- Time of past OR future Camino
- Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria
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Oh Annie so excited for you!!!!!I've been dithering for months now, so wondering if anyone would mind sharing their thoughts or experience.
I'll arrive BCN after midday 30aug. Planning to stay there 2 nights and get myself to the Norte.
I have tried rome2rio, but would like pilgrim input if possible.
Q1. Any accomm recommendations?
Q2
From BCN. Fly to San Sebastián / start there. ( any accommodation recommendations?)
Or from San seb then bus to Irun. & Start there. ( accomm rec ? Ditto )
I won't worry about accomm once started but like to have the first night sorted.
Q3
From BCN. Train to Irun
Probably comes down to personal choice with mode of travel, but would like to know if anyone taking the train thought it was a good way to see Spain too? Less time required to be there before take off but longer on route.
Q4
The primitivo has had some terrific threads and it sounds glorious. So I'm very temped to go that way when the decision is required .. too many lovely choices. Can you steer me in the right direction please?
If you have any input or thoughts I"d really appreciate it,
I have 6 weeks
Annie
Hi NeveOh Annie so excited for you!!!!!
I don't know what BCN is (?) I am embarrassed to admit....
My vote is to start from Irun (or Hendaye which is stone's throw away)...but only because I did thatI enjoyed that day and it kicked my bootie.
I stayed in a great little spot that was about an hour and half walk from Irun if I am not mistaken. The details escape me quickly which is why I have to write when
things are fresh in my head. I really liked that stop.
I did not do the Primitivo but people gush over it...it must be amazing! I stuck with the Norte and for me at the time it worked BUT could never suggest it over the Primitivo I think one is called to the one they should walk. With that said the Primitivo is on my radar...
Buen Camino!
Hi to you WhariwharangiSan Sebastian Airport EAS is located in Hondarribia ... about 25 km from San Sebastian and about 2 km from Irun Renfe Station ... train or plane will get you to the same place. See the airport map.
Probably the main factor in deciding train or plane is cost.
San Sebastian Airport EAS
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-San-Sebastian/en/
Thank you 'oursonpolaire'I took the train from Barcelona to Bilbao, and found the route extremely scenic. While Spanish buses are great, the trains take breathtaking routes. I have not done the western part of the del Norte, but had headed inland along the Primitivo; it is a physically challenging Camino but after a few weeks on the del Norte, where you can build up endurance after Irun (especially from Irun, which has got some stairmaster bits or St Sebastian, you should be in reasonable shape for it.
Hi MalcolmHi Annie,
I'd suggest starting in Irun, as it is a great day of walking to San Sebastion. As mentioned above, you can stay at the alberge there and the yellow arrows begin outside the door. There is no need to decide on the Primitivo or stay on the Norte until you are on the walk itself. After the first two weeks of the Norte it gets much easier, if you are tired then stick to the Norte, if still up for mountains then head down the Primitivo. 43 days should be plenty time to walk, don't worry about not being young and fit, I'm in my mid fifties and not fit at all, but managed to haul myself into Santiago in a little less time than that. If you do get tire or need to go slower, you can always hop a bus for a stage or two. You'll have a great time, buen camino!
I've been dithering for months now, so wondering if anyone would mind sharing their thoughts or experience.
I'll arrive BCN after midday 30aug. Planning to stay there 2 nights and get myself to the Norte.
I have tried rome2rio, but would like pilgrim input if possible.
Q1. Any accomm recommendations?
Q2
From BCN. Fly to San Sebastián / start there. ( any accommodation recommendations?)
Or from San seb then bus to Irun. & Start there. ( accomm rec ? Ditto )
I won't worry about accomm once started but like to have the first night sorted.
Q3
From BCN. Train to Irun
Probably comes down to personal choice with mode of travel, but would like to know if anyone taking the train thought it was a good way to see Spain too? Less time required to be there before take off but longer on route.
Q4
The primitivo has had some terrific threads and it sounds glorious. So I'm very temped to go that way when the decision is required .. too many lovely choices. Can you steer me in the right direction please?
If you have any input or thoughts I"d really appreciate it,
I have 6 weeks
Annie
Thanks Joe
Your ideas are appreciated.
Irun looks to be a place worth a good look so would be sensible to sort myself our there. Rest day or rather a gentle warm up day. Did you enjoy Irun?
Catching 15.30 train from Barcelona Sants station would be a tight squeeze, getting from airport, with eta of 13.40 /with possibility of unscheduled delay from Oz., so I would either catch that train next day or fly up. I'm looking at availability and times now for each.
It's good to read about shorter possible stages at the beginning and your recommendation for the night at Orio .
Yes the spring walkers gave a lot of feed back. I've read so much , one does forget some if it, though I recall clearly that you were just a short distance in front of Neve (shefollowsshells ) in many posts on the Norte at that time . It was like watching you both from above !
I won't ask about the Vasco (tunnel route). I didn't realise it was a different 'way ' - but I won't confuse myself with more choice right now. I'll let that happen as I go ! Ha ha
Annie
Hi to you Whariwharangi
You're great with info. Re from airport San Sebastián (hondarribia). I gather you could get a taxi to Irun rather than into San seb?
I wouldn't attempt to walk from the airport (traffic ).
Hi Malcolm
I feel more comfortable though knowing where I'll sleep on my first day, although with Irun, if I go to the alburgue,then I probably can't book there? That one is not so daunting though. Is the alburgue centrally placed? Would they accept,you if you taxi'd there from the airport ?
The alberge is central, it took me about five minutes to walk there from the station. I didn't make a reservation, just turned up. They probably have an overflow or know of alternatives should it be full, but given how late in the season you are starting, I doubt it will be. The hospitalero didn't ask how we got there, its a starting point for many walkers, so most turn up via bus, train or taxi. There are shops just across the road for food and a kitchen to prepare it in, or local eateries if you prefer to eat out. Buen camino!
Thank you 'oursonpolaire'
The train does sound like you get a great view.
In 2012 I took a bus from Burgos to BCN and I found that a bit of a slog.
This 'stairmaster' word I see now and again., is daunting. But I guess, just stop and rest if the knees get wobbly?
Most of the post agree that the walk from Irun is beautiful, so it is definitely going to be Irun start for me too!
I need to start with my eyes open though, so thanks for dropping in the 'physically challenging ' reminder.
Left ,right, left, lol. Thank you
Annie
I don't know where the Aragones is, I must look that up!Hi Neve
I know what u mean about not being fresh in your mind (re the little place outside Irun). My short term memory needs help a lot !!!!
However, I have been re reading Norte posts a lot while researching , plus re reading your blog. It really is a good one. On that u mention the 'little place near Irun'. I remember reading it on the weekend. So could be there or the albergue. I could still look about Irun and get there in time.
BCN is the Airport abbrev for Barcelona . I booked flight entry there, thinking of doing a little of the aragones as well., but that was being too greedy. Too much transit time and would I would have had to short-change my northern route. As u say. Another time
I've got to order my guide today. I think you used the Cicerone guide ?
Great to hear from u Neve
I've just bought a 2nd pair of footwear !! Still Keens but not goretex lined and not boots.
The other recent purchase was Keens boots (goretex lined) and they have been irritating my ankles a lot . I didn't want a re-run of last years swelling if I can somehow guard against it
Funny isn't it. - I still have worries about things even though I'm hitting the trail for 3rd time.
Annie
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