Norte: July or September?

[suffrock]

Greetings: We are planning to walk the Camino del Norte next year and have been looking at starting late August. However, it looks like that might be a busy time period (mainly walking in September). I'm now second guessing our decision and am looking at July as a better option (or June or October? I'm suddenly so confused!). We'd appreciate any advice on a better start date, mainly to avoid crowds and of course to have better luck with weather. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[michelle grech]

Greetings: We are planning to walk the Camino del Norte next year and have been looking at starting late August. However, it looks like that might be a busy time period (mainly walking in September). I'm now second guessing our decision and am looking at July as a better option (or June or October? I'm suddenly so confused!). We'd appreciate any advice on a better start date, mainly to avoid crowds and of course to have better luck with weather. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

All I can tell you is that I did my 4 Caminos in late May as I love the long days, cooler temperatures, less crowds and spring flowers/birds. Not sure how it is in other months but def busier. It’s such a lovely route. My favourite I think. The Frances is manic. Avoid it for as long as you can.

 

[trecile]

July and August are the busiest months for tourism and the Camino on the northern coast. Since the pilgrim infrastructure is not as robust as on the Francés, pilgrims are in direct competition with tourists for beds/rooms, so accommodation can be more difficult and expensive. I've done the Norte in July, and just finished a late May/June Norte/Primitivo combo, and the temperatures were great in May and June, plus there was never a problem finding accommodation.

 

[suffrock]

Thanks so much guys! May is very appealing, and yes we plan to avoid the Frances as much as possible, so maybe Norte-Primitivo, or Norte-Mar-Ingles...so many options!

 

[David Tallan]

Just to put in a plug for the Frances, for others who are reading the thread and may be scared by the "Avoid the Frances, it is terrible" rhetoric. Many, many people fall in love with the Camino on the Frances. That's a pretty good indication that it is not as terrible as some people say. And it is probably the route that is most supportive of first-time pilgrims.

That said, others fall in love with the Camino on the Norte. If you want that for your first Camino, go for it! Just know that it is not the easiest route, with the most robust infrastructure.