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Camino - el Norte (Coastal Route)

Mr James D Cass2025-05-19 20:53:22
Hello - we are planning to tandem the Coastal Camino route (El Norte) in Spain in a couple of weeks and wondered if anyone has experience of using apps to navigate and find accomodation? Any hints and tips welcomed. James and Fi
Garry Miller2025-05-20 10:12:32

Hi James, we did the Camino Frances from St Jean on our tandem two years ago. The Norte route is quite a bit more mountainous than the Frances though I think so good luck!  
In terms of apps etc. we planned all our routes via Komoot using the bike touring option and it selected really nice quiet options for us between each of the Camino towns/ villages. It also gives you a pretty good idea of the gradient and ascents you will face along the way. Would recommend it.

For accommodation we have nearly always used booking.com, though we tend to book in advance based on our route. It has the advantage of allowing use of google translate etc for messaging direct to solve language issues, and gives exact locations etc that can be built into the route. Generally allows you to reserve at no charge as well and pay on the day or just before. 
 

we have used the same system for our upcoming trip around the wild Atlantic way in the west of Ireland later this year.

 

Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

regards,

 

Garry

Sally Kertzman2025-05-24 13:34:29

Hi James and Fi, 

We cycled along the Northern coast of Spain last year (catching the ferry to Santander). 

 

Whilst we didn't follow the Camino the whole way we did follow it around 50% of the time. 

It was amazing how courteous all the drivers were without exception. We never once felt unsafe even on the larger roads. We used Komoot and the routes we great. We also used booking.com and this gave great value compared ot the UK (we usually camp but we were unsure in the Picos about the weather conditions). If you would like the exact places we stayed / routes please email me on sally@splitsecondtiming.co.uk. In Villaviciosa we stayed on a small boat in a very quiet harbour which was a wonderful experience. 

We climbed to the  summit of Lago de Covadonga @ 1000m (leaving our bags at the B&B). This road is closed to all traffic except minibuses and was a highlight of the trip. 

The other plus side of this part of the world was that you could get food at excellent value prices (2 hot drinks and tortilla for 6 euros!)

We had hoped to use the Renfe train along the coast but we were told our tandem was too long. They take solos so a folding tandem would be accepted. 

Hope that you have fun.

Sally Kertzman