Preps @ 5 Weeks To Go

 

Preps @ 5 Weeks To Go  

Tasks

  1. Verify more than 6 months left on passport before it is expired.
  2. Read up on current Schengen Zone requirements. ETIAS will not be required in 2024.
  3. Validate Global Entry and NYS Drivers License.
  4. Travel Insurance: make sure it includes emergency medical coverage ( >= $150,000) and medical Evacuation ( >= $500,000 ).  Selected the Hancock Silver Plan @ $246.00.
  5. Order credential(s) from American Pilgrims on the Camino. Prob should have done this 2 weeks ago.
  6. Update CBP MPC app (for Customs Declaration) and Global Entry app (for immigration).
  7. Download offline maps for Irun to Oviedo.
  8. Verify expire dates on any credit/debit cards.
  9. Vaccinations / immunizations up to date.
  10. Prescriptions filled.
  11. Car Registration and Vehicle Inspection
  12. Lodging for arrival and one rest day.


Open a .gpx file in google maps (browser).

  1. Open google drive.
  2. Navigage to the folder where you want to put the gpx map.
  3. New -> More -> Google My Maps (now available on mobile device also)
  4. Create
  5. Import
  6. In the file locate box, navigate in google drive to where the .gpx file is.
  7. Select file and Insert

Open/Close a .gpx file in the google maps app (android device)

  1. Save a .gpx file to google maps.
  2. Open maps app on device.
  3. Click "Saved" at bottom of page in app.
  4. Click "Maps" at the bottom of the page in the app.
  5. Select Camino Norte
  6. To close: Click on "View map legend"
  7. Click on "Close"

Alternatives to asphalt

The E9 Route: Re the Camino Norte, I would really like to spend as much as possible near the sea. There is a European long distance route E9 (still partially under construction) that is supposed to follow the entire northern Spanish coast.
The hiker goes through numerous alternating sections of coastline, cliffs with small beaches and rivers that empty into the Bay of Biscay.
*** Much of the E9 in Spain is still being built. Apparently Cantabria does not have sections yet. Asturias is partially complete.

Lodging at the Start and End of Our Camino

We booked lodging for 2 days on arrival in Bilbao and for 2 days prior to leaving in Bilbao.
The reason is that prime tourism season on the north coast surrounds our camino dates.
While we can always first try the municipal albergues, which are for credentialed pilgrims only, Bilbao will be rest / downtime days which means we need a hotel or a B&B or a hostel which could be not available.

Arrival:

Departure: 

Stages   

I always use Gronze for detailed information along the route.

( For stages of approx 25 km / day: 
  https://lotuseaters.travel/2023/05/13/camino-del-norte-daily-stages/ )

Day 1: Irun to San Sebastian 26km    Start of the Camino Norte
Day 2: San Sebastian to Zarautz 22km
Day 3: Zauratz to Deba 21km
Day 4: Deba to Markina 23km
Day 5: Markina to Gernika 25km
Day 6: Gernika to Lezama 19km
Day 7: Lazama to Bilbao 10km
Day 8: Bilbao to Portugalete 20km *** (We are starting here.) 18 Jul
Day 9: Portugalete to Onton 18km
Day 10: Onton to Castro Uridales 18km
Day 11: Castro Uridales to Rioseco (Guriezo) 15km
Day 12: Rioseco (Guriezo) to Laredo 19km
Day 13: Laredo to Guemes 27km
Day 14: Guemes to Santander 10km        24 Jul
Day 15: Santander to Mar 25km 25 Jun
Day 16: Mar to Caborredondo 18km
Day 17: Caborredondo to San Vicente de la Barquera 27km
Day 18: San Vicente de la Barquera to La Franca 20km
Day 19: La Franca to Llanes 20km
Day 20: Llanes to Villahormes 14km 30 Jun
Day 21: Villahormes to San Esteban de Leces 21km 31 Jul
Day 22: San Esteban de Lecces to Priesca 24km       01 Aug
Day 23: Priesca to Peon 25km
Day 24: Peon to Gijon 15km
Day 25: Gijon to Aviles 25km
Day 26: Gijon to Soto del Barco 18km
Day 27: Soto del Barco to Soto de Luiña 20km
Day 28: Soto de Luiña to Canero 25km                 07 Aug
Day 29: Canero to Piñera 23km
Day 30: Piñera to Valdepares (El Franco) 26 km
Day 31: Valdepares (El Franco) to Ribadeo 18km 10 Aug
Day 32: Ribadeo to Lourenza 27km                    11 Aug
Day 33: Lourenza to Gontan 20km                      12 Aug  (End of our camino)
Day 34: Gontan to Vilalba 22km                             
Day 35: Vilalba to Baamonde 19km
Day 36: Baamonde to Miraz 15km
Day 37: Miraz Sobrado dos Moxes 25km
Day 39: Sobrado dos Moxes to Arzua 22km        (End of the Norte, Join Frances)
Day 40: Arzua to A Rua 18km
Day 41: A Rua to Santiago de Compostela 20km



Bilbao to Ribadeo (Proposed Route)




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