Camino del Norte | Stage 3: Ibiri to Markina

 
 
Exterior of Spanish home with shutters and red flowers

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 3: Ibiri to Markina

Overview

Highlights & Challenges

Route

Summary

Accommodations

Tips



 

Overview

Stage 3: Ibiri to Markina

DISTANCE 13 mi | 20.9 km

SCENERY Countryside with mountain views

ALBERGUE Albergue Intxasupe

ELEVATION ↑ 1690 ft, ↓ 2245 ft

Graph of elevation profile

View elevation profile on Gaia GPS

 
 
Hikers walking on paved trail between trees

 

 

Highlights

Walking through the countryside

CHALLENGES

Little shade available

Biting flies

 

 

Route

 
  • Small village with no services available.

View route map on Gaia GPS

 

 

 

Summary

 

Unlike Stage 2, Stage 3 was not my favorite day. It was a hot, unshaded, swampy-air kind of day where my walk consisted of slapping biting flies and navigating minefields of horse poop. To add to it, after leaving the albergue in the morning, I made it about a mile before realizing that I had left my hiking poles behind. Being only Day 3 and about a week of walking from a city, I opted to walk back to get them, adding mileage to an already toasty day. Other than this mishap and the hot weather, Stage 3 had nice countryside views starting around mile 4.

I opted to stay about a mile from Markina, a small town with the usual array of minimal services—restaurant, store, bar. I enjoyed Albergue Intxasupe, a 20-bed accommodation that offers dinner and solitude. My friends opted for the municipal albergue in Markina but were a little late to arrive and ended up sleeping in the hallway on blankets. In my opinion, that’s all part of the experience, but if you want a guaranteed bed, consider reserving a bed at Intxasupe.

View of town in a valley between mountains

 

 

Accommodations

Albergue Intxasupe

Located a short mile out of the main area, Intxasupe is a quiet reprieve. The albergue is a separate building from the inn that is also on the property. Dinner is delicious, as always.

Book Albergue Intaxsupe via email

LOCATION One mile from Markina, no services here

BED Bed in communal room

COST €14

ADD ON Dinner (€11)

Other Options

  • Convento del Carmen Markina: Donativo (basic, in center of town, no reservations)

Albergue Intxasupe

 

 

Tips

  • Start early. The trail is mostly exposed making for a hot walk. It also helps to arrive early if you are looking for a bed at the municipal albergue.

  • Buy snacks before leaving Markina. There are few services and stores along the way the next day. It’s a good idea to stock up on food lest a snack emergency reveals itself.



 
 
 

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