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  1. WestKirsty

    How to explore Basque Coast (Bayonne, Anglet, Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Hendaye stretch) before Irun?

    Those towns in the French Basque Country are lovely! I have walked Biarritz to St Jean de Luz on the Norte and it's a nice walk. I have also stayed in Bayonne for a few nights with day trips to Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz using public transport and that worked well too! The local buses can get...
  2. WestKirsty

    Avoiding the Larrabetzu-Lezama-Zamudio Slog

    Thanks for this! I walked this way a few days ago and it worked really well! It has been many years since I walked the official route but I still remember the slog along the road. This was a great way to get to the trails above Bilbao. I ended up following the route with blue and red paint for...
  3. WestKirsty

    Following the GR123 on the Coast Between Gernika and Portugalete

    Thanks so much for this! I walked the Norte in 2016 and afterwards tried different day hikes to see if it would be possible to stay along the coast, as you've done here. I got close but between Bakio and Plentzia was stopped by a guard dog - tried twice to get past but couldn't and read that...
  4. WestKirsty

    From Guernica to Bilbao

    When I walked the Norte I did this in one day - it was long but the albergue in Lezama was full so phoned ahead a booked a hostel bed in Bilbao. I suppose it all depends on what kind of walking you're used to etc. And, if you're starting in Irún, you'll have a week of walking under your belt so...
  5. WestKirsty

    Transportation to bilbao

    Hi! The company to look at is called Alsa. They have lots of trips between Bilbao and Santander daily. They also have buses to/from Oviedo but less so. The website is quite user friendly so you could put in approx dates and see how many services are running and prices. How full they get...
  6. WestKirsty

    LIVE from the Camino Walking the Norte Trail: Journey Interrupted and Resumed

    A lovely description! Thanks for sharing!
  7. WestKirsty

    Is San Juan de Gatzelugatxe worth visiting on the Camino Norte

    It's a memorable spot for sure! I didn't visit when doing the Camino but have been several other times. It's worth noting though that depending on when you would consider going, you may need to book in advance. Since it was used in scenes of Game of Thrones, it's become very popular and there...
  8. WestKirsty

    Bilbao to Portugalete

    I agree about the Museo de Belles Artes! It's a good one! Just a heads up though that they are just starting an expansion project on the building. I don't know how long construction will last but they will move everything to the old part of the buidling so it can still be visited. The good news...
  9. WestKirsty

    Bilbao to Portugalete

    Hi! I actually live along the river route to Portugalete and have walked that way many times. It's nothing special, as you've read, but it's not long. When I did the Norte, I spent the morning in Bilbao showing a fellow walker around, had lunch and then walked to Portugalete via the river, and...
  10. WestKirsty

    Rocky stretches

    I too don't recall anything close to rock climbing on the Norte. Early on, shortly after Zumaia in the Basque Country, there are some non-Camino alternatives that some people take that are right along the coast. Maybe this is what the YouTubers did? If you stay on the Camino, there's nothing...
  11. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    With regards to the credential/passport, they are a requirement to prove the last 100km and to stay in Albergues. So it sounds like they're not necessary on your trip. Having said that, I would get one and get it stamped as often as possible! I have a few from my various Camino walks and love...
  12. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I think you're referring to the 100km requirement to receive the Compostela in Santiago. This requirement refers to the last 100km before Santiago so walking in the Basque Country doesn't count, I'm afraid! The nice thing is that it frees you up to walk however you want! No requirements:)
  13. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    Just another thought! Mundaka/Bermeo make for a great day trip out of Bilbao. So another option would be to do it after the Camino on one of your free days staying in Bilbao. I did this with my parents when they were visiting. We took the train to Bermeo (end of the line) and walked around for a...
  14. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I suppose it depends on how much time you have. There's a nice trail/walk from Gernika to Mundaka (I think it's the GR 98) that takes a few hours (I can't recall off the top of my head but it's not hard). You could just have a non-Camino day to walk, visit Mundaka and the beaches then take the...
  15. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I think you're right! It's on the outskirts of Bilbao in a kind of commercial/industrial area. I didn't stay there but continued to Bilbao that day. That section around Lezama until you get to Mount Avril is a bit of a drag. Once you get to Mount Avril you're off tramac and into the forest to go...
  16. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I agree with the above about Getaria and Mundaka. Both great little places :) Also, I know you're planning on staying in hotels but if you wanted just one night in shared accommodation for the experience I stayed at El monasterio de Zenarruza and had a great experience. It is a working...
  17. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    Hi! GR routes are other long distance trails throughout Europe. There are loads of them and at times the Camino coincides and is the same path. The Caminos are marked by yellow arrows while GR routes are marked by red & white paint. See here for more: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GR_footpath...
  18. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    The Norte is well signed with lots of yellow arrows guiding the way. I found the cities are the most challenging in terms of navigation as arrows can be harder to spot. Locals can be helpful and shout out when you're going the wrong way. I like the app Mapy.cz to just check and confirm I...
  19. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I agree with the posts above! I think it's a very doable route and the Gronze website can show you the elevation profiles to get an idea of what people mean by "ups and downs". And I always find walking consecutive days gets easier as you go. Day 1 is like a normal day hike, day 2 a bit of a...
  20. WestKirsty

    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    Yes, there is a lot of up and downs! I noted in your first post that you're avid hikers so if you're accustomed to hiking and hills, I don't think it's too bad. I love hiking as well and didn't have any trouble on this portion. But it really depends on the kind of terrain you're used to! The...

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