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Two weeks on Camino Norte

Willdtrout

Member
Donating Member
Time of past OR future Camino
December 2022
I have two weeks I’m looking to spend on the Norte starting Monday!

I’ll be in Santiago and need to choose a start point. I like walking towards Santiago so thinking to bus to a point about 300 Km from Santiago and walking back.

But my cousin (who’s on this forum hola Joel) recommends starting in Irun and walking however far I can because the eastern portion is the best part.

What do you all recommend? Just need a city I can get to from Santiago and a place to start.

Or another Camino?

Thank you in advance
 
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I'd suggest starting in Bilbao and go towards Oviedo where you have the Astúrias airport nearby. That section has some of the most stunning scenery and iconic albergues like the one in Guemes.
 
Your friend is right, starting in Irun means you will be walking beautiful stages - and probably end up somewhere around Santander. However, it takes a full day of travelling to get to Irun (which means one day less for walking), and to bus/train back from Santander also takes 8 hrs.

If you want to starting walking 300 km from Santiago, take a bus to Gyon (takes 5 hrs) and walk to SdC.

Two other options (entailing app. 300 km of walking) that you may want to consider:
- Bus or train to Leon, and walk the Camino Frances to SdC.
- Bus or train to Porto, and walk the Portuguese to SdC (a bit less than 300 km, but of course you can walk on to Muxia).

There is pros and cons to all options. So you may end up tossing a coin

Happy planning !
 
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I’m turning into a Camino junkie. I started walking on January 24 and have done Frances from SJPdP, Finisterra/Muxia, and today will be in Santiago after finishing the Portugese central route.

How about the primitive?
 
Hi Wildtrout - yes there are a lot of options.
In terms of the Norte the obvious starting point to finish in SdC is Gijon or Aviles, which is a very pleasant camino. I think it's equally enjoyable to the eastern section.
I was going to disagree with @Rodderz about starting in Bilbao (because then you miss that great first week from Irun) but then I saw Rodderz has been a member since 2017 and this is their first post! (some kind of a record?) so I am just politely expressing an alternative view..
Starting in Irun and walking to Santander gives you that exhilarating first week but overlaps with Rodderz's idea. You still get to visit Guemes and you could come back another time and continue from Santander.
But if you are a completer/finisher type then yes, the Primitivo makes perfect sense (and this would be my recommendation), as it is just the right length and will offer quite a contrast to the Portugues route you have just done.
 
Willdtrout said:
I’m turning into a Camino junkie. I started walking on January 24 and have done Frances from SJPdP, Finisterra/Muxia, and today will be in Santiago after finishing the Portugese central route.
Click to expand...

Did not know that.
In that case, I agree the Primitivo is a good option.
Or walk the Salvador from Leon to Oviedo, and then continue on the Primitivo
 
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Willdtrout said:
I’m turning into a Camino junkie. I started walking on January 24 and have done Frances from SJPdP, Finisterra/Muxia, and today will be in Santiago after finishing the Portugese central route.

How about the primitive?
Click to expand...
Yes, the Primitivo would be a good option. See photos.
View attachment Camino Primitivo.mp4
 
Starting Irun or San Sebastian which is a wonderful town
 
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