The Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao

from

375 €

The Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao

from

375 €

Walking the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is one of the best ways to venture on the Camino del Norte. It crosses the Basque Country along its shores and offers an unparalleled fusion of pilgrim experiences, Cantabrian beaches and cliffs, and a millenary immaterial Basque culture - one of the oldest peoples in Europe. What we propose here is the stretch between Donostia, the Basque name for San Sebastian, and Bilbo - or Bilbao - in a six-stage itinerary. A great way to get to know this land and discover why it is one of the favourite destinations of many walkers who dare to take a step off the beaten track of the French Way.

Itinerary

▌Day 1. Arrival in San Sebastian

On your arrival in San Sebastian (in Basque, Donostia) you will discover a modern and cosmopolitan city, with must-see places you cannot miss. The Wind Comb, the Royal Palace of Miramar, the Convent Museum of San Telmo, the Castle of La Mota, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Plaza de la Constitución and the María Cristina Bridge are just some of the charms of this Basque capital and the start of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago from San Sebastián.

▌Day 2. Stage San Sebastián - Zarautz

Distance: 19.7 km.
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Zarautz

We start the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian in a stage in which we will have the sea as a backdrop. We start the ascent to Monte Igueldo, at the top of which stands the Torreón, a 180-metre high lighthouse built in the 18th century. If you think it's a tough start and prefer to enjoy the forceful but beautiful descent to Orio, you can always take the funicular railway, which has more than a hundred years of history.

Once in Orio, be sure to visit the Way of St. James Interpretation Centre. The end of the stage is in Zarauz (in Spanish, Zarauz), another town linked to the sea. It is said that the carrack Victoria set sail from here: the first to circumnavigate the world.

▌Day 3. Stage Zarautz - Deba

Distance: 23.3 km.
Duration: 5:30 a.m.
Accommodation: Deba

The second stage presents us with two possible options from the start. Either follow the promenade through Getaria, next to the road; or take the path through the mountain, passing by the Saint Barbara hermitage and enjoy its impressive views after a steep but short climb.

Both options are good and of equal mileage. It depends on the personal tastes of each walker. Both paths lead to Zumaia, a beautiful town with spectacular cliffs. On your arrival in Deba, the end of the stage, be sure to visit the parish church of Saint Mary with a Gothic façade that still conserves its polychrome.

▌Day 4. Stage Deba - Markina

Distance: 23.6 km.
Duration: 5:30 a.m.
Accommodation: Markina

In the third stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian we will face a mountain route and we will say goodbye to the Cantabrian Sea for the rest of the programme. It is a more solitary stage than the others, since we will only pass through a small village and we will find some scattered farmhouses.

Our recommendation for this stage is that you stock up on everything you need. Finally, as you enter Markina, you will be able to smell (and taste) one of its most typical sweets: the kokotes, which are delicious aniseed-flavoured doughnuts.

▌Day 5. Stage Markina - Gernika

Distance: 24.8 km.
Duration: 6 hours
AccommodationGuernica

The fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is similar to the previous one in terms of gradients but with the presence of more small towns that make the route more bearable. The route will take you through Bolibar and the monastery of Saint Mary at Zenarruza.

When you arrive in Gernika you can enjoy not only the town's most outstanding gastronomic products, such as peppers and beans, but also a free visit to the Assembly House and the Tree of Gernika, a historic symbol of the Basque people.

▌Day 6. Stage Gernika - Bilbao

Distance: 31.6 km.
Duration7:30 a.m.
Accommodation: Bilbao

This stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is undoubtedly the longest. Some pilgrims prefer to divide it at the town of Lezama, to do two stages: Guernica - Lezama (20.8 km) and Lezama - Bilbao (10.8 km). This route was sworn in by the lords of Biscay, who took the oath of the privileges and guaranteed the laws and liberties of the people of Biscay.

The last eight kilometres run without any intermediate towns until the entrance to Bilbao. As in other large cities, access is through an industrialised area of little scenic value, but a visit to the city is well worthwhile. Walk through the old quarter and discover the Cathedral of Santiago - the only one on the Pilgrim's Way, apart from Compostela, dedicated to the holy pilgrim -, the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña and the Guggenheim Museum.

▌Day 7. Discover Bilbao

If you have a full day in Bilbao, after a rest, breakfast and the end of our services, we recommend more specialised visits, such as the one we offer around the historic centre and the Cathedral of Santiago, the Guggenheim or the boat trip along the estuary and the Abra Bay. And if you have an extra day, you can spend it visiting Elorrio, Oñati and the Shrine of Arantzazu. Here you can enjoy stately homes and palaces carved in stone, the sanctuary considered to be the best example of contemporary Basque art and many other surprises. As you can see, a wide range of possibilities.

Itinerary

Lodging

FAQ

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Lodging

During the Camino, sleeping well and resting is essential. Here are some images of some of the accommodation we work with on this route.

San Sebastian / Donostia

Zarauz / Zarautz

Deba

Marquina / Markina

Guernica / Gernika

Lezama

Bilbao / Bilbo

Frequent Asked Questions

Yes, in our programmes you choose the starting date. The Camino de Santiago can be done all year round, although in January and February many accommodations are closed for rest, so if you want to do it in those dates, we recommend you that you consult us first.

Most of the accommodation is located next to the Camino, at the place where you will finish each stage. When you make your booking we will generate for you the documentation with the exact address and other location data.

If the available accommodation is more than 1.5 km from the Camino, we will provide a transfer at no extra cost to you.

In our programmes we include the option of hiring a luggage transfer service, with a limit of 1 piece of luggage of up to 20 kg per person. There is the option to increase the number of items, but this is not usually necessary. In addition, we will give you luggage identifiers (similar to those at airports) so that you can leave your backpack with the accommodation staff, properly identified, and the shuttle will pick it up there. It is important to do this before 8:00 am, so that our team can take it to the next accommodation before your arrival. In addition, if you plan to travel with more luggage than the Camino, we can also transport the luggage you are not going to use to your last accommodation, so that you can then continue your journey.

Although the Camino is done on foot or by bicycle, you may need a vehicle from the airport to the starting point of your pilgrimage or to make a trip to a place of interest near the end of your stage. In these cases, we provide you with private transport vehicles whose price varies depending on the distance. You can see it among the options by clicking on "I want to book my Camino".

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website.

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage).

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation.

In Proguías we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote here.

The Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao

The Northern Way from San Sebastián to Bilbao