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[Kreidy]

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[jpflavin1]

Hello to everyone! So I'm planning to do my first camino this year, at end of the april or start of the may. And as many other first timers I find it very difficult to find right route. I'm between choosing camino del norte and camino french. My latest idea will be that I start camino del norte and walk till Oviedo and then down to Leon and contiune with french way. But as I read people usually walk opposite way. Leon to Oviedo and contiune with primitivo.

My main question with this thread will be that how many of you have walked North way and connecting this with French way or opposite. I would really like the coastal view, that's why it seems smart to start with norte. But how much I'm going to miss from French way. Like what important cities and places that first timer should see. It would be nice to go over pyrenees to Roncesvalle visit Burgos, wine fountain etc. So what are the main places in french way till Leon I gonna miss if I choose North way.

Kreidy:

To answer your question about what you might miss, I would have to know more about what you are interested in.

That said, the major generic differences between the Frances and Norte, imo, are:

The Frances is more crowded and social.

The Frances is inland and the Norte is coastal.

Accommodations on the Frances are more Frequent than the Norte and the Norte has more touristy/holiday cities.

Food on the Frances is more meat and the Norte more fish.

Day in and out the Norte is a bit more challenging than the Frances.

These are just a few thoughts that come immediately to my mind.

I believe there is social value in walking either Camino in it's entirety and would therefore pick one. That said, you will meet great people on both routes.

Whichever choice you make, I am sure it will work for you.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[peregrina2000]

HI, Kreidy, welcome to the forum.

Joe's hit on all the high points, but I would add a caution to the idea about walking "backwards" on the Salvador from Oviedo to León. The waymarking is placed only in the León to Oviedo direction, and it might cause a bit of confusion for you going in the other direction. Also, since there aren't a lot of pilgrims on this route anyway, you're unlikely to be able to get help from people going from León to Oviedo.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

When I read "walking the Salvador backwards" I heard myself say "no, no, no". This is a route I want to do and will do, but after having walked enough Camino km I know my limits and know I am not comfortable walking it alone, let alone against the waywarkers.

Second thought is that. Camino is so not about the tourist attractions that may be foind along its way. Now, if a long distance walk is what you are interested in, then yes, views and sites are lart of it, but a pilgrimage?

If site siteseeing is important to you, well, you will miss out on what is on the other route nomatter what. The Norte takes you through San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana, Guernika. The food is 100 times better than what you will find on the Frances. And you will get the coast.

Walk the Frances and you walk through many old towns whose history is tied to the Camino, lots of religious architecture also tied to the Camino. You walk through San Sebastian, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga.

No matter what, you will miss out on something. Which is why so many go back year after year Nd discover a new route.

The question to ask yourself is what do you want from this walk? The Frances will give you a chance for many more encounters, it is more socialble, you will have people walking in frint and behind you regularly, and lots of known faces at the bars when you stop for a rest during the day. Walk the Norte and enjoy walking alone, while meeting uo with others in the albergues in the evening and enjoy the coast, Basque food, and just as wonderful cities and towns to walk through.

 

[willydp]

Follow your heart

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you go from the Norte to Leon you will miss most of the meseta. Some people love that part and others hate it. You have to read about it and decide if the meseta is for you.

 

[camino07]

After walking from Irun to Oviedo I took a bus to Leon and continued on the Frances to Santiago. I do love the Frances and have walked it 5 times. Great for a first Camino but now so busy its best to walk off season. IMO
Heather

 

[Francis Terrance]

Hello to everyone! So I'm planning to do my first camino this year, at end of the april or start of the may. And as many other first timers I find it very difficult to find right route. I'm between choosing camino del norte and camino french. My latest idea will be that I start camino del norte and walk till Oviedo and then down to Leon and contiune with french way. But as I read people usually walk opposite way. Leon to Oviedo and contiune with primitivo.

My main question with this thread will be that how many of you have walked North way and connecting this with French way or opposite. I would really like the coastal view, that's why it seems smart to start with norte. But how much I'm going to miss from French way. Like what important cities and places that first timer should see. It would be nice to go over pyrenees to Roncesvalle visit Burgos, wine fountain etc. So what are the main places in french way till Leon I gonna miss if I choose North way.

 

[Camino Tom]

When I read "walking the Salvador backwards" I heard myself say "no, no, no". This is a route I want to do and will do, but after having walked enough Camino km I know my limits and know I am not comfortable walking it alone, let alone against the waywarkers.

Second thought is that. Camino is so not about the tourist attractions that may be foind along its way. Now, if a long distance walk is what you are interested in, then yes, views and sites are lart of it, but a pilgrimage?

If site siteseeing is important to you, well, you will miss out on what is on the other route nomatter what. The Norte takes you through San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Santillana, Guernika. The food is 100 times better than what you will find on the Frances. And you will get the coast.

Walk the Frances and you walk through many old towns whose history is tied to the Camino, lots of religious architecture also tied to the Camino. You walk through San Sebastian, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga.

No matter what, you will miss out on something. Which is why so many go back year after year Nd discover a new route.

The question to ask yourself is what do you want from this walk? The Frances will give you a chance for many more encounters, it is more socialble, you will have people walking in frint and behind you regularly, and lots of known faces at the bars when you stop for a rest during the day. Walk the Norte and enjoy walking alone, while meeting uo with others in the albergues in the evening and enjoy the coast, Basque food, and just as wonderful cities and towns to walk through.

 

[Camino Tom]

Hi
Write down 5 or 6 Camino's on pieces of paper , roll them up and place in a jar , pick out one and walk it , every Camino is great!
Best of luck
tom

 

[Kenny Allen]

Hello to everyone! So I'm planning to do my first camino this year, at end of the april or start of the may. And as many other first timers I find it very difficult to find right route. I'm between choosing camino del norte and camino french. My latest idea will be that I start camino del norte and walk till Oviedo and then down to Leon and contiune with french way. But as I read people usually walk opposite way. Leon to Oviedo and contiune with primitivo.

My main question with this thread will be that how many of you have walked North way and connecting this with French way or opposite. I would really like the coastal view, that's why it seems smart to start with norte. But how much I'm going to miss from French way. Like what important cities and places that first timer should see. It would be nice to go over pyrenees to Roncesvalle visit Burgos, wine fountain etc. So what are the main places in french way till Leon I gonna miss if I choose North way.

High Keide
Cycled the French route 2 yrs ago and it was amazing and recommend first timers to do this class route.
Am returning this Ye to the Norte route and am equally as excited but do think the French rote will take some beating so go for the former kidder you won't be dsointed. Buen Comino