LIVE from the Camino In Bilbao about to leave for Pobeña

[Joe Macky]

I’m in Bilbao about to leave for Pobeña. I completed the last 3 days of my Voie de Vézelay (interrupted in 2019 when my wife broke her ankle) on 27th May, hiked the GR10 5 days from SJPdP to Hendaye, and then joined the Norte June 2nd, my 70th birthday. Been so fortunate! Stayed mostly in albergues. Txalupa in Getaria was close to full (Iñaki a wonderful host), Izarbide in Auzoa was full but turned no one away, the monasterio de Zenarruza had 4 or 5 spare beds and there were only 5 of us at Lezama (24 beds I think).
Yesterday I was a tourist here in Bilbao.
It has been great so far - I’ve loved it. Places, people met, time to think, and the weather has been perfect. I feel very privileged.
The GR10 was great conditioning for the ups and downs of the Norte by the way!
Joe Macky

 

[cronnik]

I’ll be doing the El Norte in July from Bilbao so I will be watching for your posts. Burn Camino

 

[dimdog]

Hi, currently on the Norte in Liendo, it's hot hot hot, keep hydrated, & enjoy...
Graham

 

[Wandalina]

Hi i was thinking of breaking up the stage from Gernika to bilbao so i arrive early to bilbao. Is lezama a nice spot to stay or any other recommendations of towns to stay? Thanks x

 

[cronnik]

Hi i was thinking of breaking up the stage from Gernika to bilbao so i arrive early to bilbao. Is lezama a nice spot to stay or any other recommendations of towns to stay? Thanks x

Markina has a lovely hostel on a hill just outside of town. It’s an attractive traditional structure with an albuerge and private rooms. The owner will wash your clothes for you and cook a huge meal all reasonably priced. The front patio is wonderful to hang out and as it’s situated on a hill it has wonderful views of The Valley and town.
Intxauspe landetxea
+34 652 77 08 89

Intxauspe landetxea · Lugar Barrio Atxondoa, 10, 48270 Markina-Xemein, Biscay, Spain

★★★★★ · Indoor lodging

goo.gl

Also my gf and I heard that the walk to Bilbao from Gernika had significant ugly sections so not being purists we found an old town on the coast, Mundaka, that had a charming beach and pier swimming, 3 surf schools and had Spanish on vacation but the town never felt garish as the Spanish aren’t - just the typical 3-4 generations enjoying themselves. It’s right on the light rail from Gernika so you just step off and you’re there. You can rent SUP, surf boards etc for a day. We left the next afternoon after most of the day swimming and lunching and just hopped on the light rail right to the center of Bilbao. I don’t know if Santiago would approve but I wasn’t worried. It turned out to be an unexpected highlight of our trip

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi i was thinking of breaking up the stage from Gernika to bilbao so i arrive early to bilbao. Is lezama a nice spot to stay or any other recommendations of towns to stay? Thanks x

Hi, @Wandaline,
Years ago I stayed at the Hotel Matsu, just for the reason you describe — I got into Bilbao very early and had virtually the whole day there. It is a very comfortable place, off the road and stand-alone. When I was there there were actually two different buildings of rooms, and I can’t remember if there was any difference between the two.

I have also stayed in Larrebetzu, in the albergue. That would also give you a short day into Bilbao if the splurge in Hotel Matsu isn’t appealing. Larrebetzu is about 3 km before Lezama. The albergue there is on the top floor of a building, with windows down at ground level because the albergue is essentially in the eaves, I think. It was very hot the night I slept there, but it’s a good albergue. Larrebetzu is one of the centers of Basque independence, and if you speak Spanish, you can have some very interesting conversations with local people. I remember a very good meal in a restaurant, whose name escapes me, where I met a young Basque couple and enjoyed spending time with them.

 

[Wandalina]

Hi, @Wandaline,
Years ago I stayed at the Hotel Matsu, just for the reason you describe — I got into Bilbao very early and had virtually the whole day there. It is a very comfortable place, off the road and stand-alone. When I was there there were actually two different buildings of rooms, and I can’t remember if there was any difference between the two.

I have also stayed in Larrebetzu, in the albergue. That would also give you a short day into Bilbao if the splurge in Hotel Matsu isn’t appealing. Larrebetzu is about 3 km before Lezama. The albergue there is on the top floor of a building, with windows down at ground level because the albergue is essentially in the eaves, I think. It was very hot the night I slept there, but it’s a good albergue. Larrebetzu is one of the centers of Basque independence, and if you speak Spanish, you can have some very interesting conversations with local people. I remember a very good meal in a restaurant, whose name escapes me, where I met a young Basque couple and enjoyed spending time with them.

Thanks peregrina where is hotel matsu?

 

[peregrina2000]

Here’s the website. It’s about a 3-5 minute walk off-camino, to the left if I remember right!