August - El Norte - any suggestions, we only have two weeks

Welcome to the forum.

Unless finishing in Santiago is important...I would suggest starting in San Sebastián. It is a beautiful place to start and you will be along the sea for the next weeks. It is not an easy level route but doable for most people.

There will, no doubt be other suggestions.

Teresa Santamaria said:

Hello All - We would love to have suggestions - weather considerations, pieces of the way to consider. Walking with 13 year old son - whose middle name is Santiago because of our journey there. Thank you! Teresa

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Irun to Bilbao is more difficult with ups/downs than the rest of Norte. Another option is to start at a stage after Bilbao and end in Oviedo or as far as you can cover in two weeks. Here is an example staging from my walk:

0. Bilbao - Pobena, mostly boring road walk, take a bus or train
1. [17.5k] Castro Urdales (Alb Municipal, 5eu, 3km from town, avoid it if you want town action)
2. [30.1k] Laredo, walked to Liendo 24k and then bus to Laredo(casa trinidad, 10eu, private, run by the nuns)
3.[30.6k]Guemes (bus to Santona & walk 25.xk to Guemes (motel style alb Guemes, donativo)
4.[17.1k]Santander (hostel b&b&b, 15eu, Dinner at La Barboletta)
5.[33k]Santilla del mar, bus out of Santander and then walked 25k (pension Posada Revolgo, 20eu)
6.[27.5k]San vicente, walked to camillas 23k, bus to san vicente(Alb basic, 10eu)
7.[26.5k]Perubeles (Alb aves de paso, Donativo, private, communal meals)
8.[19k]Playa de poo (Private alberque, food not the best)
9.[20k]Cuerres, 6km before Ribadesella (Private alb run by a German couple, excellent)
10.[6k]Ribadasella, my break day (hostel Juvenile,on the beach, 15eu)
11.[20.5k]Colunga (Confeteria las palmeras, 20eu)
12.[14k]Villaviciosa, 3km before town centre (La llarmarga, private house, donativo, bf/dinner)
13.[20.3k]Le vega (alb municipal, 5eu)
14.[27k] Oviedo ,bus from colloto(Alb Villa ceceila, private room 20eu, don't eat here)

Remember that August is peak holiday season for Spaniards, you are near the sea and pilgrim infrastructure is not as extensive as on the CF and there are three of you.

They may be right about the heavy tourist traffic in August...but that is when we walked last year and it was ok. Some albergues were full but pensions were available
Reservations in San Sebastián would be a must for the first night.

Starting further along may make sense.

Be aware that Rajy took a bus/taxi on many of his stages, according to some of his other posts. If you check out Gronze and work stages back from Oviedo/ Gijón/Ribadeo then you could be starting near Santander with the sea and mountains along the route. It is worth taking the FEVE from Santander to Barreda to avoid a long industrial section and either a long walk round the ría or a dangerous railway bridge crossing. Alternatively it is approx 14 days from Ribadeo to Santiago itself if you can manage the 'stages'. Happy planning and buen Camino