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
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