Anyone walked the Norte during Semana Santa?

[Damien Reynolds]

So I do other treks in the USA that require permits. Well, sometimes they require "lotteries" to actually get a "permitted" start date. Once you hike there you know the permit system is just meant to preserve the natural environment, prevent "overcrowding".

I recently "lost" the lottery and had to adjust my plans. I'll just pick up where I left off last time.

But what that means is my next trip to Spain will not require an early exit. I can fully exploit my Schengen Visa for the ninety days...

So that means I have this great big hole in my itinerary ready to fill up. Norte is my favorite... April/May sounds grand.

I don't remember ever being there for Semana Santa though. At least if I was I didn't notice. So like, anyone out there know what it is like to be on the Norte during the week before Easter?

 

[Luka]

I have never walked on the Norte during Semana Santa, but I live in Asturias for over 7 years now. Semana Santa is the opening of the tourist season here, so many Spaniards (mostly Madrileños) come here for holidays then. Semana Santa itself isn't celebrated as in the south. Yes, there will be some processions in the evening, but don't expect big celebrations or crowds.

 

[tjz]

Last March we were on the Norte from La Caridad to Baamonde during Semana Santa. There was some uptick in the number of pilgrims, but nothing like our times on the Frances during Semana Santa. We traveled to Madrid before coming home, and that was crazy busy and crazy crazy (but good!). We did not find nearly as much a focus on the spiritual side of things with processions and services as we expected, but that is pretty much the Norte in general.

Buen Camino!