1 week on the Norte

[JohnMcK]

Hi I potentially have a week free in early June. Thinking of Santander to Oviedo. Given flight times etc 6 days walking. Gronze gives 9 stages so would need to skip a few. Which ones would anyone recommend?
it’s possible I could get 1 other day in so 7 days walking.
how is accommodation in early June.
I have done Frances couple times and Portuguese.
Thanks John

 

[grayland]

John...why not just start in Irun and walk as far as your time allows.
That way you could return another time and start from where you left off and complete the Norte in total.
San Sabastian alone is worth starting at the start of the Norte.

 

[Kathrina72]

Hi, we’re doing Irun/San Sebastian to Bilbao, can cover in a week. We have a mix of pre-booked accommodation and a few nights to wing it eg Deba. We are flying into Biarritz to make our way over to Irun to start and out of Bilbao. The route is quite hilly but with great views by all accounts!

 

[MaryOswald]

I agree with kathrina as Irun to Bilbao ( roughly 6 days so you could go farther if you wanted) is hilly but beautiful. But if you have your heart set on starting at Santander, our most unpleasant single day of hiking the Norte was the first 18 miles or so after Santander.

 

[FrJimKingcsc]

Hi I potentially have a week free in early June. Thinking of Santander to Oviedo. Given flight times etc 6 days walking. Gronze gives 9 stages so would need to skip a few. Which ones would anyone recommend?
it’s possible I could get 1 other day in so 7 days walking.
how is accommodation in early June.
I have done Frances couple times and Portuguese.
Thanks John

You won’t miss too much taking a bus to Santanilla del Mar and starting there. From there to Llanes is quite scenic so wouldn’t skip Comillas/Colombres. Haven’t gone past Llanes so can’t advise beyond.

 

[JohnMcK]

Thanks might look at Irun to Bilbao. Was looking at Santander as that seemed easiest to get flight to and from.
what’s accommodation like from irun? Many albergues?
thanks

 

[grayland]

The Norte has adequate or better accomondations for the entire route...starting in Irun.

Irun is the traditional start of the Norte and has a well organized albergue.
San Sabastian is 27km and is normally the first stage stop. It is possible to stop earlier...but your time restraint probably means you would walk to San Sabastian. It is a beautiful walk.

However...I would suggest you consider starting in San Sabastian to allow for another day of walking.
San Sabastian is a fantastic place to visit and as a result is often busy so reservation is important.

 

[JohnMcK]

Thanks for all the advice and info. Looks like I’ll go from Irun and might bus thro Bilbao as been there before and looks like a lot of city/town walking.