Camino del Norte - San Sebastian to Bilbao

Make your own way to the coastal city of San Sebastian – one of Spain’s top tourist destinations. San Sebastian is famous for its stunning beaches and culinary scene and has more Michelin stars per square metre than any other city in the world. Its open air sculptures make the entire city feel like a work of art. After checking in, your day is free to relax or explore the delights of this vibrant destination. A visit to the cobblestoned old town and Plaza de la Constitución is not to be missed, as are its two most famous beaches Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta and its picturesque bay front promenade.

Follow the winding shoreline as you leave San Sebastian before the trail passes through green landscapes and rolling hills, offering nice glimpses over pretty valleys and meadows. You will pass the ancient Roman Church of San Martín de Tours with its weathered exterior. The pilgrimage continues past pretty coastal villages to finish in either Zarautz, famous for its whaling history and its long sandy beach, or the fishing village of Getaria. You may like to try the local Txakolí wine this evening.

Meals: B

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Basque Country from Zarautz to Deba as the path winds its way through rolling hills, occasionally dipping back towards the coastline to reveal gorgeous sea views over the Bay of Biscay. Enjoy the unique charms and friendly locals in the villages you pass along the way. We recommend stopping to visit the Basque Coast Geopark famous for its geological flysch deposits, before your journey ends at Deba, a pleasant coastal town embraced by rugged cliffs. You may like to visit the gothic Iglesia de Santa Maria, which is recognised as one of the finest churches in this region.

Meals: B

The section from Deba to Markina leads pilgrims along the coastline before moving inland where there are some steep ascents to tackle. The tranquil route through the countryside offers coastal views and forested hills. Depending on what time of year you walk, enjoy vibrant wildflowers, lush vegetation and green rolling hills. There are numerous ancient stone bridges to cross where you can picnic and dip tired feet into cooling water before arriving into Markina–Xemein. The town boasts a rich historical heritage, with its medieval buildings and picturesque streets, and is also renowned for being the birthplace of numerous famous pelota champions.

Meals: B

Today the trail winds through rolling hills leading you through tiny Basque villages, each with their own unique charm. You will pass the medieval monastery at Zenarruza which holds a significant place in the region’s history. The monastery dates back to the 13th century and served as an important spiritual centre for pilgrims. Today’s section culminates at the historic town of Gernika (Basque spelling) immortalised by Picasso’s iconic painting, “Guernica,” which holds deep significance as a symbol of peace and resilience. The moving Museo de la Paz de Guernica is worth a visit for those interested in discovering more of the troubled history of the town during the Civil War period and is dedication to peace.

Meals: B

Leaving Gernika, the path ascends and descends through the gorgeous green landscape of the Biscay countryside. Enjoy the beauty of rolling hills, charming hamlets and small villages. Along the way the trail passes through pretty woodland forests of oak which provide the perfect spot for a picnic or rest. Marvel at the beauty and engineering ingenuity of the medieval bridges near Lezama where you should take the opportunity to explore the village, with its traditional houses, towers and winding streets. 

Meals: B

The path from Lezama to Bilbao takes in several notable sites including the Romanesque Church of San Martin which stands testament to the region’s rich history and architectural heritage. The largely paved path today also passes the Tower of Malpica, an imposing medieval tower that once served as a defensive structure. As you approach Bilbao, the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña stands proudly on a hilltop welcoming pilgrims to the city. The magnificent basilica is a pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary and offers breathtaking views. Entering the city you will find yourself in the vibrant old quarter known as Casco Viejo where you can enjoy the old-world blend of bustling markets and modern city life.

Meals: B

Today is a free day to explore Bilbao. Make sure you explore this port city’s iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, indulge in the local cuisine, stroll the streets of the old town or people watch while sipping local wine or cider in the Plaza Nueva. Slightly further afield you may like to make a side trip to visit spectacular San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – a tiny island with its stone bridge and steep staircase, made famous as the location of ‘Dragonstone Castle’ in Game of Thrones. There is plenty to see and do in and around Bilbao – talk to us if you would like to extend your stay!

Meals: B

After breakfast, make your own arrangements for onward travel to your next destination

Meals: B

19.5 kg of CO2-e per person per day

We pay for a monthly offset to cover the estimated emissions of our walkers for all trips with RAW Travel, which goes into local reforestation or biodiversity restoration. Explore the practical actions behind these estimated carbon offsets for your trip here, following a philosophy of ‘re-wilding the planet’ with native tree planting & Ocean plastic cleans ups.

A reasonable estimate for a pilgrim is 19.5 kg of CO2-e per person per day, primarily due to hotels, meals and emissions from luggage transfers. The act of walking itself is a form of sustainable travel, so the carbon footprint calculated here is a measure of the ancillary activities surrounding the walk, not the walking itself. The figures are estimates, not precise measurements for each route/trip, as it’s difficult to provide an exact number without detailed data on specific hotels, menus, and transfer routes which vary from person to person. This figure represents the operational footprint of the hike and its included services only. It does not include the flights and other transport needed to get to the start and finish of the walk.

An individual can significantly influence their footprint with the varied choices they make around food and drink at each meal. For instance, a diet rich in meat, imported goods and alcohol, will have a much higher impact than one focused on local, seasonal, and plant-based options. This daily stated figure is an average across the 43 days of the pilgrimage, derived from the key consumption components listed below.

Carbon Footprint Breakdown

• 8 nights accommodation including hotels, small guesthouses and country houses, on a double/twin share basis
• Daily breakfast
• Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel (1 x 18kg bag per person)
• Use of RAW Travel navigation app during your Camino, with maps of your hotel locations and emergency contact numbers
• Local and Australian emergency contact numbers
• Dedicated local support person in Spain for reassurance

• Single supplement 
• Solo Traveller surcharge if applicable for luggage transfers
• Peak season surcharge if applicable at time of booking
• Lunches and dinners
• Local buses or taxis if needed  
• Flights 
• Train tickets 
• Travel insurance
• Guidebook and phrasebook
• Arrival and departure transfers