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THE NORTHERN CAMINO IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
The Northern or Coastal Camino is one of the oldest Jacobean routes to Santiago de Compostela and has been used by the Nordic countries pilgrims since medieval times. In 2015, it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Basque with us in this enriching experience where nature, culture, heritage and traditions come together. After meeting in Bilbao city and visiting Hondarribia, we start walking in Saint Jean de Luz- Donibane Lohitzune, in the French Basque Country. Following the paths along the bay of Biscay, two colors accompany us, the green of the mountains and the blue of the Cantabrian sea, while walking on delightful trails, enjoying amazing views of the rugged coast on one side and rolling hills dotted with farmhouses, txakoli vineyards and cattle grazing on the fields on the other. Discover picturesque fishing ports and villages, Orio, Zarautz, Getaria, Zumaia and Deba, all of them historically home to great explorers; spectacular cliffs and beaches, hermitages, sanctuaries and gorgeous cities. Donostia-San Sebastián amazes us with its natural beauty, charm and elegance and vibrant Bilbao embraces us at the end of our tour.Walking: 100 km / 62,3 miles
Itineraries
Day 1
BILBAO – HONDARRIBIA
In the afternoon, we meet at our hotel in Bilbao to enjoy a welcome meeting. After reviewing all the details of our tour, we hop into our private transportation to drive towards Hondarribia, a beautiful walled town just in the border with France. After the check in at our hotel, we stroll through the streets of the 16th-17th Centuries walled area, where some moats and bastions are preserved, and also through its fishing district. Our day ends with an early dinner, a gastronomic experience in a typical Basque restaurant.
- Walking: No long distance
- Accommodation: Hondarribia /D/
Day 2
HONDARRIBIA – SAINT JEAN DE LUZ – HONDARRIBIA
After breakfast, we drive the 20 km that separates Hondarribia from Saint Jean de Luz, in the French Basque Country. Our walk starts in this charming village with an interesting pirates past.
We follow this amazing path on the so-called Basque Corniche, a coast with spectacular views, cliffs, rocky beaches, rounded hills and picturesque villages till we reach the town of Hendaye. Arriving at the marina, we take a boat-navette, to cross the Bidasoa river, the natural border between France and Spain, to finish our walk in Hondarribia, already in Spain.
Back to our hotel and after some rest, we enjoy dinner, in an elegant restaurant.
- Walking: 15,1 km / 9,4 miles
- Accommodation: Hondarribia /B/D
Day 3
HONDARRIBIA – PASAI DONIBANE
Our stage starts climbing to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe followed by a pleasant walk in a path that runs along Mount Jaizkibel, surrounded by chestnut and oak forests most of the time. Descending to the picturesque fishing village of Pasai Donibane, we enjoy beautiful views of the harbor inlet. We have time to explore this village and probably, we watch some rowers training in the sea while we relax in one of the many restaurant terraces that overlook the harbor.
After we check in to our hotel, we have time to rest. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a restaurant in the ´old part´of Donostia.
- Walking: 15,9 km / 9,3 miles
- Accommodation: Donostia /B/D
Day 4
PASAI DONIBANE – DONOSTIA
Today, as pilgrims have been doing since the Middle Ages, we cross the mouth of the port of Pasaia by boat and without losing sight of the sea, we climb Mount Ulia, an environmental jewel and protected nesting area for birds. Walking through its lush forests while enjoying bucolic views of the coast and the sea to descend gently till we reach the elegant city of Donostia-San Sebastián, also called ´The Pearl of the Cantabrian sea´.
- Walking: 10 km / 6,2 miles
- Accommodation: Donostia /B/D
Day 5
DONOSTIA
Free day in charming Donostia-San Sebastián, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, to indulge yourself with the many possibilities that offers. Sunbathe on one of its three urban beaches or stroll along the seashore; visit Mount Urgull with its fortress, museum, chapel and statue of the Sacred Heart. A catamaran ride through the bay follow by a treatment in the thalassotherapy center or maybe shopping in its elegant stores followed by a ´pintxos´tour in the ´old part´of the city. Discover its magnificent museums or Chillida Leku, the open-air sculptures museum, not forgetting the possibility of visiting the Sanctuary of Loyola, birthplace of Saint Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus.
- Walking: No long distance walking
- Accommodation: Donostia /B/D
Day 6
DONOSTIA – ORIO
Today our stage has two marked colors, the blue of the sea as a background and the green of the meadows and forests. With the lighthouse in the distance, we walk along Mount Igueldo while watching farms, orchards and cattle grazing in the meadows. Shortly after passing in front of the 12th Century hermitage of San Martín de Tours, we reach Orio, a fishing village and a landmark on the Northern Camino. Descending through its main street, we discover houses of the 16th Century with impressive coat of arms and the magnificent church of Saint Nicholas.
- Walking: 15 km / 9,3 miles
- Accommodation: Zarautz-Getaria /B/D
Day 7
ORIO- ZUMAIA
The first steps of this stage are dotted with txakoli vineyards, a white wine ideal to pair fish, before reaching Zarautz, a town of rich history and a magnificent beach loved by surfers. From the promenade, we see in the distance the silhouette of the ´mouse´ of Getaria. This picturesque fishing town was the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first man who circumnavigate the earth, as well as of the famous couturier Cristobal Balenciaga. It is also well-known for its grilled fish restaurants. Yes, we´ll taste txakoli wine and pintxos for lunch!! This tasty experience we fuel us to walk the last 5 kilometers towards Zumaia, enjoying unbeatable views over the Cantabrian Sea. We approach the hermitage of San Telmo and the famous flysch cliffs, rock strata placed vertically after a folding that took place 65 million years ago, at the Itzurum beach. Enough for the day!!
- Walking: 15,4 km / 9,6 miles
- Accommodation: Zumaia /B/D
Day 8
ZUMAIA – DEBA
Leave Zumaia while watching the mouth of the Urola river is a nice way to start the day. Today we discover a hilly rural area and probably we share the path with ´pottokas´, the horse native to the Basque Country, as well as flocks of sheep and cows. A very steep path take us to the town of Itziar and its 16th century Shrine of Our Lady of Itziar, built over a previous 8th century Romanesque church, another landmark on the Northern Camino. Descending through beautiful rural sceneries we reach Deba, located by the coast.
- Walking: 13 km / 8 miles
- Accommodation: Mutriku /B/D
Day 9
DEBA–GERNIKA-BILBAO
Today, we visit Gernika, a town known internationally for the tragic events of April 26, 1937, when it was bombed by the German army. The artist Pablo Picasso embodied the horrors of this war in one of his most recognized works, currently exhibited at the Reina Sofía National Museum in Madrid. We also visit the ´Gernika tree´, the oak tree that symbolizes the traditional freedoms of the Basques. Located in front of the House of Boards, before him the Lehendakaris, presidents of the Basque government, swear their position.
After this visit, we walk our last kilometers on the Northern Camino before reaching the vibrant city of Bilbao. After checking in our hotel we have time to relax or wander the city. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell dinner in a restaurant of great atmosphere.
- Walking: 17,1 km / 10,6 miles
- Accommodation: Bilbao /B/D
Day 10
BILBAO
Bilbao and its urban transformation await us. A guided tour of the magnificent Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry, followed by a walk through the most emblematic places of this splendid city are the activities during this morning. Unfortunately, this will be the end of our services.
- Walking: No long distance walking
- Services: Breakfast and guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao city
- Two bilingual guides
- Accommodation in 2/4 stars hotels
- Breakfasts and dinners included
- Support vehicle along the Camino
- Daily transportation of your luggage.
- Daily information about the stage to walk
- Guided visit in San Sebastian
- Guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao city
- Airfare to and from Spain and luggage surplus charges
- Visa fees, airport taxes and departure fees.
- Transport to tour starting point and onward from tour ending point
- Personal car rental
- Medical expenses
- Laundry service expenses.
- Any kind of tips
- Phone calls and/or faxes expenses
- Personal bar bills, or items consumed via room service or from hotel minibar refrigerators.
- Entrance charges for any museums or other organized activities which are not specified as included costs in tour itinerary
- Any charges in excess of those covered by the prepaid packages.
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