Currently on the Norte - started 15 Sep

[MikeJS]

Started the Camino Norte from Biarritz and walked to Irun for the first day. Currently, staying in a small pension in Miono near Castro Urdiales. All gone well so far with just a little drizzle to dampen the path. I walked the Francis last year and so far have found the Norte more demanding - both in terms of climbs and finding accommodation. Have found the tourist info places invaluable and in fact the one in Deba was very helpful. They gave us a good map guide and an up to date accommodation guide. Many of the albergue de perigrinos are closed after mid sept so we have used pensions instead. The way has been mostly marked well although some towns and cities can be challenging. Especially, when they choose not to us a yellow arrow but a more upmarket shell on the ground or a posh silver sign. Clearly, there are also a number of alternative routes on the Norte which can be hard to find and awkward to choose between. It is a pity that there is not yet a comprehensive guide that inc all of the options and the albergues. 

 

[CaminoJohn]

Thanks for the post! I too have walked the Frances, I plan on walking this route in this summer. Keep posting!

 

[AJ]

Thanks for the post! I too have walked the Frances, I plan on walking this route in this summer. Keep posting!

Don't walk it in August; there are too many people, mostly young Spaniards, and the infrastructure isn't up to it.

 

[CaminoJohn]

Thanks AJ! I plan on walking in July!

 

[MikeJS]

About half way through the Camino Norte and now just 5km short off Gijon. More details at http://mikesroaming.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks for posting the link to your blog, I will enjoy reading it. Looks like you have posted some lovely pictures as well. I know you said that many albergues were closed, but I'm wondering what the crowds are like. I walked this route in 2006 or thereabouts, starting in early May, and it was just about the perfect number of people. Enough so there was some variety, but not so many that you felt overwhelmed. There weren't so many albergues back then, so we wound up staying in a lot of private places as well, but they were frequently very nice and not too expensive.

Hope the weather continues to cooperate, buen camino, Laurie

 

[MikeJS]

Not lots of people at the moment. Some days we have seen none on the track. Today there are about 12 people in total in the albergue in Aviles. It was near the start when some were close and no problem since. Plus most pensions and similar have only been 30€ for two people and these were. Really nice places.

 

[angulero]

Mañana pasas por Soto del Barco, mi pueblo. :wink:

 

[angulero]

Por cierto, si no queréis partir la etapa en dos, os recomiendo dormir en el albergue de San Esteban de Pravia y al día siguiente ir por la senda costera.

By the way, if you split the stage in two, I recommend sleeping in the shelter of San Esteban de Pravia and the next day go to the coastal footpath.

 

[mikevasey]

Read your entry for the 7th October you went up the the old palancas(after Soto de Luina) route, it looks like they have re-opened it. I think it goes up to 710meters(maybe more).

 

[angulero]

A finales de agosto pasé en coche por la zona del pico Palancas y vi a un peregrino pasar en bicicleta. Tengo que ir a Soto de Luiña todos los días, mañana pregunto como está el camino.
Estas fotos las hice ese desde la ermita de San Roque, cerca de por donde pasa el camino.

In late August, I drove around the area of the peak Palancas and saw a pilgrim passing bicycle. I have to go to Soto de Luiña every day, morning and wonder is the way.
These photos I did this from the hermitage of San Roque, near where the road passes.

Y esto seguro que los conocéis los que os habéis alojado en Cadavedo.

And that's certainly know that you have stayed in Cadavedo.

 

[jprogers]

Hi there
Enjoying both of these blogs on this Northern Route. We walked this camino 3 years ago so we have lots of memories of the path being interrrupted by major road works! so it was a challenge to find the path again! Just loved the Galicia part with wonderful AdPs and lovely countryside.
Regards Jill

 

[MikeJS]

Got to Santiago about 1130 17 Oct having walked the last two days in heavy rain. I replaced my 1€ ponchos for something more robust when I bought a replacement from an agricultural store for 10€ in O Podrouzo. Now just relaxing in SdC until my flight out tomorrow. Strangely, I seem to have a strong urge to put my pack on and go walking. I will summarise my thoughts on the Camino Norte once I get home and will publish them on my blog that is linked in a previous post. One thing - only 4 days with rain and only two of these were significant.

 

[mikevasey]

Thanks for your blog, enjoyed reading it.

Mike

 

[poogeyejr]

Great blog Mike. Thanks for your time.

 

[MikeJS]

Thanks for the responses re the blog. 3 weeks after i got back I was told I needed a hip replacement!

 

[SailingwithSoul]

Hi Mike!

Thanks for posting. I'll hold onto this thread and follow your blog. I'm thinking of doing the same walk in January. Beginning at Saint Jean de Luz to Santiago de Compostela, then onto Fisterra and finally finishing in San Pedro de Visma.

Cheers & Best Regards!

Johnny