What to look forward to?

[Mananath]

Hi- I am about 2 weeks into the Norte -- just arrived in Comillas -- and I am wondering if there are things I should be looking forward to coming up?

On the Frances there were milestones to look forward to, ex: finishing the meseta, Cruz de ferro, o ceberieo etc that helped with motivation. Are there similar milestones on the Norte?

Thanks!

 

[VNwalking]

Annoying road walking? What's wrong with a little unpleasantness? You might learn something from it - like where it's really coming from. (Hint. It's not the road walking)

Like annoyance, motivation comes from inside.

Sorry, I know this isn't the answer you wanted. But the Norte's clearly showing you something, if you care to look.

 

[Mananath]

Annoying road walking? What's wrong with a little unpleasantness? You might learn something from it - like where it's really coming from. (Hint. It's not the road walking)

Like annoyance, motivation comes from inside.

Sorry, I know this isn't the answer you wanted. But the Norte's clearly showing you something, if you care to look.

I have removed the reference to road walking. Hopefully this clears up confusion for others who might want to answer. Thanks!

 

[Anamya]

Ooohhh, I loved the old city in Santillana and the Gaudi house in Colmillas!

You are very close to arriving in San Vicente de la Barquera, that has an interesting fortress+church at the top of a mount by the water, worth visiting! (I think it's the Castle of saint Vincent, but but may be wrong).
That is also the starting point of the Camino Lebaniego, that goes to Sto Toribio and continues to Leon instead of santiago. A very beautiful route.
And in the tiny pueblo of Munoroderro I ate my first Fabada Asturiana and became a fan since then!

Like, those are more like interesting points than milestones, but maybe they help. I usually just marvel at everything on the journey anyway, like a happy puppy looking at butterflies

 

[trecile]

I think that there's just a lot more "mythology" associated with the Francés. i.e. the Meseta, O Cebreiro, etc. On the Norte just ENJOY. There are so many beautiful beaches and quaint towns to enjoy.

 

[JaneiLy3]

wait for the moment

 

[512]

Next, I think, would be the bufones before Llanes. Then there's the bridge into Ribadeo.

 

[WayWalker]

Next, I think, would be the bufones before Llanes. Then there's the bridge into Ribadeo.

Yes the deviation on the GR65 to the Bufones was lovely even though the tide was such that there was no water shooting through the holes. Good mention.

 

[Dennis Pack]

Adventure

 

[Rita Flower]

Those who know the Norte will surely have some places and things to look out for. My response is a bit different.
What to look forward to? Nothing
Practice being in the moment, be delighted by the unexpected surprises, revel in that sense of timelessness that arises at particular moments.
Enjoy the enjoyable and the unenjoyable.
Blessings and Buen Camino

 

[JCB]

I think that there's just a lot more "mythology" associated with the Francés. i.e. the Meseta, O Cebreiro, etc. On the Norte just ENJOY. There are so many beautiful beaches and quaint towns to enjoy.

Agree 100%, Trecile. Don't forget to look for the bufones!

 

[Richard Smith]

Walk without expectations.
(and for best value, walk without knowing what is ahead)

 

[michal.don]

Are there similar milestones on the Norte?

First, a disclaimer - I have not walked the Francés, so I can't compare the two routes.
But to offer my experience from the Norte:
For me, crossing the border from one municipality to another always felt like an accomplishment (wow, I really managed to walk through the whole Cantabria, for example). Not that the places where it happened were stunning or extraordinary, I think it was a simple bridge in a small town, but it felt important for some reason
Then there are the bigger cities, that are roughly a week from each other - Bilbao, Santander, Gijón - these felt like an important place on the camino, too, even though I did not enjoy the cities too much and was always looking forward to being on the road/beach ASAP again
Another significant place for me was Ribadeo, where you say goodbye to the sea after several weeks, and head inland.
Then there is Baamonde (unremarkable little town, but the 100 km sign is there - felt important, too)
Then Sobrado de Monxes - a very interesting albergue in a convent, and the last stop before joining the Francés in Arzúa, beware of the shock
Michal.don

 

[trecile]

and the last stop before joining the Francés in Arzúa, beware of the shock

You can now continue on the Norte until Lavacoalla.

Here's the description on the Wise Pilgrim app.




And here's the map - it's the blue line.

 

[Mananath]

Next, I think, would be the bufones before Llanes. Then there's the bridge into Ribadeo.

I walked past this today though they were not bufoning. However I walked the coast from la franca to llanes and it was one of my favorite walking days. So beautiful. I don't understand why the alternative isn't the official path.

 

[Mananath]

You can now continue on the Norte until Lavacoalla.

Here's the description on the Wise Pilgrim app.

View attachment 153246


And here's the map - it's the blue line.

View attachment 153248

Thanks for the tip! Have you done this section?

I do think I will stay in Arzua as there is a hotel there I liked and if I am short on time I know I can make it from Arzua to Santiago in one day.

 

[512]

Thanks for the tip! Have you done this section?

I do think I will stay in Arzua as there is a hotel there I liked and if I am short on time I know I can make it from Arzua to Santiago in one day.

We have. It's not isolated, more like walking through suburban/rural neighborhoods, but no services until Brea.

 

[trecile]

Thanks for the tip! Have you done this section?

I do think I will stay in Arzua as there is a hotel there I liked and if I am short on time I know I can make it from Arzua to Santiago in one day.

I did. I walked from Sobrado dos Montes to Orxal where I stayed at the Twin Pines B&B, then to Lavacoalla the next day.

 

[Canche]

Hi- I am about 2 weeks into the Norte -- just arrived in Comillas -- and I am wondering if there are things I should be looking forward to coming up?

On the Frances there were milestones to look forward to, ex: finishing the meseta, Cruz de ferro, o ceberieo etc that helped with motivation. Are there similar milestones on the Norte?

Thanks!

There is a Gaudi house right after Comillas or in Camillas. A must see.

 

[Mananath]

I did. I walked from Sobrado dos Montes to Orxal where I stayed at the Twin Pines B&B, then to Lavacoalla the next day.

In the end I decided to skip Arzua and walked the Norte until the Breas connection with the Frances and then continued on to Lavacolla. It was a very long day but glad I got a bit on the Frances as I ran into a Norte pilgrim I hadn't seen in a few weeks.

 

[Canche]

In the end I decided to skip Arzua and walked the Norte until the Breas connection with the Frances and then continued on to Lavacolla. It was a very long day but glad I got a bit on the Frances as I ran into a Norte pilgrim I hadn't seen in a few weeks.

Norte is fabulous. My favorite Camino