Buen Camino!

Welcome to my stage-by-stage walking guides of the Camino del Norte, a stunning 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain.

New to the Camino? Check out all my Camino posts or view the list of Camino del Norte stages.

Stage 1: San Sebastian to Getaria

Overview

Highlights & Challenges

Route

Summary

Accommodations

Tips

STAGE 1: San Sebastian - Getaria

DISTANCE 16 mi | 25.7 km

SCENERY Ocean, fields, mostly road walking

ALBERGUE Hostel Txalupa

ELEVATION ↑ 3360 ft, ↓ 3305 ft

Basque scenery is stunning

The beach at Zarautz is a great place to rest

CHALLENGES

At 16 miles, it was a long first day but it was do-able

View route map on Gaia GPS

Technically, the Camino del Norte starts in Irun. That said, my walk started in the center of San Sebastian, a city 16 miles west of Irun. At the time, I didn’t want to take a bus from San Sebastian (where I arrived from Barcelona) to get to Irun, only to walk back to San Sebastian. I’m happy with my decision, but if I were granted a do-over, I’d seriously consider starting in Irun. It’s a little silly to bus somewhere only to walk back to where you started, but if we’re going to walk 500 miles across Spain, we may as well tack on 16 miles and start at the true beginning.

But back to San Sebastian.

From San Sebastian’s city center, I walked along the two mile boardwalk to the wooded outskirts of town at the base of Igeldo (coordinates here). The trail continues uphill and eventually you emerge into the open, walking beside pastures perched above the ocean. As you approach Orio, the way meanders through bright green hilly fields. In Orio, it may be tempting to eat at the first place you see⏤and you’ll be hungry, so I the temptation is warranted⏤but I recommend continuing to the plaza for more options and better ambiance.

Zarautz is the next city and the way there is beautiful. It is filled with fields of ferns and ocean vistas and the freshest of air. The descent soon plops you into Zarautz and straight to the beach. It’s a nice spot to rest, even to stick your feet in the ocean (highly recommend) before finishing up the day. The next two miles between here and Getaria are all on cement but it hugs the coastline so they view is makes up for it.

Hostel Txalupa

A fantastic, clean and centrally-located albergue. The restaurant next door offers a hearty pilgrim meal, too. My recommendation for your first night.

→ Book Hostel Txalupa here

LOCATION City center

BED Bunk with curtain

COST €30 (includes linens, towel)

Other Options

• Basque country is more expensive. Prices go down as you walk, but here you can expect to pay a little more.

• Book ahead. If staying at Hostel Txalupa, consider reserving ahead of time so that you don’t feel rushed on day one (or two if you start in Irun).