Deciding between Camino del Norte & Camino Frances

[bbromberg]

Hello! My name is Bella and I am a 22 year old woman hoping to complete the camino del santiago this August (2023). I am currently deciding between the Camino del Norte and the Camino Frances---I'm enamored by the thought of the scenic route and beautiful nature (especially the water/chance to swim!!) that the camino del norte would offer, but I'm wondering if it the Camino Frances would be a better choice for the social element. This will be my first camino and I will be walking most (if not all) of it solo.

Thank you so much!

 

[SabsP]

Hello! My name is Bella and I am a 22 year old woman hoping to complete the camino del santiago this August (2023). I am currently deciding between the Camino del Norte and the Camino Frances---I'm enamored by the thought of the scenic route and beautiful nature (especially the water/chance to swim!!) that the camino del norte would offer, but I'm wondering if it the Camino Frances would be a better choice for the social element. This will be my first camino and I will be walking most (if not all) of it solo.

Thank you so much!

Hi Bella and welcome here.

For a first Camino I would suggest the Frances, not only for the social element but also for practical reasons.
The towns on the Norte will be busy with many Spanish tourists, making affordable lodgings a bit more difficult to find.
If you want a swim , there are also some possibilities to do that on the Frances.
Some albergues have private pools. Many towns also have public swimming pools.

Happy preparations!

 

[Former member 104756]

I agree with @SabsP And although not on the coast, the towns, villages and landscapes of the Frances are varied and beautiful

 

[David Harper]

Bella, I would also steer you toward the Frances. There are so many options on the Frances, you can truly customize it any way you want to. You can walk alone or with others, you can easily adjust your distances, more accommodations, etc. Despite having walked the Frances four times, each one has been different for me. Buen Camino!

 

[Rick M]

Having walked both, it is true that the Norte is a prettier walk along the ocean. It's also true that the Frances offers a more immersive pilgrim experience, since pilgrimage is really the only thing going on. I suggest that everyone walk the Frances first, unless you are really looking for a solo thru-hike, rather than a pilgrimage in the constant company of like minded companions.

 

[trecile]

I have to agree with the previous posts. I just finished the Norte/Primitivo combo, and while the landscapes were beautiful I missed the special character of the towns on the Francés, and the Francés can just plain be fun!

 

[michal.don]

Hello,
just to add an insight form the "other side"... I was in the same spot as you are, just a year ago. And I picked the Norte, because at that time, I preferred a more solitary experience. I walked the Norte the last October. The coastal walk is magnificient, and I still met a lot of wonderful people. Before my walk, I wondered if I was missing something big, not walking the Francés. In hindsight, I'm not regretting my decision one bit. But I might come back to Spain to walk the Francés pretty soon, though
Whichever route you decide to walk, I'm sure you'll have a lot of stories to tell and a lot of great memories.
Buen Camino,
Michal

 

[Corned Beef]

Another one for the Frances even though the Norte (and the Ruta do Mar) are beautiful. My sister will be doing the Frances at the same time as you, and I had no hesitation in confirming it was the right camino for first timers.

Once you get to Santiago you can always opt to continue to the coast at Muxia and Finisterre

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I agree with all of the replies you have received and as wonderful and unique as the Norte/Primitivo is, I generally steer first-timers to the Frances for all the reasons mentioned above.
Your walk is just around the corner now...Buen Camino!