- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016
2023
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I'm now looking to walk from Irun and do part of Del Norte before either the Olvidado or the Primitivo to rejoin the Frances.
The Olvidado has a lot of days, maybe 7 or 8, that I would define as “in the mountains.” That’s a pretty extraordinary ratio, and it is just beautiful.
I think I would rather be "in the mountains" than on the coast but I'm concerned by my lack of language skills if accommodation is going to be a daily challenge on the Olvidado. I've probably been spoilt by the ease of finding accommodation on the Frances!The Primitivo also has its ups and downs, but it is less remote and more populated. Both are beautiful. I have walked it twice and have not had problems, though I typically called or WhatsApped a day or two ahead.
The Primitivo (along with the San Salvador) are my favorites but I like having mountain stages and lots of variation in terrain.
Seems like my choice is coming down to more mountain stages versus social contact. Really appreciate how this discussion is making the choice clearer. Not that it's easy to make though.If the social aspect is important to you than I'm not sure that the Olvidado is the best fit but who knows!
That is something you are definitely not going to experience on the Olvidado. I think you will find it a very solitary experience. One compromise might be to follow the Olvidado to La Robla, then walk into Léon and meet your partner there, but that would mean missing the most spectacular and wildest part of the Olvidado. I think it depends more on how adventurous and confident you feel. Also, remember this, if you can do two caminos, you can do three caminos and what is to stop you doing even more?A 'camino family' would be something I would like to experience once.
It was in May/June 2018 so things may have changed but I found the Primitivo to be the best 'social' camino I have walked, as the number of pilgrims seemed 'just right' to form a nice group -- that is, not the overwhelming numbers of the Francés, which can be a bit intimidating, but more than some of the more remote routes I have subsequently walked.A 'camino family' would be something I would like to experience once.
the number of pilgrims seemed 'just right'
I did Primitivo also in Sep/Oct “shoulder” months. Most towns/villages will have options of muni albergue vs private albergues, and as @jungleboy said on the Primitivo you pretty much walk with the same group of people everyday, as most people tend to stop at the same places.but in other years on the Primitivo I have gone without reservations and have never had a problem. The Berducedo “bottleneck” is the one place I remember that people had to walk further on to find a place, but there are options as close as 4 km on in La Mesa.
I found the Primitivo to be the best 'social' camino I have walked, as the number of pilgrims seemed 'just right' to form a nice group
Is the road walking on the Olvidado mostly on paved roads with much vehicle traffic? Is it less than the road walking on the del Norte?In September-October 2022, I did the camino Olvidado/Viejo alone, meeting 3 couples from Bilbao to Ponferrada - Before any pilgrim on the Baztan or on the ruta do mar from Ribadeo to Ferrol -
The guides are sufficient since the path is largely on the road!
I was going to ask @JEAN1 to elaborate, because in my experience, the Olvidado did have a lot of asphalt only on the first day out of Bilbao to Balmaseda, but that was mostly on a bidegorri (bike path), so no cars.Is the road walking on the Olvidado mostly on paved roads with much vehiclke traffic? Is it less than the road walking on the del Norte?
Good suggestion @JEAN1- I had considered doing the San Salvador 'backwards' to join the Frances in Leon, but by my calculations I would probably arrive in Leon about 5 days later than my wife walking the Frances if we start in Batonne together. I would then have a very tough job catching up so the San Salvador will have to wait for another time!Why not the San Salvador in Oviedo/leon...upside down?
Definitely don't miss Museo de la Paz in Guernica, it was so moving and worth the time visiting it even if you don't sleep there as I didn't.That sounds like my plan!
Irun along the coast, Guernica museum, down to Oviedo and on to Santiago!
First though I need a new hip and then get fit again! Maybe next year!
PeteD: - That's the same time my wife & I will be walking our first trek to Santiago. We'll start in Gijón (we wanted to see at least a bit of the coast), then head up to the Primitivo. My legs are long, hers are shorter (yet she points out her feet still reach the ground). So we will be walking smaller segments, at least in the beginning. If you pass us on the way, we'll wish you buen camino.I'm for the Del Norte/Primitivo in September 2023 and the Olvidado in the not too distant future!
@HKim, I've not set the actual start date yet but when I do next week I'll add details to the forum calendar and keep an eye out for you both on the Primitivo!So we will be walking smaller segments, at least in the beginning. If you pass us on the way, we'll wish you buen camino
Thanks, Jerry - We'll look into that option!HKim, if you are flying into the regional airport (excellent) that serves Gijon, Aviles and Oviedo, you might consider walking from Aviles instead of Gijon. Gijon is a beautiful city but between Gijon and Aviles is not a great introduction to the Camino and it is not along the coast. Buen Camino
Sounds good, PeteD. We're looking to start between Sept 21st - 26th. Will likely walk ~15km (+/- 5k) most days. As JerryStroebele suggested, Aviles is a possible starting point, then on to Oviedo and the Primitivo. Likely to schedule dates within a month or so for Sept/Oct. It would be cool to meet somewhere along the path!@HKim, I've not set the actual start date yet but when I do next week I'll add details to the forum calendar and keep an eye out for you both on the Primitivo!
The Olvidado was definitely my favourite camino. I walked it in Sep 19 and did not have any real problems with finding a bed and I would expect there to be more options now. Now Spanish is fairly basic but I keep some stock phrases in my phone notes to remind me and the app SayHi is invaluable. I did have the advantage that I like long distance days so I had more options than some,I think I would rather be "in the mountains" than on the coast but I'm concerned by my lack of language skills if accommodation is going to be a daily challenge on the Olvidado. I've probably been spoilt by the ease of finding accommodation on the Frances!
A 'camino family' would be something I would like to experience once. I cycled the Frances and found it hard to always be leaving behind those who were walking. Seemed to spend the last part of every day walking the bike while talking with others. That's probably a nudge towards the Del Norte/Primitivo then.
Not a lot of road walking on the Olvidado at all. Moreover, where it was on a road they were very lightly used.Is the road walking on the Olvidado mostly on paved roads with much vehicle traffic? Is it less than the road walking on the del Norte?
Check Gronze as that website has very good information on all Caminos. Buen CaminoThe Olvidado was definitely my favourite camino. I walked it in Sep 19 and did not have any real problems with finding a bed and I would expect there to be more options now. Now Spanish is fairly basic but I keep some stock phrases in my phone notes to remind me and the app SayHi is invaluable. I did have the advantage that I like long distance days so I had more options than some,
Oh my goodness! This one is easy for me because I loveI'm interested in hearing ideas on which camino you would recommend for my pilgrimage in September/October 2023.
My wife and I are planning on flying to Paris and then by train to Bayonne where we are looking to go in different directions. Margaret is keen to walk the Camino Frances as her first camino and is happy to do this solo as a great opportunity to walk independently and allowing her more space for reflection. As I completed the Frances in 2016 my plan is to walk another camino and for us to meet and walk some final stages together into Santiago.
Our original plans, which were put on hold in early 2020, had me walking the VdlP from Sevilla but that meant I would have to leave earlier due to the longer distance. Leaving together seems more exciting so revamping the plan. I'm now looking to walk from Irun and do part of Del Norte before either the Olvidado or the Primitivo to rejoin the Frances. Finding it hard to decide which would be best and would love to hear some feedback.
Some basic info that might be relevant:
Would like to hear your thoughts
- I'm late 60s but fit and have continue multi-day pack hikes and long distance cycling
- Have very basic Spanish but there is time to improve before I go
- Good navigation, app and tech skills so should not be too challenged getting around
- I'm concerned that the Del Norte will be too touristy? Are the albergues /hostals mostly pilgrims or tourists and does this camino feel like a pilgrimage?
- I've read numerous Olvidado threads and have concerns about finding reasonably priced accommodation with my limited language skills?
Thank you, Jerry, for this counsel! Yes, my wife and I have been going through Gronze - a terrific resource. For the moment we've charted a route south/south east from Aviles to Oviedo - but I'll take a look at the San Martin de Laspra albergue option. Buen Camino. -HKimHKim, If you want to see the beautiful coast of the Sea of Cantabria you could just spend a day or two in Gijón, then backtrack the del Norte to Amandi, where the del Norte splits to Oviedo and the Primitivo. From Gijon to Amandi the del Norte DOES NOT follow the coast. Alternatively, you could bus from the airport to Aviles and walk 6 km west to Salinas and then another km or so up to the San Martin de Laspra albergue. This is among my "top 3" albergues of all the Caminos. In 2019 the hospitalero Jesus Lopez in the evening drove me up to a small park with a coastal lookout. But better check Gronze to make sure it is open. Buen Camino
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