For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Thank you Suzanne. That happy medium is exactly what I hope for.Hi @Rdunn! I walked the del Norte
in September 2019 and made some great and enduring friendships. It wasn't a crowd by any stretch, and I walked alone sometimes, but there were about 15 to 20 of us in that cohort. It was nice, for me, as an introvert, not lonely and not at all overwhelming.
That’s helpful insight... Do you think the bed race would be a point of major stress or just a “part of the journey” kind of thing. And would it be worth bringing a down quilt and sleeping pad? I wouldn’t have room for a tent because of other travels. All my hiking experience is in the backcountry so I don’t totally know what to make of looking for a bed.I walked the Norte from Irun to Vilalba in July 2018, and from Avilés to Santiago last June. There were definitely enough pilgrims to form a community. Be aware though, that August is high season for the tourist destinations that are along Spain's northern coast. This can create more of a bed race than on the Camino Francés, because the pilgrim infrastructure is not as robust, leaving many pilgrims competing with vacationers for beds.
I bring a silk sleep sack and a tiny very lightweight down blanket on all of my Caminos. I don't think that a sleeping pad is necessary, although there were a few nights that some pilgrims who were the last to arrive did have to sleep on the floor in the albergue. It shouldn't be a problem if you plan ahead enough and keep aware of the availability of beds while you are walking. If you can afford a private room now and then it helps.That’s helpful insight... Do you think the bed race would be a point of major stress or just a “part of the journey” kind of thing. And would it be worth bringing a down quilt and sleeping pad? I wouldn’t have room for a tent because of other travels. All my hiking experience is in the backcountry so I don’t totally know what to make of looking for a bed.
I hear ya, and experiencedmuch the same. However, walking with my son I did not mind us walking alone. Once we turned onto the Primitivo things changed a lot.I walked the CF in September 2019 and feel that I had the best of all worlds in terms of the social aspects of the Camino. I walked between Bilbao and Santander on the CN in October and it was quite different. Only once while walking did I encounter another pilgrim. I was the only pilgrim in several albergues. In one albergue there were other pilgrims but there was not a sense of comeraderie or shared purpose. There were few restaurants or establishments that cater to pilgrims. Lots of walking ON the road and signage was spotty.
Where is the hotel from your first picture? It looks lovely.Oh I believe you will love it. I too plan on walking from 09/03. Please do post your progresses. I stayed in so many wonderful places including one alberge in Muntibar where I was the only guest. I blocked the door with chairs
It looks like it's somewhere past Deba? How far from Deba?Husband and wife owns it. The lady owner prepared the full breakfast buffet 30 minutes earlier than usual just so I didn't have to start walking in an empty stomach. I was so touched. Here is their website. https://hotelarbe.com/en/ You can also google Hotel Arbe Spain. I look forward to staying there again. I have a few special places like that on the Camino del Norte. ¡Buena suerte!
Camino del Norte is not as crowded as the Frances and much prettier. However, August is the worst month for any of the Caminos especially 2021 which is a Holy Year unless the Pope postpones it to 2022 ,which I hope he will do. The Norte is also much prettier and challenging than the Frances which I found boring and too crowded and that was at the beginning of October. I think that Sept-Oct are the best months for the Camino and any other travel.I am hoping to hike the Camino del Norte in August of 2021. While I want a quieter/calmer trip than the CF, does the northern way have enough of a pilgrim community that new friends and the community itself is a draw? All the stuff I’ve read mostly emphasize it’s better for solitude. While that’s attractive I definitely don’t want complete solitude. Thanks!
My trip to the Camino is on the end of a pastoral sabbatical and it is between going in late July-August or not going at all. I definitely wish I could go in the fall but that can’t happen. I hope an August Camino is better than no Camino... is that the case? I didn’t know that postponing the holy year would even be a possibility. That would be fantastic.Camino del Norte is not as crowded as the Frances and much prettier. However, August is the worst month for any of the Caminos especially 2021 which is a Holy Year unless the Pope postpones it to 2022 ,which I hope he will do. The Norte is also much prettier and challenging than the Frances which I found boring and too crowded and that was at the beginning of October. I think that Sept-Oct are the best months for the Camino and any other travel.
There's a good chance the people from the US won't be able to travel to Spain this summer.My trip to the Camino is on the end of a pastoral sabbatical and it is between going in late July-August or not going at all. I definitely wish I could go in the fall but that can’t happen. I hope an August Camino is better than no Camino... is that the case? I didn’t know that postponing the holy year would even be a possibility. That would be fantastic.
I've done both the Francés and the Norte during the summer. I used my umbrella a lot on the Francés, but not so much on the Norte, where it was cooler and there was a lot more shade.I walked CF from 08/12/2018 to 09/15/2018. It's doable but one needs a serious sun protection measure. My savior was an ultra light hiking umbrella that protected me from sun and rain both. I used a German brand, but here are some you can see.
ultralight hiking umbrella - Bing
Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.www.bing.com
Yes, invaluable on the Meseta. I could have sold dozens of them!True, I didn't need it as much on the Norte, but on the costal Portuguese and CF, especially during the meseta section, it was great. It was like bringing my own private portable shade.
That's my fear although I am in Guatemala I go through the US to get to Spain usuallyThere's a good chance the people from the US won't be able to travel to Spain this summer.
I think that travel from South and Central American countries may also be banned for some time.That's my fear although I am in Guatemala I go through the US to get to Spain usually
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?