8-day Camino del Norte Walking Holiday (Part 1)

San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a refined city focused on offering the enjoyment of all the senses: its gastronomy, the Concha beach, the Basque culture, a great film festival ... In the city there is no shortage of places to visit; the old port district, take a dip in the Concha beach or stroll through the 19th century Ensanche district which is now the fashionable district for shopping. Did you know that San Sebastian has the highest density of Michelin stars in the world? Make sure you book well in advance if you want to dine at one of these fancy restaurants.
San Sebastián is easy to reach from Bilbao airport, as there is a direct connection to San Sebastián. 

Today you have the option of leaving from Irun or opt for the alternative of leaving from the hermitage of Guadalupe in Hondarribia. You will start a beautiful journey through the foothills of the Jaizkibel mountain, heading to San Sebastian. At the end, a small ferry will take you across the Oyarzun river in Pasaia. 

Challenge: 23,6 km / 14,6mi I Ascent 705m / 253m I Descent 715m / 248m 

Your journey along the Camino del Norte continues as you head to Zarautz, a charming coastal town. The trail meanders through lush green hills with isolated farms and some wooded areas, providing now and then magnificent views of the ocean. After the descent to Orio, a small town at the river mouth of the river Oria with a peculiar church, a final steep ascent and descent awaits before you reach Zarautz; another vibrant town with a beautiful beach where you'll have the chance to relax and rejuvenate by the water.  

Challenge: 22.8km / 14 mi I Ascent 516m / Descent 511m

The road takes you through the vineyards of Txacoli, a sparkling white wine that is produced in the hills between Zarautz, Getaria and Zumaia and combines very well with the magnificent seafood dishes served in this area. The first 9 km stretch to Zumaia is very easy to walk, so it can be done in 2,5 - 3 hours. But better not to taste the wine during lunch, as we have included a spectacular detour to Deba along the exposed GR-121 coastal path, passing through the Flysch GeoPark. Most pilgrims opt for this detour to Deba because it is much more interesting and 1.5 km shorter than the official Camino further inland, although a bit more demanding in terms of ascent/descent and trail type.

Challengue: 20,5 - 22km / 13,6 - 12,7 mi I Ascent 833m / Descent 838m 

NOTE: if you have time to add an extra night in the middle of this trip, we recommend to book it in Zumaia, in order to fully enjoy the coastal footpaths, beaches and gastronomy, and have some days of relative rest before doing the last 3 challenging stages. Please indicate this on the booking form and we will make also the necessary arrangements for the luggage transfers.

In Deba, the Northern Way turns its back on the friendly and touristy coast of Guipuzcoa to enter the wooded hills of Vizcaya. This region is deeply rooted in the Basque rural tradition of mixed farming in isolated family farms, although its capital Bilbao was marked by industrialization during the 19th and 20th centuries due to the mining and metallurgical industry further inland.  After crossing the Deba river you will start directly with a steep climb up to the Olatz valley, where you will have a last chance for coffee and pintxo before heading into the deep woods and following mostly gravel and forest tracks for hours. At the other end of the forest awaits Markina-Xemein, a lively town with an ancient history, as evidenced by the peculiar hermitage of Sant Miguel de Arretxinaga, built around 3 monoliths. 

Challenge: 23,8 km / 14,7 mi I Ascent 777m / Descent 698 m.

Your pilgrimage leads you further into the heart of Vizcaya, to Gernika, a town with a rich history and cultural significance. It’s the home of the Tree of Gernika, a symbol of Basque identity, and also famous for being the inspiration for Picasso’s painting Gernika after German and Italian allied troops bombed the town in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War.  Although this town (due to the bombing) has no cozy old city center, it is a memorable stop on your journey.

Challenge: 26 km / 16 mi I Ascent 624 m / Descent 691m.

On your last walking day, you continue towards Bilbao, the largest city on the route. You will experience the landscape transitions from rural to urban approaching the city. To avoid an industrial section on the sidewalk of a busy road, we advise to take a bus (or taxi) after 16.2 km in Larrabetzu to Zamudia and reduce the total of 30,9 km to 25 km. Or have the bus take you all the way to Bilbao, although the entrance into town on foot is surprisingly beautiful and entertaining and you might no want to miss this part.

In Bilbao, you can explore the Guggenheim Museum, savour more Basque cuisine, and reflect on the pilgrimage you've undertaken, weather it has been a transformative journey or just a pleasant active holiday. 

Challenge: 30,9km / 19,2mi I Ascent 765m / Descent 768m.

After breakfast your journey comes to an end. 

If you feel like more adventure and want to continue the journey, you can combine this trip with the next stage of the Camino.