Stops on Camino del Norte

[Bippo]

Hi!
I’m a Camino newbie planning on walking Camino del Norte this May-June.
I have previous hiking experience and do well on longer distances and so on, but not any super recent multi day long hikes. So I’m planning on really taking my time on this route as I have read and understood that it can be quite challenging.

So, my question is, is it possible to walk shorter distances than the recommended daily routes of about 25 km between the albergues? Or will me taking my time (I’ve got around 50 days to do it) mean walking 25 km and then taking rest days, if I want to stay in albergues as much as possible and not hotels?
Many thanks to you taking your time to answer!

 

[oursonpolaire]

You can walk whatever distance/day works for you. In the first week from Irun to Bilbao, the trek can require a certain degree of vigour, and there are few albergues. You should being with short stages (well, I would) and realize that you may have vary albergue accommodation with private accommodation. Them's the breaks, as they say up in the (Ottawa) Valley. Don't think of this as a burden, but a chance to look around, without pressure of time, on one of the most beautiful bits of Spain. My preference is shorter days, rather than rest days, but it's up to you.

There is one single rule: have your crednetial stamped twice a day in the final 100km before Santiago.

 

[syug]

Hi @Bippo you can walk as far and as fast as you want, the route it's plenty of places to stay. I recommend downloading the Forwalk Apps (free). This resource should cover everything you need to know in terms of navigation, planning, stages, accommodations and reservations. You can see what accommodations are in each town and you can organise your stages according to this. https://app.forwalk.org/2/8/en/28/#-5.2/43.2/6/180