Meeting people

[Vicky97]

So last year I walked the CF and I loved how you would be able to walk (sort of) alone, but also were able to meet people whenever you wanted, there are so many different people walking the CF so it's almost hard to "chose" between them

This year I'm thinking about walking the CF again (because I feel like I haven't seen it all, I don't have that much time (only a month max) and like I said I love the social aspect from the CF) or walking the camino del norte

So my question is: Will I meet people on the camino del norte if I start the end of June (like on a daily base, so I don't actually HAVE to walk alone if I don't feel like walking alone)? And is a month possible to walk the camino del norte (last year it took me a month to walk the cf, but I didn't wanted it to end so i started to walk really slowly at the end)

 

[oursonpolaire]

There'll be people. I've done bits of the del Norte on several occasions and ran into lots of them. Its Caminos such as the Vadiniense and the San Jaume where you'll be solitary.

 

[grayland]

The Norte has become pretty busy. Nothing like the CF (yet) but lots of people around.
Two years ago in September there were a few albergues completo. Most were first time European Pilgrims that had heard the stories about the CF.

Last June there were days on the Primitivo that there were always people in sight.

Times are changing as people start to avoid the CF.

 

[MKalcolm M]

I walked the Norte in May/June of 2013, and really enjoyed it. I chose this because I like the sea and don't like crowds. I too wondered if I would have company along the way, but I read that while their are less pilgrims on this route, the bond between them is stronger. It turned out it was the right decision, and socially I had a great time. I have never laughed so much and enjoyed such good camraderie.
Fairly quickly several of us formed a camino family and would often cook together in the albergs in the evenings, and walk together during the days. They have since become lifelong friends and we have met up in each others countries since then. My favourite moments of the whole camino where the gaiety we shared together.

 

[Vicky97]

Thanks for all the wonderful answers! Do you guys think it's possible to walk the camino del note in a month? If not, is it easy to return home before Santiago (like on the CF you could easily stop in Leon and Burgos and many more places) Also do you need to know (a little bit of) Spanish on the camino del norte?

 

[IngridF]

The Norte is becoming very busy.. as already mentioned, especially towards the end. Be prepared to walk longer distances, especially when you notice pilgrims getting up earlier and earlier... just an indication that the bedrace is on... and it does happen on the Norte too.

Buen Camino, whichever route you take, Ultreia!

 

[Sunshine bf]

we will see you there June 11-25!

 

[Pabloke]

Thanks for all the wonderful answers! Do you guys think it's possible to walk the camino del note in a month? If not, is it easy to return home before Santiago (like on the CF you could easily stop in Leon and Burgos and many more places) Also do you need to know (a little bit of) Spanish on the camino del norte?

You can do it in a month but you'll have to walk a couple of long stages, which will be hard as this route has a lot of mountains to go up and down.

There are various big cities along the North Way: from Donostia to Bilbao, Santander or Gijón with more than 200.000 people, and others not so big but still enough to have good communications.

A bit of Spanish will always be welcome but it's not exactly indispensable. All depends on what do you want to do. To sleep and eat, you can go without a word of Spanish.

 

[Tincatinker]

@Vicky97 , if finishing in Santiago is important to you then back-track using one of the on-line guides http://www.gronze.com/camino-norte to get you to a comfortable 1 month starting point - Bilbao or Santander perhaps. If its just the comfort of getting home without too much hassle there are airports at Bilbao; Santander; Asturias (near Aviles) and A Coruna as well as Santiago. The FEVE railway http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/feve/index.html runs all along the North coast. Its narrow gauge & slow but great fun. There are pretty good bus connections too.

Happy Planning