Norte-San Salvador-Primitivo

[Simperegrina]

Please, am I mad to contemplate the following combo:

Norte: Biarritz-Bayonne-Irun-Santander (via Bayonne to get my legs going)
Santander - train to Leon
San Salvador - Leon to Oviedo
Primitivo - Oviedo to SdC

Mad in that I might actually be found curled up in a ball, and crying to the Camino gods?

My flight to Biarritz is booked for 14 May.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Why mad? Unless you’re seriously tight on time?
It’s a great time of year, and from what I’ve read you’re combining some wonderful walking. A couple of somewhat more strenuous days, but it’s not exactly like you’re inexperienced is it. It’ll be June by the time you hit the Primitivo, beautiful!!

Buen Camino!

 

[OZAJ]

I don't see a problem, provided you are reasonably fit and healthy. I have walked all these routes, though not necessarily as a combo. I have walked Salvador followed by Primitivo, which was most enjoyable.

 

[Simperegrina]

Why mad? Unless you’re seriously tight on time?
It’s a great time of year, and from what I’ve read you’re combining some wonderful walking. A couple of somewhat more strenuous days, but it’s not exactly like you’re inexperienced is it. It’ll be June by the time you hit the Primitivo, beautiful!!

Buen Camino!

I’ve got to do a proper schedule to work out number of days, because of Schengen (*shakes fist*). I think I can manage within my remaining allowance. Not a lot of wiggle room, but I’d have to be prepared to change plans on the hoof if necessary.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I’d have to be prepared to change plans on the hoof if necessary.

Makes for the best trips, Camino or otherwise !

 

[Simperegrina]

Makes for the best trips, Camino or otherwise !

Peter, you walked the Verde variant. How many days does that add on pls?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I don’t think it really adds anything. It’s two days to cross from Lugo to Sobrado. Then I think it was 3 days into Santiago? EDIT- nope, just two

After Sobrado I took the Norte variant, the only disadvantage being (if you can call it that) that you have only ‘Twin pines’ for accommodation ( read the thread for my and others comments) and zero services.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Just checked, took me 13 days from Ovedio - Santiago, including a rest day in Lugo, the Verde, and the Norte variant. Stay at Casa Benigno in Friol, if you email/ phone direct and tell them you’re a pilgrim on the Verde you get a great discount. I’ve heard their food is also good, sadly the kitchen was closed the night I stayed. The restaurant/bar just up the road was excellent.

 

[davejsy]

Sounds amazing to me! Some of the best of the Norte, then the beautiful mountains.

If you're tight on time though just go Biarritz/Irun - Santander, still plenty more of a warm up than you should need!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Simperegrina , here’s @Telelama excellent notes. That, and the photo of the turnoff was all I used, although it’d probably be wise to download Mapy.cz, if you don’t have it already. I didn’t have Mapy at the time, I have downloaded it since for my project here in Germany and, looking at it, it matches very well my recollection and video of the route.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-verde-trail-conditions.80616/post-1152487

 

[Simperegrina]

[/QUOTE]

Just checked, took me 13 days from Ovedio - Santiago, including a rest day in Lugo, the Verde, and the Norte variant. Stay at Casa Benigno in Friol, if you email/ phone direct and tell them you’re a pilgrim on the Verde you get a great discount. I’ve heard their food is also good, sadly the kitchen was closed the night I stayed. The restaurant/bar just up the road was excellent.

Thx Peter

 

[Tom Conklin]

I did the same route this past fall but instead of taking the train/bus from the Norte to Leon I walked down the Labiniego/Vadiniense from San Vincente de la Barquera to the French and then up the San Salvador to the Primitivo. The whole thing took me 40 days from the airport in Biarritz. It is a very hilly combo but you are rewarded with fantastic views. I don't think I would do it that fast again. The Norte and Primitivo were fairly crowded, I travelled parallel to a group of between 5 and 10 on the Salvador and the Labiniego/Vadiniense was very, very quiet.

 

[Flory]

I have a question about the verde variant. I read somewhere that it is not considered a camino and you may not get a compostella in Santiago. I will finsch the primitivo in 2025 and a compostella is very important to me ( i walk it vicari pro for a very much loved someone).
I was wondering about this routte ( the massive amount of people on the frances are not apIling to me) but mayby stay on the save side for the compostella?

 

[Simperegrina]

I did the same route this past fall but instead of taking the train/bus from the Norte to Leon I walked down the Labiniego/Vadiniense from San Vincente de la Barquera to the French and then up the San Salvador to the Primitivo. The whole thing took me 40 days from the airport in Biarritz. It is a very hilly combo but you are rewarded with fantastic views. I don't think I would do it that fast again. The Norte and Primitivo were fairly crowded, I travelled parallel to a group of between 5 and 10 on the Salvador and the Labiniego/Vadiniense was very, very quiet.

Thanks Tom. This is all really useful input for me as I think about my route. I have to keep a close eye on my Schengen days, and I don’t want the stress of time/rushing things. Runs a bit counter to why I love walking Caminos…

I’m hoping second half of May might not be too busy on the Norte, and Jun seems good for the Primitivo…and the San Salvador sounds amazing…

 

[BobY333]

Sounds like a great plan! You’ll be plenty warmed up by the time you reach León. The San Salvador can be walked in 4-6 days (day one will determine if you can do less than five). Also, if you’re pressed for time and physically ready for it, I walked from Lugo-SdC in 3 days (about 35km/). It was great, and this placed me between the CF crowds after Melide.

I’m sure you’ve seen this, but get the Ender guide for the San Salvador.

Enjoy!

 

[Simperegrina]

Sounds like a great plan! You’ll be plenty warmed up by the time you reach León. The San Salvador can be walked in 4-6 days (day one will determine if you can do less than five). Also, if you’re pressed for time and physically ready for it, I walked from Lugo-SdC in 3 days (about 35km/). It was great, and this placed me between the CF crowds after Melide.

I’m sure you’ve seen this, but get the Ender guide for the San Salvador.

Enjoy!

Thanks Bob. I have no problem walking 30+km days unless the terrain is tremendously challenging - which I know Lugo - SdC is not! I certainly want to avoid the CF crowds. But I do want to give myself every opportunity the journey

 

[Simperegrina]

Plenty to ponder, everyone

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I have a question about the verde variant. I read somewhere that it is not considered a camino and you may not get a compostella in Santiago. I will finsch the primitivo in 2025 and a compostella is very important to me ( i walk it vicari pro for a very much loved someone).
I was wondering about this routte ( the massive amount of people on the frances are not apIling to me) but mayby stay on the save side for the compostella?

Incorrect. They look at the start point (Oviedo), sometimes how many days you've walked, and they double check that you've got your 2 stamps a day for the last 100km. Which in this case is from Lugo, so it's super important to get one in Lugo as you leave ( I got mine at the church just immediately before the ways separate, I think they open around seven or seven thirty in the morning specifically for Pilgrims, under the circumstances play safe and get one at the cafe before you leave) & in Friol upon arrival, as there are ZERO service's along the way on day one of the Verde. Day two, I got my first stamp at the bar a couple of kms after joining the Norte, the second I think at the end of the day in Sobrado.

BUT: In your situation, as the Compostela is so important to you if you have any hesitations then walk the normal Primitivo. It's still a great Camino.


Zero services means : No food, no water.
I carried plenty of good food. I don't like going hungry!
I also recommend a minimum 2L of water, more if you think you might need it - there's nothing. Day 1 I carried 2l, a yoghurt drink ( good snack) and a 500ml Aquarius. And used the lot. I drank a 200ml water (and a beautiful cold bottle of cider!) upon arrival, I should have carried another 500ml. It was a relatively warm, 28km day.

 

[VNwalking]

if you can call it that) that you have only ‘Twin pines’ for accommodation

My map shows this...are the two on either side fictitious?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@VNwalking , what map are you using? I can't locate the same image.
Certainly if I look at Google Maps, it shows me two properties, one of them is Twin Pines and one Casapueblo (nearby) - but they're one and the same property! I looked at the photos and went 'what the heck' - I recognize that. Checked the photos for the other listing sure enough they're identical.

I remember passing Casa Rico de Medin, I took a photo of it. It was about 3km later; WAY out of my Pilgrim budget. Think it was over €100 P/n ?

EDIT: just found this older thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/norte-variants-after-the-coast.71018/post-948358