Norte for a novice?

[JuneNE]

Hello, I'm a novice and want to walk a way less traveled. What do you recommend? Wanted to try the northern routes but I am not sure when I see that it is many paved roads, is there a less traveled section!

 

[Jan_D]

As most of the caminos follow well-established travel routes, you'll usually find a mixture of on and off-road paths. Some sections of the northern Spanish coastline are tourist hot-spots, so the towns can be very busy, although nothing like in other parts of Spain. The paved sections are usually quiet farm roads, and at some points you can choose to take the E9 hiking path, which runs right along the coast. Maybe it's just selective memory, but my recollection of the Norte is days and days of stunning scenery, farmland, mountains and beaches - 'roads' isn't the first thing that comes to mind, although I'm sure there were days when the asphalt seemed never-ending.

The thing is, over the course of a camino-month, you will experience, see, and do so much, and you will meet so many people, that the question of 'paving' could become somewhat insignificant. Although I also suppose it also depends on your motivation for doing the camino - if you're more interested in hiking, then there are many less-paved paths throughout Europe that you'd find more satisfying. If you are more interested in the pilgrimage aspect, on the other hand, then, as many other posters will probably tell you, as a novice, you should probably experience the magic of the Frances first

 

[jpflavin1]

Hello, I'm a novice and want to walk a way less traveled. What do you recommend? Wanted to try the northern routes but I am not sure when I see that it is many paved roads, is there a less traveled section!

JuneNE:

There are many options depending on how much time you have, time of year you are walking and what you mean by less traveled.

The Madrid (11-14 days), San Salvador (4-6 days) and Vasco (8-11 days) are all very sparsely walked Camino's. The Primitivo (11-14 days) depending on the time of year will be lightly traveled to more populous. The Norte (29-34 days) also the same.

The Primitivo will be less hard pan walking than the Norte. The Norte has hard surface walking but mostly rural roads, lots of alternative paths and beautiful seascapes.

The Frances will be more social than the other paths but there will still be plenty of solitary time. If you walk in the Spring mid March/early April the traffic is not overcrowded.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[notion900]

I would recommend walking Camino Frances off season first.

 

[TerryB]

as a novice, you should probably experience the magic of the Frances first

I could say - "Why"??? It has perhaps, more social life than some of the others. However, as a more solitary kind of person I do not find that type of "magic" means very much.

For your encouragement, my first Camino (as a Pilgrimage) was the Norte / Primitivo from Santander back in 2009. My idea was - Walk to seaport, take ship, land in Spain, walk to Santiago. The Norte has perhaps more "pavimiento" than the Primitivo. Depending on how much time you have, I would suggest that the Primitivo is the one to go for.

Blessings on your planning
Tio Tel

 

[Tia Valeria]

The Primitivo every time...

This is our experience:-
Camino Primitivo 2012 (Note I turned this round to run down the page - not 'blogwise')
Buen Camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I have to agree with those suggesting you stick to the Norte, or Primitivo, if you like a path less travelled. Last time I was on the Frances was in 2013 and for me it was already too busy, with someone always in sight, and worse, hearing constant chatter. When it's not what you are looking for it's not fun. As for paved roads: be thankfull you are not walking in tractor marks which keep your knees and ankles crooked . Give me pavement on quiet roads any day over tractor tracks.

 

[poogeyejr]

As you can see I am slightly biased! But Norte all the way!

I didn't understand why people kept saying more pavement, I thought they meant busy roads, and there are a few, but mostly it is farm roads and beach access roads and quiet streets. I loved the Norte and have gone back to Northern Spain to Vacation along the Norte.

 

[Redvespablur]

Our first was Norte/Primitivo last May. Our second will be a Norte/Primitivo less the last 100 km in May 2018

We liked it a lot.

 

[poogeyejr]

Our first was Norte/Primitivo last May. Our second will be a Norte/Primitivo less the last 100 km in May 2018

We liked it a lot.

I often wonder if we love it so much because it seems like home?