Hiking both directions

[myopic seeker]

This may be the raving of a lunatic, but my dream is to start in LePuy, hike to Santiago via SJPDP and then RETURN via the ruta Norte and end my hike in Vezelay. I am a fit appalachian trail hiker, and I have already been training for my camino for nearly a year, so I am at least not completely delusional. My hike would begin in late Feb/March 2013 and end in July. How difficult is it to hike these trails in the "wrong" direction? Anyone here done this hike?

 

[IngridF]

Hi, get in touch with Sue Kenny (currently on barefoot on her way to Santiago). She has done it. Ingrid

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I met a trio returning to Vezelay from Santiago. They had found that using the guidebooks backward was confusing but possible. They had gotten lost a lot, so bought maps. A GPS might solve the problem!

 

[duncan pm]

Be encouraged - many have travelled thus. The time would have been when it would, logically, have been not worthy of note.
Your walking experience stands you in good stead.
When we were cycling the route - in Cacabelos - we met a cyclist returning home to Holland. His pace was unrushed, unhurried and his approach thoughtful.
I wish you the very best.
Do keep us updated of your progress.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi! Just an idea but might it be easier to do it the other way round? I understand that you probably have reasons for doing it the way you intend, but it might be easier to walk back along the Frances. It is very well marked (maybe del Norte is as well, I don't know) but it also has a steady stream of pilgrims coming towards you to reassure you that you're on the Way.

On the other hand, if you started on del Norte you'd be walking that route when the daylight is shorter, which could be a consideration depending on the distance between accommodation etc.

Good luck, sounds great! Buen Camino!

 

[jameswberk]

The good news is that in France you should have no problem at all walking "backwards" because the routes (well the Le Puy route for sure) are a part of the GR (Grande Randonnée) long distance trail system which means they are not exclusively Caminos as such and are trail-marked in both directions. Like this: http://photo.ortho.free.fr/images/plage/balises_gr.jpg

That being said, along the lines of what tyrrek said above it might be best to walk it the other way. For one I am not entirely sure that the Vezeley route is a GR route the entire way. The Le Puy route is for sure though, as I've walked it myself towards Santiago and it is very well trail-marked. I have also walked the Norte and Frances, and the Norte is not nearly as well marked as the Frances, which is completely covered at this point in terms of trail marking (if in the other direction). I imagine with the ubiquitous markings and the constant stream of people coming in the other direction, the Frances is probably much easier than the Norte to walk backwards. Plus as I said once in France you will have no problems with trail markings whatsoever.

By the way if you want to know how to connect the Vezelay with the Norte route I made a post on that here: el-camino-del-norte/topic6173.html#p95551

Buen Camino!

James