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Set out on the Northern Way, or Camino del Norte, and explore the breathtaking Cantabrian coast—a favorite among pilgrims for its stunning beauty. Begin your journey by discovering the charming Basque countryside and savoring its renowned gastronomy. Experience the blend of coastal serenity and mountain grandeur as you embark on this iconic pilgrimage route.

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565€
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Map of the Camino

Stages of the Northern Way from San Sebastian to Bilbao

San Sebastian, also known as Donostia, is a city full of history and cultural heritage that is part of a Eurocity together with the French city of Bayonne. The jewel of the city is undoubtedly its beach, the Playa de la Concha, the undisputed protagonist along with its promenade, which has inspired even the awards presented at the most important event in the city: the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Also noteworthy within its heritage is the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, neo-Gothic style inspired by German buildings dating from the nineteenth century, as well as the Miramar Palace and its gardens and Mount Urgull. Of course, nothing you can’t enjoy with a leisurely stroll to get you started. So leave your backpack behind and set off to discover all that San Sebastian has in store for you.

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 San Sebastian 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.

Northern Way from San Sebastian to Bilbao, Accommodation prices

Types of accommodations

Habitación doble de Estudios Aránzazu
Habitación de la Hosteria Villa de Castro
Habitación doble de Le Petit Boutique Hotel
Habitación de la Pensión Catamarán

In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao

Due to the fact that some towns along this route have little variety of accommodation, we have selected the best establishments available for you to have an incredible experience on your Camino de Santiago. You will combine the rest in small and cosy pensions with rural houses and lodgings of superior category, always looking for the best quality and location.

Details of the Northern Way from San Sebastian to Bilbao

Services included

8 days / 7 nights accommodation8 days / 7 nights accommodation
Luggage transfer during the stagesLuggage transfer during the stages
Complete documentationComplete documentation
Pilgrim’s CredentialPilgrim’s Credential
Travel insuranceTravel insurance
On-the-road emergency telephone assistanceOn-the-road emergency telephone assistance

Optional Services

ServiceIn hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao
BreakfastBreakfastConsult
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)Consult
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single roomConsult
Extra nightExtra nightConsult
Breakfast Breakfast
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao Consult
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao Consult
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao Consult
Extra night Extra night
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from San Sebastián to Bilbao Consult

Photos

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Frequently Asked Questions

In this modality you will do the Camino de Santiago at your own pace and you will only have to worry about choosing the route you like the most, the type of accommodation and your departure date. If you choose this option you will travel alone or with the people that appear in your reservation, and you will have all the services included so that you only have to worry about walking and enjoying the experience.

The Camino de Santiago on your own includes the following services

  • Accommodation
  • Luggage transport
  • Dossier with information about the stages
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • On-the-road helpline
  • Travel insurance

In addition, you can customize your trip by adding the following optional services

  • Breakfast or half board
  • Private transfers to the start of the stage from Santiago de Compostela or from the airport.
  • Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage

Yes, you will have total freedom to choose your departure date. However, if you want to do your Camino de Santiago in the months of December, January and February, we recommend that you check availability before making your reservation. At this time of year most accommodation is closed and many services may not be available.

In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location.   As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns.   For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning.   In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking.

Luggage transport service by default is included in all our trips and it is not necessary to request it. You can enjoy the Camino de Santiago without the burden of carrying your luggage on your back, knowing that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your next accommodation upon your arrival. Along with your credential, you'll also receive stickers. Cover these stickers with the requested information and stick them in a visible place on your suitcase. Upon arrival at your accommodation, we suggest asking at the reception where you can leave your luggage. You'll need to leave your luggage at the designated spot early in the morning for our carrier to pick it up. This ensures that when you arrive at your next accommodation, your luggage will already be waiting for you.

We have a taxi service that you can hire whenever you need it. You can hire it, for example, to go from the airport to the start of your Camino, or to go from Santiago to your starting point to pick up your car once you finish the stage.

It is the guarantee that you can enjoy your Camino in a safe way. In our trips you already have an insurance included with your trip to be protected during the Camino de Santiago. We will send you the insurance policy along with all the documentation of your trip, so you will have everything you need to enjoy the Camino with peace of mind. Walk without worries!

The basic travel insurance included in our packages offers extensive coverage against unforeseen events, ensuring you'll receive guaranteed medical assistance and numerous benefits. You can review the specifics in the General Conditions of Travel Insurance.

In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.

To make a reservation, you can follow these steps:
  • Through our website: Select the route you want and follow the steps indicated in the form. Provide your personal information and that of your companions, choose the type of accommodation, room distribution, meals, transfers, bike rental, etc.
  • By email: If you prefer to make the reservation by email or need a personalized trip, you can send us an email to [email protected]. We will provide you with the necessary information to complete the reservation via email.
IMPORTANT: If the routes or services on the website do not meet your specific needs, you can request a personalized quote tailored to what you are looking for by sending an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions or issues when making your reservation, please contact us at (0034) 981 96 68 46, and we will be happy to assist you.
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