Published: 15 May 2019 Edition: Third Pages: 312 Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.8cm
Weight: 340g To Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre from Irun or Oviedo This
guidebook describes the Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo pilgrim routes to
Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. The 820km Camino del Norte follows
the coast from Irún, on the French border, through Bilbao and takes about 5
weeks to complete. The 355km Camino Primitivo splits off from the Camino del
Norte near Villaviciosa and passes through Oviedo and Lugo en route to
Compostela. It takes roughly 2 weeks to walk. This book also includes an
overview of a continuation route from Santiago to Finisterre on the coast.
Physically demanding, but not difficult, the caminos are best walked from late
spring to autumn. The guidebook is broken into stages of between 15 and 35km,
most of which end in a town or village with a pilgrim albergue. There is
indispensable information on facilities, food and lodging, 1:100,000 scale maps
of the route and town maps for key locations. With notes on preparation and
planning, travel and equipment, a list of useful sources of information, and a
glossary, the book provides all you need to know to walk the camino. Santiago de
Compostela, whose cathedral houses the relics of St James, was one of three
major centres of Catholic pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. In modern times the
Caminos de Santiago have seen a resurgence in popularity, drawing walkers for
all sorts of reasons. Passing through the Spanish regions of the Basque Country,
Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia, the northern caminos are popular enough to
offer sufficient facilities, clear routes, and a community of pilgrims, without
suffering the overcrowding of the Camino Frances.