Boarding…..
August 30, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Gloucester Station
August 30, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Started the Camino from our front door. Walked to Gloucester station with everything we need for six weeks in all weather on our back. Excited!
Arrived in Saint Jean de Luz
August 31, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Rest day after overnight flight
Visit with Anne-Sophie and family
September 1, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Visit with Anne-Sophie in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. She stayed with us in Andover for two months when Kate and Maggie were in high school (same age). We were at her wedding in France in June 2024 and now aRead more
Irun, Spain - night before the start
September 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Day 1 =>Pasaia
September 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Such a beautiful first day on the Camino Norte route with awesome views most of the way. 10.5 miles and challenging with 2000’ of ascent.
Day 2 =>San Sebastian
September 3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Over the mountain to San Sebastian. Easier day (7 miles) before four difficult days ahead.
Tried pintxos - Basque region tapas.
Camino Norte, Day 3=>Zarautz
September 4, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Longer day with 15.5 miles with 2150’ of ascent.
Met three other pilgrims that made the miles seem short with interesting conversation.
Camino Norte, Day 4 =>Deba
September 5, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
14.5 miles, 2500’ of ascent with some very steep sections. Challenging, but so beautiful.
We met a very nice young French woman living in Brussels who offered to be a resource to Kate when sheRead more
Camino Norte, Day 5 =>Markina Xemein
September 6, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Hard day. 3300’ of steep climbs and 15.5 miles. But beautiful, rustic.
Traditional Basque out here in the countryside (only see Basque language signs, no Spanish). Staying at an old BasqueRead more
Camino Norte, Day 6 =>Guernica
September 7, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Long hard day. 18 miles with 2725’ of ascent.
Peaceful hike through the remote Basque countryside, past small farms clinging to the mountains. Silence, except for the occasional sound of cowbells.
Camino Norte, Day 7 =>Lezama
September 8, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Medium-Hard day with 13.7 miles and 2180’ of ascent. Rained all day with long slogs up/down muddy slopes.
Not as beautiful as the first six days. But despite that, so grateful to be on theRead more
Camino Norte, Day 8 =>Bilbao
September 9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
10 miles, 1400’ of steep ascent. Rest day? (Diane isn’t buying it 😊)
Visited the Guggenheim museum.
An easy day tomorrow.
Camino Norte, Day 9 => Pobeña
September 9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Recovery day. 10.5 miles, flattish 800’ ascent.
City/industrial in the outskirts of Bilbao, then through the hills. Back down to the ocean at the end of the day.
Went to a restaurant with 30+Read more
Camino Norte, Day 10 =>Castro Urdiales
September 11, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Somewhat easy 10 miles with 1100’ ascent. Hopefully rested enough now for a hard day tomorrow.
So nice the Camino headed back to the sea with beautiful views most of the way.
Camino Norte, Day 11 =>Liendo
September 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Hard day with 19 miles and 1700’ ascent. Beautiful start by the sea, but a steep mountain/hill at miles 15-18 was challenging.
Continue to enjoy the remote hillside farms with cows, horses, goatsRead more
Camino Norte, Day 12 => Noja
September 13, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
The Camino Norte is no walk in the park. 14.7 miles today with 1300’ ascent after 19 miles yesterday. But despite that, the awesome views are worth it.
The lunch restaurant we counted on wasRead more
Great picture Diane with the ocean and the green bottles . Looks like a cute resturant Beautiful place! [Marlene]
Camino Norte, Day 13 =>Guemes
September 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Easy day. 9.4 miles and 1000’ of ascent. Calm rolling hills through the countryside. Taking the afternoon to rest up before three hard days ahead. Diane got a chocolate cake and coffee (happy wife,Read more
Camino Norte, Day 14 =>Santander
September 15, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
End of the second week. 93 miles this week - getting there.
Beautiful hike this morning out of the countryside. Then climbed up unexpectedly awesome sea side cliffs for four miles that dropped downRead more
Camino Norte, Day 15 =>Santilla Del Mar
September 16, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Medium day with 13.5 miles and 1700’ ascent. We took the route by the beautiful Atlantic coast vs the standard inland route. We came into town by 2:45 in time for a “meal meal” (in Diane lingoRead more
Camino Norte, Day 16 =>Comillas
September 17, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Hilly hike through rural farms. 15.7 miles with 2150’ ascent.
Ended in the seaside town of Comillas.
The next two days are easy - to catch up/rest.
Camino Norte, Day 17 =>San Vincent
September 18, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Easy day with 11 miles and 1365’ ascent/1380’ descent. We decided to split a Hard 20+ mile day into two days to catch up/recover, stopping in the “cute little town” of San Vincent de laRead more
TravelerWow that beach looks beautiful! Sounds like you guys are having a good time meeting new people too :)
Camino Norte, Day 18 =>Columbres
September 19, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Crossed into Asturias - the longest of the four principalities on the Camino Norte. Say goodbye to Cantabria. Basque Country is already long gone.
Relatively easy day today with 10.5 miles andRead more
Camino Norte, Day 19 => Llanes
September 20, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
17 miles with 2100’ ascent/2400’ descent but very few steep hills/no mountains - not bad. Beautiful hike mainly over seaside cliffs. It’s probably the second most scenic day of the entire CaminoRead more
Camino Norte, Day 20 => Cuerres
September 21, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
Half of the Way to Santiago de Compostela.
16 miles with 1630’ ascent, 1530’ descent. Rolling hills through forest/farms and small villages in the hilly valley between the Cantabrian mountainRead more