Best Print Guide?

[Sweenardo]

Planning to do a portion of the Norte in September/October 2018. Did Ourense to Santiago last year loved it and after reading many posts on the forum decided that the Norte is right this time. May only have cell phone usage via wireless so wondering which print guide folks recommend? I see references to alternate routes, especially coastal routes on the forum (and on Gronze) and would like to get a hard copy with descriptions of the "official" route and alternatives. I will probably start in Bilbao and go to at least Santander and perhaps further but won't make it back to Santiago this trip. Thanks once again for your help! I have also read that the route is well marked and that is is not well marked so any information you can provide on that issue will also be appreciated......

 

[spursfan]

At the micro level there are probably sufficient arrows on the Norte but I've just carried the Wise Pilgrim print guide along the Primitivo and it's brilliant - linear maps including alternative routes, ingenious altitude maps, towns plans with hotels and grocery stores located, prices and phone numbers for albergues and other accomodation, distances, yet compact enough to carry

 

[gloria lowe]

I just did Irun to Santander and love the Wise Pilgrim print of Norte and the Wise Pilgrim app. Especially the online map if you get lost make the blue dot get back to the line.

 

[Sweenardo]

Thank you Gloria and spurs fan! Sounds like I need to get a copy of the Wise Pilgrim and also load the app. Appreciate it!

 

[lt56ny]

I will be doing the Norte from Irún I will be starting on September 17. Maybe we’ll run into each other. I bought the wise program book and the app. I think both will come in handy. The thing I like most about Gronze are the extensive Albergue reviews. Mini more than in The wise pilgrim app. If your Spanish is not very good I would recommend opening it on Google in your smart phone because you could set it up for automatic translation. The translation isn’t bad at all. Not great but you’ll understand. Buen Camino

 

[classicalfan]

I have three guides with me (in Santillana del Mar now) and have used all three.
The Cicerone guide can be purchased as an ebook and I believe the updates version will be out very soon.
The Buen Camino app has been essential! You can download the maps for use offline and location doesn't use data. With location on you can see yourself in the map and in profile.
I also carry with me the Wise Pilgrim book and use it for planning stages.
Buen Camino!

 

[Sweenardo]

Good information. I'll load the Buen Camino app and check out using Gronze with Google translation. This forum rocks! Buen Camino and Muchas Gracias.....

 

[Colette Z]

Walked el Norte alone in March with Wise Pilgrim Guide Book (I took minebto Faxcopy shop and had them make it a spiral binding great great idea). The accompanying App was the best and I didn’t have internet service. It works off of satellite gps. You can literally see footpaths on the app map. Gronze is no where near anything I would use especially when walking very much alone in remoter stretches. Buen camino.

 

[Dominik]

If you're reading German, French or Spanish, the best is the one by Cordula Rabe of the German edition Rother. Very nice maps that would help you find alternative ways in case of any difficulties, adresses, telephones and quite a lot of cultural and historic background. And the size that just fits my pocket. I've used it on La Plata and Norte.

 

[Sweenardo]

Thank you Colette and Dominik. The Wise Pilgrim app sounds magical!

 

[classicalfan]

I tried to use the Wise Pilgrim app and couldn't get it to work on my Android phone. But my friend is able to use it on her Apple phone. If you download it, be sure to test it out first.

 

[Sweenardo]

I will for sure....I've got an Apple phone.