Northern Way from Irun to Bilbao

Welcome to Irun! After settling into your accommodation we recommend that you spend the afternoon visiting some of its museums such as the Oiasso Roman museum or other tourist attractions such as the island of the pheasants. All this makes Irun a perfect place to rest, get ready to live an unforgettable experience on the Camino del Norte.

You will wake up in Irún where you can enjoy a good breakfast before starting your stage towards San Sebastián. The stage runs between the coast and the mountains, during our stage we will leave behind places of cultural and historical attraction such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The path runs along tracks and through wooded landscapes until we reach San Sebastián.

San Sebastian, also known as Donostia, is a city full of history and cultural heritage that we recommend visiting as well as enjoying its wide gastronomic offer.

You will wake up in San Sebastian from where you will start the hike to Zarautz. On leaving the city, the stage will give us wonderful views of Mount Igeldo. The stage is similar to the previous one with a route mainly along a track and through wooded areas that will take us to Zarautz.

This town is also known as the “queen of beaches” with one of the most beautiful beaches along the Cantabrian coast. We recommend relaxing on the promenade and take the opportunity to taste the typical dishes of the place.

You are facing a relatively short stage but of medium difficulty due to the constant ups and downs characteristic of this mountain route. The path runs along the slopes of Mount Igeldo and offers magnificent views of coastal towns such as Guetaria and Zumaia.

The stage ends in the coastal town of Deba, whose main tourist attractions are the beaches of Santiago and Lapari, its coves and its promenade.

During this stage you will not find many population centers where to rest or stock up, for this reason we recommend to carry in your backpack everything you need to face the stage. The landscape is characterised by large wooded areas alternating with typical farmhouses such as the Kostolamendi farmhouse, which is located at the highest point of the stage.

Once in Markina you can enjoy a day of tranquility in an incomparable natural environment.

The route of this stage runs through forest areas and old medieval roads that will take you to your destination, passing through historic villages such as Bolibar. The final point is Gernika, a town known for the tragic events that occurred there during the Spanish Civil War that were captured and made known worldwide thanks to the work of the artist Pablo Picasso.

Most of the historical sights were destroyed during the German bombing which makes Guernica a modern town to rest and prepare for the next stage.

Today’s journey takes you through wonderful rural areas where the colour green is the protagonist. The route crosses the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a protected area that stands out for its great ecological and scenic wealth that will lead us to Lezama.

Lezama, formerly known as Santa María de Lezama, is a small town whose main attractions include the sports facilities of one of the most important clubs in Spanish football, Athletic Bilbao. Go Athletic!

This stage will be easy compared to the difficulty of the previous ones; although you will still have to make a last effort with the ascent of Mount Avril before arriving in Bilbao. The last kilometers of the route will be through industrial areas typical of the outskirts of large cities.

You will end your stage in Bilbao, a modern city next to the estuary whose main attraction is the Guggenheim Museum, one of the most visited museums in our country.

And so much for the first part of the Camino del Norte from Irún to Bilbao! We hope you enjoyed the experience. And if you are still hungry for more, we recommend you to continue the next 5 stages to Santander.

After leaving the lodge, end of our services.