Municipal Albergues in the Basque Region

[John Cook]

Hi,
I started the Camino Norte last week and am currently in Bilbao. This may have already been mentioned but I was told by the hospitalero at Albergue Izarbide that all the municipal albergues in the Basque region have been closed since the start of the pandemic as the regional government doesn't want to risk their staff's health.
Certainly every albergue has been closed that I've walked past and so I've had to book a private hostel space for most nights. The one's I've stayed at have been great but they've all cost more than I'd originally budgeted for.
I hope this helps as the Norte is fairly busy at the moment.

 

[tjz]

We returned last weekend from 2 weeks on the Norte (Bayonne to Laredo) and we experienced a similar situation. I would second being prepared for additional expense and some on the way research. The complete lack of an open albergue in Markina Xemien really put us in a pinch (the one hotel was full weeks in advance) and we had to stretch a tough day (for us) out to 36km to get to Bolibar from Deba. Luckily the Albergue Usandi (auto checkin) was available there.

 

[John Cook]

Yes, that's where I stayed two nights ago. There were only 4 of us. Last night I stayed at the Albergue Pozueta where there were 11 of us and we were told it had been full the previous night so it pays to think ahead. I'm not surprised it was full though, it's one of the best I've stayed at. The next one, the other side of the Alto de Morga appeared closed when I passed it this morning. I'll be in the Cantabria region in 2 days so I hope things improve.
I'm loving the Norte though.