Walking 3 days of Camino del Norte from Bilbao

[christinaravine]

Hi everyone!
My partner and I are planning a trip to the south of France and north of Spain in summer 2024. We'd love to walk some of the Camino del Norte - due to time constraints we can only really walk 3, possibly 4, days. We're looking to start walking somewhere like Bilbao. I'm finding it quite hard to find information about only doing a section of the Camino, especially when that's section is near the start of the route rather than at the end! If anyone could advise us, that would be greatly appreciated. We would like to know if 3 days of walking from Bilbao will give us a nice taster of coastal paths, towns to stop in, beautiful scenery, etc. or if there is somewhere else, not too far from there, that would be better to start from. We also need to know how easy it will be to get a bus (or taxi) back to Bilbao from wherever we finish. It looks like we might be able to get to Laredo in 3 days. Any advice much appreciated! Thanks

 

[stevepjq]

Here is an alternative assuming Bilbao is your entry and exit point. Catch a short train out of Bilbao to Portugalete and start your journey from there. Walk onto Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Guemes and then Santander. The train journey back to Bilbao from Santander is just over 3 hours time.

 

[christinaravine]

Thanks for the advice @stevepjq
I have come across suggestions to start from Portugalete. Do you think we can reach Santander in 3-4 days of walking from there?

 

[trecile]

Here is an alternative assuming Bilbao is your entry and exit point. Catch a short train out of Bilbao to Portugalete and start your journey from there

I would go farther than that, to perhaps La Arena, as the walk leaving Portugalete is along a busy highway.

 

[trecile]

I have come across suggestions to start from Portugalete. Do you think we can reach Santander in 3-4 days of walking from there?

I would start from Castro Urdiales.
Check out the stages on Gronze.

Camino del Norte | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I would go farther than that, to perhaps La Arena, as the walk leaving Portugalete is along a busy highway.

The walk out of Portugalete is only along a busy highway for like 3 km (or so). Then it's along a bike path all the way to La Arena.

I would hate to miss the Vizcaya elevated bridge, but I wouldn't waste a walking day (sorta industrial along the river) getting there with such a limited timeframe.

I fully support starting in Castro, but that first day to Laredo from Castro (as walking according to Gronze reco (solid line)) is definitely along a busy highway (N-634!). Tho after that part, it you take the senda costal, its AMAZING.

I think walking from Castro to Santander would be perfect! Boat rides! (2)... beach walking and sunbathing!! Guemes! Just always take the option on the right (the coast).

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Hi everyone!
My partner and I are planning a trip to the south of France and north of Spain in summer 2024. We'd love to walk some of the Camino del Norte - due to time constraints we can only really walk 3, possibly 4, days. We're looking to start walking somewhere like Bilbao. I'm finding it quite hard to find information about only doing a section of the Camino, especially when that's section is near the start of the route rather than at the end! If anyone could advise us, that would be greatly appreciated. We would like to know if 3 days of walking from Bilbao will give us a nice taster of coastal paths, towns to stop in, beautiful scenery, etc. or if there is somewhere else, not too far from there, that would be better to start from. We also need to know how easy it will be to get a bus (or taxi) back to Bilbao from wherever we finish. It looks like we might be able to get to Laredo in 3 days. Any advice much appreciated! Thanks

3 day itinerary: Castro -> Laredo -> Guemes -> Santander
4 day Itinerary: Pobena -> Castro -> Laredo -> Guemes -> Santander

The nice thing about ending up in Santander is it's a big city, so I imagine public transport options going back to Bilbao from there will be more convenient than ending up in a smaller place. Tho I've personally never done this.

EDIT: I've never had to go back to Bilbao! I've walked the routes described 5 times.

 

[dick bird]

There is a train line that more or less follows the coast linking Bilbao, Santander and beyond plus there are buses doing more or less the same so transport options are good. Castro Urdiales is a pretty little town with hotels so a good option to start.

 

[ProGearKJ5]

I walked from Irun to Villaviciosa on the Norte in September of this year then cut over on the Primitivo to finish in Santiago. I'm not in any way pushing my video's but I did a daily (sometimes two days) video series of that walk on YouTube if you want to check it out. You might find it helpful in making your choice. https://www.youtube.com/@TheCidandBadgerita/playlists. You will find a Playlist for Camino Norte.

 

[christinaravine]

3 day itinerary: Castro -> Laredo -> Guemes -> Santander
4 day Itinerary: Pobena -> Castro -> Laredo -> Guemes -> Santander

The nice thing about ending up in Santander is it's a big city, so I imagine public transport options going back to Bilbao from there will be more convenient than ending up in a smaller place. Tho I've personally never done this.

EDIT: I've never had to go back to Bilbao! I've walked the routes described 5 times.

That's really useful, thank you!

 

[christinaravine]

Thanks everyone