Camino Del Norte - San Sebastian to Bilbao

[rjaldrich]

I am planning on doing this stage in August 2024. I would like to understand the difficulty rating for this stage, as a friend is maybe joining me. What makes this difficult other than the distance per day? How steep is the EG and how steep is the descent? Are there cliffs or drop offs that are fully exposed? Is the trail in good or poor conditions? I appreciate the information as will my friend. RJA

 

[KiwiJohn]

I am planning on doing this stage in August 2024. I would like to understand the difficulty rating for this stage, as a friend is maybe joining me. What makes this difficult other than the distance per day? How steep is the EG and how steep is the descent? Are there cliffs or drop offs that are fully exposed? Is the trail in good or poor conditions? I appreciate the information as will my friend. RJA

Download the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app which provides Albergues, maps and elevation profiles.
Go well!

 

[rjaldrich]

Download the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app which provides Albergues, maps and elevation profiles.
Gi well!T

Download the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app which provides Albergues, maps and elevation profiles.
Gi well!

Thank you! This is a great tool and answers all my questions.

 

[jabrown]

I walked the Norte in 2022. The section from SS to Bilbao has variety. Some segments have rough trail i.e. stones, irregular surfaces. Some is road walking. There are steep ascents leaving SS. Steep descents as you enter Zarautz, Deba and Bilbao. And I mean steep, although you're mostly on decent paved surface. All along the route, there is a lot of up, down, up, down. Services can be long distances apart. There are areas of open exposure, where the sun can be pretty cruel. Despite and perhaps because of the physical challenge, the route is one of the most rewarding things I have done in the outdoors. You'll have lots of opportunities for solo walking, and majority stretches when you're out there all on your own. Great scenery.
Few Americans, mostly Europeans, some in vacation mode, rather than making a pilgrimage. Oh, and no drop offs that I remember. It is a route to savor. Lucky you.

 

[BrianLCrabtree]

Agree with @jabrown. Also, the climb from Gernika up to Pozueta, in addition to being steep, was extremely muddy after rain and logging operations in Sept 2023. Once at the top of the climb, there is a wonderful albergue, Caserio Pozueta. Likewise, the descent into Deba was steep, slippery, and muddy after rain. Step carefully, but I also agree with the reward and beauty of the route.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Keep your toenails cut way short or you will pound them out on the steep downhills. Take a trekking pole or two. Zigzag walking downhill, backwards at times on pavement where footing is good. Euskadi: Steep hills, friendly people. Buen Camino

 

[oursonpolaire]

I've done this stretch twice. The absence of cafés is the killer. Between Deba and Markina there is only one that I noticed, and that's a 24km stage. And the first stretch from Irun is best taken slowly and with a full water container.

The ascents are long and inexorable, but take you through gorgeous countryside. An Irish pilgrim remarked that it was like the Bavarian alps, but much nicer. When I asked her when she had last been in the Bavarian alps, she responded Never, but that she had a fertile imagination.

 

[Godot]

I walked San Sebastian to Santander last month (May 2024). My first Camino. The combination of distance AND hills made for a challenging couple of days. And although I managed to complete Day 1 (~28 km), and Day 2 (~26 km) the cumulative effect was affecting me and I wasn't enjoying it despite the sense of accomplishment. My Plan B was to identify locations along the route where I could start or stop and catch a bus. Psychology, this helped - knowing that I had an 'escape route' if things became too much. I used this strategy a couple of times on longer days with lots of ascents/descents and it really helped (either ending half-way, or starting half-way). Consequently week two was much better, either because my body had adapted to things at a more comfortable pace, or the topography levelled out a bit - or both! - and I hiked full days with fewer issues and a greater sense of enjoyment. I'm hoping to continue The Way next year - I'm not put off, but I will go with a Plan B just to be sure.

 

[Kathrina72]

We did this route last year, really enjoyed it. It is a physically challenging hike in places, so I would recommend hill training in advance purely just to enhance your enjoyment while there (or gym like my friend with no local hills). Trail varied quite a bit, trails, paths, rocky and roads, all manageable. As other have mentioned, some steep ascents and descents but fine with poles. No exposed cliff edges etc to worry about, I don’t tolerate those well but had no issues on the route. The last day into Bilbao was quite tough as it was very hot and we did a long day. All in all, a challenging but worthwhile route. And the food was

 

[Simperegrina]

Lots of posters have already said lots that I would say myself.

I would add: look out for the descent into Markina ESPECIALLY if it’s been raining. I’m not nervous about descents but boy was I pleased when I saw the end of the dratted thing. I no likey. It’s steep and it’s muddy. They’ve blanketed the path with small stones in the final section - unsure if it makes it better or worse - and a rope on the right hand side to hold onto as you descend. If I repeat the Norte, I’ll be taking an alternative route, either making my way down paths in the slopes of vegetation before the top of the official route down, or via a longer alternative you can see marked in blue in the Buen Camino app…

 

[trecile]

I walked San Sebastian to Santander last month (May 2024). My first Camino. The combination of distance AND hills made for a challenging couple of days. And although I managed to complete Day 1 (~28 km), and Day 2 (~26 km) the cumulative effect was affecting me and I wasn't enjoying it despite the sense of accomplishment

You can also divide these stages to make them shorter and more enjoyable. Both times that I walked the Notre I stayed in Pasai rather than continuing to San Sebastián. The next day I only walked to San Sebastián and arrived early so that I could enjoy the city.

 

[KiwiJohn]

You can also divide these stages to make them shorter and more enjoyable. Both times that I walked the Notre I stayed in Pasai rather than continuing to San Sebastián. The next day I only walked to San Sebastián and arrived early so that I could enjoy the city.

Great idea!

 

[Simperegrina]

You can also divide these stages to make them shorter and more enjoyable. Both times that I walked the Notre I stayed in Pasai rather than continuing to San Sebastián. The next day I only walked to San Sebastián and arrived early so that I could enjoy the city.

Agreed. Stayed in Pasajes de San Juan like @trecile and was fresh and ready for those steps the next morning, and the lovely coastal alternative route to San Sebastián. We dumped our packs at the hostel in San Sebastián before check in, and then wandered off to find lunch.