The Camino del Norte: in the basque country
The life of Castro Urdiales still revolves around the Puebla Vieja, or old village. It is here that you can explore the most impressive and oldest monuments.
Make your way down to the harbor (a short distance from the camino) to visit Iglesia de Santa Maria...
Castro Urdiales was settled first by the Romans, who used the location more for its iron than the sea. It prospered under the reign of the Kingdom of Castile right up until 1813 when the French Army destroyed the city. It was quickly rebuilt and fortified.
June: San Juan on the 24th, and San Pelayo Mártir (the patron of Castro Urdiales) on the 26th.
July: La Virgen del Carmen on the 16th, and Santa Ana on the 26th.
August: The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on the 14th.
November: San Andrés on the 30th.
The camino through Castro Urdiales follows the N-634 but it is possible to walk the coastline, a route which is a great deal more scenic. It can be followed as far as the beach at which point you will need to turn back towards the main road. A short distance later the camino turns left...
Accommodation in Castro Urdiales
1 |
Albergue de peregrinos de Castro Urdiales Municipal
Behind the Bullring on the way out of Castro
16 6€ |
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2 |
Pensión Chili Pension
La Ronda, 16
Booking.com |
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3 |
Pensión Ardigales 11 ⭑⭑ Pension
Ardigales, 11
Booking.com |
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4 |
Pensión La Marina ⭑ Pension
La Plazuela, 16
Booking.com |
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5 |
Hostería Villa de Castro Pension
Los Huertos, 2
Booking.com |
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6 |
Pensión La Mar ⭑⭑ Pension
La Mar, 27
Booking.com |
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7 |
Hostal Catamarán ⭑ Hostal
Victorina Gainza, 3
Booking.com |
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8 |
Hotel La Ronda ⭑ Hotel
La Ronda 18 bis
Booking.com |
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9 |
Hotel Sercotel Las Rocas ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Flaviobriga, 1
Booking.com |
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10 |
Hotel Agua Viva & Spa Castro ⭑⭑ Hotel
Alto de la Cruz, 6
Booking.com |
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There is a lighthouse here as well as a watch tower. There is also a small amusement park for children. The real draw though is the views. The easiest way here is via the funicular railway from San Sebastián.
Getting from the monte to the camino is a simple matter. From the parking lot at the top of the monte, make like a car and roll downhill along the road. When you get to the small gravel parking lot on your right, cut across it to pass the Hotel Leku Eder and keep on...
Mind the traffic at the Alto, which comes faster than expected.
You will arrive at the Alto at a large and fairly dangerous highway crossing. The way ahead is marked, and you are heading towards the signs marked Larrabetzu. After crossing the highway, turn left at the first junction, uphill. You will pass the small Ermita de San Esteban...
Accommodation in Alto de Morga
1 |
Albergue Caserío Pozueta Private 16 14€ |
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2 |
Albergue Gerekiz Private 15€ Booking.com |
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Located about 5km off of the camino, but there is an albergue here. The owners will drive you back to the camino in the morning if necessary. A very quiet mountain location.
Accommodation in Lastur
1 |
Albergue de Lastur Private
Plaza San Nicolás
70 17-20€ |
Set off a short distance from the Camino, Fuenterrabía (Hondarribia) is none-the-less considered an important camino city. The old town is centered around a small hill overlooking the Txingudi Bay, and the suburbs and the Donostia Airport have spread outwards from it...
It is said that the Apostle himself passed through Hondarribia on his way to Galicia
June: A Medieval market is held on the second Sunday of June.
July: Santiago is celebrated on the 25th of July.
August: Several neighborhood fiestas on the 15th to celebrate the Assumption of Mary.
October: San Francisco de Asís on the 5th.
The lighthouse here, along with another on the east bank of the passage, were built to guide ships through this narrow passage at times of rough seas and turbulent weather; once through though the ships enjoyed the calm of the well protected harbor which even today is one of the most heavily...
From the parking lot the camino turns left to return to a trail. Pay close attention to the various forks in the trail; although they are well marked there are many options through the forest.
Along this stretch you will also see markings for the GR-121, a 300km circuit that shares ground...
Excellent sea views and a suitable place for a rest, the ermita is ordinarily locked up.
The camino joins the road when it reaches the ermita, and follows it to the small village of Ibiri Auzoa.
On the west gate of the Monastery is a relief carving of an eagle carrying a skull, not a traditional motif for any building but one that illustrates the story of the monastery’s early days. On the day of the Assumption in 968, residents of a nearby Munitibar (the next town on the camino) were...
Beyond the monastery the camino turns right and into the forest again.
Accommodation in Monasterio de Zenarruza
1 |
Albergue de peregrinos del monasterio de Zenarruza Parochial
Monasterio de Zenarruza
18 Donativo€ |
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Located 1.5 off the camino in a suburb near the Bilbao airport.
Accommodation in Derio
1 |
Albergue Juvenil Residencia Mañarikua Private
Larrauri, 1C
80 22€ Booking.com |
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The Santuario is maintained by an Italian fraternity and the hours are limited; if you spot an open door duck in.
It was built in the 16th century and is home to the Black Virgen that was discovered on this hillside by two children. It also displays some high flying ships, a reminder to...
ATTENTION: Do not underestimate the steep climb of 600 meters to the summit of the Jazkibel, take plenty of water and something to eat with you and keep in mind that you will be on the way for several hours to the next place.
La Virgen de Guadalupe is celebrated on September 8th.
The way from the Santuario splits into three, one road and two trails. There is a sign and a map illustrating the differences. The official camino follows a trail just to the south of the ridge line, while an alternative known as the Purgatorio Route follows along the ridge line...




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