First time doing the Camino... need help

[Sara94]

Hi,
two friends and I are planning to do the Camino( for the first time) from the last week of August to mid September (so about three weeks), we are still unsure which route to do either; Camino de France or Camino del Norte, anyone can give us any tips regarding the pros and cons of both routes, and which route would be ideal to do in late august- mid September?
Also regrading costs i found some mixed information some say that they found albergues at 4euros and others at 10euros, is there any way I can find a list of albergues in the Del Norte region please, so that we can get at least an idea of the overall cost of the trip please?

thanks in advance
Sara

 

[naplesdon]

As you no doubt have learned already the end of August and beginning of September are busy on the Camino Frances. In 20 days (3 weeks) you can expect to walk at least 400 to 500 km, that is a little more than 50% of the CF. I walked the Camino Portugues 2 years ago and it is less crowded and the recommended stages between Porto and Santiago suggest doing it in 12 days which would give you time to visit Finisterre and/or Muxia take a rest day her or there and spend some time in Santiago.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Rates are listed on this site:

http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-del-norte

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi,
two friends and I are planning to do the Camino( for the first time) from the last week of August to mid September (so about three weeks), we are still unsure which route to do either; Camino de France or Camino del Norte, anyone can give us any tips regarding the pros and cons of both routes, and which route would be ideal to do in late august- mid September?
Also regrading costs i found some mixed information some say that they found albergues at 4euros and others at 10euros, is there any way I can find a list of albergues in the Del Norte region please, so that we can get at least an idea of the overall cost of the trip please?

thanks in advance
Sara

Hi Sara,

You can find info on albergues also here:
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/
http://mundicamino.com/loscaminos.cfm

Ultreia!

 

[Anniesantiago]

To me, it sort of depends on what type of person you are.
The Camino Francis is much better supported, more albergues, more bars and food choices, shorter distances between stops.
But also, as someone mentioned, more pilgrims.

As far as cost, I would say the Frances is less expensive, but not so much it is a deal breaker.

Here is another good website where you can compare routes and prices:
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/

 

[Pelgrimpaul]

Del Norte compared to CF (an earlier answer to similar question on another forum ;-)

Longer route
Much more up and down, endless up and down
More asphalt
Not as crowded, but sometimes even there too many people!
Sometimes walking on the beach, not often, and many times with view on sea but on the cliffs
Several (large) tourist cities, these are obviously very commercial.
More (youth) hostals
Not so many nice terasses with red parasols to have a drink!
Colder and wetter due to distance to sea
Differences in landscape not as obvious as along CF (famous three parts with flat middle area and rebirth (Galicia) at the end.) CdN is more 'more of the 'same'
Possibility to leave the del Norte for the C Primitivo!
Both are fine camino's!
For me the CFrances is a better camino to start a camino experience!
CF has greater diversity of nationalities.
CF has more Americans!
CdelNorte is a more social one, as you probably have to ask the 'locals' The Way more often.
Not as much cathedrals as on the CF
Did I mention the upps and downs already?
Great book written on the del Norte by Jean-Christophe Rufin (not in English yet I believe)
No Brierley guide on the del Norte!

 

[cornishtim]

Start in Oviedo and walk the Primitivo