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I walked that stage and it was absolutely excruciatingly painful on the legs, my sister and a friend took the bus at Larrabetzu but I continued to walk. I stayed 2 days in Bilbao to recuperate but I wouldn't do that many kilometers up and down again and i think it took me about 8 hours or more...
The amount of places and other interesting things I've only found out about after returning from the caminos I've walked including the topic above makes me want to return and walk again
The route from Bilbao to Santander is just as beautiful as the previous stage as there are some lovely towns, Castro Urdiales and Laredo to name a few, a small boat trip from Laredo to Santoña then it a few hilly parts but it's not difficult, some more stunning scenery then another boat trip to...
There were parts of road walking on and off but the scenery made up for it, I stopped the north route at Villaviciosa because after that town I think the road walking was more frequent went on to walk the Primitivo route which was mostly softer paths in the mountains which was fantastic. You...
If i had to choose my favorite part I'd start in Irun and walk to Bilbao it's basically the start of the north route and is very beautiful as you're walking by the beautiful coastline mostly it should take 6/7 days if you stick with the stages depending on how many km you can do. Then its easy...
I would take option A, its an absolutely beautiful part of the north route you don't want to miss it and I'm sure you will meet many people on the way, I'm not so sure about the accommodation situation, if you check the Gronze website they have a list of albergues and other places to stay...
I was walking with two Spaniards an Italian and a Dutch and on the evening in Boo de Piélagos there was much talk about the next morning's route and this seemingly dangerous railway bridge, as we arrived at the "said point" myself and one Spaniard walked the two minute shortcut while the others...
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