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If you liked the communal atmosphere of the Frances I would do it again. On the Norte, while you will end up in albergues with people at the end of the day, the walk is a much more solitary one. In terms of difficulty the Norte is harder, especially the first week, but doable, especially if you decide to do shorter days that what you will find in most guides as suggested etapas. You will miss the meseta and wonder why anyone ever complains about it ;0)Hi Guys,
I'm planning my second camino having previously done the Frances (and loved it!). I was going to do the same route again but am now tempted by the coastal scenery to reroute to the Norte.
I head out on the 19th Sept & have until the 19th of Oct to reach Santiago. Would anyone who has done both routes have any advice in terms of difficulty, atmosphere (I loved the communal aspect of the Frances) and how you found the quality & quantity of albegues along the way, considering the time of year?
Thanks
If you liked the communal atmosphere of the Frances I would do it again. On the Norte, while you will end up in albergues with people at the end of the day, the walk is a much more solitary one. In terms of difficulty the Norte is harder, especially the first week, but doable, especially if you decide to do shorter days that what you will find in most guides as suggested etapas. You will miss the meseta and wonder why anyone ever complains about it ;0)
The albergues vary in terms of "quality", just as on the Frances, but other than the munis in San Vicente de la Barquera, Santander and Santillana (all of which have alternatives near by) I did not find any (I went as far as Llanes) that I would not want to revisit. Some are impeccable, modern, or super historic etc., others more like the traditional albergue, offering all the commodities without luxuries.
You do have to be careful though since you will be walking in September because some albergues on that route are only open July and August. Do your research before leaving or risk having some really long days ahead of you. It's a beautiful route, you would not regret it due to the scenary nor the albergues, but it is a much lonelier route.
Thanks Marc, much appreciated. I may have been looking at overall starting/ending elevations and seeing little change in height - of course forgetting that could include huge ascents and descents in between! I've been looking at some more detailed elevation maps and see what you mean - there appear to be a lot of steep patches & have just ordered a guide book so fingers crossed it arrives soon. I adore coastal landscape so I think it's going to come down to this versus having many fellow peregrinos about... I don't want it to be a lonely experience! I like that on the Frances you can walk alone and still feel part of a group. Lots of thinking & investigation to do! Either way, I can't waitIn addition. If you like seafood, the Norte may resemble heaven.
That's a concern too - but my bigger fear is of having a lot of descents.... my feet still haven't recovered from the descent to RonscevallesProbably my 2016 plan but I'm a bit concerned about the amount of tarmac walking.
Great idea & a definite possibility. You both make excellent points as to every camino being different - I don't have any expectations per se and I'd be quite happy to walk the CF alone - I'm more craving the atmosphere than actual company so lots to think about! As for the food, you sound like a girl after my own heart! Who needs company when you've got great foodWhy not start the Norte and if it's too lonely, not social enough just jump on a bus or a train and head to the CF. To sway to the Norte, one word: FOOD. It is GOOD, very GOOD ;0) Marc S does make another excellent point, each Camino is different, even if you are walking through the same areas. My first had great weather and I met some interesting people. My second had great weather and I walked day after day with 3 other people which made the long walk pass faster. My thrid was in the cold and rain, day after day, after day, and all alone. All those on the CF. After the 3rd CF I opted for totally different and headed north and then the Primitivo, for both with the expectation of a lot of solo walking which is what happened. If you expect the same Camino you may be dissapointed, but then you'll learn to accept that as being another part of the Camino. Either way you can't go wrong, but did I mention the menu del dia on the Norte vs the peregrino menu? ;0)
Probably my 2016 plan but I'm a bit concerned about the amount of tarmac walking.
You'll meet people at the albergue when you start walking, don't worry.Hi, I am new in the forum, not sure this is the right way to ask what I would like to. I apologize if not. I am evaluating the possibility to walk either the camino frances or (Imwould prefer) the camino de norte) in October - for safety-related reasons I would like to join a group - do you know please where I can find info about this? Tks a lot Ciao Andre
Thank you very much for your answer. Do you think that this will be possible also on the camino del norte? I know that there are less people walking that camino, especially in fall.You'll meet people at the albergue when you start walking, don't worry.
While you not be passing or pass by people non stop as on the Frances,the albergues will be filled with pilgrims. Solo walking, social evenings.Thank you very much for your answer. Do you think that this will be possible also on the camino del norte? I know that there are less people walking that camino, especially in fall.
Good company and good food may be better!Who needs company when you've got great food
Thank youWhile you not be passing or pass by people non stop as on the Frances,the albergues will be filled with pilgrims. Solo walking, social evenings.
Throw in some wine & I think we've found NirvanaGood company and good food may be better!
Thanks Marc! Looking at gronze site now. Walking both? I like the way you think!Hello Capt Rob.
I have walked the Norte in August / September, but I think not all albergues will be open in October / November. On the following site you can check which albergues will be open in October / November: http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-del-norte
It is in spanish, which I do not speak, but under 'disponsibilidad' you can figure out if an albergue is open or not I hope this will give you an idea.
Your other question - am I missing out by not walking the Camino Frances ? - how to answer this : you always miss out on something regardless which Camino you walk. I walked both. On the frances you will definitely meet more pilgrims when walking in October and I guess there is more of a communal pilgrim experience there; also on the Frances you will pass more towns and monuments that have a historical significance related to the Camino. On the Norte you have other beautiful things. Oh, how to choose (why not walk both ?)
Hope this is helpful. Marc.
Hi Guys,
I'm planning my second camino having previously done the Frances (and loved it!). I was going to do the same route again but am now tempted by the coastal scenery to reroute to the Norte.
I head out on the 19th Sept & have until the 19th of Oct to reach Santiago. Would anyone who has done both routes have any advice in terms of difficulty, atmosphere (I loved the communal aspect of the Frances) and how you found the quality & quantity of albegues along the way, considering the time of year?
Thanks
We are of the same mind set. I completed Frances and Le Puy. Now deciding between, Northern or Portugal. Let me know what replies you receive. Regards GHello everyone, my name is Bill and I walked the Camino Frances back in June 2013 (SJPP to Santiago). The experience was a profound one that I could never have planned for. In fact all of my plans went out the window on day 1. One of the aspects of the journey that resinates was that it forced me to completely let go of day to day plans and trust that each day's experience would give me what I needed, not what I wanted. Since June of 2013 I have walked two additional times on the Camino France for 5 days each after business trips to Europe.
I would like to walk again for 35+ days and am considering the Camino Norte. I am quite introverted and it takes quite an effort (internal) to form close relationships. The three times I have walked the Camino forced me to trust in God's ways and let go (not my plan but his). The results were magical.
I know every Camino will be different and if I walked the Camino Frances again the experience would not be the same as it was the first time (I guess it comes down to that trust thing again....). I am looking for something that will challenge me (not a physical challenge but an internal challenge) and am wondering about what the Camino Notre would bring. I have heard that the coast is beautiful and that the food is great. I am not looking for a vacation but for something more meaningful. I'll take a look at other forum threads to see if I can get more information on what the Norte is like. If anyone wishes to share there advice it would be very mush appreciated.
Buen Camino and thank you in advance.
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