Hi,
I'm arriving into Bilbao quite late in the evening so staying in an Airbnb near the airport and then starting walking the next day. I walked the last 120km of the Portugese in April with a friend but am doing this one solo.
My main issue is the decision on which way to get out of Bilbao. I have just bought the most up to date Camino del Norte guidebook and it's helpful but I'm wondering - my first day of walking solo, I'd like to come across the occasional pilgrim as reassurance.
My book has:
1) official Camino, which is longer, and I'd like to stay in Pobeña the first night, as it looks like the pilgrims' hostel in Portugalete closes at the end of August.
2) through Bilbao but avoiding hills - says it's easy to follow and shorter but less well-trodden.
3) Direct to Portugalete on the East bank. Sounds like a nice way out of Bilbao but rather industrial later.
Any ideas which of the three would be best, please? Thank you!
I'm arriving into Bilbao quite late in the evening so staying in an Airbnb near the airport and then starting walking the next day. I walked the last 120km of the Portugese in April with a friend but am doing this one solo.
My main issue is the decision on which way to get out of Bilbao. I have just bought the most up to date Camino del Norte guidebook and it's helpful but I'm wondering - my first day of walking solo, I'd like to come across the occasional pilgrim as reassurance.
My book has:
1) official Camino, which is longer, and I'd like to stay in Pobeña the first night, as it looks like the pilgrims' hostel in Portugalete closes at the end of August.
2) through Bilbao but avoiding hills - says it's easy to follow and shorter but less well-trodden.
3) Direct to Portugalete on the East bank. Sounds like a nice way out of Bilbao but rather industrial later.
Any ideas which of the three would be best, please? Thank you!