Camino North Oct/Nov?

Jiniowa · Oct 6, 2014

Hi, last minute American nubie here. On an almost spur of the moment, I’m going to do the Camino starting October 10 +/- a day. Would very much like to do the northern route starting in Hendaye FR. Plan to go all the way in 35+/- days. My questions are these if anyone would be so kind as to give guidance.

1. While I could easily transfer my start over to the Frances Route, I would like to be by the ocean. Is it too late in the year to start on the northern route in terms of support (Abergues public and private), trail conditions, food for pilgrims, etc.?

2. While I’m not looking for a lot of companionship along the way, I think I’d not like to be the only one I saw or talked to along the way. Will there be at least a few other travellers along the way this time of year?

3. What are the “starting out facilities” in Hendaye/Irun? Do I need to be at any specific place to get credentialed by any specific time?

4. If I wanted to do a partial route the first day (depending on when I get there) are there any accommodations that would be available that are 12 – 20 kms out of Irun.

5. I guess most basically, I looking for some thoughts on starting this journey from Hendaye vs. SJPP.

Thank you in advance!

Deleted member 3000 · Oct 6, 2014

The first stage:

You can stop 12km out.

jpflavin1 · Oct 7, 2014

Jiniowa said:
Hi, last minute American nubie here. On an almost spur of the moment, I’m going to do the Camino starting October 10 +/- a day. Would very much like to do the northern route starting in Hendaye FR. Plan to go all the way in 35+/- days. My questions are these if anyone would be so kind as to give guidance.

1. While I could easily transfer my start over to the Frances Route, I would like to be by the ocean. Is it too late in the year to start on the northern route in terms of support (Abergues public and private), trail conditions, food for pilgrims, etc.?

2. While I’m not looking for a lot of companionship along the way, I think I’d not like to be the only one I saw or talked to along the way. Will there be at least a few other travellers along the way this time of year?

3. What are the “starting out facilities” in Hendaye/Irun? Do I need to be at any specific place to get credentialed by any specific time?

4. If I wanted to do a partial route the first day (depending on when I get there) are there any accommodations that would be available that are 12 – 20 kms out of Irun.

5. I guess most basically, I looking for some thoughts on starting this journey from Hendaye vs. SJPP.

Thank you in advance!

Jiniowa:

I can not speak to this time of year but it is a great route to walk. I walked this Spring starting April 1st. I had no problems with accommodations. There will be a couple of Albergues that are closed. That said, I always found a reasonable Hotel to stay in those circumstances.

I would recommend you look up the Gronze and Eroski guides online and review them. I found them very helpful for route options and accommodation along the route. I usually looked it over the night before each segment. There is also a Northern routes guide many folks had by Cicerone (sp?).

There is also a forum member named Mendiwalker who lives in Bilbao. He enjoys meeting up with Pilgrims and showing them through his town. Very nice guy.

Thirty-five days should be plenty of time. Best of Luck and if I can be of assistance, please feel free to PM me.

Ultreya,
Joe

lettinggo · Oct 7, 2014

Hola and welcome to the forum

Your plan to walk Norte or Frances in 35 days should be fine as many pilgrims in different ages and physical conditions do that every month of the year.
The Frances has more pilgrims than Norte, but in you will not be alone if you choose Norte.
There will probably be nights where you will be saying alone at an albergue, but this I found a pleasant opportunity to read and relax.

Some albergues (municipal and xunta - the cheaper ones) on Norte will be closed, but there will be private albergues as well as hostels/hotels and youth hostels open, at a little bit higher cost.

Regarding food, I would recommend that you always carry something in case you will arrive at a smaller town without a shop/tienda.
Powder soup, bread, cheese, chorizo or something light to carry.
Also, whenever you pass some shopping opportunity, do make use of it, as you will not know how much longer it is until the next opportunity.

Trail conditions on Norte are good and generally well marked.
First week until Bilbao can be a challenge as much is through uneven ground and forests which are stunning.
Do remember that one of the differences between walking in summer compared with autumn/winter, is the shorter and diminishing daylight.
When you are to walk a longer distance day, you may have to begin before or at daylight and will end up late.
A good lamp will be essential.

The tourist information in Henday or Irun will issue a credential. You may want to write or call them before your departure to make sure.
Have a look at these threads:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/irun-place-to-stay-october-1st.29354/#post-246877
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/accommodation-irun-day-one.27622/#post-240274
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-del-norte-2014.25220/#post-208745

Whether to walk Norte or Frances, it is really up to you.
They are both great walks and to follow you gut feeling may be the right thing to do.
Personally I walked Frances first and normally I recommend this, as it is a bit 'easier' (more albergues open, more pilgrims), but many pilgrims who walked Norte as their first, have stated that they had a fantastic experience.

Last thing you may want to read up a little on these last days before your departure, is Camino Primitivo.
You will have the opportunity to continue along the coast on Norte or walk Primitivo through the mountains once you get to the fork at Villaviciosa.
You don't have to decide now, but having an idea about both routes gives you some opportunities.
Camino Primitivo is a great walk, but it will also depend on what weather you will get.

I hope this helps and have a great walk.

P.S
Here is a link about 'off season' walking on Norte.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/norte-in-april-advice-and-stories-welcome.24307/

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

Jiniowa · Oct 8, 2014

Thanks all. I'm on my way. In Hendaye now. Walkin' tomorrow.

lettinggo · Oct 8, 2014

Have a great walk

KarenDBurns · Nov 24, 2014

I am planning a trip next year - September / October time frame. Will start in Bilbao. I am wondering about weather and accommodations.

Would I be better starting in early September ending in early October or will it make much of a difference if I start in mid / late September?

Jiniowa · Nov 26, 2014

KarenDBurns said:
I am planning a trip next year - September / October time frame. Will start in Bilbao. I am wondering about weather and accommodations.

Would I be better starting in early September ending in early October or will it make much of a difference if I start in mid / late September?

Hi Karen,

I'm sure each year is different, however my experience just recently was that October was simply gorgeous along the coastal route. November arrived and everything changed - most days were quite wet and often cold as well. I think that on balance I got a good deal but it was two extremes. Accommodations were, I think somewhat trickier than in the summer, but never really a problem. An issue is that starting in late October, the days become considerably shorter. You'll want to make sure you're wrapping up the day by about 4:30 if you can.

Jiniowa

sharon w · Feb 10, 2015

We are walking from Le Puy at the end of August and plan to be in Irun by the beginning of October then walk the Camino del Norte. Can anyone tell me what the weather was like in 2014 at this time of year on the del Norte please?
Sharon

Jiniowa · Feb 10, 2015

sharon w said:
We are walking from Le Puy at the end of August and plan to be in Irun by the beginning of October then walk the Camino del Norte. Can anyone tell me what the weather was like in 2014 at this time of year on the del Norte please?
Sharon

I started from Hendaye on October 8 last year. And, while I would not trade my Camino for the world, I should tell you that with respect to weather it was two extremes. The first half was GORGEOUS- really stunning, sunny and gentle. The second half- just the opposite. It was a struggle to keep my stuff dry. If you'd like, you can follow the change of weather on my blog: alphaursaminor.blogspot.com. WARNING: it is full of "spoiler alerts ".
Do it, and make sure that you treat yourself to the Santa Klara Albuerge.