How long to do CdN from Santander?

Hola Si, If you get the CSJ guide to the Norte it will give the distances, stopping places (including hotels as well as albergues) etc. That would help with your planning. If you are a member you can ask for their credential too. Anyone can buy the guides - scroll approx half way down the page. You will need Ruta de la Costa:- 1 & 2.

As a time guide Terry walked Santander to Santiago via the Norte and Primitivo. It took him 28 days, but some were very short. The distance is similar to staying on the Norte.
You can check his blog out here, then just keep clicking 'newer post.

chocky said:

Hi all. This is the first of what I guess will be many threads from me

Just wondering how long it will take from santander to santiago? I'm 29 and ex military so pace won't be a problem but I clearly don't want to rush such a journey. I'm expecting a couple of days R&R here and there but my estimations suggest 21 days. Am I far wrong?

Also I've heard there aren't as many albergues on the northern route. What should I expect my longest stint to be between beds?

Thanks in advance

Si.

Click to expand...

If you follow what the books say it should take you about 22 days.
Now If you really want to enjoy the walk , it will take some more days.

Buen Camino!

I walked the Northern Route in May 2011. We found hostels all the way along, atleast within 25km, so you won't have to worry about that. If you check the Eroski Consumer site http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/del-norte/ it has maps and hostels for the route, but they are all in Spanish. A few minutes with google translate and you should be able to figure it out. The belief that the hostels are few and far between is quite common amoung the english speaking pilgrims, but there are great guide books for the Camino del Norte in Spanish, German and Italian. As you walk, you will have people around you that will have those books, and be able to help you with the translations. I am putting together an app for the iPhone with the information, but it won't be out until next May so it might not help you. As for duration, I left Santander on May 9th and walked into Santiago on June 3rd. 26 days for me. But I did not walk a day over 22km. Some were less than 20km. So you should be able to make it in 22 days - no problem.

If you like a good leg stretch(I do) then it'll take about 20 days. Accommodation is more of an issue than on the Frances but there are plenty hostels in the 20/30 bracket

Cicerone guide is fine.I found the CSJ guide a bit troublesome