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Any suggestions for an interesting start point on Camino Norte

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New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Starting May 9th 2015
I have completed the Camino Frances and Portuguese in recent years and will be walking the Norte in May 2019. Unfortunately, I only have ten days, so am seeking advice on a good start point. I am a good walker and will be taking poles - I like sea views, but don't want to walk on sand. Hills are good......
 
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Start at Irun or Bilbao. Both wonderful.
 
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gloria lowe said:
San Sebastián is a beautiful place to start. The best tapas bars.
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Pasajes San Juan is so gorgeous I'd be tempted if starting at San Sebastian to just start that one stage earlier so you can see that Staying at the hostel there too was idyllic.
 
H Richards said:
Pasajes San Juan is so gorgeous I'd be tempted if starting at San Sebastian to just start that one stage earlier so you can see that Staying at the hostel there too was idyllic.
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I agree. Very memorable hostel and experience. Walking to it from Irun, challenging but fantastic
 
Do you want to end at Santiago?
 
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Maggie Y said:
Do you want to end at Santiago?
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Not this trip. I want to start before it heads off too far away from the coast. I may return next year and do the rest leading into Santiago. I like coastal walking, but find walking on sand really tiring - do you know if the coastal stretches can be navigated on paths/cliffs? Ive seen videos of pilgrims happily strolling across beaches, but that's not for me. Not sure if they were filmed that way for impact rather than that's the way the path actually goes.
 
Yes the stretch Bilbao to Santander is full of alternative coastal stretches. There isn't much walking on the sand involved.
 
I can only remember a very short stretch that was actually on the beach. Mostly you are on paths, cliffs, road, etc.
 
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trecile said:
I can only remember a very short stretch that was actually on the beach. Mostly you are on paths, cliffs, road, etc.
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Thanks, sounds good. I walked part of Camino Francaise with a Catherine from Hood River. Is she a neighbour of yours?
 
If you are not bound to arrive in Santiago, then start at Irun-- while the first day is tough, it brings you into the justly-praised San Juan de Pasaje/Pasaia, which is one of the most interesting and least-touristy villages along the del Norte. As far as walking on sand goes, I have done this route several times and am trying hard to think of anywhere that this is necessary. Beaches are paralleled by roads, walking paths, or boardwalks. Depending on your speed and how you take Bilbao, your ten days will finish you in Bilbao or Santander, both good connecting transit points.
 
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I woud start in iron and take the high road over the Jaizkibel, it is tough but very pretty. If you want to walk further than San Juan but don't want to stay in the city of San Sebastian there is a nice albergue 3 kilometer before San Sebastian ( Los dolce tribes) it is a kind of religious community. It is donativo. They don't serve alcohol or bottled beverages like cola
 
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