Guide books for Camino Norte/Primitivo?

[noway]

Hi,

I've been looking for guidebooks for the Camino Norte and Primitivo and have come across 3 books that I’m considering. Just need a last recommendation from you guys before I make my choice:

1) “The Northern Caminos: The Caminos Norte, Primitivo and Ingles
Paperback – 15 Jan 2015
by Dave Whitson and Laura Perazzoli

2) Spanien: Jakobsweg Camino Primitivo (German)
Paperback – 18 Aug 2014
by Raimund Joos

3) Jakobsweg Camino del Norte: Küstenweg von Irun bis Santiago de Compostela. 34 Etappen. Mit GPS-Daten (German)
Paperback – 1 Feb 2015
by Cordula Rabe

The English guide is rumored to be heavy an inaccurate.
I heard the German guides are best, but unsure as to choose the Joos or the Rabe editions. Don’t speak German but I guess I should be able to figure out the rough details. Anyone have experience with these books?

regards, Paul

 

[Tincatinker]

The English guide is heavy but I've never heard it described as inaccurate.

I've used these two: http://www.csj.org.uk/product/los-caminos-del-norte-a-ruta-de-la-costa-1irun-villaviciosa/ http://www.csj.org.uk/product/los-caminos-del-norte-f-camino-primitivo/ with additional information transcribed from Whitson / Perazzoli and from this forum. All guides are out of date by the time they leave the printers such are the dynamics of the Caminos.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We use the CSJ guides combined with information added in from the Northern Caminos book and also from the Gronze website. We also check the CSJ site for updates - which are only as good as the reports sent in by pilgrims between 'official' updates of publications. This is true too of other guides paper or web based.
I would suggest searching a little round these sites before making your decision.

 

[Bradypus]

All guides are out of date by the time they leave the printers such are the dynamics of the Caminos.

Do check the publication date carefully before trusting any information in print. One of the finest displays of steam and bile I have ever read was in a buyer's review of a guide book (not for the caminos). Accused the author of deliberate lies and fraud and probably accepting bribes from hoteliers because he had failed to mention significant changes to a hotel which had happened two years after the book had been printed....

 

[petro]

I used Liz Brandt's (camino resources on this forum) for the Primitivo this year and it was very good. I walked with a German guy who had Raimond Joos's guide to the primitivo which was excellent.

Petro

 

[Raimund Joos]

Hi,

I've been looking for guidebooks for the Camino Norte ........

...... Anyone have experience with these books?

regards, Paul

Yes - me !
In any case you should buy the most actual edition - If you make your decision for the outdoor it is the edition of 2016 and not 2014

Raimund

 

[Saint Mike II]

Whilst I have not used the books you refer to, I have had other experiences with CSJ books - there is a web site where the authors and users post " fixes" - I think address was included with the book. Cheers

 

[NiniSum]

This is not a guide book, but an excellent detailed blog on various Camino routes, including del Norte/Ingles https://magwood.me/el-norte-ingles/
I believe that the Trepidatious Traveller also refers to downloaded GPS tracks that may have been gained from the Forum. Others may have more details on the GPS tracks.

 

[NiniSum]

This is not a guide book, but an excellent detailed blog on various Camino routes, including del Norte/Ingles https://magwood.me/el-norte-ingles/
I believe that the Trepidatious Traveller also refers to downloaded GPS tracks that may have been gained from the Forum. Others may have more details on the GPS tracks.

@Magwood is a member of the Forum as well.

 

[peregrina2000]

I think that for the Norte and Primitivo, the online info is more than adequate -- gronze, eroski, and mundicamino all have tons of information. Even if you don't speak Spanish, those sites list the accommodation/eating options along with elevations and distances between towns, and those parts are very self-explanatory. Both routes are well marked, so you really don't need a blow by blow step by step "guide." But Dave's Northern Camino guide is due for a major revision to be published in 2017. It would be great if it were available before prime time walking season. Like others, I have never heard anything bad about the quality of the information - some have complained about the weight of the book, and apparently the quality of the maps is going to be greatly improved, so I think it would be a good choice if you want a book. Buen camino, Laurie