Tough section between Irun and Bilbao

[Bem48]

Hola !
The section between Irun and Bilbao is thought to be very tough.
Can anyone enlighten me...how tough ??
How does it compare to some of the strenuous section on the "frances", like
across the Pyrenees from SJPdP to Roncevalles, or up to Foncebadon and the Crux de Ferro or
the O Cebreiro section ??
What average distance/day could I expect to cover on this section? Keeping in mind
I don't want to race, but enjoy, but still have only about 32 days from Irun to SdC.

Thanks for all your advice
Bem in Sydney

 

[Beverley]

I would like to know the answer too. Bem48 I found a list of elevations for the Norte on this site the other day. I will check it out and get back to you. I assume it is the elevations that are an issue although I suppose it could be the pathway itself. I really try tp skirt or pass over the industrial lands for instance.

 

[Beverley]

Hi again, if found the link that gives a tonne of info on the del Norte including elevations, I hope, but have not reviewed it thoroughly
Here it is
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los ... del-norte/

Bev from Canada

 

[JoyAnderson]

Greetings fellow Peregrinos, who is walking the Del Norte and Primitivo and when? I will hopefully be working as a hopitalero for 10 day in June 2011 and then walking The Way from the 25th June. My reasearch has revealed contours of a serious level in many places. This does not cause me much concern it is the weather, possiblities of heavy rains sound high. None the less I will take it all in "my stride".
Buen Camino to you all. Joy

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Hola Bem
There is a website in spanish http://www.caminodesantiago.consumer.es . It is in spanish but there are lots of maps and diagrams and you can even get feed back on peoples experiences in the albergues.
When you open it up just click on Camino del Norte and then on Etapa 1 and then Etapa two and you will see diagrams of the elevations

Buen Camino
Lydia

 

[Alan Pearce]

Hi Bem,

We averaged 27km per day on the del Norte when we conered the distance in 31 walking days. We had lay-days in Bilbao and Gijon, and our average was boosted a little on our second last day, when we walked around 45 km [ we were pretty fit by then]. How tough? Everyone has their own individual pain thresh-hold, but I found the daily stages in the first week to be somewhat tougher than anything I did on the Aragones, including O Cebreiro. Some of the steep dpwnhill paths were,as AJ noted, dangerous if not taken with great care, including going down sideways, step by step. My walking staff was much used.

Hi Lydia - if you look up http://www.mundicamino.com there are VERY good profiles of the stages on the del Norte as well as other routes.

If you get the chance to stay in the youth hostel in Ribadesella, take it! It is right on a beautiful beach and the sound of the waves will lull you to sleep. I became a member of Youth Hostels of Australia before I went and this allowed me to stay in several youth hostels during the walk.

buen camino

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[gregpickworth]

Hi

I am trying to get into this forum .... without success?.... greg

 

[MermaidLilli]

That section that you speak of may be tough but it is very doable. You get so involved in the beauty of it that you don't realize how much you've done. When you leave Irun you will get to a church then have the choice of going uphill over the Alpinista way or to the left. Go the Alpinista way. Once you're at the top it is easy going but the views of the ocean on one side and the valleys on the other are breathtaking. Treat yourself in a good restaurant before you cross the river by boat. Once you're in San Sebastian you will want to rest. Make sure you see the famous beach La Concha. So that is your first day. Tough yeah, but feels good when you have completed it. I was not very fit when I started but by the time I got to Bilbao I was in much better shape. Enjoy the ups and downs.
Lillian

 

[Bem48]

Thank you all very much, Lillian, Alan, Lydia, Joy and Bev!
Your advice is very much appreciated, those web-sites Mundicamino and Eroski are
treasure troves! Great!
Buen Camino to you all

Bem in Sydney

 

[JoyAnderson]

Lillian do you have a blog of your journey or a diary that I may share in, I embard on the Del Notre in June 2011 Joy

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

Bem, Lillis description is, as usual quite correct. You get a clear choice on signs after leaving the church. I think one sign for the Alpinista says " Only for the tough ones" Don't be put off, its not that bad and the views are marvellous. People who walked the lower way round the mountain said it was an almost level track. Before you take the boat try one of the excellent Basque restaurants, as mentioned. On the other side you walk up the hill (again!) and then a bit along a coastal track before returning to the asphalt before San Sebastian. It may be helpful to warn you that the "Norte" is about 90 percent asphalt, at least until you come to Galicia.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Joy, she does and did. I looked but can't find it but I know it's online somewhere. Maybe Sil or someone else can find it?

Try PMing her.. the PM may go directly to her email box.

 

[Beverley]

Hola Bem
There is a website in spanish http://www.caminodesantiago.consumer.es . It is in spanish but there are lots of maps and diagrams and you can even get feed back on peoples experiences in the albergues.
When you open it up just click on Camino del Norte and then on Etapa 1 and then Etapa two and you will see diagrams of the elevations

Buen Camino
Lydia

Great reference sites from Lydia and Bem, thanks a bunch