Path conditions: smooth pavement

There are many sections of the Camnio that are paved in one way or another and some guidebooks include the percentage of the etapa that is paved as part of the information they provide. All of these provide good footing in dry conditions. This is useful, but not always determinative, information.

Promenade along la ConchaSmooth pavement: the good

As one follows el Camino de Santiago del Norte past San Sebastian, the Way follows the promenade along the beaches as shown on the right. This part of that walk, next to the la Concha beach, is a wonderful, flat, easy walk in a beautiful location.

The walk next to la Concha is an extreme example of a paved section of the Camino because it is, effectively, in a park. Other excellent paved sections include city sidewalks, dedicated hiking / biking paths, pedestrian lanes next to highways, and country lanes.

Walking path along the Bay of BiscaySmooth pavement: the bad

The footing on smooth, but steep paved surfaces can be deceptive and dangerous. I took a nasty fall on a steep, blacktop country lane in 2021 because the pavement was wet and slippery. Luck was with me and the pain in my knee dissipated quickly but it could have been a very bad situation.

Not all smooth pavements are equally pleasant, either. One section of the Camino that I hiked in 2018 ran between the Bay of Biscay and a busy highway as shown on the left. The incessant noise of the cars, endless streams of bikers on the highway, and seemingly uncountable tourists very quickly had me missing the solitude and beauty of narrow paths with steep climbs and difficult trails along mountaintops.

Smooth pavement: the ugly

I’ve also found myself on two-lane paved roads a few times, sometimes with no shoulders and poor views of oncoming traffic as described in this video. While this has generally been because I had strayed from the properly marked path, it has also occurred because I was following the helpful advice of people I met along the way.

In Summary

Paved sections of el Camino can make for an excellent part of one’s day, but there is a lot more for the senior peregrino to consider.