Markina-Xemein, Spain Travel Journals & Blogs

Traveler Basque Country ramblings
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- May 13, 2017, 9:34pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 422 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein Larruskain 43.259113, -2.429143°15’33” N 2°25’45” W
Day 6
Muntibar - Albergue Lea
May 13, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
A long and challenging walk today, 30 kms up and down mountains. It was very beautiful and not at all crowded - apart from a mountain bike race in the early stages. The trail was quite muddy in places, but the weather was dry and very pleasant.

I left Izarbide at around 7.30ish, after a nice bowl of porridge. People laugh at me for carrying porridge in my backpack, but it's great hiking fuel! A big advantage of staying in an albergue rather than a hotel is that the facilities are totally geared towards walkers. It's great to be able to do laundry and use a kitchen.

I took a few breaks along the way, including a long one in Markina. It was first communion day in the town and it was fun to watch the families celebrating. I had no fixed plan for how far I would walk today. I knew that most people were planning to stay in the monastery after Bolibar, but when I arrived there I had enough energy to walk a bit further.

I phoned Albergue Lea in Muntibar to make sure that they had a bed, which thankfully they did. This is another great albergue, run by the most helpful couple ever. There are just 3 of us in a 10-bed dorm. Laundry and breakfast are included in the €15 price - the lady washed and dried all of my clothes. Such luxury! Dinner was great and very reasonably priced, with a 'half menu' option that suited me perfectly. I had a huge portion of lentil soup/stew, crusty bread and some home-made cake.

I soaked my feet in a big basin of ice, which helped my blisters and swollen ankles. I'm very tired, but happy and comfortable. Life is good!Read more
Traveler Sleep well!
5/13/17Reply
Traveler I did!
5/15/17Reply
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Camino del Norte y Primitivo
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- May 11, 2022, 8:09am
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 271 m
- Spain Basque Country Mutriku Artzainerreka 43.285, -2.4216743°17’6” N 2°25’18” W
Day 5
Buenos días
May 11, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
We are on our 4th day and just stopped for breakfast. Left over pizza from yesterday.. yummy
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Traveler Camino de Santiago
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- Oct 1, 2016, 8:31pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 89 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.26582, -2.4994343°15’57” N 2°29’58” W
1
Day 50
Day 48: Zumaia - Markina
October 1, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Distance: 35.7 (1210.1/769.9)
Weather: 25C, sunny and cloudy later
Mood: Strong and happy!
Blisters: 0
Staying at: Pitis Hostel

In awe of nature!

This was definitely the most beautiful landscape I've seen sofar and at the same time the physically most challenging walk. Up and down and up and down for about 1600m up and down again over 32km (I found an ingenious shortcut again, but soon steep!)
I was joined by the German Eva, Lithuanian Justin as and Korean Pacman (not his real name). We took the alternative coast route, which led to the stunning views of Flysch cause by erosion of the sea. My German ebook mentioned the track, but warned it was difficult and no other guide indicated that e it in any way and believe me... It was HARD! I don't think I've ever sweated so much, but it was worth it.
Unfortunately, we still had another difficult part to go, a 500m climb and a very steep descent... About 9km before the endpoint we met some German guys, who were shocked to hear we were doing in one day what they were planing for two days. They said those 9km took them 6 hours and we only had 4 till sunset!
Of course we made it just before the last daylight had faded and a choir received us into town with some singing. Out spirits and energy were so high that even a full hostel couldn't put a damper on the mood. We were strong, powerful and unstoppable! An unforgettable day on my camino, that taught me how lows can easily be followed by highs and that a human body can do so much more than we think....Read more
Sharon van den Biggelaar 😍
10/1/16Reply
Liesbeth Smit What a day!! Ongelooflijk knap van je. Liesbeth
10/1/16Reply
Hidde Hannah Dijk Super ervaring voor je lieverd zowel fysiek als psychisch! 👍👍😀😀
10/2/16Reply
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Traveler Camino del Norte - Sept 2017
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- Sep 16, 2017, 6:23pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 86 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina 43.268833, -2.49962843°16’8” N 2°29’59” W
2 2
Day 5
Markina - exhausted!
September 16, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Another day of ups and downs, with muddy trails and scenic views. We were so glad to reach Markina at lunchtime. We considering walking a bit further, but decided that rest was more important today.

We're in the donativo pilgrim hostel, along with many of the people we've met in the past few days. Nice place.Read more
Elizabeth Cuddy Nice and clean!
9/16/17Reply
Elizabeth Cuddy Any way around it?
9/16/17Reply
Traveler No, I just left him there 😊
9/16/17Reply
Traveler Yes, and he didn't run away when I stopped for a chat!
9/16/17Reply
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Ariane und Lila on tour Küstenweg 2017
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- Jul 14, 2017, 3:00pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 390 m
- Spain Basque Country Mutriku Artzainerreka 43.286077, -2.43785243°17’10” N 2°26’16” W
Day 7
The long but easy way
July 14, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Tag 8: 14.07.2017

The long but easy way

19,6 tiefenentspannte Kilometer, da eher ein sehr langer Spaziergang denn wirkliches Klettern. In 7 Stunden ging es in Serpentinen die Berge hinauf und hinunter aber immer in völlig moderatem Tempo und auf meist super ausgebauten Fahrstrassen oder Betonpisten. Also tatsächlich eher ein Spaziergang und nach dem Tag davor, eine echte Erholung. Warum die anderen so einen Hype um diese Etappe gemacht haben, konnten wir ehrlich gesagt nicht verstehen.

Landschaftlich war mal wieder alles dabei, von herrlichen Ausblicken über gemütliche farnbewachsene Waldwege hin zum "Alpenfeeling" mit Kühen und Kaltblütern. Besonders schön waren die alten Bauernhäuser auf dem Weg anzusehen, die sich z.T. einsam und verlassen in die Landschaft fügten. Und Donkey war natürlich mein persönliches Highlight. ❤️Read more
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Traveler Spontanpilgern trotz Corona
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- Jul 12, 2020, 4:34pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 117 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.275, -2.543°16’30” N 2°30’0” W
Day 10
Pilger
July 12, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Wer hätte das gedacht, es gibt sie noch, andere Pilger 🤩
Zu zehnt in der wunderschönen Herberge in Markina - Xemein😍
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Traveler Mein Weg zum Ende der Welt
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- Jul 22, 2018, 4:30pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 100 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.27422, -2.4992743°16’27” N 2°29’57” W
Day 6
Nach 20km Markina
July 22, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Tagesziel! Erneut eine Etappe mit heftigen Auf- und noch heftigeren Abstiegen. Zum Schluß 1,5km Betonpiste so steil nach unten, da kommt ein Auto kaum hoch. Wenn 100 kg + 15kg Rucksack nach unten schieben, geht das Bremsen dermaßen auf Knie und Zehen. Wahnsinn!Read more
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Traveler Mein Weg zum Ende der Welt
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- Jul 22, 2018, 5:47pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 100 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.27412, -2.4992143°16’27” N 2°29’57” W
Day 6
Herberge Intxauspe
July 22, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Die beste Herberge bisher und bestimmt schwierig zu toppen.
Besitzerin spricht Englisch, Besitzer ein wenig. Beide sehr nett.
Sehr gepflegte Herberge. Mal mehr als nur 2 Duschen. Alles hell und freundlich. Viele Aussensitzplätze, auch im Garten.Read more
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Ariane und Lila on tour Küstenweg 2017
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- Jul 14, 2017, 5:00pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 100 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.274104, -2.49924943°16’27” N 2°29’57” W
Day 7
Markina-Xemein & Albergue
July 14, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Tag 8: Samstag, 14.07.2017

Markina-Xemein & Albergue Intxauspe Landetxea

Um kurz vor 17:00 erreichten wir Markina-Xemein und statteten als erstes einer alten Kirche mit einer echt spooky Ausstellung einen Besuch ab. Die Kirche selbst mit einem Altar aus drei riesigen Megalithen war mega beeindruckend, fast magisch.

Weiter ging es in die pulsierende Altstadt in der die Fiesta gerade in vollem Gange war. Auf dem Marktplatz war eine Bühne aufgebaut und es wirkte als wäre der komplette Ort feiernd auf den Beinen. Nach einigem Überlegen setzen wir uns in eine Bar und stießen erstmal traditionsgemäß mit Calimochos an. 🍷

Um 19:15 wurden wir nach einem kurzen Anruf vom Besitzer der privaten Herberge Intxauspe Landetxa abgeholt. Was für ein Service!! Und so ging es weiter. Wir bekamen ein warmes, reichhaltiges Abendessen und aßen als wären wir halb verhungert. 😄

Als wir ankamen trafen wir lustiger Weise auch die Franzosen aus der Herberge der vorherigen Nacht wieder, die uns morgens noch essen geschenkt hatten, da wir -verpeilt wie wir sind- uns nicht genug für die lange Etappe gekauft hatten.

Und da es ja keine Zufälle gibt, saß eben auch der amerikanische Hospitalero mit seiner Frau aus der öffentlichen Herberge aus Deba an unserem Tisch. Und es war klar, dass er uns erkannt hatte. Aber wir standen da drüber, konnten uns jedoch "dezente" Kommentare nicht verkneifen..😉 Er hatte wohl aber offensichtlich mit seiner Frau, die im
Übrigen sehr nett war, über uns gesprochen. Denn sie versuchte, im Laufe des Gespräches zu erklären wie schwierig und "heartbreaking" es oft für sie sei, Pilger abweisen zu müssen, die es eigentlich dringend bräuchten und gestand sogar ein, dass es oft ungerecht zugehe bei der Vergabe von Plätzen, da es Menschen gäbe, die gar nicht wirklich pilgern, sondern sich durch den Ausweis einen günstigen Schlafplatz ergattern und das z.T. schon morgens wo man ja unmöglich als "richtiger" Pilger vor Ort sein kann...
Später legten wir uns dann noch zum Sonnenuntergang auf die Liegen im Garten und genossen es, mal nicht um 22:00 eingeschlossen zu werden und vor allem Zeit zu haben. 😊Read more
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Mick Byrne Camino Del Norte 2017
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- Jun 12, 2017, 9:00am
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 86 m
- Spain Basque Country Markina-Xemein 43.270511, -2.49851243°16’14” N 2°29’55” W
Day 4
Camino Del Norte - Day 4
June 12, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Camino Del Norte - Day 4

Deba - Markina Xemein
Distance 23km
Total ascent 915m
Total descent 830km.

I wandered around Deba which is a small basque provincial town. I had a wonderful squid and octopus salad followed by a hake dinner. (Note Jackie Crank - no beer)
The town's beach was lovely. Lots of surfers but a very strong tidal way. Some of the pilgrims went for a swim. I paddled. Lovely on well worn feet.
The Albergue was full last night but excellent facilities. All for 5 euros. They even turned away a large group of Spanish kids. I thought we were on a winner but it was very warm overnight. Someone beat even me in the snoring competition. I used my anti snoring device so was quiet as a church mouse. The other guy nearly got lynched.
As a result of the snore fest, most of us in my room were up and out the door at 6.15am.
We left the coast for a few days to walk inland.
Unfortunately, it was lashing rain. It did have one advantage of feeling fresh and cool. I set off alone and straight away into a long steep ascent.
The rain continued most of the day. So no pictures of the landscape as it was either raining heavily or I was in the cloud base.
I stopped around 9am for a breakfast of bread, cheese and chorizo. There were no refreshments points on this entire section so all peregrinos were advised to stock up. There weren't many watering points either.
I eventually ended up walking with my fellow Irishman again and chatting to peregrinos from Italy, USA, Holland and Spain.
Sections of the path were steep and very muddy. My shoes have taken a battering. We eventually got into Markina Xemein around 1am. We sat and lay on our rucksacks across the road while we waited for the Albergue to open at 3pm.
We all shared the remains of our food on a poncho. It was interesting finding out about other people's stories. Most peregrinos are walking sections because of time and work constraints. We have already picked out each other out who are aiming to walk the whole Camino.
The hospilardos have been kind and really looked after us. This Albergue is by donation only and breakfast included. All my admin is completed.
I have included photographs of Deba beach and tonight's stop in Markina Xemein.
Tomorrow, we walk to Gernike. During the Spanish civil war, Franco used Hilter and Mussolini's airforces to destroy the town.
Hopefully, the weather will improve. My feet are holding up well. One blister only but my shoes have taken a battering. Looking at the soles, they MIGHT get me to Santiago?

Thank you for your generous support of B.I.R.D.Read more
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