Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which are the most beautiful stages of the Northern Way?

  Some of the most beautiful stages of the Camino del Norte are:

  • San Sebastian - Zarautz: Breathtaking coastal views and the promenade of Zarautz.
  • Deba - Markina-Xemein: Green and mountainous landscapes with forests and meadows.
  • Llanes - Ribadesella: Cliffs, beaches and hidden coves with a seafaring finish in Ribadesella.
  • Ribadesella - Colunga: Contrast of mountains and sea, with Vega Beach standing out.
  • Ribadeo - Lourenzá: Entrance to Galicia with landscapes of hills, forests and picturesque villages.
  • Gijón - Avilés: Combines the Asturian coast with the rich architecture of Avilés.

• What are the hardest stages of the Northern Way?

  The hardest stages of the Northern Way are:

  • Irun - San Sebastian: Initial stage with constant ups and downs, especially on Mount Jaizkibel.
  • Deba - Markina-Xemein: Mountainous terrain with narrow paths and the tough ascent of Mount Arno.
  • Gernika - Lezama: Significant gradients and unpredictable weather in the Basque Country.
  • Llanes - Ribadesella: Long coastal stage with rugged terrain and frequent changes in altitude.
  • Ribadeo - Lourenzá: Entry into Galicia with demanding climbs, especially to O Fiouco mountain.
  • Villaviciosa - Gijón: Long stage with the demanding climb to the Alto de la Cruz before descending towards Gijón.

• Which Camino is harder: the Primitive or the Northern Way?

  The Primitive Way is harder than the Northern Way because of its short but intense stages, with steep slopes and mountainous terrain. Although the Camino del Norte also presents challenges, it alternates mountainous sections with flatter stages along the coast.

• I need to cancel my reservation.

  You can cancel your trip free of charge up to 15 days before the start date, with no need to give any explanation.

  • 15 days or more in advance → refund of 100 % of the amount paid, with no penalty. The refund is processed within a maximum of 7 days.
  • Less than 15 days → Between 15 and 8 days before: 50 % of the total amount. 7 days or less → 100 % of the total amount.
  • No-show → no right to a refund.

  If you have taken out the Cancellation Insurance, you must inform us regardless of how many days' notice you give, but you have to handle the refund process with the insurer yourself.

  Transfer of the booking: if you cannot travel, you can transfer it to another person at no cost; we only need you to let us know far enough in advance for us to arrange it. In that case, payments are settled directly between clients.

  The client is responsible for any additional cost arising from the cancellation.

  ⚠️ IMPORTANT: every cancellation must be notified by email: info@viajescaminodesantiago.com (cancellations are not processed by phone).

  👉 More info: Booking conditions.

• What is luggage transport and how does it work?

  Luggage transport is included in group trips, trips with a dog and VIP trips; on all other trips it is an optional service you can add when booking. With 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.

• How many stages does the Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao have?

  There are 6 stages and 125 km: San Sebastián–Zarautz, Zarautz–Deba, Deba–Markina, Markina–Gernika, Gernika–Lezama and Lezama–Bilbao. Daily distances range from 11 to 25 km. The trip lasts 8 days and 7 nights, including the day you arrive in San Sebastián. It's the way to walk the Basque coast of the Northern Way in a week.

• Does the Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao qualify for the Compostela?

  Not on its own. The Pilgrim's Office awards the Compostela to those who walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago, and this section ends in Bilbao. What you do get is stamps in your Pilgrim's Credential, which you can use to continue the Northern Way on another trip. To earn the Compostela you'll need to walk those last 100 km to Santiago, for example from Vilalba (118 km).

• What should I see in San Sebastián on the day I arrive?

  Drop off your rucksack and go for a walk. La Concha beach and its promenade are the city's jewel; close by you'll find the Buen Pastor cathedral, Miramar Palace and its gardens, and Mount Urgull. At sunset the Comb of the Wind never disappoints, and for dinner, pintxos in the Old Town.

• How do you leave San Sebastián towards Zarautz?

  Heading west, zigzagging up Mount Igueldo, with great views over the city. Then you follow the old Orio road, between farmhouses and meadows with the Cantabrian Sea in the background. You pass through the fishing town of Orio and, after views of Getaria and its «mouse», reach Zarautz and its very long beach. It's 22.2 km.

• Is it worth stopping in Getaria between Zarautz and Deba?

  Yes: it's the day's strategic stop. You can leave Zarautz along the promenade to Getaria, birthplace of Balenciaga and the navigator Elcano, and continue towards Zumaia and its flysch coastline. The stage is 21.8 km with ups and downs: there are steep paths up towards the Santa Klara farmhouse before you drop down to Deba.

• What is Urdaibai and why does the Northern Way pass through it?

  It's the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a protected area prized for its ecological and scenic richness. You skirt it as you leave Gernika on the stage to Lezama, which strings together the Morga and Aretxabalagana heights among hermitages and well-marked forest paths. Lezama, the end of the stage, is already on the doorstep of Bilbao.