The walk
With the land on one side and the sea on the other, the Camino del Norte takes you all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Your constant companion on this dayney is the Atlantic Ocean. You set off among fishing villages and small sandy beaches, but you also see beautiful towns such as Hendaye, San Sebastian and Bilbao. Exploring the lovely Cantabrian coastline on foot brings with it many agreeable surprises. You make your way through some magnificent countryside. The first week of this long walk, which takes you as far as Bilbao, starts with a footpath overlooking the ocean. After that the route continues into the Basque country, to explore Markina and Gernika…
This week’s walking ends at Bilbao, a town famous for its museum, the Guggenheim, which is very well worth a visit…
W
ith the land on one side and the sea on the other, the Camino del Norte takes you all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Your constant companion on this dayney is the Atlantic Ocean. You set off among fishing villages and small sandy beaches, but you also see beautiful towns such as Hendaye, San Sebastian and Bilbao. Exploring the lovely Cantabrian coastline on foot brings with it many agreeable surprises. You make your way through some magnificent countryside. The first week of this long walk, which takes you as far as Bilbao, starts with a footpath overlooking the ocean. After that the route continues into the Basque country, to explore Markina and Gernika…
This week’s walking ends at Bilbao, a town famous for its museum, the Guggenheim, which is very well worth a visit…
Highlights
Itinerary
HENDAYE OR IRUN
Arrive at Hendaye (or Irun), and check in at the hotel.
HENDAYE - SAN SEBASTIAN 27km
From Hendaye, you soon get into Spain. You can either cross the Bidasoa in a boat or start the day by walking from Hendaye itself. This beautiful first day’s walk takes you to San Sebastian, through an area of fishing ports and river inlets. The evening meal is not included.
SAN SEBASTIAN - ZARAUTZ 21km
You leave San Sebastian and go along the beautiful beach of la Concha. Along the way you get splendid views of the sea and the high cliffs that tower over the Atlantic. The night is spent in half-board accommodation.
ZARAUTZ - DEBA 23km
This day’s walk takes you first to Getaria and its fishing port. After that you continue by crossing the terraced vineyards of Txakoli. As you approach Deba, the coastline becomes wild and beautiful. You spend the night in half-board accommodation at Deba or nearby.
DEBA - MARKINA 28km
This stage takes you into the Basque hinterland. You leave the coast and go deeper into the countryside as you cross the valley of Olatz. The night is in half-board accommodation.
MARKINA - GERNIKA 27km
This is a pleasant day’s walk through rolling, unspoiled countryside. On the way you see the 11th century church of s. de Bolibar, the monastery at Cenarruza and then the Ermita Santiago before you arrive in Gernika. The night is in half-board accommodation. Dinner not included in the price.
GERNIKA - LEZAMA 25km
This day’s walk takes you into Bilbao. To shorten the walk itself, and to avoid walking through the suburbs, we suggest you take the train into the town from Lezama (at your own expense). Dinner is not included.
BILBAO
End of the trip after the breakfast.
Map
Organization
Railway of Hendaye
- Overnight stays on a half-board basis (except dinners in San Sebastian, Bilbao and Gernika)
- Luggage transfers between each walking stage (depending on the option chosen)
- Travel book with topo-guide (1 topo-guide per room booked)
- Lunch
- Dinners in San Sebastian, Bilbao and Gernika
- Short boat trip to Pasajes
- Train journey between Lezama and Bilbao
- All drinks
- Insurance.
- International shipping costs (+20€/file),
- Registration fees (+15€/person),
- Priority processing fee for registrations received by D-15 (+45€/file).
In hotel, in a pension or guesthouses.
