Camino del Norte: Stage 1 – San Sebastian to Bilbao – 8 Days

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan. Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Additionally, also include back-to-back walks to simulate walking on consecutive days. This helps your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation is notable for its coastal and mountainous landscape, featuring frequent climbs and descents.

TERRAIN - MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

AVAILABILITY

This tour is available from the start of January through to December. Regardless of when you travel, there are often celebrations along the Camino, specific to the individual towns or regions. From Asturias culture and festivals to the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa, walking the Camino is a colourful experience.

THE WALKING

The Camino is a well-trodden route, so the trails are very well-defined for the most part. You will follow an ancient pilgrim trail, and therefore, whilst sections of the walk will take you deep into the picturesque countryside, you will also walk through urban environments and alongside roads, as you follow the truest route possible.

You should be used to walking up to 25km with up to 570m of ascent and descent. On any typical day, you will hike on rocky trails, farm and forest tracks, and cover long sections in the open countryside. You will make sustained climbs to hilltop towns and villages, and across the rolling countryside. You will also walk on some roads, so please be mindful of road users at all times.

A moderately active lifestyle makes walking enjoyable: an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed, in addition to your usual walks. The route is very well waymarked by the iconic scallop-shell markers and with the many other walkers on the trail, it’s very easy to find your way.

For each of the walks, you will be provided with daily walk notes, a map, and the GPX tracks if you wish to use them for your device.

WEATHER

The route runs across northern Spain and through a variety of terrain. During the early and latter part of the season, conditions can be changeable from temperate warm days through to frosty mornings and very cool nights. From May to September, rainy days are less frequent and temperatures are steadily between 20-24 degrees, however, it is possible that you may experience a few cloudy days. See weather averages here.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

The tour starts in San Sebastian. The best way to reach San Sebastian is by air, arriving directly. If you are in Europe, there are many connections by train; Madrid seems to be the simplest or by bus and arrive Estación de Autobuses Donostia/San Sebastián.

From Madrid, it is around a 4-5-hour journey from the main Chamartin train station.

At the end of the trip, it is best to go to Bilbao airport and and fly just about anywhere domestically and anywhere in Europe or travel to Madrid at approximately 5-6 hours by train via Abando Indalecio Prieto main train station.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.