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Welcome Nichola, I haven't walked the Norte but many here have and will be along soon to give you tips and advice.
Buen Camino.
@Nichola you will find the answers to most of your questions by browsing the Camino del Norte section where there is a wealth of information that should meet most of your needs. If after that initial research you have specific rather than generic questions you will find many here more than willing to help.
A 'dodgy' knee might be a challenge on any route. How 'dodgy' and why (subject to disclosure of personal and sensitive information on a public forum) might help members answer. A look at http://www.gronze.com/camino-norte will give you information on elevations, declinations, accommodation and likely daily distances.
Happy planning
I can tell you from experience (I'm current in the Norte) June accommodation will more at plainty but also you will be competing with the tourists for the most part they can care less if you are a tourist or peregrino weekend prices double sometimes triple as in the case in in San Sebastián unless you only stay in albergues, in my case not all of then are open, the way marking are a mess comparing to the Frances if you walk after a rain following the yellow signs it's slippery slide and also a lot I mean a lot of road walking I have three guides and none of then are really worth a crap. the next Camino del Norte I would do will be a renting a car in Irun and driving around to see the coast it's beautifulso training it's very important do to the constant up and down sometimes very steep even though the evelations are low, doing step training should help
Buen Camino
Many many do, that's true, certainly more common than on the Frances. This being said, I have never shied away from them like I do in cities like Barcelona or O Porto where some of these places are a place for party-goers to crash at 5:45 am.I have found out also that most all of the albergues so far takes who ever walks thru the doors not just pilgrims
Zzotte
So far so good with one exception in avilés "some people" got up at 6am flash Lights on unconsidered bastards I said all bars are still closed, no trains or buses are running and does not get dark until 9:30pm so shut the you know what lights off, off course they did not hahaha but they got out very fast haha I can only tolerate so much
Zzotte
Hi Nichola,Haha, all very helpful tips. It will be an experience to say the leastI am wondering is the Northern Route for very experienced hikers? I fancy the challenge but I want to enjoy it too. And to do it for the scenary etc.
Hi Nichola,
The del Norte is a beautiful route - you are in for some intense pleasure when you walk this Way as the coast is just lovely and the countryside is a riot of colour in spring. Don't worry too much about accomodation, something will always turn up, and the infrastructure increases each year. There is a fair bit of hard surface walking, so my advice is wear shoes that are comfy and very breathable so your feet don't get too hot. Enjoy the journey!!!
BK
You could say my mom had "dodgy" knee as well, she relied heavily on her walking sticks, the hills were killer though, she would basically zig zag down the hills, took her three times longer but she did it!
Yes bus schedule info is often available in the Auberges and hostals.
In general peregrinos take the Metro out of Bilbao and the train out of Santander (to Mogro) to avoid some 'boring' parts.
You might also want to use the bus in case of a very long etappe, on a rainy day, or depending on your peregrino friends (sometimes one with fysical problems wants to stay with the group and need some 'recovery' time.)
One of your earlier remarks about 'arriving late': don't forget you will start early (most between 7-9 am) and (depend on temperature) want to stop between 3-5 pm, in order to recover for the next day.
To find accomodation in the bigger cities during the weekend might be harder: book ahead, stop early or stay outside the city.
Bon camino, Gerald
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