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I wouldn't be concerned. I walked the second half of the Norte in August last year just staying in municipal/parochial albergues until Arzua, but it should be a bit quieter when you go. I can think of several albergues that were officially full by about 4 or 5pm in the afternoon (and Miraz much earlier). But nearly all of them had strategies for coping with this - places like Soto de Luña opened up a whole hall the same size as the dormitory and provided gym mats. Aviles was full by about 5pm but the hospitalero was giving people details of other places to stay in town and that was quite typical. I can think of a few places that were unstaffed where people arriving late just bedded down in the hallways, but I think that's more of a crazy August thing when, with the hordes and the heat, the rule book seems to go out the window...
The three main pinch points were Cadavedo with 12 beds, but people walked on a few km to a camping chalet place I think. Ribadeo only has 12 beds which is most disproportionate to the size of the town, but we walked on the 7km to Vilela which had about 30 or so beds and was fine and gives you a head's start into the hills. Miraz has much larger places on either side of it at Baamonde and Sobrado, but they sorted something out for us...
Ach, you'll be fine
August wouldn't be my first choice but if that's the only time you can go, I'd say it's still eminently do-able. For me the second half was very enjoyable in August last year, but at the same time I can see that some of those big resort places like San Seb, Laredo and Santander might be a bit full-on.I would not walk the Norte in August. I did in 2012 and found the infrastructure couldn't cope with the large numbers. This is Spain's peak holiday period. I have also walked the Norte in September 2009 and it was fine then.
Walking Frances with my wife Des there are a lot if people but no problems with accomodation good or space it is simply great
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Absent punctuation and capitals, I can only guess at the gist of the post, but here is information on the Albergue de Guemes:just home from walking bilbao to gijon surprised the numbers walking i would say the norte is a very hard walk but enjoyable used the cicerone guide quite good the bridge is down at pobena make a long detour. [guemes albergue] pass it by next time you wait till 8pm meet in the libery a talk by ernesto all me me then meal at 9i got there 3 30pm a long wait haveing walked to me after the history lesson to say its donative is not true i put 20e in the box after the talk me me i felt guity i could have left more to this cult he had going.
Having completed the Camino Frances last July/August, I'm hoping to tackle the Camino del Norte at the same time of year 2015. Working in a UK school, this is the only time of year I can make the entire route in one go, so have no option to go at another time of year. I'm hoping the albergues will be available throughout the route, but when we struggled for accommodation on the Frances we always found somewhere to sleep (one night was however spent on the floor of a playground!). Does anyone have any advice which might be useful for me as I get my preparations underway?I am planning on walking from Bilbao in September and October. I have heard that this camino now is considered an alternative to the Camino Frances for those pilgrims who want to walk east to west. My question is: is it now very crowded if you want to stay primarily in refuges or pilgrim hostals? Thanks.
The section from Llanes onwards is mostly off road and is very scenic. You can reach Llanes by the FEVE or by by bus from Santander and then head for Gijon.I did the Frances in 03 and then the Primitivo last year (loved it). I just have a week or so in July and would like to do some of the Norte. Which is the best part scenery-wise? I'd also like to avoid road walking. I know the Bilbao area well and don't fancy that. Is Santander a good starting point and head for Gijon?
Andrew
Thanks a lot!The section from Llanes onwards is mostly off road and is very scenic. You can reach Llanes by the FEVE or by by bus from Santander and then head for Gijon.
If you take the FEVE only as far as Pendueles then you can add a day and use the E9 to walk the coast to Llanes past the bufones.
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