Norte or Frances?

[Jhil]

I'm sure you see this question all the time. I would like to walk either the Frances or the Norte, but don't know which one. My wife and I are no stranger to hiking, we recently completed England coast to coast and loved it. We would prefer do the Camino as soon as we can, which is mid-May 2014, as we have heard that all the routes tend to get busy the further into summer you go. Our main concern with Norte is the length. While we are not necessarily limited in time, we would like to complete the walk sooner rather than later, in order to see some other sights in Spain/France before we head back to the states. Our main concern with Frances is the crowds. I am interested in hearing from those who have completed both the Norte and Frances, and their opinions on the differences between them.

 

[Sedona2012]

I walked all of the Frances and the Norte. Walked the Frances in Sept/Oct 2012 and Norte June/July 2013, also walked part of the Camino Portuguese and Vezelay. After completing my Caminos I'm very glad I did the Camino Frances as my first Camino as it has a specialness/ spirituality that is hard for me to adequately describe. Services are closer together, almost impossible to get lost and you will meet wonderful pilgrims from around the world.

I would not buy too much into the worry about busy trails on the CF as I have always found if I wait up a day the bubble of pilgrims pass me up. I never have been without a bed to sleep in or plenty of good food to eat and great wine to drink

Whatever Camino you select I know it will be a wonderful experience.
Buen Camino,
Bobbie

 

[mralisn]

I absolutely agree with Bobbie. Her advice is pretty much what I would have shared.

Like her, I walked both. I walked CF in '05, CN in '10, CF in '12, and will return to the CN next June. Although the CN tends to bring longer days of walking for me, I finished in about the same time frame as the CF. I love the diversity of each walk, but would suggest the CF for my first walk. Since you'll be going in May, you'll miss the BIG crowds of later July/August.

I would also LOVE to do the Coast to Coast as you did. I guess in comparison, there will be much more people on the Camino than on that walk.

As for time, I think 5-6 weeks is sufficient for most, but this is totally up to you. For me, it took 28 days from SJPdP to SdC with one day rest. It took 29 days on the CN without a rest day from Irun to SdC. I also walk the 4 more days to Muxia and Finisterre. I would highly suggest this if you have the time.

Differences? I found the CN more more challenging and takes a bit more planning. Much more climbing. I also had many days of walking on tarmac and outrageous "detours" due to construction which almost always was a battle to get back to the route. There are much less refugios which makes for longer days of walking, but this is easily remedied by staying in pilgrim friendly hotels/pensions. On the CF, I average over 18 miles a day. On the CN, I walk almost 22 miles a day. It's much cooler along the coast of course with stunning scenery. The temptation to jump into the sea for a nice dip is great, and it's hard for me to get going again. I like to float. Oh, the seafood is incredible of course. Plenty of wine, good people, and pups to play with on each.

When I go back next summer, I'd like to combine the GR with the CN to stay more on trails and coast rather than "useless" detours.

Last, do a quick search here and see what others have come up with over the years.

¡Salud!
Simeon