Rocky stretches

[Linda V]

Hi, I am planning to walk the Camino del Norte in September. On YouTube I see that there are some stretches with rock climbing on the edge of the coast. Do you know which stretches are very rocky and can you go around them? Thanks, Linda

 

[trecile]

I didn't do any "rock climbing" on the edge of the coast. Perhaps the YouTuber took an alternate route?

 

[WestKirsty]

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 super rocky

 

[xin loi]

Lot of short cuts on the Norte! Many times at an Albergue, someone would show us pictures of a path along a hillside near the ocean that the rest of us had not walked. Sometimes I wondered if they had been lost and were not even on the Camino. Recall one set of pictures showing ropes along the steep hillside path for hikers to hold while walking--never was on that path!

 

[JCB]

There are a few spots where the trail has some significant rocky outcropping. But nothing that one would consider to be rock climbing. And you will certainly not have to get close to "the edge" unless you choose to.

 

[marysweeney]

Hi, I am planning to walk the Camino del Norte in September. On YouTube I see that there are some stretches with rock climbing on the edge of the coast. Do you know which stretches are very rocky and can you go around them? Thanks, Linda

Hi Linda. I hope to walk the Norte in September. I was happy to hear the replies to your concerns!

 

[André Walker]

Just after Berria there is a steep climb up a cliff with rocks and loose stones. When you've reached the top of the cliff there's a steep descend which leads to the beach (and a bit further: Noja). It's just a short stretch, but one that has to be taken with care.

Other than this bit I don't remember any rocky climbs.

Gronze gives an alternative which is a bit longer, but skips this steep climb and descend.



A more detailed map with the original route in blue and the alternative in red:

 

[CanadianBarb]

Hi, I am planning to walk the Camino del Norte in September. On YouTube I see that there are some stretches with rock climbing on the edge of the coast. Do you know which stretches are very rocky and can you go around them? Thanks, Linda

I have seen that some of the middle section alternatives are on steeper ground in ocean view, but can't recall exactly where, I think it shows on the You tube video made from the man with the stick also..... I am also going in September, maybe our paths will ross! Buen Camino!

 

[LTfit]

Hi, I am planning to walk the Camino del Norte in September. On YouTube I see that there are some stretches with rock climbing on the edge of the coast. Do you know which stretches are very rocky and can you go around them? Thanks, Linda

I'm back a week from the Norte and although I took quite a few alternative coastal routes, none of them involved anything near rock climbing.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, no real rock climbing, but yes, there are some short, steep downhill rocky sections. If is is raining or muddy you will appreciate one or two trekking poles. In 2017 I saw one Spanish peregrina slip going downhill and break her wrist. It was muddy and slick. Buen Camino

 

[Dennis Pack]

I did take an alternative route from Orinon through Sonabia around the ocean side of Punta Las Presas which might look like a little rock climbing and in one place there is a cable to hang onto as you approach the narrow gap in the attached photo.
I don't recommend it and wouldn't do it again ... alone.

 

[Sandra Wolf]

Hi, I am planning to walk the Camino del Norte in September. On YouTube I see that there are some stretches with rock climbing on the edge of the coast. Do you know which stretches are very rocky and can you go around them? Thanks, Linda

Looks like we might see you on the Norte?

 

[Kanga]

As @André Walker says, there is a steep climb over the headland between Santoña and Noja. I found it treacherously narrow and difficult, made worse becasue I had on a very heavy pack (14kilos) with a tent and extra gear.

There was also a bit of a scramble uphill to take the "alpista" route between Irun and Pasajes San Juan, in fact quite a few steep ascents and descents on the Norte, but I definitely did no rock climbing. They were always on normal dirt or paved paths, or roads.

It may be that some of the coastal alternatives involve rock climbing, but not the main route.