Camino Vasco in around 10 days.?

[Stuartwe]

The more I read about the Camino Vasco,the more I like the sound of it for my second Camino in 2025 after walking the Baztan this year.
My question is whether it is feasible to complete in around 10 days starting from and returning to Biarritz.
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received

 

[Tincatinker]

The more I read about the Camino Vasco,the more I like the sound of it for my second Camino in 2025 after walking the Baztan this year.
My question is whether it is feasible to complete in around 10 days starting from and returning to Biarritz.
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received

You could likely walk Irun to Vitoria within your timeframe but might be constrained by accommodation intervals and public transport availability. There’s definitely a bus from Vitoria to Irun. Train/ bus back to Biarritz

Happy planning

 

[roving_rufus]

It would be very tight to make it from Biarritz to Santo Domingo without some longer days in that timeframe. From Irun to Santo Domingo would be possible. But travelling back from Santo Domingo would be more complicated - from Vitoria Gasteiz it's more straightforward.
If you take the Burgos variant you could get to maybe Miranda de Ebro which again I has reasonable transport.

 

[VNwalking]

Depending on your fitness and capacity for long days, maybe. Certainly if you end in Burgos your logistics will be simpler - the Camino enters town very near the railway station.

Irun to Burgos is doable in 12 days pretty easily, and you could shave off a day by going from Puebla de Arlazon to Pancorbo in one stage.

 

[SabsP]

It would be very tight to make it from Biarritz to Santo Domingo without some longer days in that timeframe. From Irun to Santo Domingo would be possible. But travelling back from Santo Domingo would be more complicated - from Vitoria Gasteiz it's more straightforward.
If you take the Burgos variant you could get to maybe Miranda de Ebro which again I has reasonable transport.

Or bus and train from Biarritz to Beasain. Start there. Then walk to Burgos?

 

[Paul-CH]

it is feasible to complete in around 10 days

Check the Gronze Webseite for Camino VASCO and then think about your fitness level if it will match for 10 days. You can see each stage and when you click on the + sign below the map you see the elevation levels on this day.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am so glad this thread has been started! Just yesterday I was looking at a couple of Youtube videos on the Vasco as I am seriously considering that route sometime after Easter as it seems to have "adequate" infrastructure and signage. I prefer shorter stages and it seems there is enough lodging options to do that, although I'm not sure how much pre-planning can be done ahead of time.befote leaving home.
I assumed I'd be starting in Irun, but if it's not too difficult to get to Bayonne or Biarritz, that could be a nice option as I usually add a few vacay days to my Caminos. I have not looked into transportation options yet.

 

[SabsP]

I am so glad this thread has been started! Just yesterday I was looking at a couple of Youtube videos on the Vasco as I am seriously considering that route sometime after Easter as it seems to have "adequate" infrastructure and signage. I prefer shorter stages and it seems there is enough lodging options to do that, although I'm not sure how much pre-planning can be done ahead of time.befote leaving home.
I assumed I'd be starting in Irun, but if it's not too difficult to get to Bayonne or Biarritz, that could be a nice option as I usually add a few vacay days to my Caminos. I have not looked into transportation options yet.

It's a gorgeous Camino!

 

[Tincatinker]

@Camino Chrissy, Bayonne to Irun on the Norte would be a pleasant two day warm-up before the bumpier bits start. Even then the only real bump is after Zegama.

 

[VNwalking]

I have not looked into transportation options yet.

Train to Irun from North, South, or West.
Easy-peasy.
A wonderful walk.

 

[VNwalking]

A wonderful walk.

Edited to add:

LIVE from the Camino Thread 'Two peregrinas on the Via de Bayona'

May 17, 2019

Day 1 Irun to Astigarraga
A slightly rocky start, with pounding rain for much of the day - which besides being a bit miserable made for very wet conditions underfoot.

We were pleasantly surprised at the greenness of the day and by the fast and very pleasant exot from Irun. The path meandered up and down through the Basque countryside, reminding me a lot of the Baztan.

The first stop of the day was in Oiartzun, whete we had a very nice eatly lunch at the Kastro Berri Taberna off the plaza. There is a lovely church nearby but the rain meant we didn't want to linger - nor did we stop...

• VNwalking
• Replies: 207
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🇪🇸 Camino VASCO/BAYONA (Irún-St Dgo/Burgos)

• 
• 

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Oh, you all are making me excited to spend more time to delve deeper into this possibility! I have been in a quandary this past week getting a few new ideas, but nixed most. I now feel the Vasco could be a viable option! I'd thought of repeating the first half of the Norte by default, but this may be a better alternative.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I walked it from Bayonne to Burgos in October '23 and had no problems with alberuges, with two caveats. I did not walk the 21k stretch from Zegama to Salvatierra. I was having back issues before I left home. In

Did you walk a partial stage or skip the stage? Is this that most difficult stage?

 

[lt56ny]

My question is whether it is feasible to complete in around 10 days starting from and returning to Biarritz.
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received

It is only 200k or so to Santo Domingo and about 250 to Burgos. I walked to Burgos. Santo Domingo is easy in 10 days. Depending on your fitness Burgos could be tougher in 10 days. If you are fit and an experienced it is very doable in 10 days.

Did you walk a partial stage or skip the stage? Is this that most difficult stage?

I deleted my post because I screwed up? Here is the completed post with the answer.
I walked it from Bayonne to Burgos in October '23 and had no problems with alberuges, with two caveats. I did not walk the 21k stretch from Zegama to Salvatierra. (Without a doubt it is the most difficult stage, I would assume. The stage before was tiring but very doable) I was having back issues before I left home. In Zegema I was stretching my back and a young man asked me if I was ok. He turned out to be a physical therapist. After a quick exam on the street he said that I should skip the stage. It was not the uphill that he said he worried for me but the long, steep and rocky downhill.
Also,I can't remember which town it was but there was a festival and there was no where to sleep and I had to walk an extra 10k.
The albergue network is excellent for the most part. In Tolosa there is no albergue just pensions.
I stayed here:

Pensión Oyarbide - Tolosa | Pensión | Gronze.com

Información del Pensión Pensión Oyarbide, en Tolosa: precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

Like I wrote in Gronze it was ok. It was early October and it was still really warm and my room was hot. It was ok at night though. The owner was nice. It was nothing to write home about. Clean enough and for a pilgrim camino just fine. It is wonderful Crissy. Some really nice and even memorable albergues. Especially this one:

Albergue de peregrinos de Beasain | Albergue de Peregrinos en Beasain | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos de Beasain, en Beasain: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

It is in the middle of a park so it took me a few minutes to find.
I walked from Bayonne. The albergue there is small but really welcoming and the town is beautiful. The walk to Irun has some highlights and some boring stretches but overall good. The albergues are A+.
It was weird when I arrived in Irun the municipal (also a good albergue but big) was pretty full. Lots of young (mostly) and excited pilgrims and had a good time with many people in the large kitchen and dining area. But I was the only one that was walking the Vasco. Everyone else was, of course heading west on the Norte.
The only pilgrims I slept with were some French men who were walking to Santo Domingo. Met them a few days before the split. They were nice but of course, none spoke English. One spoke some Spanish and we talked a little. But they never invited me to join them for dinner in the albergue. I only saw them at night. Never saw them on the camino. I loved this camino. After walking the Vasco, Aragones, Madrid and VDLP the last few years I am a pilgrim that loves the peace and solitude. Nest year Mozarabe and some of the VDLP and the Invierno!
If you have any more questions send me a PM and we can chat. Buen Camino

 

[Takahiwai]

Oh, you all are making me excited to spend more time to delve deeper into this possibility! I have been in a quandary this past week getting a few new ideas, but nixed most. I now feel the Vasco could be a viable option! I'd thought of repeating the first half of the Norte by default, but this may be a better alternative.

Hi,
Let me add my voice to those who've already extolled the virtues of this route. I don't know how much time you have at your disposal, but if you're able to, I'd absolutely recommend starting in Bayonne, a beautiful city. There are stunning views as you make your way along the coast to Irun. I can also confirm that there are accommodation options outside the official stage ends, as, due to the atrocious weather, my friend and I had to avail ourselves of several of them! For the most part, this is a lovely route which I'm keen to do again, since, like @It56ny, I did not do the 'etapa reina' either.

Buen camino!

 

[SabsP]

I skipped the etapa to Salvatierra too seeing I was a bit under the weather.
Took bus and train and was minisherpa for my fellow peregrina ( took some of her stuff with me) while she tackled the Tunel.

 

[Jim Porter]

The more I read about the Camino Vasco,the more I like the sound of it for my second Camino in 2025 after walking the Baztan this year.
My question is whether it is feasible to complete in around 10 days starting from and returning to Biarritz.
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received

Hey, good morning! I'm planning on the Baztan soon (and the Vasco after that) so I'm going to be watching closely. Did you post any comments on your time on the Baztan on this forum? Thanks

 

[VNwalking]

Is this that most difficult stage?

(Without a doubt it is the most difficult stage, I would assume

Yes. But also the most amazing and beautiful.

Took bus and train and was minisherpa for my fellow peregrina ( took some of her stuff with me) while she tackled the Tunel.

That would be my stuff.
It made for a day that was definitely exercise, but not at all terrible. Thank you, @Sabs!

If wanting to combine stages, what would make sense is Vitoria-Gasteiz - Pancorbo in one day. And perhaps Tolosa - Zegama. Though doing the latter would sadly mean missing the amazing albergue at Beasain.

 

[Stuartwe]

Hey, good morning! I'm planning on the Baztan soon (and the Vasco after that) so I'm going to be watching closely. Did you post any comments on your time on the Baztan on this forum? Thanks

Hello Jim,
I certainly did….if you search under my content or My First Camino-Baztan,hopefully you should be able to see the posts.
Happy to answer any questions you might have as will never tire of telling everyone what a wonderful route it is

 

[Stuartwe]

I am so glad this thread has been started! Just yesterday I was looking at a couple of Youtube videos on the Vasco as I am seriously considering that route sometime after Easter as it seems to have "adequate" infrastructure and signage. I prefer shorter stages and it seems there is enough lodging options to do that, although I'm not sure how much pre-planning can be done ahead of time.befote leaving home.
I assumed I'd be starting in Irun, but if it's not too difficult to get to Bayonne or Biarritz, that could be a nice option as I usually add a few vacay days to my Caminos. I have not looked into transportation options yet.

Pleased to be of help Chrissy!
Looking at the very useful suggestions and recommendations,I am beginning to think I might need to set aside 2 weeks.
Now the difficult bit,keeping onside with the Missus!
Good luck with your planning
Stuart

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A sight to see on the Vasco, the chicken bridge, just past Segura (@VNwalking's photo).

Go here and switch to satellite view:

43°00'16.0"N 2°15'46.0"W

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[lt56ny]

A sight to see on the Vasco, the chicken bridge, just past Segura (@VNwalking's photo).

Go here and switch to satellite view:

43°00'16.0"N 2°15'46.0"W

maps.app.goo.gl

I can't believe I missed this gem!

 

[VNwalking]

I only saw it because that white hen was screaming her head off - she stopped as soon as she got on terra firma.

 

[dick bird]

The more I read about the Camino Vasco,the more I like the sound of it for my second Camino in 2025 after walking the Baztan this year.
My question is whether it is feasible to complete in around 10 days starting from and returning to Biarritz.
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received

Have you measured the distance from Biarritz to Santo Domingo and divided by 10? Have you worked out where the accommodation is? You will probably find it difficult to plan stages because although the albergues are excellent, they are not always in the right place for long stages. Starting in Irún might work. But it is a beautiful Camino, and very well way marked. Highly recommended.

 

[peregrina2000]

Even then the only real bump is after Zegama.

Unless you want to take the highly recommended Saiatz alternative. There’s enough info here on the forum to get you going, but its main advantages are — more mountains, much less asphalt than on the first few days out of Irún on the standard route. Making a beautiful route even more beautiful.

 

[witsendwv]

Did you walk a partial stage or skip the stage? Is this that most difficult stage?

It was the most difficult stage, but worth the climb to the San Adrian tunnel. It was a long day in the rain especially on the downhill side to Salvatierra. My husband face planted in the leaves and mud, but he would still walk it again. The tunnel with the chapel was our reason for walking this camino. We saw no one except a jogger going the opposite direction through the tunnel with his dog.

 

[Tincatinker]

The Beloved and I loved that day. The long steady climb, the cliff face looming ever closer. The “Lord of the Rings” wall and Gate. The Chapel (locked, ah well), emerging from the “tunnel” into forest. The Roman Road (Roman, really? It felt much older than anything those mineral / metal thirsty imperialists built so I just assumed they exploited what was already there).

Anyways the wild ponies in the woods were fun and anyway, that day. That day I can walk in my head anytime I need to. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn’t done it yet

 

[witsendwv]

The Beloved and I loved that day. The long steady climb, the cliff face looming ever closer. The “Lord of the Rings” wall and Gate. The Chapel (locked, ah well), emerging from the “tunnel” into forest. The Roman Road (Roman, really? It felt much older than anything those mineral / metal thirsty imperialists built so I just assumed they exploited what was already there).

Anyways the wild ponies in the woods were fun and anyway, that day. That day I can walk in my head anytime I need to. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn’t done it yet

Despite the rain and the fall, it was the best day. I guess I wouldn't have known what we missed if we didn't walk that stage, but I can't imagine skipping it. Would walk it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

That day I can walk in my head anytime I need to. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn’t done it yet

The entry is at floor 7½.

Spoiler