Camino del Norte - Self made guide

[evanlow]

Here is my self made guide for my Camino del Norte in late April/May/June.

I have created them via Google Docs so anyone can edit them. I will compile them later into either an ebook and print (backup).

Camino del Norte Distances
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApsaV2E-AKF7dExQcXpVTkRZaW5TVndhUDFhWS1OZ1E

Update: Please check my following post in this thread for a better alternative.


Camino del Norte Maps

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KFxmeGz9LhZEe4LXgC4z8fCvVmm72dtwMZawBJoLyUw/edit

Update: Please check my following post in this thread for a better alternative.

I strongly believe in crowdsourcing (Kind of like this forum but just limited to the Camino del Norte guide).

The first link is a spreadsheet of distances and albergues. There is a comment column where contributors can help put in the albergues they stayed that should/should not be missed.

The second is a document with maps of the whole route in sections. Information and places to visit, detours would be cool. You can even insert an photo (make them small).

If possible, put in your forum's id after the comments so I (or whoever uses this guide) would know who to thank for their advice.

As I have made these documents open to all, anyone can contribute, save a copy, or print them for their own Camino del Norte.

Here's the initial credit to the sources that I have used (lynched) for the initial documents:
Eroski Consumer (distances)
Mundicamino (distances)
Peter Robins & Google (Maps)

All I need now is your experiences and recommendations. To be honest, I really don't need that much information before I start walking. As they say, all you need to do is just start walking. I am doing this because when I read your comments while on the road, it will be more personal. That I am following the footsteps of a pilgrim who has passed this way before me, and maybe in a strange way, you are also there walking with me.

Thanks.

 

[NaKwendaSafari]

Evan,

Thank you for the hard work done in setting up the guide in an editable format, it will be very useful for us who need a guide. I shall follow you forthcoming Camino with interest, thank you also for letting me know the blogging equipment you are carrying on this walk on the personal message, sharing your hands-on experience of using the latest gadgets (many in Singapore) is indeed great for us living in the 21st century.

Buen Camino

Joe

 

[evanlow]

Thanks Joe.

This just in. A free Camino Norte guide in English. Thanks to Sil for highlighting this which is available at the Basque Tourist Office.

Apparently they have the same guide in PDF so you all can ignore the documents highlighted in my post above and use this one instead.

Basque Country Web Site.

http://tourism.euskadi.net/x65-19143/en/

where you will find on that web page...

GUIDE TO THE NORTHERN WAYS OF ST. JAMES

Two PDFs.
1. The guide (direct link) -> http://tourism.euskadi.net/contenid...os/2011/santiago/Caminos del Norte INGLES.pdf
2. The pullout map. (direct link) -> http://tourism.euskadi.net/contenid.../2011/santiago/Mapa desplegable 2011_INGL.pdf

So for anyone planning to walk the Camino Norte, here's a better guide in English on PDF than mine. Free, courtesy of of the Euskadi Tourism Board.

And in case these 2 PDF is taken out of the web site, here my own copy.
The guide -> https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5saV2E-AKF7cGFwVGlLSlNUa21KVERieC1tVXg5dw/edit
The pullout map -> https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5saV2E-AKF7WGZnVzZRazBSaHlLQk9wb08xRzN3dw/edit

 

[breakintheclouds]

That is fantastic, and just in time for me to use it. Thanks so much!

 

[evanlow]

Camino del Norte Accommodations and distance guide. 2011/2012.

I have scan every page in this tiny booklet and convert it to a PDF.

https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0B5saV2E-AKF7M1RkdGZGTERUc0NhZEMwVDByRXJDdw&export=download

Should be working now.

 

[unadara]

Evan
Thanks for the pdf, I will work through the lists and add any new info to my CSJ guides. The CSJ guides are proving very good so far, pub 2010 and only 5 additions from 11 stages so far. I have no i phone just an old nokia so all new tech such as apps are lost on me.
Una

 

[evanlow]

No problem Una,

It's not an app, just a pdf, which is meant to be either view by the PC or printed.

 

[Robin4]

Thank you Evan.

I've been training for the past year. I am now planning to start May 2013, seriously debating which way to go, Camino Francés or Camino del Norte.

I've downloaded the PDFs to my iPad. This a great resource that I will study in detail.

Thanks again.

 

[evanlow]

Your welcome Robin,

if this is your first camino, I'll normally recommend the Camino Frances. Even though it is very crowded these days, many of the walkers are first timers. You get to experience all different types of pilgrims walking the Frances. Good in a way. I wasn't physically prepared (really not) when I did my first camino and was glad I did the Frances, with many others in a similar situation.

That's not to say that the other routes are not good for the first time.

I'll be starting my Camino del Norte on the 29-30th April. Maybe I'll see you on the road.

 

[Erik Staffeldt]

very nice - thanks
Erik

 

[Robin4]

Your welcome Robin,

if this is your first camino, I'll normally recommend the Camino Frances. Even though it is very crowded these days, many of the walkers are first timers. You get to experience all different types of pilgrims walking the Frances. Good in a way. I wasn't physically prepared (really not) when I did my first camino and was glad I did the Frances, with many others in a similar situation.

That's not to say that the other routes are not good for the first time.

I'll be starting my Camino del Norte on the 29-30th April. Maybe I'll see you on the road.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind, especially if walk it alone.

 

[2sassytravelers]

I am still trying to get a handle on what to expect when I go on my pilgrimage. I am under the impression that I will need to purchase my meals (breakfast, dinners and snacks) as I travel along the Camino. When it comes to stops at places like Miraz, where from what I have read, there are no restaurants or grocery stores to purchase my dinner or breakfast the next morning. How should I plan for this?

 

[Staggerlee]

You can pick up supplies at the supermarket in Baamonde.
The albergue at Miraz has a well equipped kitchen. They also provide breakfast.
Sandwiches are available at the village bar.

 

[Trishkerry]

Really useful guide but it says that Bilabao is dangerous. Why ???

 

[grayland]

I get the message that the google pages on which the PDFs are located is no longer available.

 

[canis_major]

Really useful guide but it says that Bilabao is dangerous. Why ???

I stayed in a hostel in Bilbao in 2012 for two days and the city and hostel were great, and in my experience safe.

 

[AubreyL]

I am still trying to get a handle on what to expect when I go on my pilgrimage. I am under the impression that I will need to purchase my meals (breakfast, dinners and snacks) as I travel along the Camino. When it comes to stops at places like Miraz, where from what I have read, there are no restaurants or grocery stores to purchase my dinner or breakfast the next morning. How should I plan for this?

I read the same thing about Miraz but found two or three little bars between Baamonde and Miraz. Probably still a good idea to bring some dinner foods to the albergue in Miraz because they have a great kitchen.

 

[unadara]

Camino Norte is great, the tourist office little books are also great. Baamonde, buy some supper ingredients, we were in a group and bought a chicken noodle soup and bread but ate also on the way, there are bars. And the little bar in the village deserves support. You are served breakfast in the morning in Miraz. For anyone leaving without breakfast a farmer has opened a little cafe in her house and we stopped there, it's a good distance but worth it. Coffee, fruit, toast, homemade meats and cheeses, yogurts and a great chat about trying to make ends meet, we were very pleased at this little find. I'll look up location and post again.

 

[grayland]

Please note that this is a Thread from 2014 and the last post is dated 12 January 2014