Explore the beautiful coast of the Basque country.
Discover the Real Basque Country, with all its traditions.
Indulge yourself in rooms en-suite in selected hotels along the way and enjoy a high level of comfort.
Time travel along 1000 years of history and meet people from every horizon.

Printable file

Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

This Walking Holiday explores the first section of the Camino Norte / Northern Way, following the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela; the famous Way of Saint James.

Beginning in the beautiful town of San Sebastian & finishing in Bilbao, famous for its Guggenheim museum, you will travel through the lush and mountainous landscape of the Basque coast & pass historic Gernika.

Everyday, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. This section requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights.

Day 1 - San Sebastian
You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of the town. The rooms are en-suite.

DAY 2 – From San Sebastian to Getaria (27km 7h30 +380m -480m)
Leaving San Sebastian and the magnificent Bay of Biscay, the Camino follows the beautiful coastline along grassy fields on rolling hills. First, we find the Roman Church of San Martin de Tours, then we pass through ancient whale-fishing villages. Finally, we arrive in the picturesque village of Getaria, perched on a rock above a small harbour.

DAY 3 – From Getaria to Deba (22km 6h30 +400m -400m)
The Camino starts on a small countryside road, following the coast. Arriving in Zarautz, we take a small footpath into farmlands. Passing the church of Santa Maria la Real and the village of Juan Sebastian Elcano, we continue our stroll to the coast. The last stop is the pleasant coastal resort of Deba.

DAY 4 – From Deba to Markina (20km 5h +-640m)
Today we abandon the sea for more mountainous landscapes and we won’t see it again until Bilbao. The Camino crosses a river and starts climbing steeply into dense vegetation, until it reaches the Hermitage of El Calvario. From here, we will follow a narrow footpath (GR-121) passing through many hamlets. Finally, the Camino goes steeply downhill to Markina; a village with strong Basque traditions.

DAY 5 – From Markina to Gernika (28km 7h30 +300m -400m)
Leaving Markina, the Camino follows a country road and crosses the river in Bolivar (28 km). It ascends to the medieval monastery of Cenarruza. Leaving the monastery, we take a path into a dense forest, to the top of Gontzegarai, and onwards to the village of Gerikaitz. At the Hermitage of Santiago, a steep footpath leads downhill to a creek and finally, to Gernika.

DAY 6 – From Gernika to Lezama (21km 6h30 +320m -220m)
The Camino leaves Gernika by the hermitage of Santa Luzia Zallo. Shortly after, we start a climb to reach a road (PR-173), and then a cobbled path leads to the the top of the village of Morga. Here, we leave the farmlands and enter a forest, following a steep descent to the traditional villages of Goikoletxea, Larrabetzu and finally, Lezama.

DAY 7 – From Lezama to Bilbao (15km 3h30 +150m -110m)
This is a relatively short stage across the farmlands. First we pass Zamudio and the interesting Roman church of San Maarten. The Tower of Malpica is visible above us. Slowly climbing to reach the summit of Mount Avril, we are rewarded with spectacular views of Bilbao and the valley below. On arrival in the suburbs of Bilbao, don’t forget to visit the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Begoñ. Finally, we come to Place de Unamuno, in the old quarter of Bilbao.

DAY 8 –Bilbao
After breakfast we bid you farewell.

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• Rooms en-suite
• Half Board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinner first and last nights
• Transfer from/to airport