SunShiningInMyWindow
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- plan to walk in sept/oct 2016
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Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
I (almost) totally agree with Joe--"the most challenging, but might be the best yet." I don't agree that it is doable by anyone, but it certainly sounds like it would be a good choice for you because you are fit and used to distances. We had no problem finding accommodations, but we do not always stay in the pilgrim albergues.
Most of the posters have hit on the essential points but here are a few extra items to keep in mind (have done Irun-Gijon);
Although there is more asphalt on the Norte, it didn't bother me until Cantabria where it seemed almost 100% hard surfaces. If it weren't for the AMAZING coastal views it would definitely have been a turn-off.
Take the coastal deviations whenever possible, often longer but once again Asturias spectacular views and many cases avoiding asphalt.
The last point has not been mentioned in this thread. IMHO there is no "Camino feel" to the Norte. Saying this, I would still do it again and hope to finish the last bit from Gijón onwards.
Cheers
LT
I am guessing "Camino feel" refers to the social aspect of the Frances, where strangers sll lf a sudden seem to think of each lther as family members or bffs. On the non Frances routes it's more about walking rather than about who you may meet. Also less pilgrim masses and blessings, in fact difficult to find an open chirch and service.
About walking on hard surfaces, may I say what a blessing the Norte is because it does not have you walking on crooked and inclined tractor tracks in fields, let alone inches of mud sucking your feet in. Happy feet, happy ankles, happy knees. I cannot stand walking on tractor tracks.
I also found it delightful not to walk through hillocks of cow poo. I only found it difficult to find open churches and evening masses from Avilés on, and particularly in Galicia. My experience was that I could count on an evening mass every 2d or 3d night on the earlier and middle part of the del Norte. While I found fewer dramatic friendships or extraordinary stories on the del Norte, they were still there, and I made several good friends along that route. Those who stayed in the albergues doubtless bonded much more (I'm a private bathroom kind of guy) than I did. I still get Xmas cards from a Slovenian spaniel I met five years ago.
Go for it- the norte (&primitivo) are so beautiful!!! I am an experienced walker but didnt train at all before starting the Norte and I wasnt in a good conditions at all- so took it easy in the beginning and everything went fine with some small hurdles and many lovely surprises! I loved this route so much- especially the first part in the Basque county! Hope you will enjoy- but surely you will and even if you dont make it- which I dont think will the case at all- then what? Buen camino!!!!Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
I did the Norte from Bilbao to Santiago this past Sept/Oct and like some of the others I felt the walking on the hard surfaces was the hard part. I didn't find the trail from Bilbao on to be any harder than the Frances or Portuguese. I was 66 at the time & went solo. I stay in private accommodations and did make minor distance adjustments by taxi or train or bus a few times to avoid the 30K days or to skip a couple of sections away from the coast. The Norte is a incredible experience!Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
My husband and I walked from San Sebastian to SdC and onto Finisterre and Muxia in May/June 2015. It was our second Camino after doing the Frances in 2013. It was beautiful and we had a fabulous time. We started the Norte with minimal training as I had been injured. We took it easy and kept the k's down as best we could in the early days. There are new Albergues opening up all the time and there is also alternative accommodation if you need to keep the mileage down at any stage.Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
Hi Kanga, there is a lot of talk of hard surfaces. Does this mean walking on the hwy as opposed to country lanes like the Francis.I walked from Irun to SDC on the Norte, carrying a heavier than normal pack (with tent and equipment), without any problems. I did not find it any more difficult than the other routes I have walked.
@Silverbarista mainly, I think, it is that there are some hard surfaced (concrete) footpaths leading into and out of the towns, along the foreshores, and a bit of road walking. But mixed with more natural surfaces.
I am planning to walk the Camino Norte around late April and May. From what I can see, there are four 30km days. I completed the Camino Portugues last year and the distances on this walk should not be a problem. There were several 30 plus km days between Lisbon and Porto. I am going to swing onto the Primitivo after Villviciosa. I am planning on completing the walk in a bit over 5 weeks. Good luck with your Camino. Maybe we will cross paths.Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
Hi Kay,My husband and I walked from San Sebastian to SdC and onto Finisterre and Muxia in May/June 2015. It was our second Camino after doing the Frances in 2013. It was beautiful and we had a fabulous time. We started the Norte with minimal training as I had been injured. We took it easy and kept the k's down as best we could in the early days. There are new Albergues opening up all the time and there is also alternative accommodation if you need to keep the mileage down at any stage.
There is also the option of some public transport if you get into any real injury issues.
Buen Camino
Thank you Kay!We started walking from Irun on the 10th May in 2015. We had a lot of overcast days but only a few of serious constant rain. By the time we got to Galicia it was quite hot.
I only recall one 30km day.
We had no trouble finding accommodation but were not reliant on the albergues. We had planned to camp along the way but did not find that easy. Mostly we stayed in pensions.
We met very few other walkers, and I think that was mainly because we were not staying in albergues. Certainly after the turnoff to the Primitivo the numbers dropped even further.
Most of the posters have hit on the essential points but here are a few extra items to keep in mind (have done Irun-Gijon);
Although there is more asphalt on the Norte, it didn't bother me until Cantabria where it seemed almost 100% hard surfaces. If it weren't for the AMAZING coastal views it would definitely have been a turn-off.
Take the coastal deviations whenever possible, often longer but once again Asturias spectacular views and many cases avoiding asphalt.
The last point has not been mentioned in this thread. IMHO there is no "Camino feel" to the Norte. Saying this, I would still do it again and hope to finish the last bit from Gijón onwards.
Cheers
LT
Has anyone traveled the Camino Norte' during Sept -Dec? Are there an adequate number of alburgues open during this time period?
I say "you hit the nail on the head" with your description of "Camino feel". I couldn't have worded it better!I am guessing "Camino feel" refers to the social aspect of the Frances, where strangers sll lf a sudden seem to think of each lther as family members or bffs. On the non Frances routes it's more about walking rather than about who you may meet. Also less pilgrim masses and blessings, in fact difficult to find an open chirch and service.
About walking on hard surfaces, may I say what a blessing the Norte is because it does not have you walking on crooked and inclined tractor tracks in fields, let alone inches of mud sucking your feet in. Happy feet, happy ankles, happy knees. I cannot stand walking on tractor tracks.
Read our blog: caminowalkaboutnorte.blogspot.com . The Norte was significantly longer walking than the Frances. Mostly on roads.Hi everyone!
I've heard a lot about the challenging nature of the North Way and the long stretches (30km or more sometimes) between albergues. Can those how have done it please share your experience? I am relatively fit. I walked the Camino Frances this fall with relative ease and walked anywhere from 15-30km a day depending on how I felt. The idea of pushing myself past my comfort level each day to make it to a bed is not appealing and yet the nature and views on this trail sound unmatched!
Thank you so much for details on how difficult the trail felt and how you dealt with hostels being spaced apart at great distances.
Much appreciated : )
Im a little confused. I chose the CDN (i guess technically its the CDN & primitivo from what i'm reading) because my goal is to walk mostly solo in the most difficult terrain and on the least amount of paved roads but I'm starting to learn that maybe CDN has A LOT of asphalt...
Heading out in June July from Irun. REALLY want to avoid asphalt. Is it possible for someone to post their route where they found the least amount of asphalt here?
This is my plan but I if there are alternative routes that circumvent paved roads I would love to have detailed suggestions on where to take them. OR if there is a good app (dont want to use my phone too much) or guide book (hoping to avoid extra weight) could someone please direct me.
Muchas gracias
~Ohia
Thanks, Laurie! This helps a great deal!Hi, Ohia,
Welcome to the forum. Yes, there is a lot of asphalt on the Norte. I plan to take the off road alternatives wherever I can find them, and I think there are more and more available. This post discusses some of them. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/list-of-coastal-alternatives.43627/
I am not sure I'd say the Norte is the place where you will "walk solo in the most difficult terrain" either. The traffic on the Norte is increasing quite rapidly, but I think you will be able to peel off from the crowds during the day. I hope to be on the Norte in late May, and I will report back!
I think it is doable by anyone. I am mid-40's and not fit, but I had an amazing time doing my 2 northern caminos. I have nothing to compare it to as I have only done the Norte. We did what we like to call a Casual Camino - under 20km a day. That way there was lots of time and energy for wandering around the village when we arrived. We definitely stayed in a variety of accommodations, including the amazing Posada la Victoria a day's walk from Santander, (http://www.posadalavictoria.es/) and in one town a local gymnasium, up in the workout balcony. We stayed in many youth hostels when there was no albergue open, but it was a fun and gorgeous ocean view camino![/QUOT
Do you need a youth hostel pass to stay in this type of accomodation. When you said you did casual Cameno find it easy to stay in small villages rather than the destinations marked in the guide books ?
Hi Jill! This is a great list! Can you tell me what the weather was like at that time of the year? I am thinking of going during the same time frame, but don't want to be freezing cold or getting rained on every day.Hi, yes, the albergues are open. If there is no albergue open in town there will be pensions. I walked from 8 Oct to 20 Nov 2016. The places I stayed:
Irun Albergue Capitan Tximista
Pasajes de San Juan Albergue de Peregrinos
San Sebastian A Room In The City (dorm beds in hostel)
Zarautz Albergue Gran Camping
Deba Albergue de Peregrinos
Markina Albergue Pitis
Gernika Youth Hostel
Zamudio Hotel Artea-Errota (looks expensive, but 3 of us shared a triple room for 21 euros each including breakfast)
Portugalete Albergue Bide Ona
Castro Urdiales Pension La Mar (had a rest day - the albergue was open at the far end of town)
Castro Urdiales Pension La Mar
Laredo Albergue Casa Trinidad
Guemes La Cabana del Abuelo Peuto (donativo albergue, including dinner and breakfast)
Santa Cruz Albergue Nimon
Santillana del Mar Hospidaje Santillana (a camino buddy had double-booked hotel rooms so we helped her out by taking the second booking)
Cobreces Posada Las Mananitas (bed and breakfast for 24 euros each)
Comillas Abba Golf Apt (great value – a 3 bedroom apartment for 14 euros each!)
San Vicente Apt Rincon del Puerto (a 2-bedroom for 22 euros each)
Unquera Hotel Canal (a triple room for 16.50 euros each)
Llanes Youth Hostel
Villahormes Albergue Punta Pestana
San Esteban Albergue de Peregrinos
Colunga Hotel Las Vegas (a triple room for 17 euros each)
Villaviciosa Albergue Congreso
Cabuenes Albergue Camping Deva
Aviles Albergue de Peregrinos
Muros Apartment La Flor (a 2-bedroom apartment for 22 euros each)
Soto de Luina Albergue de Peregrinos
Cadavedo Albergue Covi y Peter
Luarca Albergue Villa de Luarca
Luarca Albergue Villa de Luarca
Navia Pension Cantabrico (a triple room for 15 euros each)
Tol Albergue de Peregrinos
Ribadeo Albergue de Peregrinos
San Xusto Albergue de Peregrinos
Mondonedo Hostal Padornelo (a single room for 24 euros including breakfast)
Gontan Albergue de Peregrinos
Vilalba Albergue de Peregrinos
Baamonde Albergue de Peregrinos
Miraz Albergue O'Abrigo
Sobrado Albergue de Peregrinos
Boimorto Albergue de Peregrinos
Pedrouzo Albergue Cruceiro
Santiago PR 25 de Julio (my favourite pension in Santiago)
Jill
Hi Jill! This is a great list! Can you tell me what the weather was like at that time of the year? I am thinking of going during the same time frame, but don't want to be freezing cold or getting rained on every day.
Also, at this time of the year, do you recommend doing the walk with someone else? I was going to do it alone, but am not sure if I will be one of the very few out there! Thank you! Lisa
Could you (or anyone) describe the toughness? perhaps to be prepared for it. I plan to walk El Norte in May 2023,Back in 2007 when I first beard of the Norte there were 30+ etapas, but not anymore. There are ways to walk in the low to mid-twenties, at least in September which is when I walked.
The Norte is busiest July and August, bit enoughalbergues open June-October.
And while it has hills, they are no worse than those on the Frances. The first dY, like on the Frances, is the toughest, starting in Irun, but can be broken up in two stages.
I walked from San Sebastian to Llanes and the views are spectacular.
How did that Camino go? We plan to walk the Norte April/May. Any advice?I am planning to walk the Camino Norte around late April and May. From what I can see, there are four 30km days. I completed the Camino Portugues last year and the distances on this walk should not be a problem. There were several 30 plus km days between Lisbon and Porto. I am going to swing onto the Primitivo after Villviciosa. I am planning on completing the walk in a bit over 5 weeks. Good luck with your Camino. Maybe we will cross paths.
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