Deba to Markina stage: How to Split in Two Days

[Caro1964]

Hello! I've have searched hours for a way to split the much dreaded stage between Deba and Markina-Xemein into two days, to lessen its impact on my already-not-great-knees, but to no avail. I also really want to have a night in the Monasteria de Zenarruza. Has anyone been able to walk this stage and include a night in the Monasterio, without having to walk more than 16 km per day? Thanks in advance!

 

[trecile]

You can shorten the walk to Markina by staying at Albergue Izarbide which is about 5 km past Deba.

INICIO | izarbide

izarbideaterpetxea.wixsite.com

There aren't many options in this area for shorter stages.

 

[WalkingLester]

You could walk as far as you want on that stage then call a taxi to take you to a place to sleep. Arrange with taxi to come get you in the morning to take you back to the place you stopped the day before. You could walk to and sleep in Izarbide but it only cuts a short distance off the next day’s walk to Markina. You could sleep in Mutriku but you have to walk down and then up a big hill to get there. On one camino I walked to Olatz, then took a taxi to Mutriku to sleep, then taxi took me back to Olatz in the morning.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You can shorten the walk to Markina by staying at Albergue Izarbide which is about 5 km past Deba.

This is exactly what I had done.

 

[Caro1964]

Perhaps I’ll walk to izarbide the day before and at least shorten the next day by those 5 km. How readily accessible would it be to call a taxi if I find myself unable to get to Markina from the middle of nowhere on my way to Markina?

 

[trecile]

Perhaps I’ll walk to izarbide the day before and at least shorten the next day by those 5 km. How readily accessible would it be to call a taxi if I find myself unable to get to Markina from the middle of nowhere on my way to Markina?

I would ask the hospitaleros at Albergue Izarbide for the number of a taxi before you leave in the morning.

You will already have completed the first climb from Deba when you reach Izarbide, then there's another big climb and a steep descent to Markina. Just take it slowly and you will be fine.

Make sure that you make a reservation at Albergue Izarbide - it does fill up. I reserved via WhatsApp.

 

[WalkingLester]

You can use google maps,type Markina in the search bar, then search for taxis on the map. Most all will be on WhatsApp. A text can be easier than speaking Spanish. I usually try to get to some kind of landmark such as a church, bar, or crossroads, and then the taxi can find you easily.