Soon to be Pilgrim!

[pilgrimlex]

Hello Everyone!

I am in my mid-20s and from the US, and I am so ecstatic to be an official part of this community! This has been a bucket list trip for me since 2017 and 7+ years later I am finally preparing to take the plunge. This has been a dream of mine, and something I've thought I would honestly never have the opportunity to do. I'm going through a great deal of life changes and decided what better time to go than now! I'll be traveling solo and am deciding between the Frances and the Norte. I think the Frances will give me the original and best pilgram experience, however, I am very drawn to the views and the challenge of the Norte, but worry about lack of community and stress of finding albergues. Any and all advice on planning your first camino are greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to chatting with everyone and learning more about this amazing experience!

 

[pilgrimlex]

Hello Everyone!

I am in my mid-20s and from the US, and I am so ecstatic to be an official part of this community! This has been a bucket list trip for me since 2017 and 7+ years later I am finally preparing to take the plunge. This has been a dream of mine, and something I've thought I would honestly never have the opportunity to do. I'm going through a great deal of life changes and decided what better time to go than now! I'll be traveling solo and am deciding between the Frances and the Norte. I think the Frances will give me the original and best pilgram experience, however, I am very drawn to the views and the challenge of the Norte, but worry about lack of community and stress of finding albergues. Any and all advice on planning your first camino are greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to chatting with everyone and learning more about this amazing experience!

Please disregard all of my typos!

 

[J Willhaus]

Please disregard all of my typos!

Welcome! There is an edit function so.you can fix any typos. Three dots on the left corner.

 

[J Willhaus]

The Norte will also be through more tourist areas so it will likely be more expensive. Do you know when you plan to go?

 

[Lindsay53]

Welcome pilgrimlex. This is the place for any information you need. I think the Frances is a good choice for your first Camino, lots of infrastructure and plenty of other pilgrims to share the experience. It can be crowded but this can be worked around with a little planning. Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

Welcome to the forum!
I see that you're from the US - I recommend that you check to see if there is an American Pilgrims chapter near you. We on the forum can offer you virtual support, but it's nice to meet other pilgrims locally too.

Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino

Local Chapters American Pilgrims on the Camino is a community of pilgrims organized in chapters throughout the United States. We share Camino de Santiago experiences, support each other, have fun and encourage one another to live The Spirit of the Camino in our everyday lives. We have nearly 60...

americanpilgrims.org

 

[CTLawGal]

Hello! I understand your excitement, I walked my first Spring 2023 and am 40 years older and can’t wait to do my second next Spring. I walked Norte/Primitivo/Finisterre/Muxia. I worried I might be taking on too much with the Norte/Primitivo give the elevation gains and some long stages, but I loved every minute of it and the coastal views and vistas were amazing. Definitely challenging, but breathtakingly beautiful. Definitely not as populated as the Frances, but I enjoy solitude and still made many friends. Although I haven’t walked the Frances, I’m sure you can’t go wrong with either choice. If you’re not going to train much before you go, maybe the Frances is a better choice. It might also be a better choice if you’re hoping to make connections and be part of a “Camino Family”. The participants on this forum will have strong opinions about which choice is best, but a lot will depend on what your intentions are, and with the Norte, your fitness level.

I originally planned to do the Frances, but I felt drawn to the coastal beauty; a friend who had done it and who was familiar with the walking I was doing encouraged me to let go of my fears and follow my desire to do the Norte; her encouragement that I was not embarking on a folly charged by hubris convinced me to switch to the Norte/Primitivo.

Depending on the time of year, it might be more expensive than the Frances if that is a concern - during the summer some of the towns are popular vacation destinations, which makes lodging more expensive.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Welcome @pilgrimlex
I see you are concerned that you may never get to do it. You're in your mid-twenties. Hopefully you have a long and full life ahead of you with plenty of time to make choices that enable you to complete many caminos!

 

[davejsy]

The Frances has it's own share of beautiful landscapes, and your concerns about the Norte as a first solo Camino are valid, so you probably know your answer. Either way I'm sure it will be something you will never ever forget.

 

[Ballari]

Wow @pilgrimlex I love the excitement in your post.
You will love whichever Camino you choose! When are you planning to start? That could influence which Camino would be best.

For me, my first Camino will always be that incredible adventure that has a special place in my heart.

 

[AUSLEE]

I am sure you will love whichever Camino you choose, especially with your level of excitement. I will never forget the feeling of walking out of St Jean... such a special experience. Buen Camino

 

[Stephan the Painter]

l’ll be traveling solo and am deciding between the Frances and the Norte. I think the Frances will give me the original and best pilgram experience, however, I am very drawn to the views and the challenge of the Norte, but worry about lack of community and stress of finding albergues.

Do the Frances. Come back for the Norte some other time. The best thing about the Frances is the social experience. I had a great time, but the 20somethings I met were having so much fun!

That said, try to choose a month that isn’t that busy. And if you don’t like it you can get on a bus and go to the Norte. It’s not that far.

IMO. Buen Camino!

 

[pilgrimlex]

Please disregard all of my typos!

The Norte will also be through more tourist areas so it will likely be more expensive. Do you know when you plan to go?

I am thinking June of 2025, but am flexible. Based on my research so far, it does look like the Norte may be a little more expensive due to other tourists.

 

[pilgrimlex]

Welcome to the forum!
I see that you're from the US - I recommend that you check to see if there is an American Pilgrims chapter near you. We on the forum can offer you virtual support, but it's nice to meet other pilgrims locally too.

Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino

Local Chapters American Pilgrims on the Camino is a community of pilgrims organized in chapters throughout the United States. We share Camino de Santiago experiences, support each other, have fun and encourage one another to live The Spirit of the Camino in our everyday lives. We have nearly 60...

americanpilgrims.org

Will do, thank you!

 

[J Willhaus]

I am thinking June of 2025, but am flexible. Based on my research so far, it does look like the Norte may be a little more expensive due to other tourists.

June is a pretty good time to go on the Camino Frances. It isn't as busy as May or September starting in St Jean and before the August rush starts in Sarria (Spanish vacation time).

 

[trecile]

June is a pretty good time to go on the Camino Frances. It isn't as busy as May or September starting in St Jean and before the August rush starts in Sarria (Spanish vacation time).

Plus there are usually more young people on the Camino in the summer.

I am thinking June of 2025, but am flexible. Based on my research so far, it does look like the Norte may be a little more expensive due to other tourists.

The Norte is more expensive because there's not as much pilgrim infrastructure so those on the Camino are competing with tourists on the north coast.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Your excitement is contagious and brings back my own memories of my first Camino, which was the Frances. The following year I walked the Norte/Primitivo. I absolutely loved them both, but in completely different ways.
I always recommend the Frances as the first when asked on the forum, no matter the person's fitness level, or regardless of their prior experiences of hiking along an ocean or in mountains. The Frances has a wonderful variety of almost "everything", is extremely unique and charged with an energy all its own.
I agree with others who have said, "You are young. Save the Norte for another time."

 

[Anthony18]

Hello Everyone!

I am in my mid-20s and from the US, and I am so ecstatic to be an official part of this community! This has been a bucket list trip for me since 2017 and 7+ years later I am finally preparing to take the plunge. This has been a dream of mine, and something I've thought I would honestly never have the opportunity to do. I'm going through a great deal of life changes and decided what better time to go than now! I'll be traveling solo and am deciding between the Frances and the Norte. I think the Frances will give me the original and best pilgram experience, however, I am very drawn to the views and the challenge of the Norte, but worry about lack of community and stress of finding albergues. Any and all advice on planning your first camino are greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to chatting with everyone and learning more about this amazing experience!

You've come to the right place. Lots of great information provided by some very knowledgeable folks here. I thouroughly enjoyed my camino, in large part due to what I learned from reading the many threads here, or directly communicating with forum members. I did the Camino Frances. It is mostly well marked with no shortage of albuergues. I used an app called camino places to make sure I was on the right track in areas where the trail markings weren't as obvious. I also used booking.com often to book albergues. Both worked like a charm. I also had a copy of Brierly's CF guidebook which I used to plan the next day's route. I found it to be VERY helpful. The CF has plenty of pilgrims to socialize with if that's your thing. It also offers many opportunities to quietly enjoy some fairy tale landscapes as well. I plan on biking the Norte in the near future. Whichever route you choose, pack light, be in the moment and enjoy your journey. Buen camino.

 

[pilgrimlex]

Hello! I understand your excitement, I walked my first Spring 2023 and am 40 years older and can’t wait to do my second next Spring. I walked Norte/Primitivo/Finisterre/Muxia. I worried I might be taking on too much with the Norte/Primitivo give the elevation gains and some long stages, but I loved every minute of it and the coastal views and vistas were amazing. Definitely challenging, but breathtakingly beautiful. Definitely not as populated as the Frances, but I enjoy solitude and still made many friends. Although I haven’t walked the Frances, I’m sure you can’t go wrong with either choice. If you’re not going to train much before you go, maybe the Frances is a better choice. It might also be a better choice if you’re hoping to make connections and be part of a “Camino Family”. The participants on this forum will have strong opinions about which choice is best, but a lot will depend on what your intentions are, and with the Norte, your fitness level.

I originally planned to do the Frances, but I felt drawn to the coastal beauty; a friend who had done it and who was familiar with the walking I was doing encouraged me to let go of my fears and follow my desire to do the Norte; her encouragement that I was not embarking on a folly charged by hubris convinced me to switch to the Norte/Primitivo.

Depending on the time of year, it might be more expensive than the Frances if that is a concern - during the summer some of the towns are popular vacation destinations, which makes lodging more expensive.

This is very encouraging to hear! I am really interested in the Norte for the same reasons. I do also want to meet some other pilgrims, but enjoy solitude as well so it's nice to hear you were able to get a little bit of both on the Norte. I am physically fit and plan to train beforehand either way, so I am not too concerned about that aspect. I think my biggest concern with the Norte is cost and albergues. How was the weather in the spring on the Norte? Was it very busy with other tourists?

 

[pilgrimlex]

The Frances has it's own share of beautiful landscapes, and your concerns about the Norte as a first solo Camino are valid, so you probably know your answer. Either way I'm sure it will be something you will never ever forget.

Thanks for the positive comment! I'm sure neither answer is the wrong answer. Just don't want to miss out if it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

 

[pilgrimlex]

Wow @pilgrimlex I love the excitement in your post.
You will love whichever Camino you choose! When are you planning to start? That could influence which Camino would be best.

For me, my first Camino will always be that incredible adventure that has a special place in my heart.

I am thinking June 2025, I am flexible with possibly starting in late May. Based on my research, it looks like July and August are the busiest months.

 

[pilgrimlex]

Do the Frances. Come back for the Norte some other time. The best thing about the Frances is the social experience. I had a great time, but the 20somethings I met were having so much fun!

That said, try to choose a month that isn’t that busy. And if you don’t like it you can get on a bus and go to the Norte. It’s not that far.

IMO. Buen Camino!

Great advice! What month would suggest for the Frances? I am considering June.

 

[pilgrimlex]

Your excitement is contagious and brings back my own memories of my first Camino, which was the Frances. The following year I walked the Norte/Primitivo. I absolutely loved them both, but in completely different ways.
I always recommend the Frances as the first when asked on the forum, no matter the person's fitness level, or regardless of their prior experiences of hiking along an ocean or in mountains. The Frances has a wonderful variety of almost "everything", is extremely unique and charged with an energy all its own.
I agree with others who have said, "You are young. Save the Norte for another time."

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Great advice! What month would suggest for the Frances? I am considering June.

June is a good choice. Less busy than April or May because it's getting hotter.

May and September are the busiest months on the Frances until Sarria. But I think April is catching up. After Sarria, the summer vacation period is the busiest.

This is a little counterintuitive, I know. More people do the Camino in the summer, but most of them are just doing the short ones, mostly from Sarria. So if you're starting in SJPP it's not as busy in the high summer because it's really hot.

If you want to do more careful research:
There's a website called "Camino weather" where you can plug-in different months for different Caminos and get historical weather.

Also I know the pilgrims' office in Saint John publishes historical statistics on how many people leave each day. I tried to find the website, but I couldn't, but I know someone here knows....

 

[trecile]

I am thinking June 2025, I am flexible with possibly starting in late May. Based on my research, it looks like July and August are the busiest months.

July and August are the busiest on the Norte, but not that busy on the Francés until you get to Galicia.

I've walked the Norte twice. The first time in an unusually rainy July, and last year I started in late May and had wonderful weather.

If you do decide on the Norte I highly recommend starting from Bayonne or Biarritz instead of Irun if you have the time. You can start out with a couple of fairly flat days besides the sea before you get to the hills in Spain.

However, you are unlikely to meet many other pilgrims in those first two days before Irun.

Great advice! What month would suggest for the Frances? I am considering June.

I think that June is great for the Francés. Part of my Camino this year was on the Francés in June, and there were plenty of pilgrims to socialize with but not problems getting a bed each day.

 

[CTLawGal]

This is very encouraging to hear! I am really interested in the Norte for the same reasons. I do also want to meet some other pilgrims, but enjoy solitude as well so it's nice to hear you were able to get a little bit of both on the Norte. I am physically fit and plan to train beforehand either way, so I am not too concerned about that aspect. I think my biggest concern with the Norte is cost and albergues. How was the weather in the spring on the Norte? Was it very busy with other tourists?

I started mid-April. Spring was spectacular, I was lucky to have few rain days, mostly sunny. Not many tourists but enough pilgrims. I will DM you with more details if you’re interested.

 

[David Tallan]

If you think you may only do one, then I would recommend the Frances. It really is the archetype of Caminos. It has the most documented history, covers a wide range of landscapes and regions, and is the one you are most likely to re-encounter in books, movies, etc. On the Camino Frances you have the sense, more than on any other route, that you are walking in the footsteps of millions of other pilgrims, laid down over more than a thousand years. And on top of all that, it is the route with the best support and flexibility for a first-time pilgrim.

All that said, if you are really drawn to the Norte, many have walked it as their first Camino successfully.