Bayonne or Irún

[Amachan]

Hi!
I'm planning to walk Norte in May-June 2025, and I can't decide whether to start it in Bayonne or Irún.
I've read a lot of comments about Bayonne being so beautiful, but Camino from Bayonne being awful: lot of asphalt, few signs, and litoral path closed.
What would you recommend me?
Thank you all!

 

[trecile]

I started in Bayonne last year and really enjoyed it. Yes, there's some road walking and part of the Litoral path is closed. I did end up going that way and crossing over the barriers.

Here's a thread on the topic which includes some of my photos

Post in thread 'Littoral path'

Dec 19, 2024

That's not the problem. I assumed Bayonne was on the coast, but it's not. I wanted to walk ON the coast....then I read about mudslides somewhere on the coastal route after Saint John de Luz, thus my confusion on what to do.

No problem getting to Biarritz from Bayonne. It's an easy train or bus ride, or you can follow @Tincatinker's suggestion to go directly to Biarritz. When I walked that route in 2023 there were signs up after St Jean de Luz about the erosion of the path, but I was able to walk it - however I did have to cross over barriers occasionally. This section was...

• trecile

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[Camino Chrissy]

@Amachan, I walked the Norte in 2016 and chose to start in San Sebastian instead of Irun after hearing Irun was less interesting, and was glad I did as I loved that city.

This coming May, I was planning to start in Bayonne, but have now changed my mind for the same reasons you mention. I fly into San Sebastian airport and after spending two days visiting S.S. again, I will take a quick bus to Hondarribia for an overnight. I will start the Camino Vasco from there; only walking through Irun on my way out of town.

 

[OTH86]

I haven't walked the Norte, but have come into Spain at Bayonne/Irun, crossed into Spain and taken the train to San Sebastian - a lovely place with lots of accomodations. Incredible sunsets!!! Buen Camino!

 

[Takahiwai]

I loved Bayonne, and the walk down to Irun, which I did in February of this year. Even though the weather was absolutely foul, I did walk along the cliffs for large parts of the way.

 

[Vacajoe]

Walk from Bayonne Cathedral. It’s historic, beautiful, not crowded, and safe. Yes, parts may be closed but that’s easily detoured.

 

[CTLawGal]

I walked the Norte starting in San Sebastián in April 2023. I visited Biarritz and Bayonne before starting and was charmed by both, especially the view from Biarritz of so much of the Spanish coastline I was soon to walk. In a different thread, I wish I now remembered which one, someone (maybe even @trecile ?) suggested starting further out in Bayonne or Biarritz to give your legs an opportunity to get used to walking before hitting the tougher stages starting with Irún. In retrospect that made a lot of sense to me and I wished I had thought of doing that, I think my body would have really appreciated that warm up. I am eager to return to the Norte (maybe after trying a few other routes I’ve got my eye on) and will definitely try it that way next.

 

[lt56ny]

Hi!
I'm planning to walk Norte in May-June 2025, and I can't decide whether to start it in Bayonne or Irún.
I've read a lot of comments about Bayonne being so beautiful, but Camino from Bayonne being awful: lot of asphalt, few signs, and litoral path closed.
What would you recommend me?
Thank you all!

I started in Bayonne last year and really enjoyed it. Yes, there's some road walking and part of the Litoral path is closed. I did end up going that way and crossing over the barriers.

@trecile is 100% correct. There is some road walking out of Bayonne and commercial areas. The albergue in Bayonne is wonderful and yes the town is beautiful and has the added attraction of stuffing your face with French pastries. The Gite in Guethary is also really great. Jean Luc is a gem.
It is also a good warmup to start your Norte in Irun. It is not the easiest of walks to San Sebastian. At least it wasn't for me. Beautiful Camino and Bayonne is a great place to start.

 

[Bluestem78]

@Amachan, I walked the Norte in 2016 and chose to start in San Sebastian instead of Irun after hearing Irun was less interesting, and was glad I did as I loved that city.

This coming May, I was planning to start in Bayonne, but have now changed my mind for the same reasons you mention. I fly into San Sebastian airport and after spending two days visiting S.S. again, I will take a quick bus to Hondarribia for an overnight. I will start the Camino Vasco from there; only walking through Irun on my way out of town.

To offer a different perspective, I walked the Norte and Primitivo in May-June 2024, and looking back on the entire walk, the stage from Irun to San Sebastian was one of my favorites. The hike over Mr. Jaizkibel was one of the highlights of the entire camino for me. The forest on the west side of the slope is also beautiful, as is the town of Pasaia. Between Pasaia and San Sebastian I took the GR 121 route closer to the ocean and that was also spectacular.

 

[Tandem Graham]

Bayonne is a great city to visit. The Cathedral is beautiful and has a nice stamp. The food is typically Basque, but sometimes French and always good!
From Bayonne, the walk is mostly straightforward, with the glamorous city of Biarritz and the pretty fishing and tourist town of St Jean de Luz, and great surfing waves along most of it. There is, as you suggest the section currently diverted away from the coast, but the diversion isn't ugly, just less dramatic and on some asphalt and concrete.

Hendaye is the last place on the coast before either a detour inland to a former railway bridge to cross the river mouth which forms the border, or a (more romantic) ferry ride over that same river mouth to Hondarribia, and a few kms beside roads to the centre of Irun and its big volunteer-run Albergue. Irun isn't the prettiest of places but the path out of it is steep and dramatic with some of the best coastal scenery before some dramatic views over San Sebastian and its bays. More great food there too!

 

[Pafayac]

Pro Bayonne: preparing to the most difficult stage (Irun-San Sebastian). Some nice sceneries.
Cons Bayonne: few signs, many roads.

 

[JerryStroebele]

@trecile is 100% correct. There is some road walking out of Bayonne and commercial areas. The albergue in Bayonne is wonderful and yes the town is beautiful and has the added attraction of stuffing your face with French pastries. The Gite in Guethary is also really great. Jean Luc is a gem.
It is also a good warmup to start your Norte in Irun. It is not the easiest of walks to San Sebastian. At least it wasn't for me. Beautiful Camino and Bayonne is a great place to start

To offer a different perspective, I walked the Norte and Primitivo in May-June 2024, and looking back on the entire walk, the stage from Irun to San Sebastian was one of my favorites. The hike over Mr. Jaizkibel was one of the highlights of the entire camino for me. The forest on the west side of the slope is also beautiful, as is the town of Pasaia. Between Pasaia and San Sebastian I took the GR 121 route closer to the ocean and that was also spectacular.

Yes, both Biarritz and Bayonne are delightful cities to spend an evening. Walking from either would be a good warm up before walking from Irun over the mountain to Pasaia. Buen Camino

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Lots of positives reviews of walking from Bayonne and I'm sure I will be missing some great walking. I'm still happy enough with what I've chosen to do and have my own reasons. I could switch my three days as tourist in San Sebastian and Hondarrebia, and hop a train or bus to Bayonne instead, but doubt I will.

 

[Tandem Graham]

Lots of positives reviews of walking from Bayonne and I'm sure I will be missing some great walking. I'm still happy enough with what I've chosen to do and have my own reasons. I could switch my three days as tourist in San Sebastian and Hondarrebia, and hop a train or bus to Bayonne instead, but doubt I will.

Hi Chrissy,
Yes you'll be missing Bayonne's delights, but anytime you spend in San Sebastian won't be wasted; it is a jewel of a seaside city!
Buen Camino!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

You could compromise and be a tourist in Bayonne and then get transportation to Irun to start the walk.

 

[tjz]

We started at the cathedral in Bayonne in 2022, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Those two days in France were charming and very easy. Overall, I would say it did not tax our reserves of "resourcefulness" and "resilience" nearly as much as some of the other stretches later on. It's the Norte, and you'll walk on roads from time to time, and you'll find the way re-routed from time to time, it just goes with the territory, and it's part of its character. I wouldn't be discouraged just yet, maybe follow the link @trecile posted and take a look at the options you have available.