Maps and Trail Documentation?

[Maxtheguiri]

Hi I am a student studying in Madrid and am itching to get back on the trail. I have 6 days to hike, so I chose the scenic route of San Sebastian to Bilbao.

I have a basic itinerary of where I will be staying each night and the distances of each segment, however I can't find any maps or descriptions of trail signs online. Is there a hiking information center in San Sebastian to purchase maps or somewhere online?

Also, do I need to purchase some sort of documentation or pass to hike in Pais Vasco? I have a valid Visa and am bringing my passport, but being tossed in jail in Pais Vasco isn't high on my list of things to do.

Thanks!!!

 

[Bradypus]

Also, do I need to purchase some sort of documentation or pass to hike in Pais Vasco? I have a valid Visa and am bringing my passport, but being tossed in jail in Pais Vasco isn't high on my list of things to do.

Unless you plan to walk through a military base or someone's front garden I don't think you are in any danger of being locked up for walking in the Basque country or on any other Camino in Spain! You will need to buy a credencial somewhere if you want to use municipal and church albergues. If you are in Madrid why not visit the Church of Santiago - only a few minutes west of Puerta del Sol - and ask for one there? Friendly and helpful people there will be able to answer some of your questions about walking the Caminos.

For outline maps and some good historical information about the Camino del Norte and other caminos in the north of Spain this is a really good tourist-orientated guide. A few years old but still useful:
https://tourism.euskadi.eus/conteni...os/2011/santiago/Caminos del Norte INGLES.pdf

For more up to date practical information about albergues and other places to stay you could start looking here:
https://www.gronze.com/camino-norte

Ultreia!

 

[grayland]

Actually, maps are really not needed to walk on the Camino del Norte which is the name of the Camino you would be walking.
The way marking is good on the section of San Sebastián to Bilbao.
The markings are yellow arrows that are both simply painted and sign posted along the route.

The best plan would be to stay the first night in the albergues in San Sebastián and follow along with some of the others in the morning. This would give you a very quick introduction to the markings.