There was a heavy rain during the night but luckily it had stopped when we left the hostel just after 0800h. It was straight into a climb but the air was cool and refreshed.
The route consists of forest paths and country roads for roughly 13km with no places to stop – it was a good job I had breakfast before leaving San Sebastián.
Underfoot it was slightly muddy at times and there were stretches of large rocks that I had to be wary of not to slip. Other than that it was easy going. I was ticking off the kilometres enjoying the views and the tranquility.
I caught up with Neil from Belfast, a fellow peregrino I had a meal with last night. We walked together for a short period chatting about our hobbies and travels.
I pulled on ahead and just at the start of the descent into Orio there is a donativo offering refreshments – perfect timing.
There was an organised group of Brits undertaking the Norte. I’ve never seen so many of us in one place on a Camino! One chap was suffering with his right heel rubbing. I offered some of my kinesiology tape to cushion it, but he never heard of it and wasn’t keen.
I moved on briefly walking with an Australian who is only going as far as Bilbao before embarking on a driving tour around Portugal. A little bit further on I finally entered Orio, another quaint port town.
I had to call into the Farmacia to get some nail clippers, as mine broke last night; also I needed to get something for an insect bite on my left leg that is getting redder and larger.
It was too early for lunch, and with only 6km to go, I pressed on. The route out follows the opposite shore of the port, then up a bit of a headland.
Vineyards became my surrounds as I made my way to the top, where I was treated to a fantastic view of Zarautz beach. I spent a while sitting on a bench admiring the vantage point. A French man I had been leap frogging from Orio, joined me.
He had just done the Camino Frances and is now walking to Bilbao. After swapping stories he moved on. My hostel didn’t open until 1500h so I remained on the spot a little longer.
A short walk down following the road led me straight to my accommodation. Once booked in I went to the beach to wait for my Camino pals to join. Once they did we had the pilgrims menu at bar on the sea front, drawing the end to day 4.
Stu's Camino 