Santander to Santiago questions

[HollyB45]

Hi all!

I will be starting my 1st Camino in Santander on the 4th of October and have a few questions if anyone is willing to help.

1: how long would it take to walk to Santiago from Santander?

2: hot or cold weather at this time of year?

3: safety tips for a young girl doing her first Camino? Also is it safe?

4: do I have to book hostels before I get to them or can I just show up?

5: is there a better alternative route you could recommend?


Thank you!

 

[TerryB]

Welcome Holly:- To answer your queries

1: It took me 28 days going via the Primitivo.

2: Be prepared for everything! It will be colder in the mountains warmer on the coast. Most likely wet. You will need a medium weight sleeping bag.

3: Looking at the statistics, you are far more likely to have problems in University in the U.K. than on the Camino - but see 5: below.

4: You may need to check which albergues are open in October see Gronze ( http://www.gronze.com/ ) or one of the other up to date sites.

5: As it will be your first Camino and in view of the possible lack of companionship, maybe you ought to think of the Camino Francés? It is just that you will have far more chance of meeting up with other pilgrims if you are feeling lonely or isolated. The Norte is far more popular now than a few years ago, but you could still find yourself on your own, especially in October.

There will be others with experience of walking in October so the above is only to give you a starter!

Blessings on your planning
Tio Tel

 

[Me Fein]

Hello Holly
I am also planning to walk the Camino del Norte starting from Irun October 8th.Our paths may cross along the way.
Have a great Camino and enjoy it all
Buen Camino

 

[Daniel O'Connell]

I am contemplating the same trip in later April to the 1st part of June. I was hoping to do the walk in 24 days. Do you think I am overly optimistic Terry? I'm am not planning on doing the Primitivo, I thought I would take the coastal route. My age may or may not enter into this, I will be 71 when I begin my trip. For Holly and Me, have a safe and rewarding trip. Buen Camino!
Dan

 

[TerryB]

I am contemplating the same trip in later April to the 1st part of June. I was hoping to do the walk in 24 days. Do you think I am overly optimistic Terry? I'm am not planning on doing the Primitivo, I thought I would take the coastal route. My age may or may not enter into this, I will be 71 when I begin my trip. For Holly and Me, have a safe and rewarding trip. Buen Camino!
Dan

Hi Dan,
I see from my notes that I allowed myself 30 days from Santander to Santiago going via the Norte. I finally went onto the Primitivo as I wanted to visit Oviedo as part of my Pilgrimage. My longest day was 32k and I took a short day (7k) so that I could stay at Bodenaya. I probably averaged 23k. per day. Days needed and daily distances depend on the individual and it is always a personal point of view If you think you need a shorter distance you could skip a bit, either at the beginning by taking the FEVE to say Pendueles (equivalent of 5 days or so walking) and starting there, or visiting Santillana del Mar walking to the coast and then catching the FEVE for the equivalent of 4 or 5 days walking.
Age itself is no barrier , I was 65 when I first walked. Will be 72 next month and walk easier now than I did back then!!

Buen Camino
Tio Tel

 

[LTfit]

Hi @HollyB45

The Norte may not be the best choice for a first Camino, but I would say the same thing if your were older or were to do the Vía de la Plata. And it has nothing to do with safety. Why? Fewer pilgrims thus less companionship and tougher terrain. In addition many if not all of the pilgrim hostels (Albergue de peregrinos) will be closed at that time - at least if I can extrapolate from my recent research about the Irún - Bilbao stretch which I will do starting on October 6. They close as of September 30. Luckily there are other options such as youth hostels (Albergue Juvenil) or private albergues and pensions. No need to reserve that time of year.

For the weather I would check the forecast but assume that you can expect rain. I am still debating whether to take my sleeping bag but most likely will.

Good luck in deciding.

 

[HollyB45]

Hello Holly
I am also planning to walk the Camino del Norte starting from Irun October 8th.Our paths may cross along the way.
Have a great Camino and enjoy it all
Buen Camino

Hi all
Thank you so much for all your help. I will definitely take all of it on board. I'm going to start from Oviedo October 1st and will let you all know how it goes. Hope to see you there Me Fein.

Holly