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Camino del Norte Route 1
Galicia
Spain
The Camino del Norte route, or the Northern Way, is also referred to as the Ruta de la Costa. This Camino was used for centuries by Spanish pilgrims coming from the magnificent coasts of the Basque region and Asturias. From there, they turned inland towards Santiago de Compostela, the final resting place of the Apostle Saint James.
The Camino del Norte is a unique journey, so it is no wonder that so many consider this their favourite Camino. This Camino route unfolds out across some of the most spectacular scenery on Spain’s northern coast. It passes through superb cities, from Bilbao to San Sebastian and Santander to Oviedo. Ultimately, this Camino joins the Camino Primitivo route in Oviedo, which continues on to the city of Santiago.
This first section of the Camino del Norte takes you from the city of San Sebastian to the city of Bilbao. San Sebastian makes a wonderful starting point for the Camino del Norte. Located on the Bay of Biscay in the mountainous Basque Country, San Sebastian is known for its beaches and waterfront promenade. Here you can enjoy world-renowned cuisine as well as the more informal dining experience of pintxos and wine pairings. This route will take you along the coast’s scenic beaches to Bilbao, the capital of Basque culture.
Walking Tour
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Meeting:
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San Sebastian
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Airport:
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Bilbao
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Transfer:
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Airport transfers not included, but can be arranged for additional cost.
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
20 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2025
Rates include*:
B&B, Accommodations, Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack, 24/7 On-Call Support, Virtual Pre-departure Briefing
A | 2025 | San Sebastian to Bilbao (128.1 km), B&B | 8d / 7n | €1040 | $1145 |
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Fly into Bilbao. The bus from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian takes 1 hour and 15 minute, and runs several times a day.
The bus back to Bilbao Airport runs several times a day from the centre of the city.
Tour Dates for 2025
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A |
2025
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01/01
- 12/31
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8d / 7n
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San Sebastian to Bilbao (128...
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2
/20
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Premium Accommodation, Airport Pick-up, Additional Nights, Dinners, Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel, Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest, Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Day 1: SAN SEBASTIAN
Once you arrive you’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of the town. San Sebastien is located on the Bay of Biscay in the mountainous Basque Country, and is a city known for its stunning beaches and waterfront promenade. Here, you can enjoy world-renowned cuisine as well as the more informal dining experience of pintxos and wine.
Distance: -
Day 2: SAN SEBASTIAN to GETARIA
Leaving San Sebastian and the unspoiled Bay of Biscay, this route curves along the coastline through grassy fields and rolling hills. First, you’ll see the Church of San Martin de Tours, a lovingly restored national monument, before passing through some traditional whaling towns. Later, you arrive in the picturesque village of Getaria, perched on a rocky headland above a cute harbour.
Distance: 26.1 km
Day 3: GETARIA to DEBA
For Day 3 you’ll set out on a small country road hugging the coast, eventually arriving in Zarautz. From there, take the small footpath into farmlands until you reach the Church of Santa Maria la Real and birthplace of explorer Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the Earth in the 16th Century. Once you’ve stopped to admire the town, continue along the coast to the last stop for the day – the stunning beach town, Deba.
Distance: 18 km
Day 4: DEBA to MARKINA-XEMEIN
Today, we leave the sea behind for more mountainous landscapes and won’t see the coast again until Bilbao. The route crosses a river and starts climbing into dense scrub, until it reaches the Hermitage of El Calvario. From here, keep to the narrow footpath (GR-121), which passes through many secluded hamlets. Finally, the trail descends steeply into your destination, Markina. This is a village with a strong sense of history and Basque traditions.
Distance: 24.3 km
Day 5: MARKINA-XEMEIN to GERNIKA
Leaving Markina, the route follows an ancient cobbled road and crosses the river in Bolivar. It ascends to the 15th Century Monastery of Cenarruza, which contains a Gothic Renaissance church and mediaeval cloister. Leaving the monastic site, the path moves into dense woodland, up to Gontzegarai, and down again to Gerikaitz. At the Hermitage of Santiago, a steep footpath leads downhill to a creek and finally into the town of Gernika.
Distance 25.7 km
Day 6: GERNIKA to LEZAMA
Setting out this morning you’ll leave Gernika by the hermitage of Santa Luzia Zallo. Shortly after, we’ll reach the road (PR-173) that will take us to Morga. Here, we leave the farmland and enter a forest, following a steep descent to the traditional villages of Goikoetxea, Larrabetzu, and finally, Lezama.
Distance: 19.9 km
Day 7: LEZAMA to BILBAO
This is a relatively short stage through pastoral farmland. First, we pass Zamudio and the Roman Church of San Maarten, where the Tower of Malpica is visible above. Slowly climbing to reach the summit of Mount Avril, we’re rewarded with spectacular views of Bilbao and the valley below. On arrival in Bilbao, don’t forget to visit the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Bego, as well as Place de Unamuno, in the old quarter of Bilbao.
Distance: 14 km
Day 8: BILBAO
After breakfast we bid you farewell. There is so much to see and do in Bilbao, including the renowned Guggenheim Museum. For something more off the beaten track, check out Place de Unamuno, in the old quarter of Bilbao. Or, if you just want to relax, find a pintxos bar and settle down with a glass of wine, a few small plates of food, and watch Basque life unfold.
* itinerary can be customized with additional days to shorten the distance between places each day -- please inquire for more information
Meeting:
San Sebastian
Airport:
Bilbao
Transfer:
Airport transfers not included, but can be arranged for additional cost.
Fly into Bilbao. The bus from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian takes 1 hour and 15 minute, and runs several times a day.
The bus back to Bilbao Airport runs several times a day from the centre of the city.
Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Average distance: 21.3 km, Min: 14 km, Max: 26.1 km, Total distance: 128.1 km
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
20 riders
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San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a great place to start your Camino. From the rolling green hillsides that surround the city to the golden beaches that frame the coastline, you can experience city life, beach life, and country life all within a short distance. Elegant architecture sits well alongside the reputation San Sebastian is gaining worldwide as a destination for a wonderful culinary experience.
Deba
Deba is the last coastal town for a few days until you reach Bilbao further along the Camino. This quaint seaside town traditionally relied on whaling and sea trade but nowadays it focuses on its tourism offering. Here you will find the National Monument of the Church of Santa Maria, one of the finest churches in the region. From the 16th Century, this church is a prime example of the Basque Gothic style.
Gernika
Rich in Basque, heritage many will know the name of this town from the famous painting by Pablo Picasso. The town was almost completely destroyed in 1937 when it was bombed by Italian and German forces supporting Spanish dictator, General Franco. The town, in true defiant Basque fashion, didn’t let this be its end, and, with the survival of the Biscayan Assembly and the Guernica Tree, rebuilt itself. Here you can learn more about the Basque culture and how it is preserved today. Every Monday there is a market held that is one of the best in the Basque Country.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Note: EU nationals are onl. more
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*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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..view other reports for different trips
This trip
can accommodate special dietary requests.
Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Average distance: 21.3 km, Min: 14 km, Max: 26.1 km, Total distance: 128.1 km
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
20 riders
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San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a great place to start your Camino. From the rolling green hillsides that surround the city to the golden beaches that frame the coastline, you can experience city life, beach life, and country life all within a short distance. Elegant architecture sits well alongside the reputation San Sebastian is gaining worldwide as a destination for a wonderful culinary experience.
Deba
Deba is the last coastal town for a few days until you reach Bilbao further along the Camino. This quaint seaside town traditionally relied on whaling and sea trade but nowadays it focuses on its tourism offering. Here you will find the National Monument of the Church of Santa Maria, one of the finest churches in the region. From the 16th Century, this church is a prime example of the Basque Gothic style.
Gernika
Rich in Basque, heritage many will know the name of this town from the famous painting by Pablo Picasso. The town was almost completely destroyed in 1937 when it was bombed by Italian and German forces supporting Spanish dictator, General Franco. The town, in true defiant Basque fashion, didn’t let this be its end, and, with the survival of the Biscayan Assembly and the Guernica Tree, rebuilt itself. Here you can learn more about the Basque culture and how it is preserved today. Every Monday there is a market held that is one of the best in the Basque Country.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
Passport Required? |
British |
Yes |
Australian |
Yes |
Canadian |
Yes |
USA |
Yes |
Other EU |
1 |
Visa Required? |
British |
No |
Australian |
No/2 |
Canadian |
No/2 |
USA |
No/2 |
Other EU |
No |
Return Ticket Required? |
British |
No |
Australian |
No |
Canadian |
No |
USA |
No |
Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Camino del Norte Route 1
Tour Code:
ZZ-HK-ESCAMNR01
8 days /
7 nights
Dates :
Available all Year
Level :
Difficulty Levels Explained
1. |
Easy
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Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
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2. |
Easy to Moderate
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An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured
activity is recommended.
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3. |
Moderate
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Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with
some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and
you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
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4. |
Demanding
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You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or
ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain. |
5. |
Strenuous
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Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc.. |
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack:
Horses:
Pace:
Average distance: 21.3 km, Min: 14 km,...
Airport:
Bilbao
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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