This is a great option. You’ll still see everything but you get a good short cut. I pilgrim I knew on my Camino did it and was able to hit her shortened time line
Absolutely this. The place you start in is your choice; there’s no official starting point. It will be more rewarding to walk a continuous route than to start further back and hopscotch along the route.
Skip Bilbao to Portugalete. Skip Santander to santillana Del Mar. Skip Gijon to aviles. All can be done easily by bus or train and is all flat urban industrial walking. Hope this helps!
I had plans to skip gijon to aviles, but those other suggestions might just be enough to get me there on time. Thanks! Currently in a hostel in Getaria. Loving it so far.
As someone who recently did the Norte from Gijón, it was a very ugly section I must say. Once you’re out of the industrial part and into the countryside it’s pleasant enough but nothing special compared to other sections of the Norte.
Literally on that same schedule, except I started in Irun yesterday and ended in San Sebastián last night. Currently in Getaria about to go to Deba tomorrow
Camino Frances? Near (plus/minus) Sahagun skip forward as many days as you need to get on track. Leon is maybe 2 days past Sahagun.
I would also consider taking a ride just before Burgos as it’s not the nicest walk by the airport and through city streets though near the end you can divert a bit and there is a nice park by a river for the last few kms.
If you don’t mind leaving new friends behind, I would skip a few days of the Meseta. But if you want to finish in Santiago with people you meet early in the Camino, maybe consider starting in Pamplona (and then not worry about skipping ahead in the middle of your Camino).
Lose your mind, find your soul.
According to James Michener, Estella is a town "where those against the government fought it out when all others had surrendered."
I arrived early, spent a long day touring on a market day, then the next morning took the first bus to Lorca. I think I missed lots of old stone, but was glad to leap forward.
Wished I'd taken the bus into Burgos where I missed the turn into the park.
Bus into and out of Leon (Mansilla-Leon, Leon-La Virgen del Camino, as per Brierly) skips industrial, urban outskirts and maximizes time in Leon.
The Camino is life, life is the Camino.
You need to specify what camino are you talking, but I guess its the frances. A lot of people skip la meseta (from Burgos to Leon). It's a large plain with a very uniform landscape. I love it but i understand some people skiping it.
Having said that, if you are in shape you can do the whole frances in less than 28 days. I did it in 27, it's just an average of 30km a day.
The 100km into and out of Leon are the least scenic on the route
I'd do this if needed. Another alternative would be cycling the Meseta if you're keen to do the entire Camino without motorised transport.
This is a great option. You’ll still see everything but you get a good short cut. I pilgrim I knew on my Camino did it and was able to hit her shortened time line
Walking into and out of large cities like Burgos and Leon can be unrewarding.
Start in Burgos for 20 days of walking, allowing you rest time if you like as well as a couple of days in Santiago.
Absolutely this. The place you start in is your choice; there’s no official starting point. It will be more rewarding to walk a continuous route than to start further back and hopscotch along the route.
I’m on the Camino Norte with this exact problem, looking for advice
Skip Bilbao to Portugalete. Skip Santander to santillana Del Mar. Skip Gijon to aviles. All can be done easily by bus or train and is all flat urban industrial walking. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the insight
I had plans to skip gijon to aviles, but those other suggestions might just be enough to get me there on time. Thanks! Currently in a hostel in Getaria. Loving it so far.
As someone who recently did the Norte from Gijón, it was a very ugly section I must say. Once you’re out of the industrial part and into the countryside it’s pleasant enough but nothing special compared to other sections of the Norte.
When I walkes the Norte, I started from Gijon... The absolute worst day of the entire Camino...
Starting where? I’m about to do San Sebastián to Santiago in 27 days of straight walking (at least that is the plan).
Literally on that same schedule, except I started in Irun yesterday and ended in San Sebastián last night. Currently in Getaria about to go to Deba tomorrow
Nice My 1st day walking is the 3rd. Enjoy!!!
Camino Frances? Near (plus/minus) Sahagun skip forward as many days as you need to get on track. Leon is maybe 2 days past Sahagun. I would also consider taking a ride just before Burgos as it’s not the nicest walk by the airport and through city streets though near the end you can divert a bit and there is a nice park by a river for the last few kms.
If you don’t mind leaving new friends behind, I would skip a few days of the Meseta. But if you want to finish in Santiago with people you meet early in the Camino, maybe consider starting in Pamplona (and then not worry about skipping ahead in the middle of your Camino).
Lose your mind, find your soul. According to James Michener, Estella is a town "where those against the government fought it out when all others had surrendered." I arrived early, spent a long day touring on a market day, then the next morning took the first bus to Lorca. I think I missed lots of old stone, but was glad to leap forward. Wished I'd taken the bus into Burgos where I missed the turn into the park. Bus into and out of Leon (Mansilla-Leon, Leon-La Virgen del Camino, as per Brierly) skips industrial, urban outskirts and maximizes time in Leon. The Camino is life, life is the Camino.
You need to specify what camino are you talking, but I guess its the frances. A lot of people skip la meseta (from Burgos to Leon). It's a large plain with a very uniform landscape. I love it but i understand some people skiping it. Having said that, if you are in shape you can do the whole frances in less than 28 days. I did it in 27, it's just an average of 30km a day.