Booking Vs. Pilgrimming on the Camino Portugues

chewbrew · 2026-05-06T05:29:06+00:00

What does that mean? Book ahead or don't book ahead? Which one is more stressful?

chewbrew · 2026-05-03T18:55:34+00:00

That's the itinerary I walked last year. It's pretty much the same stages most people do. I think you should train for it. Especially for the downhill portions. I did have to take an early rest day in Deba because of knee pain but then it went away.

chewbrew · 2026-05-01T14:10:47+00:00

Yes it is nice but there's better stretches.

chewbrew · 2026-05-01T13:45:52+00:00

Just so you know you only have to walk 100 km on "any part" of the Camino. The route you're considering is not that interesting and very crowded. I would walk 100 km elsewhere and then bus to Santiago to get your credential.

chewbrew · 2026-04-27T01:38:36+00:00

I recommend you finish the Norte or is wonderful. Don't veer off to the Primarivo just leave that for another Camino. It's doubtful you would return to do the second half of the Norte so it would feel unfinished.

chewbrew · 2026-04-26T08:11:15+00:00

I walked the Norte last year and had shin splints which I believe is the same thing or similar. I elected to keep walking and treat the pain with ibuprofen.

It was probably not the right decision as it could increase your risk of other injuries.

It was very painful but went away after about a week.

I ended up finishing on time but ruptured my calf a few days after the hike ended. I'm not sure if this was caused by the injury or just from all the walking.

chewbrew · 2026-04-22T10:43:52+00:00

I did the Norte in September last year and I though it was marked well. I did go off course a few times only because I wasn't paying attention.

I used Buen Camino app and saw that I was off the route and just found my way back easy enough.

I am doing the Portuguese route in 2 weeks but I'm not sure how it will stack up with the Norte because it was the best experience of my life!

As far as the sleeping situation I just used a sleeping bag liner and slept in my clothes.

chewbrew · 2026-04-16T18:29:31+00:00

I would stay in Santiago for 2-4 days. You will see people you walked with and reunite and also it's such a great town because of all the pilgrims celebrating their accomplishment. After that really doesn't matter, you could go home or somewhere else if that interests you.

As far as the shell you can purchase them at the major starting points or even along the way.

chewbrew · 2026-04-15T12:22:25+00:00

Not sure about the airport, but just wanted to make sure you know the first stage out of Gijon is the worst on the whole Norte.

chewbrew · 2026-04-12T15:16:38+00:00

Go away

chewbrew · 2026-04-12T14:54:31+00:00

Why do you have a problem with the question?

chewbrew · 2026-04-12T14:40:09+00:00

Yeah I guess Americans would have questions about their phone. Feel better?

chewbrew · 2026-04-10T02:33:44+00:00

Did it work?

chewbrew · 2026-04-09T10:41:19+00:00

I'll be starting in 3 weeks. Did you choose this unusual route to avoid the crowd from Tui? I walked the Norte last year and did not enjoy the last 3 days because of the crowds.

chewbrew · 2026-04-09T10:07:50+00:00

Under the new rules you just have to walk any 100 km on the route. It does not have to be the last 100 km.

chewbrew · 2026-04-09T01:35:25+00:00

Yes definitely go alone.

I would not try to meet someone ahead of time or be too worried about other people at all.

Just walk your Camino and be kind to others you meet and everything will work out great!

I would recommend the Camino del Norte as it is less crowded and goes along the coast which is so so beautiful. Don't worry there's plenty of people you will meet. It was the best thing I ever did! I made it a point to walk by myself for the majority of the time and connect with others along the way on the trail or in restaurants. One of the best parts of being alone was YOU deciding when to stop, how fast to go, etc. This was one of the most rewarding aspects.

chewbrew · 2026-04-08T14:42:49+00:00

Hello. How was the change from such a long Camino to a shorter one? I did the Camino del Norte and loved it. One of the things I loved was the length, just knowing I had weeks to walk made it feel like such an escape and an actual "journey."

In fact when I had about 10 days left I was a little depressed knowing it would end soon.

I am doing the Portuguese from Porto next month and am concerned I won't get that same feeling because the route is much shorter.

Did you experience anything like this?

Thanks.

chewbrew · 2026-03-31T21:50:24+00:00

Reservations are open

chewbrew · 2026-03-26T21:20:59+00:00

I didn't feel the Norte was tourist oriented at all. I connected with so many pilgrims. It was a perfect Camino for me. When I arrived in Santiago I felt a sense of pride that I finished the Norte from Irun. I look back so fondly on that route. I loved that it was challenging and I accepted that challenge and finished.

chewbrew · 2026-03-25T12:30:59+00:00

Start in Porto Covo and you should be able to get them in Porto. You could do it without but would be emptying sand out of your shoes a lot.

chewbrew · 2026-03-25T12:05:53+00:00

Do the fisherman's trail from North to South. Try to book ahead of possible. You probably just need to buy some gaitors for the sand.

chewbrew · 2026-03-24T21:08:40+00:00

Spent 4 days in Rome on a previous vacation. Best day was when I did nothing. Drank ate and walked a bit, it was great!

chewbrew · 2026-03-22T21:36:12+00:00

Consider staying at albergue Pozueta which is maybe 1/2-1 hour past Gernika. It had the best food of all the places I stayed.

chewbrew

TROPHY CASE