LIVE from the Camino Who's on del Norte? Oct 2021

[Former member 98985]

Hola,
Just wondering who else might be on the Norte at the moment? We haven't encountered many others at all - loving every day's walk (in Llanes now) but wonder if we're missing part of the experience! Anyone else currently on the Santander-Oviedo stretch? Buen Camino.

 

[trecile]

You aren't missing part of the experience - you are having your own experience!

 

[DragonShadow]

Hola,
Just wondering who else might be on the Norte at the moment? We haven't encountered many others at all - loving every day's walk (in Llanes now) but wonder if we're missing part of the experience! Anyone else currently on the Santander-Oviedo stretch? Buen Camino.

When we walked to Norte in 2016 (Sep-Oct) and we would sometimes go all day without seeing another pilgrim. When we reached our destination each day, that's when we would run into fellow pilgrims, especially at the albergues. We stayed in a combination of inexpensive hotels and albergues. If you are staying strictly in hotels you may not meet as many pilgrims.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

In 2018 I went 3 days without seeing another pilgrim. I began to wonder if I had strayed off course and had to check my app's and maps.

 

[ParrisPair]

When we walked to Norte in 2016 (Sep-Oct) and we would sometimes go all day without seeing another pilgrim. When we reached our destination each day, that's when we would run into fellow pilgrims, especially at the albergues. We stayed in a combination of inexpensive hotels and albergues. If you are staying strictly in hotels you may not meet as many pilgrims.

This was exactly our experience in October 2019. A totally different feel to the Frances, but lovely to walk barefoot across the vast, quiet sandy beaches. And the weather was great!

 

[CMMCKEON]

I am just home from 8 days on Camino Del Norte, Santander to Gijon. Day 1, walking to Santillana, I met nobody at all. After that, however I met about a dozen or so over the various stretches. It was such a great experience, weather , scenery, food and wine and of course the people along the way.

 

[Jo Jo]

Heading to Irun on Saturday. If you are not seeing anyone, am I correct in guessing the albergues are empty? Any thoughts/warnings/information to pass on?

 

[Former member 98985]

Heading to Irun on Saturday. If you are not seeing anyone, am I correct in guessing the albergues are empty? Any thoughts/warnings/information to pass on?

Hi Jo Jo,
I've stayed in a mix of albergues, posadas etc and had no trouble getting a bed but booked ahead for cities like Bilbao and Santander. Tips..?
* the weather has been incredible so I've managed just with a silk rather than sleeping bag (albergues provide blankets)
* bring masks, required in all shops & restaurants
* consider adopting the Spanish way of eating: coffee & tortilla/bread at 10-11, big meal between 2&4pm and organs your walking around those times
* carry less than you think you need (most anything can be bought)
* don't forget the duct tape..!
Buen Camino