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The first week of the Camino del Norte.I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
Do want to do a Camino?I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
definitely a caminoDo want to do a Camino?
Or do you want some proper mountain training?
I think they are different activities.
The Camino del Salvador is not that long of a route, and not mountainous the entire way.Thanks. I was considering this, or the San Salvador...
Thanks. I have done the primitivo, loved it and found it quite hilly, but I need something slightly shorter.The Camino del Salvador is not that long of a route, and not mountainous the entire way.
Maybe look at the Primitivo - I haven't done it yet, but I think that it will give you lots of ups and downs.
Check elevation profiles on Gronze.
Thanks. I have done the primitivo, loved it and found it quite hilly, but I need something slightly shorter
I think this is a great recommendation given your time and objectives. Lots of hills between Irun and Bilbao, taking you through San Sebastian and finishing in Bilbao. There's a lot to like about that.The first week of the Camino del Norte.
Why not end the Primitivo in Lugo? It shaves off the flatter part at the end.Thanks. I have done the primitivo, loved it and found it quite hilly, but I need something slightly shorter.
20-25 km daily. I dont know much about those 2, but will have a look thanks.The Invierno or Sanabres are both lovely caminos. How many km do you think you will do on a daily basis?
I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
Like the camino, you can do shorter days, if you choose. And I am splitting that second stage in 2!Link to days on the TdMB. Day 2 looks a killer. Good luck to you.
nomadswithapurpose.com/tour-du-mont-blanc-self-guided-hike/#Stage_1_Les_Houches_to_Les_Contamines
Wow. Great advice. Thanks. Coming from Ireland, it is easiest/ cheapest to fly into bilbao and get the bus down to irun... although just walking out of the airport would be so appealing!I think this is a great recommendation given your time and objectives. Lots of hills between Irun and Bilbao, taking you through San Sebastian and finishing in Bilbao. There's a lot to like about that.
There are some 'alternative' paths which add even more challenge (and spectacular views) to the usual path - e.g. on the first day, when you climb up to Santuario de Guadalupe, you can choose the 'Alpiniste Way' or a lower path to take you to Pasajes.
I’ve walked to Bilbao three times and it didn't get any easier! Each time it’s taken 6 days but there are accommodation options to make this a day or two longer if you prefer.
If you find you are in Bilbao with days to spare, you can either continue on for a few days (not so hilly from there though), or make your way back in the reverse direction. For example, you can go back from Bilbao to Deba with train/bus and walk back to Irun.
If you decide on the first week of the Norte, my tip is to start from - or at least visit - Hondarribia. The Way is marked from both Irun and Hondarribia and meet up very soon after the start. Hondarribia is an interesting and picturesque town.
A week or so on the Primitivo is also a good recommendation but, just from personal experience, I think it would be harder to 'leave' than tapping out of the Norte after Bilbao. Also my recollection, based on no science, is that the first week or so of the Norte will give you tougher terrain day on day than any week on the Primitivo.
I've also walked the Salvador over 6 days of relatively short distance - of which only 3 days had significant climbing - albeit they were tough days. But, as @Perambulating Griffin says, there are alternatives which may make it tougher.
I don't know where you are travelling from - but ease of getting in to and out of may be a consideration.
For the first week of the Norte, it's easy to get to Irun from Bayonne / Biarritz or San Sebastian. If you are flying in, the San Sebastian airport is in fact just outside of Hondarribia - so you leave there on foot and take a short walk either to Irun or Hondarribia, depending on where you are starting. Bilbao also has lots of transport options for return.
All just based on my experience and recollections - others may disagree with comparisons. But in any case you are spoilt for choice. Enjoy. xx
That’s great. … I admît to a certain amount of envy when I read things like this.Coming from Ireland, it is easiest/ cheapest to fly into bilbao and get the bus down to irun
The Lebaniego,Vadeniese,Primitivo.The first week of the Camino del Norte.
You can consider ten stages on French way from Carrion to Cebreiro. It includes Cruz de hierro and Cebreiro, two challenging ascents.I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
Astorga to Ponferrada and then the Camino Invierno. Walked this route in Sept-Oct 2022. The Invierno takes planning in terms of where to stay but it has beautiful scenery and few pilgrims. I walked the Sanabres in 2019 and enjoyed it too, but it does not have as much ascent/descent throughout as is the case with the Invierno.I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
Yes!!!! I would fully recommend the San Salvador.Do want to do a Camino?
Or do you want some proper mountain training?
I think they are different activities.
If you are wanting to walk on the Camino but not necessarily finish in Santiago, I recommend the Primitivo from Oviedo to Lugo.I am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
These figures come from the Buen Camino App - and I can attest to the difficult level. (At least my feet and calf muscles can)If you are wanting to walk on the Camino but not necessarily finish in Santiago, I recommend the Primitivo from Oviedo to Lugo.
211 Km including 7320 meters of elevation changes up and 7034 meters down
most of that is the 155 Km from Grado (the start of day 2 in most guidebooks) and O Cadavo (40 Km before Lugo).
This 155 Km was 6261 meters elevation up and 5545 down
Salvador - It's from Leon to Oviedo - or the Lebaniego. Both can be completed in that time, and both are beautifulI am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
I loved this stretch and it was rather difficult, but its outstanding beauty was worth it.If you are wanting to walk on the Camino but not necessarily finish in Santiago, I recommend the Primitivo from Oviedo to Lugo.
211 Km including 7320 meters of elevation changes up and 7034 meters down
most of that is the 155 Km from Grado (the start of day 2 in most guidebooks) and O Cadavo (40 Km before Lugo).
This 155 Km was 6261 meters elevation up and 5545 down
I agree week 1 of El Norte, the entire San Salvador or Gronze stage 5-9 on the Primitivo.Thanks. I was considering this, or the San Salvador...
Part of the InviernoI am looking to do a short 7 to 10 day camino section with plenty of elevation change in Spring. It will be part of my training for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Any ideas?
I don't know why I thought it would be easier, but the Ingles both from Ferrol and A Caruña was a lot hillier than I expected!You can consider ten stages on French way from Carrion to Cebreiro. It includes Cruz de hierro and Cebreiro, two challenging ascents.
Beatrice;San Salvador is really nice and hilly but very short. Invierno was a lot up and down and for some extra hills you can start in Astorga and walk to Ponferrada. It is from Ponferrada to SdC 7199 altitude meters over 335 km. I don’t know your daily stages but I did that in 8 days.
Presumably you know this..? Robin Walker's Cicerone Guide 'Walking in the Cordillera Cantabrica'. It's out of print now, but still widely available online. My copy is well-thumbed but sadly, never used.Thanks for posting this! I am training for the Inca Trail in Peru, and this gives me some great ideas for mountain training hikes.
So can we then decide what is normal in another thread, feel welcome to start one so everyone falling outside the normal range know.Beatrice;
Having read many of your posts over the years, and really appreciated them, it would be helpful if you started your contributions with “I am not normal, but …”
I’m a well experienced and relatively fit hillwalker; and you probably cover twice my daily distance.
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