On the Norte

[Jaime Carrollo]

I just finished Day 3 of the Norte just outside Deba. It has been great but if you are heading this way be forewarned that the trails are muddy and slippery from all the rain squalls. But the views are spectacular.

 

[Flog]

The narrow path up over the hill and down onto the beach after Laredo heading for Güemes is particularly treacherous after rain too, I struggled with it just a few days ago. You are about a week from it..

 

[ChrisO33]

I just finished Day 3 of the Norte just outside Deba. It has been great but if you are heading this way be forewarned that the trails are muddy and slippery from all the rain squalls. View attachment 147073But the views are spectacular.

Be safe Jim

 

[Madis]

Im one day behind you. Will stay at Ibiri Quarter today (5km past Deba). Let's see if I can play catchup

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

Made it to Marquina on somewhat better trails

Im one day behind you. Will stay at Ibiri Quarter today (5km past Deba). Let's see if I can play catchup

overall, but the rain caught up with us 1.5 hours out! Drying out now and ready to wet the insides!

 

[Madis]

Made it to Marquina on somewhat better trails

overall, but the rain caught up with us 1.5 hours out! Drying out now and ready to wet the insides!

Im hoping to stay at the monastery in Zenazurra tomorrow. There are only 21 bed places so I'm a bit worried about crowds. Altough in the cow shed seems to be today just 2 pilgrims.

How many people started on the same day as you in Irun? I had about 30-40 people.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

Im hoping to stay at the monastery in Zenazurra tomorrow. There are only 21 bed places so I'm a bit worried about crowds. Altough in the cow shed seems to be today just 2 pilgrims.

How many people started on the same day as you in Irun? I had about 30-40 people.

I had a late start from Irun and only saw a few pilgrims along the way.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

The alberge in Marquina still has rooms tonight which bodes well for the days ahead. They have a sign up announcing that the alberge in Gernika is closed for repairs and suggest you go past 6 km for lodging. See picture below. By the way, Happy San Isidro day!

 

[oaklandgirl]

I had a late start from Irun and only saw a few pilgrims along the way.

Took a private room in the monastery for €30. Worth it! The monks were very appreciative. I got there around 12 noon? Had to wait till 2 or 230 (can’t remember) to actually secure the room but was first in queue. If Mary is still there she will help you. BTW all the rooms in Deba were booked. Had to take a train back and forth to Zarautz.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

The narrow path up over the hill and down onto the beach after Laredo heading for Güemes is particularly treacherous after rain too, I struggled with it just a few days ago. You are about a week from it..View attachment 147074

It is particularly treacherous to be sure! After writing about it in my Find Penguins app that was shared with those who followed me, my son called to ask if he should take out an insurance policy on me. Haha. But the walk on the beach afterwards was glorious!

 

[Flog]

For sure, 3km or so barefoot was perfect! And the mud wouldn't have been such an issue if there was something other than gorse needles to grab onto for support!

 

[CoquilleDC]

It is particularly treacherous to be sure! After writing about it in my Find Penguins app that was shared with those who followed me, my son called to ask if he should take out an insurance policy on me. Haha. But the walk on the beach afterwards was glorious!

Fully agree! I did this stretch before Noja a few days ago in rain and it was very slippery and, in spots, dangerous. The views and beach walk after, plus a glass of wine in town, erased the anxiety Hopefully the rain will clear soon for folks heading that way!

 

[tbcan]

The narrow path up over the hill and down onto the beach after Laredo heading for Güemes is particularly treacherous after rain too, I struggled with it just a few days ago. You are about a week from it..View attachment 147074

I recall that muddy path! Much to our amazement we looked back up the hill once we reached the beach and saw 2 people carrying their bikes down the trail. I seem to recall someone told us there is an alternative path if you want to avoid the mud.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

I recall that muddy path! Much to our amazement we looked back up the hill once we reached the beach and saw 2 people carrying their bikes down the trail. I seem to recall someone told us there is an alternative path if you want to avoid the mud.

That IS amazing! There was an alternative route. We decided to take the beach route not realizing it was a bit more Jurassic Park than beach for quite a stretch. But all good and no dinosaurs.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

Actually had some sunshine today walking into Gernika! No albergue open so stayed at the Hotel Boliña. Other folks opting for monastery outside of Marquina or pushing thru beyond Gernika. Lezama tight too, so might push on to Bilbao. Big city, lots of beds. A fair number of pilgrims are going no further than Bilbao.

 

[Madis]

Actually had some sunshine today walking into Gernika! No albergue open so stayed at the Hotel Boliña. Other folks opting for monastery outside of Marquina or pushing thru beyond Gernika. Lezama tight too, so might push on to Bilbao. Big city, lots of beds. A fair number of pilgrims are going no further than Bilbao.

Also lots of pilgrims I have talked with will also stop walking in Bilbao. Things should become very relaxed.

PS. Im pushing all the way to Portugalete tomorrow using the riverside walk. Really looking forward to the gondola bridge.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

I took the metro from Bilbao to Portugalete to avoid the urban and industrial sprawl. I am on the bus from Santander to Santillana for the same reason. I would have liked the coastal route out of Santander, but a 30 km hike just to get to Boos with rain threatening did not seem so exciting. Bus is full of pilgrims so maybe my reasoning is not so erratic. I will end up in Comillas today which will put me one day ahead of my Camino family. But I think it will also put me on the other side of all this mist and rain and fog.

 

[Madis]

Some pilgrims got the recommendation to take the train out of Santander to Santa Cruz de Bezana and from there walk to Santallana del Mar.

Its still a long day, but quite a good experience this way.

I walked past Santallana del Mar today and wished that I had stayed there last night. Very charming medevial little town.

 

[trecile]

Lezama tight too, so might push on to Bilbao.

Isn't the albergue in Lezama closed until June anyway?

 

[Madis]

Isn't the albergue in Lezama closed until June anyway?

my Buen Camino app says that its open June to September only.

 

[trecile]

my Buen Camino app says that its open June to September only.

Yes, that's what Gronze says too.

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

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

www.gronze.com