Camino del Norte - Sept 2017

September 2017

A 19-day adventure by Nuala Read more

28footprints
3countries
19days
154photos
1videos
1.5kkilometers
1.1kkilometers

Follow Calendar Share Bucket list

Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 17, 2017
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 20 m
- Spain Basque Country Gernika-Lumo Urdaibai 43.316647, -2.67772243°18’60” N 2°40’40” W
Day 6
Gernika
September 17, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
I really like Gernika, especially on a Sunday when the shops are closed and the town is full of families. We had a touristy day here. Damian went to the peace museum, I did our laundry in the lavanderia and we enjoyed tapas and wine in the square.

One of the great things about a hotel night is the freedom to empty our packs and make a huge mess on the floor. It was good to sort out our stuff and repack it all. Simple Camino pleasures.

We had fun in the evening with two Irish guys who arrived in town at around 5pm and were on a quest to find a pizza. Needless to say, nowhere was serving food at that time so we wandered around and did a cafe crawl until dinner time. No pizza, but very good burgers and snacks in a bar near the youth hostel.Read more
5 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 18, 2017, 6:39pm
- 🌧 16 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- Spain Basque Country Bilbao Albia Garden 43.264671, -2.92388843°15’53” N 2°55’26” W
Day 7
About 31kms to Bilbao
September 18, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
We left Gernika at about 7am, with no fixed plan other than to have coffee in Larrabetzu (16kms) and decide whether to walk to Lezama, or all the way to Bilbao.

The first part of the walk involved more mud and hills, but we picked up our pace on the road sections. We felt pretty good after our Larrabetzu break and figured we could probably make it to Bilbao. We walked with Jim, who we'd met a few times over the past few days. The company and the chat definitely made things easier.

On reaching Zamudio, we figured that it was time for some food. We spotted a bar/restaurant opposite the train station and with no particular expectations, looked inside. We were brought downstairs to a busy dining room, filled with workers on their lunch break, enjoying an €11 menu del dia. It was lovely and just what we needed.

After lunch, Jim and I continued walking to Bilbao (8.4kms, according to Strava) and Damian took the train. This was a nicer walk than I expected, although the rain made the mud even sloppier than before. It was good to eventually arrive in the city and to walk through an area I haven't seen before.

We've had so much rain and mud over the past few days. According to the weather forecast, things should improve tomorrow as we head back towards the coast. Yay!Read more
Laurie Reynolds You are a real trooper, Nuala! Fingers crossed for you that the weather really improves.
9/18/17Reply
4 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 18, 2017, 9:33pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 30 m
- Spain Basque Country Bilbao 43.258062, -2.92216743°15’29” N 2°55’20” W
Day 7
Rainy evening in Bilbao
September 18, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
3 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 19, 2017, 5:54pm
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 75 m
- Spain Basque Country Portugalete Plaza dario Regoyos Enparantza 43.316624, -3.02045543°18’60” N 3°1’14” W
Day 8
Bilbao to Portugalete
September 19, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
A shortish walk today, so we got up a bit later than usual and had breakfast in Bilbao. We debated which route to take - the 'official' path seemed to be about 19kms, while the more industrial route on the RHS of the river is about 13kms. We decided on a 'middle' approach - the Buen Camino app showed a recently waymarked track on the LHS of the river, joining the original Camino arrows at Sestao.

Our hotel was at the river, so we crossed the bridge and started walking, keeping the river to our right. This seemed more sensible, albeit longer, than going up and down city streets to find a theoretical starting point.

All in all, an easy day with good weather and an interesting view of city life. 16.5kms, according to Strava.

We're in Pension la Guia tonight. Clean and basic. €40 for 2. Cheaper if not con baño.Read more
3 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 19, 2017, 10:05pm
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 75 m
- Spain Basque Country Portugalete Plaza dario Regoyos Enparantza 43.316631, -3.0204743°18’60” N 3°1’14” W
Day 8
Portugalete, and a hop across the river
September 19, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
When I walked some of the Norte in May, I met Xabier from Bilbao most days. He was a mine of useful information and I remember his advice about the route out of Bilbao. He suggested walking on the right hand side of the river, through the industrial areas. He added that he was amazed at how pilgrims always seem to go straight to the transporter bridge, rather that walking just a little bit further to the coast.

We didn't take his advice on the route out of Bilbao, but when we arrived in Portugalete, I was curious to know what lay beyond the other side of the bridge. We decided to find out, so we paid the grand sum of 40 cents for a quick ride across the river. Xabier was right - Getxo is a very nice little place. We then returned to Portugalete by boat - just 35 cents a ride!Read more
2 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 20, 2017, 8:25pm
- 🌙 18 °C
- Altitude: 20 m
- Spain Cantabria Castro-Urdiales El Chorrillo Puerto de Castro Urdiales 43.384462, -3.21768443°23’4” N 3°13’4” W
Day 9
Castro Urdiales
September 20, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Nice walk today, but with a little too much asphalt. Great to see the sea again and to have an afternoon swim. More comments too follow when I'm less tired!
Elizabeth Cuddy A swim is such a treat. Watch it for jellyfish.
9/21/17Reply
2 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 21, 2017, 9:44pm
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Spain Cantabria Santoña Piedrahita Playa de Berria 43.46368, -3.47129943°27’49” N 3°28’17” W
Day 10
Santoña
September 21, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We set out this morning from Castro Urdiales, thinking about walking to Liendo or perhaps as far as Laredo. 38kms and about 10 hours later we arrived in Santoña.

I should clarify that this wasn't quite as hardcore as it may seem. Firstly, the 38kms includes the little boat ride from Laredo to Santoña. And secondly, we took lots of breaks and ate nice food along the way. In fact, we blame the menu del dia in Laredo for our decision to keep walking. After a nice lunch and some wine, it seemed easier to walk along the beach to the boat, than to walk around a busy tourist town to find an albergue or pension. 😊

Today's route had a number of options and everyone we met seemed to choose the road wherever possible. We took the road from Islares to Liendo, but followed the Camino arrows after that. I expect that it was longer than the road, but it was a really nice walk with some beautiful sea views.

When we eventually arrived in Santoña, I looked at the Buen Camino app and phoned a place that offered a pilgrim discount. Thinking that it was a basic pension, I expressed surprise at the price of €65 for a double room. They agreed to include breakfast, so I went ahead and booked it. Imagine our surprise when a couple of kms later we checked into Juan de las Cosa, a very nice 4 star hotel on the beach! It even has a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. And a buffet breakfast tomorrow!Read more
Elizabeth Cuddy A well deserved stop after that long walk. Well done!
9/21/17Reply
Elizabeth Cuddy And, stand on your head. It feels great and your feet will love it most of all.
9/21/17Reply
Laurie Reynolds Look at that empty boat! I think that was a brilliant idea, to head to Santoña. Enjoy the luxury.
9/21/17Reply
4 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 22, 2017, 5:46pm
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 84 m
- Spain Cantabria Bareyo Güemes 43.448025, -3.6456643°26’53” N 3°38’44” W
Day 11
Santoña to Guemes
September 22, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
This was another nice walk, with no fixed plan for our final destination. We took the coastal option from the Santoña beach, which involved a short sharp climb on a narrow track. It certainly got the heart and lungs working! It felt a little precarious at times, but the views were worth it. I'd hate to try it in bad weather, though.

We enjoyed the beach walk to Noja. After that, we followed the arrows to Castiillo and then to Meruelo and Güemes. I'll look at this on a map when I get home, but I suspect that the waymarked route to the albergue is not the most efficient one.

There were 57 pilgrims from 20 countries in the Güemes albergue. It's an impressive operation and it was great to be away from the tourist trail and in a Camino environment. Surprisingly, I slept really well in spite of all the snoring!Read more
Laurie Reynolds Ahhh, Guemes, I missed it this year. Tomorrow Santander? How much longer do you have, Nuala?
9/22/17Reply
Elizabeth Cuddy How was it? There was a lot of chat about that being a good stop.
9/23/17Reply
4 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 23, 2017, 1:32pm
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Spain Cantabria Santander Palacete del Embarcadero 43.461563, -3.80137543°27’42” N 3°48’5” W
Day 12
Güemes to Santander
September 23, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Sometimes it's great to walk long and fast, but it can also be nice to ramble along with no sense of urgency. Today's walk definitely fell into the latter category.

We had breakfast in the albergue and left at around 8am. When we reached Galizano, we turned right to take the coastal route to Santander. This is a wonderful walk, and only a few kms longer than the road. It was mostly on natural trails with sea views to the right and fields to the left. We chatted to people we'd met last night in Güemes and to a young German guy from one of the many camper vans along the coast. The walk along the beach to Somo was definitely a highlight and I even had time for a little swim!

The final 5kms into a big Camino city usually involves a long hard slog on concrete. No so for the entry to Santander - those final kms are by boat from Somo. I love this Camino!

We haven't yet decided on our route for tomorrow. I fancy the coastal route, but I need to see how it fits in with our bigger plan to fly home on 1st October. Just 7 more walking days this time.Read more
4 likes
Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 24, 2017, 5:25pm
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- Spain Cantabria Santander El Sardinero Fondeadero de la Osa 43.463649, -3.78715643°27’49” N 3°47’14” W
Day 13
Leaving Santander by the coast
September 24, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We took another coastal option today. Instead of following the arrows along concrete and asphalt, we walked along the promenade towards the beaches and the cliffs, passing through some very nice parts of Santander. I'm surprised that more pilgrims don't take this variant.Read more
Laurie Reynolds I so agree with you about the lack of pilgrim interest. We'll have to drum up business on the forum!!
9/24/17Reply
Elizabeth Cuddy How do you find out about the options. I just followed the arrows everyday.
9/24/17Reply
Traveler Elizabeth - you need to join the Camino forum! I'll send you links when I get home. Laurie - 8 people took the coastal route out of Santander a day after us, using your GPS tracks! The word is spreading, but most pilgrims we met were Spanish (using Gronze) or German (using the red or yellow German guides).
9/30/17Reply
3 likes