12 Days on the Camino del Norte

[ANJoseph92]

Hi All,

I'll be hiking the Camino del Norte for 12 days in July, starting in Gijón. Ideally I'd like to get to SDC in that time without taking any buses but most of the info I've seen suggests that won't quite be possible; are my suspicions correct? For reference, I'm fairly fit but not a massively experienced hiker and don't want to kill myself trying to get there in just 12 days! If you don't think this is possible which bits would you suggest I skip by getting the bus?

A few other questions I have:
1) Is a sleeping mat necessary?
2) I've read that this Camino is getting busier and busier and as a result albergues are filling up quickly. I'm planning to book for my first couple of nights just for peace of mind but would really rather not do this for the whole time, so are the albergues likely to be full, or is this just scaremongering?
3) I'm planning to pick up my peregrino credencial in Gijón, is this possible? Where can I get it from?
4) I'm planning to wear running shoes. I've worn them for day-hikes before and all sorts of sports and they're extremely comfortable, I've never had any problems with blisters and they have air-holes on the top. So I'm just looking for reassurance that these will be OK!

Any and all advice appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

Joe

 

[Castilian]

Hi ANJoseph92! Welcome to the forum!

With a little bit of planning, if you start in Avilés instead of in Gijón, you could make it in 12 days.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Castilian's suggestion makes sense-- in any case, Gijon to Avilés has got an awful lot of roadwalking through industrial suburbs, especially the 10km into Avilés, so unless your confessor has set this stretch as a penance, you won't lose much by starting out of Avilés.

In Avilés, credenciales are available at the Pedro Solis albergue on Gutiérrez Herrero, 1--- Gronze.com does not say if they can be had at either albergue in Gijon. In any case, they are usually available at the turismo (in Gijon the turismo is on the pier leading of Calle Rodriguez San Pedro and in Avilés at Calle de Ruiz Gómez, 21-- I dealt with the turismo staff in Avilés and they were very helpful, giving me a city map with the Camino out of town marked on it).

I can't answer your other questions as I did not stay in albergues along this route-- generally they have mattresses so you would not need a sleeping mat, but others might have better information. As far as footwear is concerned, I need boots--- you may not!-- but the trail was largely either on gravelled footpaths, or gravelled or paved country roads.

 

[ANJoseph92]

Many thanks to both of you for your advice. I will be in Gijón the night before I start which is why I wanted to start there but if it's not the nicest stretch to Avilés then I think I'll bus it there early the next morning and save myself a day!

 

[backpack45scb]

Have done both Norte and Primitivo in running shoes with no problems. A hiking pole would be useful. You can find a stick along the way, though it might take a few days.

 

[Ohia]

I can't answer your other questions as I did not stay in albergues along this route

I'm planning on doing the whole route during June and July and would like to sleep outside. Do you think I will need a tent? I've got a 0° sleeping bag.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Ohia,

Welcome to tne Forum.

Unfortunately camping is illegal in Spain. You might be able to sleep outdoors in a few albergues that have some grounds, but even then you would most likely be asked to pay for use of the shower, kitchen, etc.

 

[oursonpolaire]

I'm planning on doing the whole route during June and July and would like to sleep outside. Do you think I will need a tent? I've got a 0° sleeping bag.

The del Norte is very problematic for camping, although some have done it and a search through the forum will produce their experiences for you. Your best bet is to check to see which albergues have space outside for sleeping. The Camino del Norte passes through built-up and agricultural areas-- there is very little space for wild camping and it is illegal to camp within (IIRC) 3km of an established campsite (there are plenty of these, and provincial tourism sites will list them for you, as will eurocamping and other sites). As it is a seaside area, precipitation happens, and I suspect that a tent would be useful.