Bilbao to Portugalete?

[cailinnua]

Hello there everyone,

I haven't been in touch for a while, but getting very excited about continuing my journey on El Norte next week!

Having fallen in love with El Frances last April, I started el Norte last Sept/Oct (Irun to Bilbao) and now I fly back into Bilbao to walk on from there. My question is how people would advise me to start my first day-I arrive into Bilbao airport at 15.30, so do people think I should walk on to Portugalete and spend my first night there? Or do you think better to spend the night in Bilbao and then walk a longer distance on morning one- ie leaving Bilbao in the morning?

Another question is the Albergue in Portugalete open the end of May?

And finally, how are pligrims getting on these days on el Norte?? How is the weather? Are the albergues open?

Many thanks in advance for any advice and buen camino!!

 

[george.g]

Hi cailnnua.
I´m currently in Bilbao, I think I would stay in Bilbao,there is a very good albergue near the Hospital behind the Termibus station. Do not follow the arrows, with the hospital behind you cross the road and head to the right up the hill, there are very few arrows. The arrows marked a or albergue lead eventually to a closed school.

regards

George