First-time pilgrim--which route in April/May?

[kbarca]

I'm a woman in my late 50's, planning to walk the Camino for the first time from early April to mid-May and trying to decide between el norte and Frances. The coastal scenery on the northern route sounds beautiful but I'm a little worried about being alone too much of the time, esp. at that time of year. I don't mind solitary walking, but meeting other pilgrims is important to me. I've also heard the terrain on the northern route is much more difficult but that doesn't really faze me--I'm a seasoned marathoner/hiker and am in pretty good shape, so the elevation gain/loss isn't really an issue. Thanks for all your advice--just reading all the posts from Camino veterans makes me so excited for the journey!

 

[skilsaw]

Greetings,
April / May is a wonderful time to be on the Camino. When you begin, everything will be the grey-brown of winter and you will walk into Spring. From what I've heard about the Camino Frances, even then it will be busy. Albergues will be crowded, if not full. Winter is the only off-season on the Camino Frances. To have a more private and thoughtful Camino, I recommend el Norte.

I've walked to Santiago 3 times on 3 routes and have always found a bed, but all routes are more crowded now.

Buen Camino.
David, Victoria Canada.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, kbarca,

Welcome to this wonderful forum -- you'll have no trouble finding lots of answers to your many questions as you plan.

One thing to keep in mind about the Norte is that there is a lot of pavement. That can be hard on the footsies. It's beautiful, and goes through a lot of coastal tourist towns, so even if the albergues are full, you'll have no problem finding a place to stay, especially since you are not going to be walking in high tourist time.

April and May are not peak times, so you should be able to avoid the rush for a bed on the Frances. I haven't walked the entire Frances for years, but last year I had to walk a week on it as I joined the Camino de Madrid and the Camino de Invierno. Walking from Sahagun to Ponferrada in June, I never had a problem finding a bed, so I think you will be fine if you choose the Frances. The crowds on the Norte are increasing, so you surely won't be alone and won't have trouble making your own pilgrim family. The pilgrim infrastructure isn't as developed on the Norte as it is on the Frances, so you may find yourself in private accommodations more often, but that has its advantages as well if you like clean sheets and towels, along with a private bath now and again!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[renegadepilgrim]

I walked mid-April to the end of May in 2010 (a Holy Year) and never once had issues getting a bed or finding a place to sleep...I just served as a hospitalera the last two weeks of October 2011 (traditionally a slower time) and we were busy in Sto Domingo de la Calzada...we almost got to completo a few times and had to use our overflow area a few times too...just remember the Camino provides....

 

[AJ]

I walked my first Camino in April/May, departing Malaga April 2 and arriving Santiago May 15.

I was a fat slob when I started, trim taut and terrific when I finished.

I highly recommend the Camino Mozarabe/VdlP at this time of year.

 

[kbarca]

This is such a wonderful forum! Dave, thank you for reassuring me about being alone on el Norte...private and thoughtful is fine, being alone for days on end is another matter. It sounds like there is plenty of companionship on either route, even in April and May. Laurie, thanks for the comment about pavement...I had noticed that several other pilgrims mentioned the amount of walking on roads on el Norte, so that's something else to consider...and I do appreciate clean linens and a private shower from time to time! I still have time to make my decision, so all these comments are very helpful.

 

[sdenisar]

Anyone other thoughts about traveling Norte vs Frances. I'm in good shape, don't mind the extra difficulty. People say "it depends on what you're looking for." Looking? I haven't figured that out... no questions, no answers..... if anything... insight???

Would you recommend a tent for Norte?

Headed in April-May.......

thank you!

 

[Tia Valeria]

The Norte is a beautiful route (Santander to Oviedo is the section we know) and then the Primitivo. Some of the distances are long beyond Oviedo I think if you stay on the Norte. Some folk don't like the sections around Irun to Bilbao but I don't know that part.
For us the Norte/Primitivo is our chosen route as it is so much quieter than the Francés. If you prefer crowds then you might be happier on the Francés. We don't so would avoid it.
I think folk are frightened and put off by folk who say it is hard. I would see the meseta as hard because it seems to me that it is a long slog with not much change of scenery.
The coast is probably warmer in April than inland, by May the stretches through the mountains should be snow free and you are 'walked in'. On the Francés you have the Pyrenees as starters with the possibility of April snow.
Buen Camino, whichever you choose.

 

[mikevasey]

There is more of a historical pilgrim feel to the Frances, that you are immersing yourself into something that has great significance, even the name ' Via Lactea' points your mind in that direction.
The tracks/trails, albergues, amazing scenery, people and all the rest really standout and I know that I want to walk on it again sometime.

However, I have a great fondness for the Norte. It has its faults, too much road walking sometimes, poor waymarking in places, somedays you feel like you are zig zagging back and forwards a bit too much, But despite all that if you can get into it, you will not regret it, it can feel more like a real adventure, a sense of freedom, the option for some days just too go off on some other route that you had not heard off or thought about until you came to a post pointing you in some other mysterious way.

The Frances is special but the Norte aint that bad as well.

Mike

p.s I took a tent on the Norte and hardly used it, I had the option to use a it a lot but took a liking to the pilgrim albergues. I am taking a bivvy this time and fully intend to use it, beaches here I come !