The Camino del Norte

A common experience pilgrims talk about is ‘Camino Magic’. This is where something unexpectedly good happens to you. This could be a cold drinks seller appearing at a point you really need to quench your thirst, or the Albergue you have chosen provides fresh towels.

Camino Magic isn’t restricted to the pilgrimage, it can manifest elsewhere if you look out for it, and it has been bestowed upon me recently. I am soon to be changing jobs, and working out my leave that is owed and my ‘time of in lieu’, I am able to take an extended period off.

This opens the option for a longer Camino! Seizing this rare opportunity, I’ve changed my plan of walking the Primitivo, and instead walk the Camino del Norte. I will still be starting mid September, however I’ll have until the end of October to complete it. Being late in the year, hopefully it will be less crowded alleviating the bed rush, allowing me to enjoy the true freedom of the pilgrimage.

This also means that the weather is going to be more changeable and I’ll likely have to pack some warmer gear, adding weight to my pack! I’ll definitely being putting my poncho to good use.

The Norte is slightly longer than the Camino Frances at 825 km or 512 miles, starting in Irun on the boarder of Spain and France. However the main difference is, its a coastal route with renowned views of the Northern Spanish Coastline as it follows the ‘Bay of Biscay’.

In its history, the Norte was more popular than the Frances, with pilgrims opting for the safety that the Kingdom of Asturias provided against the Moors, who occupied Southern Spain. There are many historic and culturally rich cities and towns on this pilgrimage; San Sabastian, Bilbao, Santander and Gijon to name a few.

Unlike my previous pilgrimages, I’m haven’t read up on this one nor watched any YouTube videos. I want to go into this one blind, I don’t know the stage ends nor particular points of interest. I want it to be an adventure of discovery and see where it takes me. I’m aiming for more freedom and not be influenced by those who have gone before me.

It was great on my first Camino, as I traversed Spain to recognise places from the books I had read and the programs I had watched. For this one I want to add an extra layer of wander to my journey; also it is meant to be more strenuous, thus I don’t want know what I have let myself in for!

Thankfully I’ve broken in my new trainers while on my Keswick adventure in June; fingers crossed, blisters will be at a minimum and no recurrence of the pain I experienced in my achilles in the early days of the Camino Frances.

I’m looking forward to the peregrinos I’ll meet, the Spanish food, the coastal scenery and the challenge! The only thing left for me to do is sort out the flights.

I can’t wait!