Spring 2019

[shantideva]

As I was stuck in Gernika for half a day as the Albergue in Eskerika is still closed until 28/03, I took time to upload a small video to Youtube.
Here another small info about the Camino so far: The bridge in Deba is still closed. A detour has to be taken into accout. I think its about 1,5 km that have to be added to the day. And just a bit later a detour has to be made in the woods. But here I think that not too much is added to the way, but there is some more altitude to master.

So, here is the video:

 

[nycwalking]

Keep posting.

Buen camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

Beautiful video. Looks to me like you walked the Ruta del Flysch from Zumaia, is that right? Lots more of those beautiful coastal alternatives ahead, if you want to get off the highway!

 

[shantideva]

Looks to me like you walked the Ruta del Flysch from Zumaia, is that right?

Yes, thanks a lot for making me aware of the alternatives. I was really happy to have decided to take that route for this part of the way. Absolutely amazing scenery.

 

[shantideva]

Keep posting.

Buen camino.

Thank you

 

[gloria lowe]

If you were stuck in Gernika, I hope you got to visit the Peace Museum and see the Picasso mural. That town has a very sad history but survived.

 

[shantideva]

If you were stuck in Gernika, I hope you got to visit the Peace Museum and see the Picasso mural. That town has a very sad history but survived.

I just had short time to visit it as I was there at 18:30, 30 minutes before it closed. I had visited Gernika some years ago as I lived 6 month in Bilbao for work.

Today I arrived in Bilbao. After my 30km of hike I couldn’t but visit the good old places again and added 3 more km walking through the old town, eating Pintxos and drinking the good vine. So much memories have been revived being here.

I had so many magic moments so far with people and coincidences. I hope I continues like that for the rest of my journey.

Tomorrow I’ll continue to Portugalete and overnight there to be able to walk from there to Castro Urdiales. I’d would have loved to find some place to stay in Las Arena or in Pobena. But the albergue is said to be closed until may.
If somebody has an idea, just let me know.
Thanks

 

[shantideva]

And here is finally what I took with me on the Camino and what works perfectly for me so far. I wanted to be very light. So my base weight is 4kg. It helps me a lot compared to my last Camino to have dropped more than 3kg.

https://lighterpack.com/r/dd3g5l

 

[Jan_D]

I’d would have loved to find some place to stay in Las Arena or in Pobena. But the albergue is said to be closed until may.
If somebody has an idea, just let me know.
Thanks

The albergue in Onton should be open, although it would be a very long day, even you walked to Portugalete via the river (about 31km in total).

(The website for hospitaleros of Bizkaia says the Pobena albergue will only be open 1 April - sorry!)

 

[shantideva]

The albergue in Onton should be open, although it would be a very long day, even you walked to Portugalete via the river (about 31km in total).

This would be great. I will calculate and see if I can do it. But first I will feel my legs tomorrow morning. If they feel OK I am happy to give it a try. Thanks a lot

 

[peregrina2000]

As I was stuck in Gernika for half a day as the Albergue in Eskerika is still closed until 28/03, I took time to upload a small video to Youtube.
Here another small info about the Camino so far: The bridge in Deba is still closed. A detour has to be taken into accout. I think its about 1,5 km that have to be added to the day. And just a bit later a detour has to be made in the woods. But here I think that not too much is added to the way, but there is some more altitude to master.

So, here is the video:

Just want to point out that if you think the video from about 2 minutes 10 seconds till about 3 minutes is beautiful, that is NOT on the camino. It is the Ruta del Flysch, which leaves from the town of Zumaia, is extremely well marked, a very popular local hiking trail, and will take you right into Deba. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[shantideva]

the video from about 2 minutes 10 seconds till about 3 minutes is beautiful, that is NOT on the camino

Hi Laurie,
Indeed, these 50 seconds are not marked by yellow arrows. But it is a way (camino) that you suggested to go, and it is a way the wise pilgrim guide also suggests. MY Camino de Santiago went this way and I am happy that I chose this ~8 km like this. (And I don’t talk about all the deviations I had to take so far because there were deforestation works in progress) I am not happy about the definition about « the » camino. This is for the hikers. I am a very spiritual person, and for me there is not « the » way to Santiago. My way started at my front door. There are endless ways to Santiago. The yellow arrows help to find the way to those who might get lost. All ways are called « Caminos », and this was my northern way through Guipuskoa.
One thing I want to say about the « Camino », the way: it is a way that goes into one direction (very important). The routa de Flysch is a two way hiking trail. That’s not the Camino.
Much love and respect,
Buen Camino,
Jean-Claude

 

[shantideva]

I have arrived in Comillas today. As the Albergue Municipal is still closed I worried a bit, but there is now a new albergue: Albergue la Huella del Camino. It has opened two weeks ago. It is a private albergue.

I have done a lot of detours and shortcuts so far. The most impressive one was the Paso de Presa to Laredo. It is really dangerous to walk, but it offers some absolutely stunning views. But a light backpack is highly recommended and a little rock climbing is the part of that rather difficult alternative to the official camino.

 

[AJGuillaume]

Is that the path that goes up from Oriñon and Playa de Sonabria over Monte Candina?
We decided not to do it, as my wife considered it too dangerous.
We walked on the other side of Monte Candina, joining up with the path down along the coast just before Ermita de San Julián.
Buen Camino

 

[shantideva]

Is that the path that goes up from Oriñon and Playa de Sonabria over Monte Candina?
We decided not to do it, as my wife considered it too dangerous.
We walked on the other side of Monte Candina, joining up with the path down along the coast just before Ermita de San Julián.
Buen Camino

Yes it must be that path. I attach a picture of the information pannel I found just before arriving to Laredo.

 

[shantideva]

Here my experience of Cantabria. I made sure to note what is on alternatives.

 

[shantideva]

Just arrived at Colunga. Today I had a full day of rain and hailstorms. The spanish people call the north of the country « the hat of Spain ». It takes all the rain and the rest of Spain stays much more dry. Somehow I was happy about that. I didn’t take my rain gear for nothing.

Here in Asturias there is very little asphalt compared to Cantabria or Bizcaya. And somehow I start to understand the reason for walking on these roads here on the Norte. Due to the increased amount of precipitation in the north, walking on clean roads can be a blessing when it rains. Today I was walking with a Australian companion and we both chose a detour over asphalt instead of muddy trails as we were soaked and full of mudd, after 20km of permanent rain.
The Camino del Norte offers so much breathtaking views on the sea. It is absolutely incredible. I can understand those pilgrims I met on the way that switched from Frances to Norte. They complained about all the consumerism and the dirt on the Camino Frances. Here on the Norte I live a peaceful experience sharing it with a handful of pilgrims I meet again and again since the very beginning. At this time of the year there are few pilgrims on the Norte and this is a good occasion to create wonderful bonds with each of them.
So sorry that my journey will end soon in Gijon. I will come back later in the year to complete my Camino to Santiago, but this time I will follow the Camino Primitivo from Villaviciosa, as I think it will have more to offer than the Norte when it turns into the country.
Comments and suggestions about switching from Norte to Primitivo are welcome to help me to take my decision.

 

[shantideva]

I just arrived at Gijon after a great evening and night at the Albergue La Ferreria in Amandi (2 km after Ribadesella). My Camino del Norte takes an end here. I have to return home as I had only three weeks of vacation. It is a sad moment as I would really love to continue. The experiences and the sharing on the camino are priceless. I’ll return by mid-august to resume where I stopped, but my intention is to continue over the Primitivo to enjoy the mountains too.

One thing I’d like to address are some changes to the route as described in the latest guides. Here in Asturias there have been several slight modifications. I think the Camino lives a bit more here and more modifications are surely to expect. As I was told, the way is adapted a lot to the requirements of UNESCO. On the other hand, the local organizations work hard to make it even more attractive.

I have met several pilgrims that switched from Frances to Norte. They complained about the dirt, the business and the crowd on Frances. At this time of the year the Norte was really calm and I could make friends with all the pilgrims I met as there were not too much. It was an overall exceptional time I have spent here and it brings tears to my eyes when I think about the ongoing trip back home.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Caminogoat]

I am happy to hear about your strip. I completed Camino France last year in August, and going back to do the Norte at the end of April. Did you get rained a lot? I don't mind rain but am afraid of lightnings. I had a few of those last year and I would not want encounter them again.

 

[shantideva]

I am happy to hear about your strip. I completed Camino France last year in August, and going back to do the Norte at the end of April. Did you get rained a lot? I don't mind rain but am afraid of lightnings. I had a few of those last year and I would not want encounter them again.

Hello Mera,
I was lucky and had only one day of rain in three weeks. But the weather in the north can be unpredictable sometimes. I worked here for several month and it rains more often than in the rest of Spain. But that makes the nature so rich and beautiful. You may also encounter thunderstorms. I remember those happening sometimes by the end of the day, on very hot summer days. This was refreshing cool. But I speak from 15 years ago. I cannot speak from nowadays. The only thing that is sure is that you might certainly have more rain than on the Camino Frances.
As I said, I was very lucky to have had only one day of rain in three weeks.
I wish you a Buen Camino! Watch for all possible alternatives. On dry and sunny days alternative trails along the sea are the better option. When it rains or has rained the day before, asphalt might be a better choice than mud. The Wise Pilgrim App « Camino Places » and Laurie (Peregrina2000) here in the forum have them listed.

 

[Caminogoat]

Hello Mera,
I was lucky and had only one day of rain in three weeks. But the weather in the north can be unpredictable sometimes. I worked here for several month and it rains more often than in the rest of Spain. But that makes the nature so rich and beautiful. You may also encounter thunderstorms. I remember those happening sometimes by the end of the day, on very hot summer days. This was refreshing cool. But I speak from 15 years ago. I cannot speak from nowadays. The only thing that is sure is that you might certainly have more rain than on the Camino Frances.
As I said, I was very lucky to have had only one day of rain in three weeks.
I wish you a Buen Camino! Watch for all possible alternatives. On dry and sunny days alternative trails along the sea are the better option. When it rains or has rained the day before, asphalt might be a better choice than mud. The Wise Pilgrim App « Camino Places » and Laurie (Peregrina2000) here in the forum have them listed.

Oh that is a very good idea. Thank you for kindly replying. I am glad that you didn't have too many rainy and muddy days. Buen Camino!

 

[Jan_D]

I am happy to hear about your strip.

Well that sounds entertaining!