norte than Frances?
Well done! Sounds like you had a great time..Thank you everybody for wonderful and kind replies!
My friend and I ended up choosing the Norte, which was a fantastic idea. The views are absolutely stunning, and thought it is a little challenging for a bike, it was completely worth it. Unfortunately for us, the two weeks we were there were the exact weeks when the north of Spain was experiencing completely unexpected summer rain. It rained all day, every day, which can be dealt with if you walk the camino, but is very annoying and, frankly, quite dangerous on bikes (terrible visibility and slippery roads at higher speed). After a few days we were forced to take a train to central Spain and continue on the Frances way. We found the road a little boring compared to the Norte, but the weather was great for cycling.
As for how hard it was to cycle: the Norte has some very steep hills, but they don't go on for long; Frances has hills that are much less steep, but they go on for ages. It really just depends on what kind of cycling you prefer, are you a marathoner or a sprinter.
If I had to choose again, a would go with the Norte every time (I love the sea, so this is a completely subjective decision). There are fewer albergues, but they always found a way for everyone who needed it to stay (extra matresses and such), because they know you will not be able to walk the next 15 or 30 kilometers to the next one. There are also fever people, but still enough, it does not feel lonely at all. And the vicinity of beaches and the coast is great!
Well done! Sounds like you had a great time...Thank you everybody for wonderful and kind replies!
My friend and I ended up choosing the Norte, which was a fantastic idea. The views are absolutely stunning, and thought it is a little challenging for a bike, it was completely worth it. Unfortunately for us, the two weeks we were there were the exact weeks when the north of Spain was experiencing completely unexpected summer rain. It rained all day, every day, which can be dealt with if you walk the camino, but is very annoying and, frankly, quite dangerous on bikes (terrible visibility and slippery roads at higher speed). After a few days we were forced to take a train to central Spain and continue on the Frances way. We found the road a little boring compared to the Norte, but the weather was great for cycling.
As for how hard it was to cycle: the Norte has some very steep hills, but they don't go on for long; Frances has hills that are much less steep, but they go on for ages. It really just depends on what kind of cycling you prefer, are you a marathoner or a sprinter.
If I had to choose again, a would go with the Norte every time (I love the sea, so this is a completely subjective decision). There are fewer albergues, but they always found a way for everyone who needed it to stay (extra matresses and such), because they know you will not be able to walk the next 15 or 30 kilometers to the next one. There are also fever people, but still enough, it does not feel lonely at all. And the vicinity of beaches and the coast is great!
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