The difference the Sun makes to a day of walking cannot be understated. Blue skies all the way today! It’s a small hill to tackle straight off the bat giving views back at Castro Urdiales and along the coastline ahead. Eventually it dropped to the coast, passing through a grove with goats weaving through theContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 12 – Castro Urdiales to Laredo”
Tag Archives: Travel
Camino del Norte Day 11 – Portugalete to Castro Urdiales
After breakfast we headed on out, up a hill as always – Neill and John took full advantage of the escalators (a common feature in the hilly towns) The route follows some impressive infrastructure. A footpath and cycle lane takes you over the roads, the motorways and an impressive spaghetti junction. About an hour andContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 11 – Portugalete to Castro Urdiales”
Camino del Norte Day 10 – Bilbao to Portugalete
Poncho time again. The rain was still pouring when I left the hostel. The route pretty much follows one of the main roads from east to west of the city. There was a hive of activity with people walking their children to school and making their way into work – a mass of umbrellas. OnceContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 10 – Bilbao to Portugalete”
Camino del Norte Day 9 – Larrabetzu to Bilbao
The rain arrived with a vengeance, hammering it down from the early hours and didn’t let up until a brief period in the afternoon. We grabbed breakfast at the bar, donned the ponchos and began Day 9. It was flat roadside walking for 7km before the start of the only climb of the day. TheContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 9 – Larrabetzu to Bilbao”
Camino del Norte Day 8 – Olabe to Larrabetzu
After breakfast at the Albergue we hit the road, as usual it was up hill. Olabe is just short of the stage end, as Gernika didn’t have an Albergue. The 8km to the town I spent walking with a German pilgrim Nico. We had great conversations and laughter that made the distances fly by. MostlyContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 8 – Olabe to Larrabetzu”
Camino del Norte Day 7 – Markina-Xemein to Olabe
In contrast with the walk so far, today was the easiest. For the first 5km it was flat but the only real climb came at 13km, by 1300h I reached my destination. I had the best night sleep on this Camino so far, I closed my eyes at lights out and opened them when theContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 7 – Markina-Xemein to Olabe”
Camino del Norte Day 6 – Deba to Markina-Xemein
Everyone had been warning me that today is hard. Gronze gave it a 4 out of 5 on the difficulty level, but I found yesterday worse. Despite being above the train station my sleep wasn’t disturbed. In fact as soon as my head hit the pillow, the next time I opened my eyes it wasContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 6 – Deba to Markina-Xemein”
Camino del Norte Day 5 – Zarautz to Deba
Today it was forecast to rain but not one drop appeared, although there was another downpour in the night. The air perfect for walking, Neill, John and I set off through the town. The route again had a variant, the easier path via the coast and the harder route. I chose the difficult one leavingContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 5 – Zarautz to Deba”
Camino del Norte Day 2 – Guéthary to Irún
At 0800h I was back on the Camino which followed the coastline. Surfers were catching the morning waves with onlookers from the cliffs above. The route was quiet except for the runners and cyclists doing their morning exercises. The views out to sea in the early morning light was magical. It made up for theContinue reading “Camino del Norte Day 2 – Guéthary to Irún”
Wilbarston to Gretton
After a two year hiatus my friend Hannah and I picked up the Jurassic Way after our Welford to Wilbarston stage, October 2022. There was a break in the wet weather that has been synonymous of the UK this year, and it coincided with our rest days. As it’s been awhile, mega busy at workContinue reading “Wilbarston to Gretton”
Stu's Camino 