AngieOttawa
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances - Leon to Santiago (October2017)
Portuguese de la Costa - Tomar to Finisterre (May 2018
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You may find that there are areas where you have to walk farther than 10 miles a day, as the towns aren't as close together as they are on the Francés.If that turns out to be too much I will reduce down to 10 miles a day
My wife and I walked the Norte last year, as part of a longer walk. My wife was recovering from cancer, and we walked an average of 16km per day.I was planning on walking the Camino Del North (starting in late-April) but I am getting very worried with the description of extreme hills and highway walking. Is this still the case? Ideally, I'd like to follow the coast line as much as possible.
I am a bit out of shape due to recent illnesses (pneumonia that put me in bed for a month).
I've walked from Leon to Santiago, from Santiago to Finisterre and from Tomar (Portugal) to Santiago (the coastal route) - to kind of give you a bit of my experience).
Any other suggestions of routes to take, if indeed this camino is could be too much for someone who's spent the last month in bed? I'm walking as much as I can at home in the meantime but 3 weeks isntt much.
Thank you in advance
There are only a few places where there are no accommodations for 10 miles or more. If in those situations you feel you cannot go quite that distance, have a taxi at the START of the day drop you off a few kilometers down the trail to the point where you can walk the rest of the way.You may find that there are areas where you have to walk farther than 10 miles a day, as the towns aren't as close together as they are on the Francés.
I walked Del Norte to Finesterre last year. There is a lot of pavement but it was beautiful. In all but a few places it was possible to break it into shorter stages. Buen camino!I was planning on walking the Camino Del North (starting in late-April) but I am getting very worried with the description of extreme hills and highway walking. Is this still the case? Ideally, I'd like to follow the coast line as much as possible.
I am a bit out of shape due to recent illnesses (pneumonia that put me in bed for a month).
I've walked from Leon to Santiago, from Santiago to Finisterre and from Tomar (Portugal) to Santiago (the coastal route) - to kind of give you a bit of my experience).
Any other suggestions of routes to take, if indeed this camino is could be too much for someone who's spent the last month in bed? I'm walking as much as I can at home in the meantime but 3 weeks isntt much.
Thank you in advance
KangaI managed it and if I can, anyone can. Break it up into short stages if necessary - eg the first day we stopped at Passajes and did not try to walk any further
Kanga thank you for the quick and direct reply. I too am planning to walk the El Norte in September and due to a dodgy hip and knee was considering starting from San Sebastian so as to miss the ascents and descents from Irun that are being discussed here. But hey ho having read your reply am starting from Irun!I managed it and if I can, anyone can. Break it up into short stages if necessary - eg the first day we stopped at Passajes and did not try to walk any further
Kanga
Kanga thank you for the quick and direct reply. I too am planning to walk the El Norte in September and due to a dodgy hip and knee was considering starting from San Sebastian so as to miss the ascents and descents from Irun that are being discussed here. But hey ho having read your reply am starting from Irun!
My wife and I walked the first part of the Norte last year. For her it was her first Camino and she did not know what she could "manage". We decided to start in Bilbao, because that would be easier. All went so well that after 8 days walking we traveled back to Irun and walked to Bilbao and even took the high route over the Jazkibelmountain. It was beautiful. If you've got the time I would consider following the coast after Santander. It will be 25 kilometer more but we found it very beautiful.I am on the Camino Norte at the moment (yup - decided to do it). I started in Bilbao for lack of time... but everyone tells me the best part is between Irún and Bilbao that i basically missed the most beautiful part.
Just a thought. Lots of options to do short stages if you have the time and don’t mind spending a bit more once in a while for a casa rural or a pension.
Is that an alternate route over the Jazkibel Mtn? I’m going to try to avoid as much pavement as I can. I’ve been training with a full pack, 2 miles up a mountain and 2 miles back every day and btw I’m 70. I do want to try to save my knees and feet as much as I can.My wife and I walked the first part of the Norte last year. For her it was her first Camino and she did not know what she could "manage". We decided to start in Bilbao, because that would be easier. All went so well that after 8 days walking we traveled back to Irun and walked to Bilbao and even took the high route over the Jazkibelmountain. It was beautiful. If you've got the time I would consider following the coast after Santander. It will be 25 kilometer more but we found it very beautiful.
It is not an alternative route. After Irun you have to choose between the high and the low route. I do not know the low route, but on the high road, I don't remember any asphalt. On the point where the split occurs, the high road is called "ruta alpinista", this term might be misleading, it is a walking route. Steep in some places, but the views on top are very rewardingMy wife and I walked the first part of the Norte last year. For her it was her first Camino and she did not know what she could "manage". We decided to start in Bilbao, because that would be easier. All went so well that after 8 days walking we traveled back to Irun and walked to Bilbao and even took the high route over the Jazkibelmountain. It was beautiful. If you've got the time I would consider following the coast after Santander. It will be 25 kilometer more but we found it very beautiful.
My plan is to start in San Sebastián. How is the route from there To BilbaoIt is not an alternative route. After Irun you have to choose between the high and the low route. I do not know the low route, but on the high road, I don't remember any asphalt. On the point where the split occurs, the high road is called "ruta alpinista", this term might be misleading, it is a walking route. Steep in some places, but the views on top are very rewarding
Hi Angie - thanks for coming back and letting us know what you decided to do and what you've found. Sounds like you made a good decision based on your situation.I am on the Camino Norte at the moment (yup - decided to do it). I started in Bilbao for lack of time... but everyone tells me the best part is between Irún and Bilbao that i basically missed the most beautiful part.
Just a thought. Lots of options to do short stages if you have the time and don’t mind spending a bit more once in a while for a casa rural or a pension.
Thanks for the update,,, my wife and I are starting August 23, it’s good to know there are many options for short stages! We plan on taking our time. I am a bit worried about that first day from Irún. I hope there are beds available in Pasajes!I am on the Camino Norte at the moment (yup - decided to do it). I started in Bilbao for lack of time... but everyone tells me the best part is between Irún and Bilbao that i basically missed the most beautiful part.
Just a thought. Lots of options to do short stages if you have the time and don’t mind spending a bit more once in a while for a casa rural or a pension.
There are only a few places where there are no accommodations for 10 miles or more. If in those situations you feel you cannot go quite that distance, have a taxi at the START of the day drop you off a few kilometers down the trail to the point where you can walk the rest of the way.
Are taxis available in all the towns?
I didn’t think ir was difficult at all but I only hike up mountains and volcanoesI was planning on walking the Camino Del North (starting in late-April) but I am getting very worried with the description of extreme hills and highway walking. Is this still the case? Ideally, I'd like to follow the coast line as much as possible.
I am a bit out of shape due to recent illnesses (pneumonia that put me in bed for a month).
I've walked from Leon to Santiago, from Santiago to Finisterre and from Tomar (Portugal) to Santiago (the coastal route) - to kind of give you a bit of my experience).
Any other suggestions of routes to take, if indeed this camino is could be too much for someone who's spent the last month in bed? I'm walking as much as I can at home in the meantime but 3 weeks isntt much.
Thank you in advance
So tell us how was it? Or are you still in the planning stage. Maybe I am bit behind the power curve?They are - but in the remote towns they charge you from wherever they leave to pick you up... so the meter may start before you get on....
Also LOTS of city bus options even in most remote towns since the Norte is almost always close to a small highway.
I finished the Primitivo recently and have done the Salvador (Leon to Oviedo) and the Norte. Camino Norte was the most difficult one for me probably due to the length. With that said, I agree with many replies. If I had to do it over again, I would have walked less each day. As it is I’m not the one who logs many days of more than 25-27 kms. The first few days were the toughest for me and I had found my “trail legs” having hiked before starting. You walked from Leon. Imagine days back to back like the climb to O’Cebrario or that level of difficulty but longer more gradual ascents perhaps. The idea of cutting the harder days in half is a good plan. I will add that it is the greatest one in terms of scenery in my opinion because of the way the ocean comes in and out of view with some beaches to access that feel like little private ones. Unbelievable. The Primitivo and the Salvador are also spectacular if you like mountains and awesome views.I was planning on walking the Camino Del North (starting in late-April) but I am getting very worried with the description of extreme hills and highway walking. Is this still the case? Ideally, I'd like to follow the coast line as much as possible.
I am a bit out of shape due to recent illnesses (pneumonia that put me in bed for a month).
I've walked from Leon to Santiago, from Santiago to Finisterre and from Tomar (Portugal) to Santiago (the coastal route) - to kind of give you a bit of my experience).
Any other suggestions of routes to take, if indeed this camino is could be too much for someone who's spent the last month in bed? I'm walking as much as I can at home in the meantime but 3 weeks isntt much.
Thank you in advance
Looking at your bio and where you've been -Norte is the best. Go for it. Buen Camino
I think you might want to leave that undecided for now. Both options are great. Weather, crowds, the people you’re with —all may be relevant to your decision. It’s been my experience that more people drop down to Oviedo to walk the Primitivo. But the Norte after that point is really very nice. You just can’t go wrong!For a first timer on the Way (and in Spain) would you recommend doing the full Norte or the Norte-Primitivo?
I agree. My first time on the Norte I waited until I got to Villaviciosa to decide. I was there in July that year, and it was busy on the Norte, so there was a bit of a bed race. Since so many were turning off onto the Primitivo I decided to continue on the Norte. It became much easier to find a bed after that.I think you might want to leave that undecided for now. Both options are great. Weather, crowds, the people you’re with —all may be relevant to your decision. It’s been my experience that more people drop down to Oviedo to walk the Primitivo. But the Norte after that point is really very nice. You just can’t go wrong!
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