JUNE 2023 northern : San Sebastián to Bilbao

[sonella]

Hello .. I’m a comino newbie and planning to walk San Sebastián to Bilbao early june 2023. I’d love to get your views on 2 things … I’ve heard the route is quiet. I don’t mind a bit of solitude but would occasionally like to see abd chat to another soul.. what has your experiences been in June on that stretch? Also.. I’m a runner and plan to do hill training and distance walking training in preparation for June next year .. I’ve heard it’s quite a challenging route .. is it really tough or would you recommend ? Thank you x

 

[C clearly]

Welcome to the forum!

This thread is being moved to the Camino del Norte section. If you click on the words "Camino del NORTE (from Irún)" above the title of this thread, you will see all of threads discussing the Camino del Norte. You should find those threads to be helpful. Happy planning and preparation!

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[Vacajoe]

There will be plenty of pilgrims and locals to meet in June - don’t expect it to be quiet on that stretch at that time! No idea your fitness level/age/hiking experience, so hard to judge if it will be difficult for YOU. I’m 50+ and overweight and had no problem.

 

[sonella]

There will be plenty of pilgrims and locals to meet in June - don’t expect it to be quiet on that stretch at that time! No idea your fitness level/age/hiking experience, so hard to judge if it will be difficult for YOU. I’m 50+ and overweight and had no problem.

Thank you ! That’s put my mind at rest … comino here I come ..

 

[Ctshagr]

Hello .. I’m a comino newbie and planning to walk San Sebastián to Bilbao early june 2023. I’d love to get your views on 2 things … I’ve heard the route is quiet. I don’t mind a bit of solitude but would occasionally like to see abd chat to another soul.. what has your experiences been in June on that stretch? Also.. I’m a runner and plan to do hill training and distance walking training in preparation for June next year .. I’ve heard it’s quite a challenging route .. is it really tough or would you recommend ? Thank you x

I am planning that same route but I'd go early late March early April. I know there won't be many folks out there. Kinda lonely but I like it that way and I know there will be others. I did from Aviles to Santiago in March 2019 and it was nice only one cold rainy day.

 

[mazzarina]

All the best for your camino planning! It sounds like you'll be well prepared, as a runner. Hill training is an excellent plan, and combining that with some distances will be a great way in. (I should also say that plenty of people do none of those things in advance and are fine on the camino.) If you want to check the elevation of the different stages, you can find the profiles on Gronze.com.

 

[WayWalker]

Hello .. I’m a comino newbie and planning to walk San Sebastián to Bilbao early june 2023. I’d love to get your views on 2 things … I’ve heard the route is quiet. I don’t mind a bit of solitude but would occasionally like to see abd chat to another soul.. what has your experiences been in June on that stretch? Also.. I’m a runner and plan to do hill training and distance walking training in preparation for June next year .. I’ve heard it’s quite a challenging route .. is it really tough or would you recommend ? Thank you x

We walked the Norte in 2018 so keep in mind. Yes it is physically demanding but if you are in reasonable shape you will be fine. We walked 24k from San Sebastian to Zaragoza and there were plenty of other pilgrims in early September. We stayed that night in an agroturismo for 60€. Next night was in a convent in Zumaia. Lovely but austere. Went beyond Deba the next day to Markina-Xemein which I don't recommend. Break it up. Stay3d in the large convent there. They provided breakfast. If you possibly can figure out how to stay at Monesterio de Zenarruza, do! We took an almost zero day and stayed there. It's lovely. Gernika was full so we taxied to the nearest albergue further out. Tough walk from there into Bilbao. Buen Camino!!!!