We followed the solid line routes marked on the Gronze maps, with one exception - on the approach to Laredo, some of our group took the coastal route via Isequilla.
I used the All Trails app last year on the Norte between Bilbao and Santander. Yes the app had the features that I needed, but you also need to look at the track you plan to follow. The Norte has many options and variations where you can stay closer to the coast or stick to paved roads. I looked...
On a Friday evening in Puenta la Reina, there was a rock band playing on the small street outside a bar. Just around the corner, there was a brass band from a music school playing in the plaza.
This year in Bilbao, in the Plaza Nueva, we came across a group of musicians and singers singing...
I walked this section last month (Mid May 2023). We stayed on the N-634 From Pontarron as far as Isequilla. This was a mixture of paths behind the barrier, or 1-2 m space between the white line and the barrier. While I have not walked it before, I got the impression that some work had been done...
We walked from Portugalete to Castro Urdiales last week 16 May 2023. After Crossing the green bridge at the end of the beach at La Arena, the path to go up the steps and around the headland was fenced off with a temporary diversion sign. It directed us to continue along the car park then up a...
These cattle were on the Camino Frances just before Ages (one day before Burgos) in June 2019. It was notable as they were the first cattle we had seen in over a week since Pamplona. They ignored us and kept munching. We stayed on the track through the field and were careful not to get between...
If Leon - Santiago is too long to manage in 2 weeks, you could also consider walking from Burgos to either Astorga or Ponferrada in one visit, then continue from there to Santiago next time. That would even out the stages a bit, and both Astorga and Ponferrada have transport links that would...
Another vote for Hotel Norte y Londres in Burgos. We reckoned the bathroom was bigger than some of the albergue rooms we had slept in. It was a very welcome and leisurely wallow as the energy levels were depleted after 9 days walk.
I met one person 2 years ago who said he was being sponsored on his walk. I felt it was was placing additional stress on him - it was as if he had an obligation to complete the walk so as not to disappoint others. He was gym fit but not used to walk up and down hills.
If you are going to to...
I have also used bicycle lights that you can get in Decathlon and many other places. They are in a soft Silicone housing with a hook and band that can be clipped around a handlebar, or in this case , a hiking pole.
Hi Tom,
The bus company is Chronoplus and it used to be line 14, but I did a quick check on their website and there seems to be a complete new system starting only last week. If I read it correctly, line 3 and 4 go from Biarritz through the airport and on to Bayonne Place des Basques. Line 4...
Back to the original question on the Nakasendo - I walked the well - promoted section from Tsumago to Magome in 2015, about 4 hours walk. I have not found anything about the full distance from Tokyo to Kyoto apart from one blog whose author walked it in 2017. He said the walk is a major...
Yes the bus station is on Calle Yanguas y Miranda. It is all located underground. The only visible part is the glass building with the entrance and stairs. On my first visit, I had checked it out the evening before I was travelling, just to get my bearings.
I have stayed in Hostal Arriazu and...
I had downloaded this guide and used it successfully 2 weeks ago, with 4 others tagging along too.
There are no arrows along the early part, so without the guide it would have been a leap of faith. There is a blue/yellow camino sign where you turn right at the airport fence.
When you get to...
Reports are that finding accommodation in Pamplona during San Fermin will be very difficult as even the pilgrim hostels get filled. It may be better to plan stops before and after Pamplona and just walk through the city.
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