Northern Spain: Back-Packing Village-to-Village

Hi,

Can anyone offer advice on backpacking village-to-village in Northern
Spain. I dont want to do the 'Walk of St. James', because I imagine
ill spend the whole time in touristy villages and running across
tourists, which might not be bad, but since I will be learning Spanish
and immersing myself, thats not what I want to do on this trip.

Instead, I am looking at the viability of going solo with my own map,
etc., to and through villages not on that walk, ones that wont have
tourists. I have become very interested in this after finding out
that many are only 8 hours walk apart, so it is very possible to me it
seems. If I sprain/break my ankle I am in a hell of a lot of trouble,
since Ill be by myself, but other then that is this an option?

Following up to Daniel1

Can anyone offer advice on backpacking village-to-village in Northern
Spain. I dont want to do the 'Walk of St. James', because I imagine
ill spend the whole time in touristy villages and running across
tourists, which might not be bad, but since I will be learning Spanish
and immersing myself, thats not what I want to do on this trip.

Most of the people on the Camino are Spanish, with a sprinkling
of other Europeans. A few Germans setting off at dawn, a few
Brits in the bar :-) The villages along it are not touristy as
far as I can see. If you did it you would be immersed in the
culture and would get to meet lots of spanish pilgrims. also dont
underestimate it, there are areas where you can see right to the
horizon across field after field, only a village a long long walk
away and the sun beating down......
Having said that its getting popular with lots of people on the
road now.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap