Camino del Norte – Time Travel

I did the Camino Francais in 2016. One of the towns one has to cross is Melide, about 2 days before Santiago de Compostella. Melide is also a junction where another Camino joins in: Camino del Norte. It leads along the Spanish North Coast and the few pilgrims I met in Melide all were enthusiastic about the beauty of that route. The seed was planted.

My daughter Sara came up from South Africa in August 2018 to join me for the first two weeks. All together it took about 33 days.

There are two versions of the “Norte“,
the “Classic”:

And the “Primitivo”:

One difference is the mountain profile towards the junction in Melide. The Primitivo has more to climb and is a little more challenging. This one we choose.

The table shows the stages we walked with some details.

Day 0, Friday, 17.08.2018,
Vienna – Berlin – Biarritz by air
– Hendaya by train
– IRUN on foot.

Day 1, Saturday, 18.08.2018
Irun – Hondarriba – San Sebastian, 33 km, 8,3 h

Day 2, Sunday, 19.08.2018
San Sebastian – Zarautz – Getaria, 25 km, 6,3 h

Day 3, Monday, 20.08.2018
Getaria – Zumaia – Deba, 20 km, 5 h

Day 4, Tuesday, 21.08.2018
Deba – Arnope – Markina Xemein, 25 km, 6,3 h

Day 5, Wednesday, 22.08.2018
Markina Xemein – Munitibar – Gernika, 25 km, 6,3 h

Day 6, Thursday, 23.08.2018
Gernika – Larrabetsu – Lezema, 20 km, 5 h

Day 7, Friday, 24.08.2018
Lezema – BILBAO, 18 km , 4,5 h

Day 8, Saturday, 25.08.2018
BILBAO – Pobena – Castro Urdiales, 36 km , 9 h

Day 9, Sunday, 26.08.2018
Castro Urdiales – Liendo – Laredo, 23 km , 5,8 h

Today a pleasant group of pilgrims formed itself as it happens often on a camino. It makes such an undertaking so special and creates fond memories. Walking on the beach was always a welcome cooling for the feet and we needed that, because shortly after that we had to climb quite a steep hill. The breathtaking views and foremost the accomplishment as a fine team was a great reward. The team spirit continued even to prepare dinner together and have lots of fun thereafter…

Day 10, Monday, 27.08.2018
Laredo – Noja – Guemes, 31 km , 7,8 h

Day 11, Tuesday, 28.08.2018
Guemes – Santander, 15 km , 3,8 h

I visited Santander by car after my first Camino. So I knew that a special place is waiting for us.

Day 12, Wednesday, 29.08.2018
Santander – Boo de Pielagos, 25 km , 6,3 h

Day 13, Thursday, 30.08.2018
Boo de Pielagos – Santillana del Mar, 24 km , 6,0 h

Day 14, Friday, 31.08.2018
Santillana del Mar – Cobreces, 12 km, 3,0 h

When I discovered that the route of this Camino leads to the “Caves of Altamira” I was very pleased. The cave paintings are about 40.000 years old and unbelievable beautiful. Science still wonders about the artistic and intellectual skills of the people of that time.