Irun to Bilbao or Bilbao to Santander?

[Hez]

Hi all - I'm new here having just found out I will have 5 days to walk near Bilbao in late April. I've done a few long distance walks (Prague to Vienna, King Ludwigs Way twice, Cotswolds, etc) but no Caminos. I can usually manage 15+ miles per day, although I'm trying to push that number up closer to 20. I live near the mountains, but as it's winter here won't have too much opportunity for walking lots of hills prior, but hilly terrain doesn't put me off.

I'm thinking to either do Irun (or San Sebastian?) to Bilbao or Bilbao to Santander and would love to hear some opinions on which leg is better. I will have been in Bilbao for the weekend and will fly out of Bilbao the following Saturday. If it makes any difference, I will be doing the Greensand Way in England the week prior.

Also - I'm female walking alone. I've mostly walked alone in England, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Austria and have never had any issues. Do you think Spain would be similar?

Many Thanks!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Apparently one of the most beautiful days is the walk from Irun to San Sebastian. So I would not miss it, if weather cooperates. And I say this because the "alpinist route" is apparently quite tricky. I have only walked on from San Sebastian and it is still beautiful. I would leave Bilbao onwards for a second time you can walk again.

 

[Kanga]

I vote the first leg, but splitting the walk to San Sebastian by staying in Passajes San Juan . Which only has a relatively small albergue. It might be worth pre-booking other accommodation if you can find it. We slept in a tent in the grounds of the albergue which was full. We had intended staying overnight in Irun and setting off early the next morning, arriving in San Juan by lunch time. Instead we were seduced by a beautiful day when we arrived in Irun at about lunch time, and set off mid afternoon. As a result we did not get to San Juan until it was dark, hence the full albergue and no alternative accommodation. The alpista route was truly lovely, as was waking up in San Juan the next morning with spectacular fiord-like views down the inlet. A steep climb out of San Juan after a ferry ride across the passage was a good morning heart starter.

 

[AJ]

I enjoyed both, but I think Irun - Bilbao maybe more enjoyable. Certainly more strenuous. 7 days for me.

 

[Hez]

Thanks! Sounds like Irun to Bilbao is the way to go!

 

[oursonpolaire]

Irun to Bilbao is the more strenuous stretch, as others have noted, but worth the effort. Accommodation in San Juan Pasajes, as explored on another thread, is not automatically easily available beyond the smallish albergue, but you will manage--- the Spanish are good at making an arrangement for pilgrims.

 

[Hez]

Kanga, a question - with only 5 days to walk is there a reason you would recommend splitting the Irun to San Sebastian section?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Kanga, a question - with only 5 days to walk is there a reason you would recommend splitting the Irun to San Sebastian section?

I'm not Kanga but I'm willing to bet the answer will be because that day is very very difficult.

 

[Hez]

Ah, because of the elevation. I think I can manage that as hopefully I'll at least still have some legs on from the ski season. Thanks.

 

[nc6000]

I walked from Irun to Santander last June and voted for the Irun-Bilbao section which I also walked in 5 days.

1. Irun - San Sebastian
2. San Sebastian - Zumáia
3. Zumáia - Markina-Xemein (very difficult walk!)
4. Markina-Xemein - Gernika
5. Gernika - Bilbao

 

[Hez]

Thanks nc6000 - did you think day 3 harder than day 1? Would you break it down differently doing it again?
H.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

It is more typical to do San Seb to Zarautz, then on to Deba and then Markina.

 

[Isca-camigo]

You don't have to go as far as Bilbao, from Gernika the asphalt goes up, I would make it as far as Gernika and explore more the sections you do.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Irún to Bilbao! It is strenuous but amazing, and you will not be disappointed at all!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Hi all - I'm new here having just found out I will have 5 days to walk near Bilbao in late April. I've done a few long distance walks (Prague to Vienna, King Ludwigs Way twice, Cotswolds, etc) but no Caminos. I can usually manage 15+ miles per day, although I'm trying to push that number up closer to 20. I live near the mountains, but as it's winter here won't have too much opportunity for walking lots of hills prior, but hilly terrain doesn't put me off.

I'm thinking to either do Irun (or San Sebastian?) to Bilbao or Bilbao to Santander and would love to hear some opinions on which leg is better. I will have been in Bilbao for the weekend and will fly out of Bilbao the following Saturday. If it makes any difference, I will be doing the Greensand Way in England the week prior.

Also - I'm female walking alone. I've mostly walked alone in England, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Austria and have never had any issues. Do you think Spain would be similar?

Many Thanks!

I, too walked alone and never felt nervous or scared. The route is not busy like the Camino Francés; solitude is what I was looking for and did find it along the CDN. So much beauty to take in, and time to reflect. It's the journey that I look forward to the most!

Ultreïa!

Mary

 

[Hez]

It is more typical to do San Seb to Zarautz, then on to Deba and then Markina.

Doesn't that add another day? I only have 5. Thanks.

 

[Hez]

I, too walked alone and never felt nervous or scared. The route is not busy like the Camino Francés; solitude is what I was looking for and did find it along the CDN. So much beauty to take in, and time to reflect. It's the journey that I look forward to the most!

Ultreïa!

Mary

Thanks Mary!

 

[Hez]

Doesn't that add another day? I only have 5. Thanks.

Ah - just looked at the map - there are two ways to go. hmmm.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Doesn't that add another day? I only have 5. Thanks.

It does, but it also means not having to walk 40km, just 20 or so.

 

[nc6000]

Thanks nc6000 - did you think day 3 harder than day 1? Would you break it down differently doing it again?
H.

Sorry, just noticed your question now.

I didn't think day 1 was too difficult at all really but I'd rate day 3 as the most difficult walk I've done. I found it harder than anything on the Camino Frances.

It was a pretty warm day too which didn't help but the section from Deba to Markina-Xemein had a lot of steep uphill sections.

 

[Kanga]

Sorry @Hez just saw your question and yes, the answer is because the day is long and difficult, although very beautiful. The walk into Bilbao is a trudge, but can be shortened by taking the suburban metro or a bus. Or maybe from Gernika.