A few days on Via Bayona

[roving_rufus]

An unexpected week available for a camino, but still recovering from illness, it was going to have to be short days and nothing too difficult. So Via Bayona it was starting from Biarritz gare/Station which is on the marked camino route. And I finished up in Beasain.
So a few notes
(1)GEO Gite in Guethery is incredible to stay as pilgrim, Jean Luc is passionate about the camino and spent time explaining, and was happy to see someone on Via Bayona.

(2)Was amazed at number of water taps on part of Via I did. The longest sections without were between Irun and Gurutze, and then Elizalde to Santiagomundi, both about 8-9km. While Hernani to Beasain, I got away carrying 1/2 litre as every few km there was anough tap!

(3) Coming out of Andoian, after crossing footbridge by small Chapel, it is worth veering right to a river path rather than the camino on a main street. It reconnects with the camino at the bridge over river heading out of town.

(4)Finally, I can't wait for the next bit! But this camino definitely needs some more people to walk it! It's well marked, some decent scenery, good food including cider.

 

[SabsP]

I loved every bit of the Vasco Interior ! Did not notice the watertaps on that section but that might be because it was raining cats and dogs and I was concentrating on not falling on my face!

 

[VNwalking]

Thank you for this @roving_rufus. Agree completely: it's a wonderful camino!

I loved every bit of the Vasco Interior ! Did not notice the watertaps on that section but that might be because it was raining cats and dogs and I was concentrating on not falling on my face!

Same! I hope someday to walk in this part of Spain and France without being drenched.

 

[NualaOC]

Thanks Rufus for sharing your experience. I spent last weekend in Vitoria Gasteiz and Saint Jean de Luz - it reminded me how much I love the Basque region. Each time I saw a pilgrim, I had a little sense of longing

Forum member @NadineK is walking the Vasco at the moment and posting photos etc. on Instagram @nadine_walks. Her notes are a great resource for anyone thinking of walking this route.

Your post reminded me that I bought the old CSJ guide a couple of years ago. I think it's time to take it from the shelf and hatch a 2023 Camino plan!

 

[VNwalking]

I think it's time to take it from the shelf and hatch a 2023 Camino plan!

You will love this, @NualaOC !

 

[NualaOC]

An unexpected week available for a camino, but still recovering from illness, it was going to have to be short days and nothing too difficult. So Via Bayona it was starting from Biarritz gare/Station which is on the marked camino route. And I finished up in Beasain.
So a few notes
(1)GEO Gite in Guethery is incredible to stay as pilgrim, Jean Luc is passionate about the camino and spent time explaining, and was happy to see someone on Via Bayona.

Thanks again @roving_rufus for sharing this, I've found myself going down a rabbit hole of Camino planning!

Re. the French piece - did you follow the coastal or internal route to Hendaye/Irun? I've a natural preference for coastal alternatives (especially when they include a little boat ride) but I'm curious to know what the shorter interior route is like.

And, in case it's of interest to others: Gronze includes information on Bayonne to Irun on its Camino del Norte section.

Nuala

 

[roving_rufus]

Unfortunately part of the coastal walk after Socoa is closed, there is an alternative which I used as I had booked accomodation at a surfcamp. I would take the sentier littoral as far as Saint Jean de Luz/Ciboure very definitely over the marked camino. After that it's probably a toss up now with the path closure...
I went to Socoa, turned up a riverside path and then quiet roads coming out close to Château Abbadia, then walked down to beach and along the bay/River to the bridge over to Irun. ( I will see if i can find the link to the official alternative to the closed path section).
The marked camino from Ciboure to Hendaye/irun seems okay and is shorter, and I would probably take it if the cliff path was closed after Socoa.

 

[roving_rufus]

Details on alternative route for closure of Corniche Basque section after Socoa

Réaménagement du sentier du littoral de la Corniche Basque : Ciboure, Urrugne et Hendaye | Saint-Jean-de-Luz Tourisme

L'accès aux piétons sur le sentier du littoral de la Corniche Basque de Ciboure, Urrugne et Hendaye est actuellement interdit.

www.saint-jean-de-luz.com

 

[VNwalking]

Details on alternative route for closure of Corniche Basque section after Socoa

What a pity.
This was glorious walking, by the sea with a number of very interesting flysch exposures to admire. The inland route will have none of that.
(And...because of risk of collapse they are allowing cars but not people on foot? Whatever, but it seems like backwards thinking when considering overall risk.)

 

[roving_rufus]

What a pity.
This was glorious walking, by the sea with a number of very interesting flysch exposures to admire. The inland route will have none of that.
(And...because of risk of collapse they are allowing cars but not people on foot? Whatever, but it seems like backwards thinking when considering overall

It seems unfair, though people tend to get too close to edge of cliffs, and businesses hold alot of sway for access.