7 night self guided section of the Camino de Santiago

This is a 7 night self guided section of the lesser-frequented Northern Route of the renowned Camino de Santiago. At times, quite challenging, it follows the breathtaking Basque coastline, starting at the old city gates of Hondarribia and coming inland to finish at historical Guernika. Your final night can be spent in either San Sebastian, close to the famous La Concha beach, or Bilbao, a short walk from the Guggenheim Museum. Choose the dates of your choice between May and October. You will stay in charming hotels and enjoy superb Basque cuisine – they claim the tapas (or pinxos) in San Sebastian are the best in Spain! You will benefit from excellent route notes and maps, whilst discovering characterful fishing villages, surf beaches and one of Europe’s most dramatic coastlines. Also, your luggage is moved on for you day to day.

For a factsheet on Walking the Camino de Santiago click here.

Beaches, Villages, Vinyards & Cliff-top Paths

The walking is sublime, a rich mix of beaches, fishing villages, vineyards, ridges and cliff-top paths offering sensational views. You also spend a night in beautiful San Sebastian, with numerous wine bars within its old told and where they claim the tapas (or pinxos) are the best in Spain! This itinerary, a section of the Northern Route, is less walked than the traditional Camino Frances route, with more use of footpaths and less on roads. It is also some of the most challenging on the Camino, but you can shorten some days with taxis or buses and we can help you do this.

Our six days of hiking actually covers five stages of the Camino, but this allows you to stay at more scenic spots. It also provides two shorter days midweek, which you might welcome, as the hiking is fairly strenuous. Hence you get more time to explore the interesting towns, sampling well-earned tapas and cider, a regional specialty.

At the start you will be met by our local guide, Javier. He will brief you on the itinerary, talk you through the route card and maps, and also be available all week if you need help or advice. Your luggage is moved daily between charming hotels, small and full of character. A couple are particularly special. You can expect lovely locations and excellent Basque cuisine, either at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant or tapas bar, as it is a mix of B&B and half board basis.

You will be greatly assisted by our detailed Holiday Information Pack containing everything you need to know (and more!) – excellent route notes, maps, walk profiles and luggage labels.

For a factsheet on Walking the Camino de Santiago click here.

Daily Distances & Height Gain

• Stage 1 – Hondarribia to San Sebastian (25km – 960m)
• Stage 2 – San Sebastian to Orio (16km – 500m)
• Stage 3 – Orio to Getaria (11km – 510m)
• Stage 4 – Getaria to Deba (18km – 830m)
• Stage 5 – Deba to Markina (21km -900m)
• Stage 6 – Markina to Guernika (29km – 800m), followed by short transfer to Bilbao or San Sebastian.

For a factsheet on Walking the Camino de Santiago click here.

2018 Dates & Prices

1 May to 14 June / 1 October – 31 October – £825
15 June to 30 September – £895

Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Minimum party size is 2.

Included: 7 nights B&B accommodation, picnic lunches on hiking days, 3 dinners (4 nights guests eat locally at their own expense), luggage transfer between hotels, transfers from San Sebastian to first hotel in Hondarribia, taxi on final day from Guernika to Bilbao or San Sebastian, Information Pack with detailed route descriptions and maps.

Not included: flights, insurance, optional taxis to shorten route, dinner on 4 nights, drinks with dinner, transfers from Biarritz or Bilbao (which are available at a supplement).

Start this walk on the day and date of your choice (not Tuesdays).

For a factsheet on Walking the Camino de Santiago click here.

Travel

There are a number of travel options to reach the first night’s accommodation on the Camino route.
The nearest and most convenient airports to fly to, in order of distance, are San Sebastian, Biarritz and Bilbao.

San Sebastian Airport, Train Station or Hotel

Upon arrival at San Sebastian airport we offer a free transfer service. You will be met at the airport and driven directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia.

Equally you can arrive by train and will be met at the train station or be met at your San Sebastian Hotel if already in the city, and taken directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia.

Biarritz Airport

From Biarritz airport you can book a private taxi transfer directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia. It takes roughly 40 minutes. This is priced at £45 per person for 2 people, £30 per person for 3 people, and £22.50 per person for 4 people.

The other option is to take a local bus direct from Biarritz Airport terminal to San Sebastian bus station. This costs approximately €8 per person, takes roughly 50 minutes and 5 buses run per day. Times can be checked at www.pesa.net

From San Sebastian bus station we offer a free transfer service. You will be met at the station and taken directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia.

Bilbao Airport

From Bilbao Airport you can book a private taxi transfer directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia. It takes roughly 1 hour. This is priced at £95 per person for 2 people, £63 per person for 3 people, and £47.50 per person for 4 people.

The other options is to take a local bus direct from Bilbao Airport terminal or Bilbao centre to San Sebastian bus station. This costs approximately €17 per person, takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes and there are hourly buses. Times can be checked at www.pesa.net

From San Sebastian bus station we offer a free transfer service. You will be met at the station and taken directly to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia.

Self-Driving

If you will be arriving by car, you can make your way to San Sebastian. You will be met by our local guide Javier who will take you to a place to leave your car during your trip. He will then transfer you for free to the first night’s hotel in Hondarribia.