Irún to Bilbao in March or October or wait for another window?

[tommycamino]

Hola a todos. I currently have two windows to do the Irún to Bilbao section of the Camino del Norte, in mid-March and mid-October with 7 walking days. It's a stretch that I really would like to do as I have friends in Bilbao. I've heard the weather can be pretty bad in both and it could be muddy. I did the Francés last October and it was glorious sunshine for the most part but they may have been luck of the draw. If anyone has done it around that time, how was it?

Also heard accommodation might be a problem too; is that right?

Really I'm looking for advice about whether I should try to do it in one of these two windows or whether to just wait until another year when I can do it in nicer weather and during the weather.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi tommy
When I started del Norte in March a few years ago, many albergues opened that week - holy week - in the lead-up to Easter. In 2024 Easter is last week in March, so you might be a tad early for much of the accommodation to have pushed up the shutters - but I suggest you go through Gronze to check opening dates. Seems like quite a lot has changed in the Basque country in recent years as per Dave's report

FWIW I had a couple of days warmish sun, then a couple of days rain. In places the ground was very muddy, but it wasn't a big deal - a tiny impact on the camino experience and one that was easy to laugh about afterwards. I wouldn't let that influence your plans. But I'd say your odds of agreeable weather are more likely with a mid-October trip. And that is what I'd choose.

 

[tommycamino]

In places the ground was very muddy, but it wasn't a big deal - a tiny impact on the camino experience and one that was easy to laugh about afterwards.

Thanks for your message, namesake. I have actually heard a few mixed reports on this; some people have said it can actually make the experience quite dangerous.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hmmm, I'm surprised. If you have walked all of the CF in the shoulder season I'd expect you to feel fully equipped in terms of enterprise and resilience to cope with the occasional muddy obstacle.
You may not have exactly felt wind in my hair, riding test boats off the black galaxies and seen an attack fleet burn like a match and disappear.... but you will have climbed up the Pyrenees, descended Alto de Perdon, pushed across the featureless Alto de Atapuerca, trudged the endless windswept plain of the meseta, negotiated the rocky descent at El Acebo and ventured into and out of the mysterious and often rain-soaked kingdom of Galicia.
With all that under your belt I don't really understand the weight you put on these (presumably online?) mixed reports.
*Blade Runner

 

[tommycamino]

Hmmm, I'm surprised. If you have walked all of the CF in the shoulder season I'd expect you to feel fully equipped in terms of enterprise and resilience to cope with the occasional muddy obstacle.
You may not have exactly felt wind in my hair, riding test boats off the black galaxies and seen an attack fleet burn like a match and disappear.... but you will have climbed up the Pyrenees, descended Alto de Perdon, pushed across the featureless Alto de Atapuerca, trudged the endless windswept plain of the meseta, negotiated the rocky descent at El Acebo and ventured into and out of the mysterious and often rain-soaked kingdom of Galicia.
With all that under your belt I don't really understand the weight you put on these (presumably online?) mixed reports.
*Blade Runner

Maybe you're right and I'm paying too much heed to online comments. Still, I would be interested to hear from others about whether they would have rather waited to do this stretch during the traditional season or just go with what I have.

 

[Barbara]

It's not the Antarctic. You might have to stay in a hotel rather than pilgrim accommodation but either period would work. Take rainwear and a good sleeping bag.

 

[NualaOC]

I've walked this section in May and September, which I assume are in the 'traditional season.' It's a very nice walk through some interesting towns and villages. The Peace Museum in Gernika is well worth a visit.

I remember a lot of rain in May, and a bad patch of mud on a forest trail near Markina. I was glad of my hiking poles, but I didn't feel in any danger. The same area wasn't particularly muddy in September.

I don't think there's any way of predicting the mud levels. The Basque Country gets a lot of rain - and the mud on forest trails can be exacerbated by mountain bikers. However, assuming that you're reasonably fit and healthy, I'd suggest picking the date that appeals to you most and rolling with it (hopefully not literally ).

 

[LTfit]

I've walked part of the Norte in October (Irún - Portugalete) and was lucky to just catch most albergues open. Some were planning on closing mid October but decided to stay open till the end of the month. We had better weather in October than the 2 other times I have been on the Norte in June.

March would be tricky weather wise. The coast has fickle weather and may be quite rainy. I'd shoot for October.

 

[Dilbin]

Hola a todos. I currently have two windows to do the Irún to Bilbao section of the Camino del Norte, in mid-March and mid-October with 7 walking days. It's a stretch that I really would like to do as I have friends in Bilbao. I've heard the weather can be pretty bad in both and it could be muddy. I did the Francés last October and it was glorious sunshine for the most part but they may have been luck of the draw. If anyone has done it around that time, how was it?

Also heard accommodation might be a problem too; is that right?

Really I'm looking for advice about whether I should try to do it in one of these two windows or whether to just wait until another year when I can do it in nicer weather and during the weather.

It's always hard to gauge. We continued our camino one June from Santander and met pilgrims who had made videos of the torrential rain and mud on the first week out from Irun. I think that week brought them all closer together as it did involve some level of endurance. So that would have been a week in June with heavy rain. I have walked the Portuguese interior and also from Coimbra in heavy rain all day and by myself. Found it very peaceful. If you pack the right gear it should be straightforward. Buen Camino

 

[JerryStroebele]

I think in either month you will be fine, maybe a little wet. A beautiful area with friendly Basques. Buen Camino

 

[grayland]

I have walked in virtually every month of the year and in every season and weather conditions....Rain, snow, wind, mud, sun, heat....it is all good unless you set your mind against it.
It is a long way across Spain (or France) and you can expect to see a lot of weather changes.

For me it is just experiencing different adventures. Take the proper kit for the weather.

 

[OzAnnie]

I'd shoot for October.

Me too. Should be great. & hey we’re only talking about 7 days. Take the challenge !
Buen camino.

 

[trecile]

I would choose October. Why? Because it's sooner.