Camino del Norte, 2014, Spain

From Bilbao to Santiago De Compostella. 710 km. 28 days.

Space

Space

Space

Post Trail Thoughts – or – what I learned the hard way.

Camino del Norte Spain

Learnings:

  • Feet can hurt. Feet can hurt very very much
  • Take care of your feet while hiking. Have some breaks and pull off your shoes and socks
  • Air your feet. Sit down and throw your legs over your pack to elevate them a bid. Do this at least twice per day
  • Your pack must be as light as possible
  • Think before you pack and ponder over every single item whether it is a “need” or a “want”
  • If it is a “want”, leave it at home
  • Do not plan too much ahead. Be open. Everything will be just fine.

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What I would do exactly the same again:

  • Start alone (you will meet plenty of great people out there on the trail).
  • Start in May.
  • Hike with hiking poles.

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What I would do differently now:

  • Start in Irun, not Bilbao
  • Hike in trail-runners, not in leather hiking boots (!). BIG MISTAKE!
  • Take several breaks during the day
  • Take at least one zero day (where you not hike at all)
  • If I feel a blister developing in my shoe, I stop immediately and take care of it
  • Learn a bit of Spanish before I go to Spain
  • Take a better camera than just the phone (even though its heavier and contradicts what I said above).
  • … and, very important, book a room prior to arrival in Santiago (!).

Find here my picture summery of the Camino Del Norte in Spain.