• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Advanced search…

Recent content by tjz

  1. tjz

    Mid March Planning Head Aches

    We have always walked in March (Frances and Norte) and find you have to be prepared for just about anything. This last March was the coldest I can remember - wet, cold, and windy. But I've been sweating in the hot sun, too, in March-April. Like any hiking, it's all about layers and you'll...
  2. tjz

    Gronze - Difficulty Ratings

    I'm speculating here, but I think the Gronze ratings may be a bit subjective. I know when comparing one stage to another, I don't always agree with the difference in stars. I look at the ratings in Gronze and guidebooks, but instead, I use the formula "add 1km distance for every 200m of climb"...
  3. tjz

    Memory lane

    Our first day on the Camino was a Sunday in March 2014. We started in St. Jean like so many others have. I hadn't been to Europe in nine years and my wife had never been so it was all very exciting and so completely different than any trip before. We did the plane from the U.S to Paris, metro to...
  4. tjz

    Goretex is a waste of money?

    Nothing is perfect for everyone, that's for sure! Some (most?) gore-tex type jackets have "pit zips" and ways to loosen the cuffs, and those can help with ventilation and sweat build-up. They can be awkward to use, though, and may let water creep in. At that point, you've kind-of turned the rain...
  5. tjz

    Norte Mountain Route - Soto to Cadevedo

    There's no way to predict the future, but in my experience, it almost never rains all day. I personally would not and have not adjusted my plans because of predictions which may or may not be accurate. More often than not the forecast shows some rain every day, and over the 10 or so weeks I've...
  6. tjz

    Norte Mountain Route - Soto to Cadevedo

    We took the endless up and down through the eucalyptus forests in a pretty steady rain this March. There were a few shin deep streams to cross with all the water, and the muddy eucalyptus debris was out to trip you up the whole time. At the junction we stared wistfully at the sign for the...
  7. tjz

    Surprised at our test results poncho vs jacket

    This is my experience too. I've gone back and forth, but am currently a rain jacket / rain pants / pack cover wearer for these reasons: We have had to endure some pretty strong winds on the Norte especially, and I've found a tighter fitting jacket and pants are both much quieter and less likely...
  8. tjz

    Camino del Norte from Muros de Nalon

    I think that's quite doable, but might be a little ambitious if you don't want to rush, and want to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the towns you stay in. I would check out the stages on Gronze for the Norte and the last two days on the Frances: https://www.gronze.com/camino-norte...
  9. tjz

    Food on Sundays

    I don't remember specific towns, but we have been caught more than once unable to buy groceries on a Sunday. We have always just stopped when convenient the next day and stocked up then. As @trecile mentions, there has always been a bar or restaurant open, though. We've learned to always keep at...
  10. tjz

    Madrid to Ponferrada

    We took the train in 2018 and it was very easy and fast to do so. There is Alsa bus service too. I would recommend getting the lay of the land with rome2rio and then jumping from there to either Renfe/Trainline and/or Alsa.
  11. tjz

    Rain Pants?

    Yes, don't forget the convenience of wearing your rain gear on those days you've got a pile of laundry and really want to splurge and wash the whole lot all at once in a machine! We have done this more than once and it has been super nice, even if it feels a little weird. :) Even though I walk...
  12. tjz

    Change train in Ourense from Madrid to Sarria

    Last month we were traveling the opposite direction from Baamonde to Madrid and had to finish the leg into Ourense on a bus too. As @J Willhaus says, it is all very efficient. We were pretty amazed how well Renfe handled it all. Our MD train from Baamonde was 10 minutes late when it picked us...
  13. tjz

    Ground conditions - Camino Del Norte

    Sorry, my trail-addled brain has lost the exact spot, but it was somewhere between Gijón and the big turn inland at Ribadeo. Almost certainly the machines have moved on by this time. But as with all things Camino, it's best to be prepared for the worst any given day as things change all the...
  14. tjz

    Ground conditions - Camino Del Norte

    Yes, we had one particularly bad section a couple of weeks back on the Norte where some of the transport machines were on the path which was an incredible mess of mud and debris. Thankfully, the operators were on the lookout, and they stopped and allowed us to slog around the machines. Despite...
  15. tjz

    Irún to San Sebastián first day

    We did the ridgeline route in 2022 in our 50s/60s and reasonably fit. We were not in a hurry and it was one of the best 8 hours and 51 minutes of my life. 😁
See more

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Latest posts

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top