A first timer

[Ninap64]

Hi there!
I plan on walking the Camino starting end of September to end of October. I’ve been drawn to del Norte but open to other options. If there is less rain on a different route, I might change my plan. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[Robo]

What 'draws' you to the Norte? There are may routes and all a bit different.

 

[Ninap64]

What 'draws' you to the Norte? There are may routes and all a bit different.

I really don’t know what draws me there. I suppose when I first started looking into it, it was the one that drew my attention. Maybe the mixture of coastal scenery? And the time frame?
Open to suggestions! I just turned 60 and I’m quite fit. I had a challenging year and could use some quiet reflection.

 

[Robo]

I haven't walked the Norte personally, but many others have and will be along shortly.
It helps to know what drew you to it.
I know from others that it can involve a fair degree of road walking and can be busy in the holiday season with non Pilgrims.
Quiet refection? Not sure on that route.

But the resident 'experts' will know.

 

[Robo]

I really don’t know what draws me there. I suppose when I first started looking into it, it was the one that drew my attention. Maybe the mixture of coastal scenery? And the time frame?
Open to suggestions! I just turned 60 and I’m quite fit. I had a challenging year and could use some quiet reflection.

There are so many routes it can be a difficult choice.

If you like the company of lots of other Pilgrims, the popular routes like the Frances and Potuguese might suit.

For great scenery, most routes seem to tick that box.

You could also mix and match routes.

For example start in Salamanca on the VdlP, walk to Astorga on the Frances and then go West on the Frances or Invierno.

But for a first Camino, one of the more popular ones might suit.
More infrastructure etc for Pilgrims.

Have you looked at the Gronze site? That's a good intial planning tool.

El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

 

[Ninap64]

Thanks for the tips! I’ll check out the Gronze site too. I’ll also check out your suggested route. I hadn’t really contemplated mixing and matching

 

[JustOneGuy]

I really don’t know what draws me there. I suppose when I first started looking into it, it was the one that drew my attention. Maybe the mixture of coastal scenery? And the time frame?
Open to suggestions! I just turned 60 and I’m quite fit. I had a challenging year and could use some quiet reflection.

I am in a very similar situation, except for 5+ years more...

I will definitively follow this thread...

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Hi Nina,
I have walked on the section between Santillana Del Mar and Baamonde, which is where the del Norte approaches the Frances route. It IS a beautiful camino and I also walked in October (2021). Keeping in mind that Covid 19 may have depressed the numbers, it was not overly crowded, or even crowded at all, at that time of year. I think is a very good nexus between still warmish weather, places being open and not too many people vacationing at the coast in October.
There is a bit of road walking, but many opportunities exist for taking beautiful paths along seaside routes
that are off road. So, don't necessarily be deterred- I expect you will be rewarded with enough company of fellow pilgrims, at a really nice time of year along the north coast of Spain.
I would have continued on the del Norte, had it not intersected with the Frances and the tremendous crowds in the last 100k of that route. Instead, I transferred by train to Pontevedra, on the Portuguese, to finish on that route. Good luck which ever way you go!
I hear and read that the Irun to Santillana Del Mar section is both strenuous and breath taking, but have no personal experience there.

 

[Ninap64]

Thank you! I’ve heard the same about that stretch which simultaneously intrigues me and deters me! Good to hear that you had a great experience and thanks for the input.

 

[WalkingLester]

I have walked the Norte a few times. Not in October so I don’t know about weather patterns at that time of year. The Norte has a lot of sections along the coast but much of it is inland. There is a fair amount of road walking which I find unpleasant. I would highly recommend researching this forum for coastal variants. You can download the app Mapy.cz which has the Norte and all the coastal variants. Since Covid many albergues have closed. In summer 2022 I was sad to find that so many special albergues I had enjoyed in 2019 and 2020 (before Covid) were closed. There are still many places to sleep especially if you are okay with private rooms. But, if you want mainly albergues it may take some extra planning. In October I would expect few other pilgrims. In my opinion the Norte has less of a pilgrim feel than the Frances or some other Caminos. It seems more like a hike. That’s not good or bad, just different. I will probably do the Norte again some day. It’s a great experience!!!

 

[lt56ny]

I walked it when I was about 64. There are alot of ups and downs and it is very beautiful.
When I walked there were lots of young and wonderful people walking. There was one other couple that I saw often that were in their 70's but for the most part it was younger people. But just like the weather who knows what tomorrow will bring. I started in early October and had just a little rain until Galicia.

I would highly recommend researching this forum for coastal variants. You can download the app Mapy.cz which has the Norte and all the coastal variants.

There is lots of road walking. I only had the Buen Camino app. I think that or wise pigrim, don't remember. To avoid road walking I just asked the kids who were doing the variants if I could walk with them. It made things much easier and the camino was wonderful.

 

[JerryStroebele]

First walked the del Norte when I was 69. Liked it so much I walked it again. BUT ALWAYS A LOT OF RAIN in October. Was intimidated by all the stories I heard about the crowding on the Camino Frances so I avoided it for years and walked other Caminos. Then I had a "minor" heart attack and decided I needed to walk easier caminos with more infrastructure allowing shorter stages. Walked the Frances and found it just delightful but not so easy. Heading back next month to walk it again. I think for first time pilgrims the Camino Frances is the best to start with. Buen Camino

 

[MeghanT504]

Hey Nina! I'm also considering the CdN for my first trek. Was wavering back and forth between the CF and Portuguese, but I came across someone's blog (in all of my research) who made this sound like such a compelling route. I would agree with you in that I'm not sure why it actually draws me in, but it immediately felt more 'me'. I think a lot of it has to do with the Scenery, but also the changes in altitude which I think would be a good challenge. There's no way I can get off enough time from work to do it in it's entirety, so I'm trying to decide if I'm I'll do the first 100km or the last (which I know is really common). (Was also looking at sept/oct)

 

[Ninap64]

Hi! Agreed, I think it’s scenery/challenge. Seems like the first day of the CdN is the hardest but most beautiful! The weather has been a concern but also from what I hear, it’s unpredictable everywhere that time of year. I’m leaning towards the CdN still but haven’t 100% committed to that route

 

[MeghanT504]

Hi! Agreed, I think it’s scenery/challenge. Seems like the first day of the CdN is the hardest but most beautiful! The weather has been a concern but also from what I hear, it’s unpredictable everywhere that time of year. I’m leaning towards the CdN still but haven’t 100% committed to that route

The other thing I considered was to do the ingles because it's meets the 100km requirement and it is an actual entire route. But I read it's not a scenic or traveled so there's that. lol I don't know, I keep thinking "you can do this, just commit" and then doubt creeps in haha

We're you thinking of reserving your rooms along the way or walking in and take what's available?

 

[Ninap64]

The other thing I considered was to do the ingles because it's meets the 100km requirement and it is an actual entire route. But I read it's not a scenic or traveled so there's that. lol I don't know, I keep thinking "you can do this, just commit" and then doubt creeps in haha

Were you thinking of reserving your rooms along the way or walking in and take what's available?

C

The other thing I considered was to do the ingles because it's meets the 100km requirement and it is an actual entire route. But I read it's not a scenic or traveled so there's that. lol I don't know, I keep thinking "you can do this, just commit" and then doubt creeps in haha

We're you thinking of reserving your rooms along the way or walking in and take what's available?

I’m going to book the first night when I arrive or maybe 2 but from there I’m just going to wing it and hope for the best.
I think the the scenery is a big draw for me. I like the idea of both seaside and inland. I Imagine it’s going to be a steep learning curve no matter how over, under or perfectly prepared I am!

 

[JerryStroebele]

If you choose the Camino del Norte, when you get to Santillana del Mar, take a couple of hours off of walking, and go (walk or taxi) 2 km south to the Museo Altamira. It is an exact reproduction cave (40,000 measurements per sq. meter!) of the adjacent Cuevo Altamira. You will see exact reproductions of cave paintings from 16,500 years ago. And you will be AMAZED! Buen Camino