April Camino

[anniemay]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and to the concept, but I am planning to walk my first Camino this April and planning to walk the northern way.

Does anyone have any experience with walking in April? And any key things worth considering walking early in the season in preparation.

Thought I would start here broadly and then see where it gets me before going into the details.

Thanks so much for any messages in advance.

Annie

 

[Martin 888]

Hey Annie.....welcome ! I’m planning to do the Norte next year but am repeating the Camino Frances this year having had such an amazing journey last year on the CF. I was just interviewed on the latest episode of the ’Camino de Santiago - Pilgrim‘s Podcast’.....you’ll find it either on the podcast section on this forum or by googling the above......lots of general tips, tricks, advice and recos......enjoy and Buen Camino !

 

[Rick M]

Does anyone have any experience with walking in April? And any key things worth considering walking early in the season in preparation.

I left Irun the second week of April last year. This is the beginning of Pilgrim season, and nearly everything is open starting over the Easter week. Make sure you have a rain solution that you have confidence in, because you will get rained on at some point. As you may have learned by now, the first week or ten days is very hilly, and will be challenging to those who are not physically ready for a steady diet of up hill followed by down hill, every day. If you are not pretty fit already, start training with your shoes and your pack now. There are loads of suggestions on the forum about this, but take it slow at first, and build up your distance and pack weight over the next few months. Yes, this means walking through a park in London, in the rain, wearing a backpack and poncho. See if you can find some hills as well.

We only met a few fellow pilgrims that time of year, so crowding is just not an issue. The tourists have not arrived yet, so the string of beach towns are not yet filled with holiday makers. Unlike the more popular Frances route, the locals on the Norte are mostly oblivious to pilgrims. This means there are not a lot of pilgrim oriented facilities and accommodations beyond the albergues. That said, this is a region that makes its living from tourists, so the tourism facilities are world class.

Buen Camino!

 

[Zicobabe]

Afternoon All
I will be walking the Portuguese Camino this April for the first time. I have a few questions for anybody that has done it.
Aim is to start with the Senda Litoral route from Porto to Caminha and then walk to the main Portuguese Central route via Valenca.
I hope to complete it in 9 days..Is 9 days too aggressive for the walk?
Also whats the story with accommodation along the way. Do i have to book in advance on websites like booking.com or can i reach each town and look for these camino albergue's? Whats the story with these albergue's? Just arrive each day and look for a bunk bed? What would the availability be like in April just rocking up to these albergue's without booking in advance does anybody know?
Thanks

 

[Anthony Coyne]

Afternoon All
I will be walking the Portuguese Camino this April for the first time. I have a few questions for anybody that has done it.
Aim is to start with the Senda Litoral route from Porto to Caminha and then walk to the main Portuguese Central route via Valenca.
I hope to complete it in 9 days..Is 9 days too aggressive for the walk?
Also whats the story with accommodation along the way. Do i have to book in advance on websites like booking.com or can i reach each town and look for these camino albergue's? Whats the story with these albergue's? Just arrive each day and look for a bunk bed? What would the availability be like in April just rocking up to these albergue's without booking in advance does anybody know?
Thanks

I'm part of a group of 5 cyclists who start from Porto on 21st April and we are following the Litoral route.

 

[Rick M]

Afternoon All
I will be walking the Portuguese Camino this April for the first time. I have a few questions for anybody that has done it.
Aim is to start with the Senda Litoral route from Porto to Caminha and then walk to the main Portuguese Central route via Valenca.
I hope to complete it in 9 days..Is 9 days too aggressive for the walk?
Also whats the story with accommodation along the way. Do i have to book in advance on websites like booking.com or can i reach each town and look for these camino albergue's? Whats the story with these albergue's? Just arrive each day and look for a bunk bed? What would the availability be like in April just rocking up to these albergue's without booking in advance does anybody know?
Thanks

Welcome to the Forum. You (and Anthony!) have posted your question about the Portugal route in the wrong place, as this is for questions about the northern route. Try posting your question over there, and you should get lots of help.

Buen Camino

 

[lindam]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and to the concept, but I am planning to walk my first Camino this April and planning to walk the northern way.

Does anyone have any experience with walking in April? And any key things worth considering walking early in the season in preparation.

Thought I would start here broadly and then see where it gets me before going into the details.

Thanks so much for any messages in advance.

Annie

Hello Annie,

Welcome to the forum. When planning a Camino starting in April, be sure to pay attention to the week leading up to Easter. It is a very busy travel time for most Spaniards both on and off the Camino. Should your Camino extend over this period, it is strongly advised that you make reservations for accommodations during that week, or at very least for the days just before Easter (12 April 2020). You will be able to find many suggestions regarding accommodations on the del Norte route on this forum as well as on gronze.com. Happy planning!

 

[Dan T]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and to the concept, but I am planning to walk my first Camino this April and planning to walk the northern way.

Does anyone have any experience with walking in April? And any key things worth considering walking early in the season in preparation.

Thought I would start here broadly and then see where it gets me before going into the details.

Thanks so much for any messages in advance.

Annie

Hi Annie, I am starting the Norte from Irun on April 24th. Hoping I get lucky with the weather, but i'm not afraid of some rain. I am currently doing some long weekend walks in preparation, as this is all I really have time to do, but I guess i'll be as ready as I can be.
When are you planning on starting?

 

[Redvespablur]

We started from Irun on 28 April 2016. Was a very warm and sunny day - put a nice tan on me that would just grow over next month

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

More than just rainy, I found the trail to be quite slippery at times and sometimes deep mud, too. Not all day every day but enough that I had to slow down and be careful, especially the first week. I started June 2 so I imagine it will likely be that way in April.
That being said, I’m quite happy that I did it.
Buen Camino

 

[hielienie]

Hi Annie

I'll be starting in Irun on April 12th so might see you on the way. There is an amazing thread on this forum about the coastal alternatives for Del Norte. If you search for "Coastal Alternatives" you should stumble upon it easily.

Buen Camino

 

[Dadhairday]

I’m starting from Irun on 21st March and there looks to be enough aulberge accommodation open then. As others suggest a good waterproof is essential. I’m taking a brolly too but I know only for days when winds are not prohibitive,

 

[An Tincéir]

Hello Annie,

Welcome to the forum. When planning a Camino starting in April, be sure to pay attention to the week leading up to Easter. It is a very busy travel time for most Spaniards both on and off the Camino. Should your Camino extend over this period, it is strongly advised that you make reservations for accommodations during that week, or at very least for the days just before Easter (12 April 2020). You will be able to find many suggestions regarding accommodations on the del Norte route on this forum as well as on gronze.com. Happy planning!

Annie, it is also a good idea to avoid San Sebastián the+last week end in April. It is some sort of festival and at least in 2017 practically everywhere was full.

 

[mdelag]

I left Irun the second week of April last year. This is the beginning of Pilgrim season, and nearly everything is open starting over the Easter week. Make sure you have a rain solution that you have confidence in, because you will get rained on at some point. As you may have learned by now, the first week or ten days is very hilly, and will be challenging to those who are not physically ready for a steady diet of up hill followed by down hill, every day. If you are not pretty fit already, start training with your shoes and your pack now. There are loads of suggestions on the forum about this, but take it slow at first, and build up your distance and pack weight over the next few months. Yes, this means walking through a park in London, in the rain, wearing a backpack and poncho. See if you can find some hills as well.

We only met a few fellow pilgrims that time of year, so crowding is just not an issue. The tourists have not arrived yet, so the string of beach towns are not yet filled with holiday makers. Unlike the more popular Frances route, the locals on the Norte are mostly oblivious to pilgrims. This means there are not a lot of pilgrim oriented facilities and accommodations beyond the albergues. That said, this is a region that makes its living from tourists, so the tourism facilities are world class.

Buen Camino!

Hi Rick, I will be starting part of Camino del Norte, from Luarca. Any recommendations for that part ? I walked Camino Frances last year, from Roncesvalles to Santiago. I have not stopped walking since I got back. If there is any information I should have, would be very thankful.
Buen Camino

 

[Rick M]

Hi Rick, I will be starting part of Camino del Norte, from Luarca. Any recommendations for that part ? I walked Camino Frances last year, from Roncesvalles to Santiago. I have not stopped walking since I got back. If there is any information I should have, would be very thankful.
Buen Camino

I wish I could offer some help, but we only got as far as Santander, where we caught the train to Fromista and finished up on the Frances. I found it toooo quiet from a fellow pilgrim viewpoint, and my wife was begging for the flatter ground and better daily bail-out options of the meseta since she had hurt her knee. Consequently, I have never been on the last leg of the Norte. Lots of other veterans out there I'm sure will have some pointers for you.

Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

Hi Rick, I will be starting part of Camino del Norte, from Luarca. Any recommendations for that part ? I walked Camino Frances last year, from Roncesvalles to Santiago. I have not stopped walking since I got back. If there is any information I should have, would be very thankful.
Buen Camino

There's a recently updated thread on favorite Caminos on the Norte

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/my-favorite-albergues-on-the-camino-del-norte.38019/#post-821954

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and to the concept, but I am planning to walk my first Camino this April and planning to walk the northern way.

Does anyone have any experience with walking in April? And any key things worth considering walking early in the season in preparation.

Thought I would start here broadly and then see where it gets me before going into the details.

Thanks so much for any messages in advance.

Annie

I have walked all my Camino's in the Spring.

Good shoes
Good rain gear or poncho, do not worry about the weather. It is unpredictable.
bring a sleeping bag
Take care of all hot spots asap
Walk at your pace
Do not have expectations, just walk and let the Camino be your guide.

This forum is full of advice on packing list, shoes, rain, gear etc. That said, everyone has different needs. I suggest you read through the forum. Using that information and keeping your own needs in mind, I am sure you will have a great Camino.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[NomadBoomer]

I’m starting from Irun on 21st March and there looks to be enough aulberge accommodation open then. As others suggest a good waterproof is essential. I’m taking a brolly too but I know only for days when winds are not prohibitive,

I start early June. Based on previous caminos I'd say an umbrella unlikely to be worth the weight. But I have been lucky not many days of rain and no wind. You can always toss it on the way

 

[Dean Lategan]

Hi Annie, I am starting the Norte from Irun on April 24th. Hoping I get lucky with the weather, but i'm not afraid of some rain. I am currently doing some long weekend walks in preparation, as this is all I really have time to do, but I guess i'll be as ready as I can be.
When are you planning on starting?

Hope we see each other, I will also start on the 24th of April from Irun. Am super excited to start my first camino.

 

[Dan T]

Hope we see each other, I will also start on the 24th of April from Irun. Am super excited to start my first camino.

Great! My first also. I'll be arriving at the albergue in Irun on the 24th, technically I start walking on the 25th. I've been planning this for a long time, and it's getting close!

 

[Pscarmen]

Hey Annie.....welcome ! I’m planning to do the Norte next year but am repeating the Camino Frances this year having had such an amazing journey last year on the CF. I was just interviewed on the latest episode of the ’Camino de Santiago - Pilgrim‘s Podcast’.....you’ll find it either on the podcast section on this forum or by googling the above......lots of general tips, tricks, advice and recos......enjoy and Buen Camino !

Martin that’s awesome for you! I didn’t know about that & ive been on & off here for several years. Thanks for the info!

 

[maria_korneeva]

I am going to start on 18 April. Are there many pilgrims this time?
Is it possible to stay first night at Albergue in Irun? Train from Paris comes only at 19.30. Is not it to late to come to albergue after 20.00? Should I better book something?

 

[60Morris]

My husband and I arrive in Irun on the 9th of April and plan to start on the 10th with our Camino. We hope to arrive in Gijon on the 29th, and plan to walk the second half of the Norte next year. We walked the Primitivo same time last year, it was amazing! We are counting the days! Buen Camino to all.

 

[Pcav182]

Hi Annie!

I walked from Bilbao to Santander in mid April last year. It was some of the best views of the ocean I have ever seen. I wish I could have gone on longer but I only had a bit of time off from school. I am resident here in Northern Spain, so I would say that you should definitely be prepared for a bit of rain. Some times you can go a whole week here without the rain stopping once and other times it can be 26 degrees and sunny during April. It is quite unpredictable.

When we walked we were very lucky with the weather. Only on the final day were we rained on. However with an oversized poncho to fit over our packs, we were just fine. The rest of the days were low 20s and sunny.

My most important advice to you is to make sure that you spend a night in a little town called Güemes. It is the last stage before Santander. There you will stay at an unforgettable albergue called La Cabaña del Abuelo Peuto. Best albergue I have ever stayed in.