Day 1: Norte vs Frances

Drewcaplan · Jul 8, 2023

Hi. I’ve seen posts comparing Norte and Frances, but my specific question is how the Day 1 compares. For me Day 1 was the hardest on the Frances (SJPdP to Roncevalles). I know that Irun to St. Sebastián is also difficult. How much harder is the latter on an obviously subjective basis? Thx.

Tincatinker · Jul 8, 2023

One big hill; several smaller hills. You're either gonna walk it or you ain't.

My entirely subjective view is "what's the question?" The actual profiles are readily available on Gronze or a plethora of apps. And, like the Frances, the Norte offers alternative routes that provide for choices. Choose.

Rick M · Jul 8, 2023

My memory is that Day 1 of the Frances is subjectively harder than the Norte. The thing with the Norte is that while Day 1 is a bit easier, you get to do that slightly easier day for the next ten days in a row.

Vacajoe · Jul 8, 2023

Rick M said:
My memory is that Day 1 of the Frances is subjectively harder than the Norte. The thing with the Norte is that while Day 1 is a bit easier, you get to do that slightly easier day for the next ten days in a row.

Well said!!!!!!

trecile · Jul 9, 2023

It depends on if you take the "Purgatorio" route or the lower route through the forest when leaving Irun. You can also split the stage by staying at the albergue in Pasaia. That will give you a short day to San Sebastián si that you have more time to enjoy that city.

Drewcaplan · Jul 9, 2023

Tincatinker said:
One big hill; several smaller hills. You're either gonna walk it or you ain't.

My entirely subjective view is "what's the question?" The actual profiles are readily available on Gronze or a plethora of apps. And, like the Frances, the Norte offers alternative routes that provide for choices. Choose.

Super unhelpful. Why bother replying?

Drewcaplan · Jul 9, 2023

Vacajoe said:
Well said!!!!!!

Thank you. That is extremely helpful and matched what I suspected.

Drewcaplan · Jul 9, 2023

trecile said:
It depends on if you take the "Purgatorio" route or the lower route through the forest when leaving Irun. You can also split the stage by staying at the albergue in Pasaia. That will give you a short day to San Sebastián si that you have more time to enjoy that city.

Gotta do the upper route!!! Despite the difficulty.

Santiagomjm · Jul 9, 2023

Drewcaplan said:
Super unhelpful. Why bother replying?

I was thinking exactly the same...

DarinaDC · Jul 9, 2023

Drewcaplan said:
Hi. I’ve seen posts comparing Norte and Frances, but my specific question is how the Day 1 compares. For me Day 1 was the hardest on the Frances (SJPdP to Roncevalles). I know that Irun to St. Sebastián is also difficult. How much harder is the latter on an obviously subjective basis? Thx.

SJPP to Roncesvalles was one part then over. I found the del Norte to be more challenging overall. Constantly ascending & descending. I also did Camino Lebaniego and that was very difficult but so beautiful. I live in SW Florida which is sea level so I don’t have the opportunity to train with elevation or altitudes. I never saw anyone struggling… but I only ever saw 13 other pilgrims. It’s very lonely in comparison to Frances.

sgwnz · Jul 9, 2023

Drewcaplan said:
Hi. I’ve seen posts comparing Norte and Frances, but my specific question is how the Day 1 compares. For me Day 1 was the hardest on the Frances (SJPdP to Roncevalles). I know that Irun to St. Sebastián is also difficult. How much harder is the latter on an obviously subjective basis? Thx.

I am currently walking the Camino Norte. I found the first day of the Frances longer and harder however the following 5 days have been significantly harder on the Norte.

oursonpolaire · Jul 9, 2023

Drewcaplan said:
Super unhelpful. Why bother replying?

It might well be helpful for the person just beginning to research possibilities. A strapping redheaded roller derbista of my acquaintance has from time to time trained RCAF cadets and reminds me that there are no stupid questions except the ones which weren't asked.

And for my two centimos-- the first day out of Irun to San Juan is nowhere as system-shocking as the day to Roncesvalles, but the first week is much much more arduous than the first week of the Francese. I tend to advise against comparing the two-- they are very different animals.

Celi Anatrella · Jul 9, 2023

sgwnz said:
I am currently walking the Camino Norte. I found the first day of the Frances longer and harder however the following 5 days have been significantly harder on the Norte.

Do you kind sharing your stages for the days you have walked so far, please. Thank you kindly!

sgwnz · Jul 9, 2023

Celi Anatrella said:
Do you kind sharing your stages for the days you have walked so far, please. Thank you kindly!

Every stage so far has been very hilly and steep. Going downhill is particularly hard on my feet. Martina-Xemein to Guernica was the hardest in my opinion. We arrived in Guernica to find the albergues are closed so be prepared to go further. We caught the train from there to Bilbao as did other walkers. A great stop is Ibiri. An amazing albergue. Had a great time.

Celi Anatrella · Jul 9, 2023

DarinaDC said:
SJPP to Roncesvalles was one part then over. I found the del Norte to be more challenging overall. Constantly ascending & descending. I also did Camino Lebaniego and that was very difficult but so beautiful. I live in SW Florida which is sea level so I don’t have the opportunity to train with elevation or altitudes. I never saw anyone struggling… but I only ever saw 13 other pilgrims. It’s very lonely in comparison to Frances.

sgwnz said:
Every stage so far has been very hilly and steep. Going downhill is particularly hard on my feet. Martina-Xemein to Guernica was the hardest in my opinion. We arrived in Guernica to find the albergues are closed so be prepared to go further. We caught the train from there to Bilbao as did other walkers. A great stop is Ibiri. An amazing albergue. Had a great time.

Thank you kindly! Buen Camino!

blueskywa · Jul 9, 2023

trecile said:
the "Purgatorio" route

And the views from the top over the Bay or Biscay are stunning, making it so worthwhile!!

Tincatinker · Jul 9, 2023

Drewcaplan said:
Super unhelpful. Why bother replying?

I thought I’d made the distinction quite clear: St J to Roncesvalles, one big hill to climb over. Irun to San Sebastián several smaller hills in rapid succession. The combined ascent and descent making the Norte, probably, more challenging. My, I thought encouraging if not actually helpful comment, is that, if you are seriously intending to walk any Camino the nature of the terrain is irrelevant to the decision. Harder, shorter, longer, flatter, steeper: Nothing will change the height or angles of any hill. Just lace your boots, trim your pack and go walk it

Drewcaplan · Jul 10, 2023

oursonpolaire said:
It might well be helpful for the person just beginning to research possibilities. A strapping redheaded roller derbista of my acquaintance has from time to time trained RCAF cadets and reminds me that there are no stupid questions except the ones which weren't asked.

And for my two centimos-- the first day out of Irun to San Juan is nowhere as system-shocking as the day to Roncesvalles, but the first week is much much more arduous than the first week of the Francese. I tend to advise against comparing the two-- they are very different animals.

Very helpful thank you!

Jaime Carrollo · Jul 15, 2023

If you don’t have to walk every step on the “official” Camino, then look for the trails along the north coast that hug the cliffs and beaches for some amazingly beautiful scenery. I used Buen Camino to follow the blue path, but found a friend who had better luck using Gronze for the best oceanside paths.
Of course, take the high route from Irun to Pasaia to San Sebastián. It is a beautiful way to start the Camino. I detoured to Oviedo and took the Primitivo. It is also awesome.
If you have decent knees, you will have no problems.

trecile · Jul 15, 2023

Jaime Carrollo said:
If you don’t have to walk every step on the “official” Camino, then look for the trails along the north coast that hug the cliffs and beaches for some amazingly beautiful scenery. I used Buen Camino to follow the blue path, but found a friend who had better luck using Gronze for the best oceanside paths.

Wise Pilgrim shows more coastal paths, like the one leaving Santander.
I also used mapy.cz for alternatives.

Clay7011 · Tuesday at 4:30 PM

Planning on walking Norte-Primitivo starting about June 10, 2025. Are the albergues very busy at that time and also what will the weather be? I did this the end of August and September of 2017 and...

Day 1: Norte vs Frances

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