Hello

[HARMINIA]

Hi sorry, am a little late!
Starten in oct 2019. Went until Najera. Oct 2020 until Leon.
Juni I hope to finish!

 

[brianne fitzgerald]

Looking to walk for 4 weeks end of August maybe from Lisbon onward...or pick up del Norte where I left of in 2018 from Bilbao or maybe Frances again. The dreaming and planning is a delicious distraction from my everyday world.

 

[Shells]

Hi All—I walked the Ingles in September, 2019 and have been haunted by it ever since. I have continuously reset plans to return and walk the Frances or Norte in 2020 or 2021, and now hope it will be possible for me to go between late August to late October 2022. I hope to spend at least 8 weeks to really have time to linger in a place that speaks to me, recover in the event of health issues or simply rest en route. A private phobia I have is hopping stones to cross rivers or streams (I go in every single time). At age 65, I no longer have terrific balance, though long distances or strenuous terrain doesn’t really bother me. The potential of having to stone step across water ways is the reason I’m planning a fall trek. Any advice on how many times stone stepping at that time of year is usually necessary on either the Frances or Norte—that might make deciding between the two easier...

 

[Annw]

Hello from northern California! I've mostly read other posts as I have too little to add; I walked a short Camino (Frances) in early 2019 with a friend, and I hope to walk 100 km-plus with husband in Spring 2022. When we retire I'd like to do a full Camino, if only in sections at a time. We are late 60s; I can walk pretty far but my partner has knee issues so that will dictate the lengths he can walk. Thanks to everyone sharing experiences here.

 

[lt56ny]

Hi,
I have walked both in September - early November. It is hard to predict how heavy and how much rain you will have as I have had caminos with Sunny Skies and Caminos with lots of rain and snow. I would say that skipping stones I’ve lots of accumulated water is not something I have encountered more than a few times. I will say that there are some narrow pathways on both caminos. On the Norte some where pretty high up on the cliffs but with smooth gravel and grass for the most part. If memory sevens me correctly there are far more sections of the Frances that have lots of rocks and boulders and need care when walking both uphill and downhill. So if balance is an issue and please someone correct me if you think I am wrong the CF will present more challenges than the Norte is this respect. The Norte is a much more challenging Camino to walk in my opinion. There are many more steep long hills to go up and down especially until you go southwest towards Santiago. If you love magnificent coastal views and seafood then the Norte is the way to go.
Less infrastructure of course.
Fewer pilgrims. Also and again for those who disagree please interject my experience was people on the Norte seemed more independent and more walked solo. It is not to say pilgrims are not friendly, warm and generous on the Norte. They are every bit as wonderful as pilgrims you encounter on the CF. There didn’t seem to be any emphasis at all in forming tribes or families. People just walk and what happens happens. Still had just as many wonderful communal dinners with other pilgrims in Albergues and still made some wonderful and strong connections.

 

[Yoyo]

Hi All—I walked the Ingles in September, 2019 and have been haunted by it ever since. I have continuously reset plans to return and walk the Frances or Norte in 2020 or 2021, and now hope it will be possible for me to go between late August to late October 2022. I hope to spend at least 8 weeks to really have time to linger in a place that speaks to me, recover in the event of health issues or simply rest en route. A private phobia I have is hopping stones to cross rivers or streams (I go in every single time). At age 65, I no longer have terrific balance, though long distances or strenuous terrain doesn’t really bother me. The potential of having to stone step across water ways is the reason I’m planning a fall trek. Any advice on how many times stone stepping at that time of year is usually necessary on either the Frances or Norte—that might make deciding between the two easier...

Hi @Shells, here are pictures of the only two places on the Camino Francés I remember that involved stepping stones across water:
The first one is between Roncesvalles and Zubiri. As you can see, there are solid, blocks of concrete you can safely step on.

Or you can even walk around it using the road, especially if water levels are higher after heavy rainfall, as you can see on this google maps screen shot:

The other one is between Melide and Boente. These are big natural stones that are very close together and the water is very shallow.

For extra balance, use a pair of trekking poles and you should be fine.
Buen camino!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I doubt it should be any "big deal" at all. I don't remember any problematic areas on the Frances in April/May...just go and enjoy yourself! I'm sure a pair of trekking poles will help stabilize you if needed.

 

[Shells]

Oh, THANK YOU so much. I got spooked when I was trying to research this point. I stumbled on some pretty scary descriptions of stream crossings, though granted, the accounts referenced really high springtime runoff. I used Google Earth to try to locate various stepping stone crossings en route, but, couldn’t get much clarity about where or how wide the crossings are since I couldn’t get that level of detail. I really appreciate your input. I’m leaning toward the Frances because I will cherish the historical/cultural/spiritual aspects and think they may be greater (or at least more evident) on the Frances than on any of the other routes. Please correct me if I’m wrong, though, as this is just an impression I’ve formed from reading various accounts of peregrinos and it may be way off the mark.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@Shells, please do not be afraid. I am a person that has a tendency to be a bit fearful in certain situations and do not recall any issues. If there are any water issues related to potenial problems due to unusual weather, you will most likely have other pilgrims nearby to help you navigate, but doubt it will be a problem...I hope you are able to release your anxiety!

 

[Shells]

@Shells, please do not be afraid. I am a person that has a tendency to be a bit fearful in certain situations and do not recall any issues. If there are any water issues related to potenial problems due to unusual weather, you will most likely have other pilgrims nearby to help you navigate, but doubt it will be a problem...I hope you are able to release your anxiety!

Thanks so much! I really do want to go with the flow, just maybe not literally! I appreciate all the kind responses and encouragement more than I can say. Since I don’t know anyone who really shares my desire to walk the Camino, I get stuck in my own head about potential mishaps—and the things I worry about tend to grow from a concern into a monster.

 

[Shells]

Hi @Shells, here are pictures of the only two places on the Camino Francés I remember that involved stepping stones across water:
The first one is between Roncesvalles and Zubiri. As you can see, there are solid, blocks of concrete you can safely step on.
View attachment 98093
Or you can even walk around it using the road, especially if water levels are higher after heavy rainfall, as you can see on this google maps screen shot:
View attachment 98094
The other one is between Melide and Boente. These are big natural stones that are very close together and the water is very shallow.
View attachment 98095
For extra balance, use a pair of trekking poles and you should be fine.
Buen camino!

These photos are invaluable to me. Thank you so much—you can’t imagine the difference you’ve made to me.

 

[Shells]

Hi,
I have walked both in September - early November. It is hard to predict how heavy and how much rain you will have as I have had caminos with Sunny Skies and Caminos with lots of rain and snow. I would say that skipping stones I’ve lots of accumulated water is not something I have encountered more than a few times. I will say that there are some narrow pathways on both caminos. On the Norte some where pretty high up on the cliffs but with smooth gravel and grass for the most part. If memory sevens me correctly there are far more sections of the Frances that have lots of rocks and boulders and need care when walking both uphill and downhill. So if balance is an issue and please someone correct me if you think I am wrong the CF will present more challenges than the Norte is this respect. The Norte is a much more challenging Camino to walk in my opinion. There are many more steep long hills to go up and down especially until you go southwest towards Santiago. If you love magnificent coastal views and seafood then the Norte is the way to go.
Less infrastructure of course.
Fewer pilgrims. Also and again for those who disagree please interject my experience was people on the Norte seemed more independent and more walked solo. It is not to say pilgrims are not friendly, warm and generous on the Norte. They are every bit as wonderful as pilgrims you encounter on the CF. There didn’t seem to be any emphasis at all in forming tribes or families. People just walk and what happens happens. Still had just as many wonderful communal dinners with other pilgrims in Albergues and still made some wonderful and strong connections.

Thanks so much for such a thoughtful reply. I’m edging towards the Frances, but your response has provided more food for thought.