Starting the Norte Route in September

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 9, 2017

I'm starting from IRUN around September 13th or so. Has anyone Hiked the Norte route in autumn? I'm wondering about the climate and the need for a sleeping bag or a liner with a light fleece throw blanket. Also, I've never used a phone in Europe but I hear about prepaid cards. Is this useful and worth the money? This will be my 5th Camino in a year but I've been informed that this route is different, so, I'm collecting as much information as I can. I leave for Paris in a month.

I have waterproof boots, a rain cover for my bag and a rain coat because I hear the chances of rain are 100% somewhere.

Anemone del Camino · Aug 9, 2017

I walked from San Sebastian to Llanes from the end of September into mid-October and it was HOT. This being said, as these were somehow unusuak temps and that you will be walking for a few more weeks something beyond a liner may be good to have.

Cell is great to have, to reserve a bed, keep in touch with fellow walkers you want to meet up with for lunch or dinner. Make sure your cell is unlocked and buy any SIM card once you get to Spain. Unlocking may be expensive, but once it's done it's done and you can keep using your phone on future Caminos.

And yes, go prepared for rain.

Jim Michie · Aug 9, 2017

Matt:

I walked the Norte starting in Irun last year starting September 5th. The first week it was very warm and made walking any distance difficult. After the first week in became very comfortable, cool in the morning and warming up during the day to short sleeve temperature. It did rain, but mostly a light drizzle, never seemed to last more than a few hours.

I carried a sleeping bag but did not have a need for it. All of the lodging I stayed in had nice warm, fuzzy, etc... blankets. The route is a little different than the Frances in that you may find the only accommodations to be pensions and small hotels and have heat, blankets, and usually paper linen. All very inexpensive.

I did not use a smart phone, and purchased a very simple phone for E20 including E10 of air time. I found the phone necessary for accommodations because many of the hostels, and hotels were full of tourists. It appears people discovered they can have an inexpensive holiday on the beach by staying in hostels and taking the bus or train to a different hostel each day. Last year Vodaphone sold a prepaid smart phone for E80 including a great deal of prepaid data.

As stated earlier the walk is different than Frances, there were days I did not see another pilgrim on the trail and was the only person at night in the albergue. In contrast I met many very nice pilgrims in the evening.

Jim Michie

LTfit · Aug 9, 2017

One never knows. I've walked parts of the Norte 2x in October and was glad I had a light weight sleeping bag. In my 3 times on the Norte I have always hit some rain, even in June. A backpack cover and poncho are sufficient.

We in the EU are lucky as since June 15th we are no longer changed for roaming costs so we can use our local contract in Spain without extra charges. During my previous Caminos I took my smartphone for fotos and whenever wifi was available plus a cheap mobile phone (€30) using a Spanish SIM which can be bought at the airport or any phone store (Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, etc). I have used the same SIM card for the past 3 years.

Buen Camino!

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 10, 2017

Anemone del Camino said:
I walked from San Sebastian to Llanes from the end of September into mid-October and it was HOT. This being said, as these were somehow unusuak temps and that you will be walking for a few more weeks something beyond a liner may be good to have.

Cell is great to have, to reserve a bed, keep in touch with fellow walkers you want to meet up with for lunch or dinner. Make sure your cell is unlocked and buy any SIM card once you get to Spain. Unlocking may be expensive, but once it's done it's done and you can keep using your phone on future Caminos.

And yes, go prepared for rain.

I'm pretty much sold on not taking a sleeping bag. Now i'm on the topic of cell phone. Thanks for you note

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 10, 2017

LTfit said:
One never knows. I've walked parts of the Norte 2x in October and was glad I had a light weight sleeping bag. In my 3 times on the Norte I have always hit some rain, even in June. A backpack cover and poncho are sufficient.

We in the EU are lucky as since June 15th we are no longer changed for roaming costs so we can use our local contract in Spain without extra charges. During my previous Caminos I took my smartphone for fotos and whenever wifi was available plus a cheap mobile phone (€30) using a Spanish SIM which can be bought at the airport or any phone store (Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, etc). I have used the same SIM card for the past 3 years.

Buen Camino!

Are any of these companies good companies? Do you prefer one over the others? I have an unlocked cell phone and would like to buy a SIM card with phone and data.

Anemone del Camino · Aug 10, 2017

CaminoMatt73 said:
Are any of these companies good companies? Do you prefer one over the others? I have an unlocked cell phone and would like to buy a SIM card with phone and data.

Buy the first one you fond that offers a price you can live with. Better things to do on a camino than shop around for a deal n a SIM card.

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 10, 2017

Anemone del Camino said:
Buy the first one you fond that offers a price you can live with. Better things to do on a camino than shop around for a deal n a SIM card.

Haha, was going to do that anyway. Thanks for the push.

LTfit · Aug 10, 2017

I have Movistar as Spaniards I know said that they have the best coverage.
By the way, didn't mention that I have a prepay service. One can top up as they say at any Tabac shop, no need to return to a Movistar shop.

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 10, 2017

LTfit said:
I have Movistar as Spaniards I know said that they have the best coverage.
By the way, didn't mention that I have a prepay service. One can top up as they say at any Tabac shop, no need to return to a Movistar shop.

I have my own unlocked phone, so i'm assuming I go into a Movistar outlet, pay them some money for a SIM card and put 40Euro on it and can fill it up when it runs out. Is that the jist?

LTfit · Aug 10, 2017

CaminoMatt73 said:
I have my own unlocked phone, so i'm assuming I go into a Movistar outlet, pay them some money for a SIM card and put 40Euro on it and can fill it up when it runs out. Is that the jist?

That's it!

Anemone del Camino · Aug 10, 2017

CaminoMatt73 said:
I have my own unlocked phone, so i'm assuming I go into a Movistar outlet, pay them some money for a SIM card and put 40Euro on it and can fill it up when it runs out. Is that the jist?

Make sure you have your passport with you go in to buy the card.

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 11, 2017

Anemone del Camino said:
Make sure you have your passport with you go in to buy the card.

never leave home without it. Thanks again

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 28, 2017

Two weeks left and a little anxiety is settling in. I don't recall ever having anxiety leading up to my hikes.

Kanga · Aug 28, 2017

@CaminoMatt73 it is a glorious route. We walked it in early spring, not autumn, but I imagine the conditions would be similar. It did rain and the path was muddy over some of the hilly bits, but I managed in sandals the whole way.

Pre-camino anxiety? Yep, always, even after 11. It goes as soon as I start walking. So you are not alone. I set off next week, theoretically for the Camino Madrid, but if it is too hot I might join you on the Norte.

CaminoMatt73 · Aug 29, 2017

Kanga said:
@CaminoMatt73 it is a glorious route. We walked it in early spring, not autumn, but I imagine the conditions would be similar. It did rain and the path was muddy over some of the hilly bits, but I managed in sandals the whole way.

Pre-camino anxiety? Yep, always, even after 11. It goes as soon as I start walking. So you are not alone. I set off next week, theoretically for the Camino Madrid, but if it is too hot I might join you on the Norte.

I was thinking of the Madrid way as my encore after the Norte. Please tell me how it's going when you're there. Obviously if I see you on the Norte, you may not have to tell me

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...

Starting the Norte Route in September

Is a sleeping bag preferable in autumn on the Norte route?

a sleeping bag

a liner with a light fleece throw blanket

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