Norte in may

[daandownunder]

Hi all,
I'm trying to decide on either CF or Norte for may 2012. All I have booked so far is a flight out of Santiago on the 30th of may. It seems that there's quite a few towns on the Norte where the albergues are only open july/august. So I'm wondering whether I would have to walk really long days (35km+) to get accommodation? Anyone with experience in may? Is it easy to find other accommodation that isn't too expensive??

Thanks!
Danielle

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Danielle,
Welcome to the forum! I don't know where you heard that albergues only open in July and August, but that's not accurate.

I walked several years ago, starting on May 1, and all albergues were open. It's true that the spacing of the albergues on the Norte is a bit more problematic than on the Frances. My walking companion and I spent a fair number of nights in pensiones or small hotels, but that was by choice and to enable us to be less concerned about planning stages. But we met a group of people who had managed to plan stages to coincide with albergues almost every day. So it can be done.

We had glorious weather, just one totally rainy day going into Llanes. It's a beautiful route. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[daandownunder]

Thanks Laurie, that's good to hear!
I found in the Paco Nadal guide that there's quite a few where it's mentioned they're only open in july/august... Same on some albergue lists I got from other posts in the Norte-forum. I don't mind the occasional hotel or pension, but was just wondering if anyone that's been there in may had any trouble.
Good to hear about the weather too as that's another (very) small concern I still have, more to to with what to pack in may rather then not wanting to walk in rain. Well preferably not obviously

 

[viajero]

I walked the Norte starting in late June 2009. From Irun to Bilbao (it was still the month of June when I was in this area) some albergues had not yet opened for the season. There were, however, youth hostels that were opened in those places. I always found a place to stay at a youth hostel or albergue though so I wouldn't think it would be too much of a problem.

 

[Bem48]

Hi Danielle,
seems you live downunder as well, I'm from Sydney.
I walked the Camino del Norte all the way from Irun to SdC this year early May to Mid June.
It's true some of the refugios/Albergues are still closed at this time, but majority is open.
San Sebastian was closed, I used the YH, Euro 19.50 was good value, good breakfast included.
In La Franca, Villaviciosa, Otur I used small private clean hotels (hostels), about Euro 15 a night.
Compare this with some refugios charging ca 10 Euro.....15 bucks a night in a private room with
own bathroom and towels and good bed with fresh linen etc is a steal.
It's true, there are sometimes bigger distances between refugios/albergues etc on the Norte than
on the Frances (I walked in 2008 from SJPdP to SdC), but you ALWAYS find accommodation, don't
worry....municipal, private or otherwise.
People are VERY VERY helpful and friendly all along the way.....and the Camino is NOT
crowded at all, a welcome change from the pressure on the Frances.
You will see and experience the difference in Arzua (2 days before SdC), it's there where the
del Norte route meets the Frances route.........a culture-shock.....tranquility meets rush-hour !!!
Happy to answer more questions if needed.
Just ask !!
Regards and BUEN CAMINO
Bem in Sydney

 

[daandownunder]

Thanks viajero & Bem!
Haven't walked the CF myself, just the 3 days from SJPP to Pamplona at the end of my Chemin du Puy. Somehow the Norte just appeals to me more...

And I don't live downunder, wouldn't mind it though 8) Live in the Netherlands
The username is a souvenir from my working holiday downunder in 2000!

 

[peregrina2000]

I was surprised to learn that many albergues are closed along the Norte till July, so I stand corrected. I guess what that means is that there are a lot more albergues now than there were in 2007 when I walked, because I can only think of one that I saw that was closed. There was a big albergue across the street from the monastery at Zenarruza that was closed, but that day's pilgrim traffic all fit in the small albergue in the monastery.

So I don't think you'll have trouble finding places to stay even in May, and my bet is that as the pilgrim traffic increases, more of the albergues will open earlier to meet that traffic. Buen camino, Laurie