Ray's 2026-04 Camino Norte

x miles, 32 days

April 2026

Finished with the Camino Portugués litoral, I took a high-speed train from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid

Then another train from Madrid to San Sebastián

Arriving San Sebastián, I checked in to the Downtown River Hostel then walked a few blocks to grab dinner at Goiko's.

Day 1

April 3, 2026

From San Sebastian, bus to Hendaye and hike back to San Sebastian

Early morning, I'm walking to the bus station to catch the first bus headed for Hendaye, France, where I will begin my trek of the Camino Norte.

The bus station was underground, and there I found a vending machine that happened to sell what I had been looking for - a small, lightweight power bank.

Just the thing for charging my phone in the late afternoon when the phone's battery was giving out, just when I needed it most - to find the next albergue. It clips to the bottom of the phone, making an extension of the phone itself. Only 15 euros and has the proper Lightning connection. What a find!

Bus ticket

The bus let me off close to the border, in Hendaye, France. And there I began my trek of the Camino Norte. The day's goal was follow the Norte back to San Sebastian.

About to walk across the border bridge over the Bidasoa river.

My first yellow arrow, verifying that I'm on route.

More yellow arrows leading into the Spanish city of Irun

First shards of daylight as the route leads along the waterfront.

I'm carrying a very light-weight backpack as I left most of my gear in a locker back in the San Sebastián Hostel.

Back at San Sebastian, stay at the Downtown River Hostel

Day 2

April 4, 2026

San Sebastian to Zarautz

Zarautz, stayed at Zarautz Hostel

Day 3

April 5, 2026

Zarautz to Mardari

Mardari, stayed at Erlete Goika

Day 4

April 6, 2026

Mardari to Laranga

In Laranga, stayed at Casa Rural Pikua

Day 5

April 7, 2026

Laranga to Markina-Xemein

In Markina-Xemein, stayed at Albergue Casa Rural Intxauspe

Day 6

April 8, 2026

Markina to Gernika

In Gernika, stayed at Akellare Ostatua Hotel

Day 7

April 9, 2026

Rest day in Gernika

In Gernika, stayed at Akellare Ostatua Hotel

Day 8

April 10, 2026

Gernika to Bilbao

In Bilbao, stayed at Albergue All Iron

Day 9

April 11, 2026

Bilbao to Pobena

In Pobena, stayed at Pobena Donativo

Day 10

April 12, 2026

Pobena to Castro Urdiales

In Castro Urdiales, stayed at Pension La Mar

Day 11

April 13, 2026

Castro Urdiales to Laredo

in Laredo, stayed at Hostel Bajamar

Day 12

April 14, 2026

Laredo to Guemes

In Guemes, stayed at Albergue La Cabana del Abuelo Puerto (Donativo)

Day 13

April 16, 2026

Guemes to Boo de Pielagos

In Boo de Pielagos, stayed at Apartamentos Dunas de Liencres

Day 14

April 17, 2026

Boo de Pielagos to Santillana Del Mar

In Santillana Del Mar, stayed at Albergue El Convento (liked)

Day 15

April 17, 2026

San Vicente de Braquera to San Vincente de Braquera

In San Vicente de Braquera, stayed at Hotel Canton

Day 16

April 18, 2026

San Vicente de Braquera to Pendueles

16.7 miles to Pendueles, stayed at Albergue Aves de Paso (Donativo)

Day 17

April 19, 2026

Pendueles to Pineres de Pria

20.6 miles to Pineres de Pria, stayed at Alburgue La Llosa de Cosme

Day 18

April 20, 2026

Pineres de Pria to Colunga

18.8 miles to Colunga, stayed at Hotel Villa de Colunga

Day 19

April 21, 2026

Colunga to Villaviciosa

10.8 miles to Villaviciosa, stayed at Albergue Villaviciosa (liked)

Day 20

April 22, 2026

Villaviciosa to Gijon

18.5 miles to Gijon, stayed at Hostal Gijon Central, private room

Day 21

April 23, 2026

Gijon to San Martin de Laspra

18.2 miles to San Martin de Laspra, stayed at Casina San Martin (Donativo)

Day 22

April 24, 2026

San Martin de Laspra to El Rellayo

16 miles to El Rellayo, stayed at Hotel Casa Fernando II. Private room

Day 23

April 25, 2026

El Rellayo to Cadavedo

18.2 miles to Cadavedo, stayed at Albergue de peregrinos Cadavedo

Day 24

April 26, 2026

Cadavedo to Pinera

18.5 miles to Pinera, stayed at Albergue de peregrinos Pinera

Day 25

April 27, 2026

Pinera to Valdepares

12 miles to Valdepares, stayed at Pension Casa Rego private room

Day 26

April 28, 2026

Valdepares to Vilela

Vilela, stayed at Albergue A Pena

Day 27

April 29, 2026

Vilela to Vilanova de Lourenza

13.1 miles to Vilanova de Lourenza, stayed at Albergue Castelos Lourenza

Day 29

May 1, 2026

Vilanova de Lourenza to A Coruna (bus ride)

Bus ride to A Coruna (Leaves at 8:56 am), stay at Plaza Motel

Day 30

May 2, 2026

Rest day at A Coruna

Rest day at Plaza Motel in A Coruna

Day 31

May 3, 2026

A Coruna to Porto (bus ride)

Bus ride to Porto, stayed at "Stay Hotel Porto Aeroporto", close to Porto Airport

Day 32

May 4, 2026

Rest day at Porto

Rest day in Porto, "Stay Hotel Porto Aeroporto"

Day 33

May 5, 2026

Flight home