Camino Del Norte | Camino My Way

On the Camino del Norte, Bilbao to Cruces, Spain

September 22, 2016 — Leave a comment

I often get asked what sections that a pilgrim may want to bypass during their walk on the Camino del Norte. Although I don’t advise missing any of the Camino, the stretch west of Bilbao has kilometers of urban sprawl and pavement through the suburb of Cruces. You can also skip one morning climb if you stayed at the municipal albergue and two if you stayed downtown.

I left my last post, On the Camino del Norte in Bilbao, Spain, in well…. Bilbao, Spain. I arrived exhausted to the municipal albergue and was lucky to get one of the last beds. After a good dinner with fellow pilgrims, and some much-needed rest, I was off early with our small group.

The Camino was very quiet here as many pilgrims took the bus to Cruces, Portugalete, or even further. I walked the Camino and this first section was actually quite enjoyable….

On the Camino del Norte in Bilbao, Spain

July 17, 2016 — 2 Comments

Although I was happy to be no longer climbing Monte Avril, the long first few days on the Camino del Norte, mostly in the heat, had really taken it’s toll. I was sick and felt like laying in the shade under a tree in the park that the Camino passed through as we began to descend into Bilbao. I kept going, as other members in my group weren’t feeling well either. Similar to other Camino cities, the municipal albergue was still a long walk away.

I left my last post, On the Camino del Norte, Lezama to Bilbao, Spain, overlooking Bilbao. If you’re tired or not feeling well, the climb along the Camino up Monte Avril can be bypassed by either walking along the lower main road or even taking a bus from one of the suburbs. Let’s continue into the city, one I had been looking forward to seeing.

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On the Camino del Norte, Lezama to Bilbao, Spain

March 5, 2016 — Leave a comment

You have a choice if you’re walking the Camino del Norte west of Lezama. Should you climb Monte Avril or take the lower route along the highway? Even easier is the bus that connects Lezama, Zamudio, and Bilbao. Since I was determined to walk the Camino, bypassing on an easier route or taking the bus wasn’t an option. If you choose to climb Monte Avril, ahead of you is about 300 meters of elevation gain along a road which completely wore me out on a hot Summer’s afternoon.

I left my last post, On the Camino del Norte, Pepiena to Lezama, Spain, just as I entered the town of Lezama with Bilbao just over 11 kilometers away. At the time of writing, Lezama had an albergue, but it was still early for me and I continued on what would be a difficult walk ahead.

The Lezama town hall or ayuntamiento.

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On the Camino del Norte, Pepiena to Lezama, Spain

November 14, 2015 — Leave a comment

After I left Albergue Eskerika in the village of Pepiena, I was greeted by a cute donkey in a field. Well, maybe it wasn’t a greeting, but she looked at me in an inquisitive way. If I only had an apple. I really enjoyed meeting many of the farm animals along the Camino and they helped brighten my days when I wasn’t feeling well!

I left my last post, On the Camino del Norte, Guernica to Pepiena, Spain, at Albergue Eskerika, about 8 kilometers and a steep climb west of Guernica. I had a pleasant sleep but it was very odd having an entire dorm with about 25 beds to myself. I hope more pilgrims utilize the albergue and keep the owner in business (it was open at the time of writing but always check prior to arriving).

Now, let’s visit the donkey. Good morning!

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On the Camino del Norte, Guernica to Pepiena, Spain

September 18, 2015 — Leave a comment

It was getting late in the afternoon in the Basque town of Guernica and I had to make a decision. The main albergue was full and I had to choose if I wanted to stay at another that was “packed” with just a bed or two available, or climb the hill to another over 10 kilometers away. There was an albergue in the rural village of Pepiena, but if that was full, I could be in some trouble with a lack of daylight and energy. I’ll make a decision soon, but wait! Our visit to Guernica is not over yet!

I left my last post, On and Off the Camino del Norte in Guernica, Spain, at the Church of Santa Maria after a very touching and inspiring walk around this modern, historically important town. Here is one of the lesser know churches, the Iglesia y Convento de Santa Clara. I can’t seem to find any information online.

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On and Off the Camino del Norte in Guernica, Spain

July 30, 2015 — Leave a comment

In January of 1937, the Republican government, then mired in the Spanish Civil War against the Nationalists led by General Francisco Franco, commissioned renowned Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, to paint a large mural to be displayed at the 1937 World’s Fair in Paris. Picasso, who had left Spain in 1934 and not returned, had toiled with different ideas for the mural, and abandoned his initial project when he heard of a significant Spanish and World history changing-event.

The 26th of April, 1937 was a market day in the Basque town of Guernica (Gernika in Basque and officially Gernika-Lumo) but this day would be like no other in its long history. At 16:30, air forces led by the Condor Legion of the German Luftwaffe with support from Mussolini’s Italian air legion, began an assault that would last three hours, and destroy or severely damage almost every building in Guernica. Although the number of dead has been debated for years, it is now accepted to be between 200 and 300 with many more being injured.

Why did the bombing of Guernica happen? From the perspective of Franco’s Spanish Nationalist government, it intended to demoralized and break the Basque people and the Republicans. It may be arguable, but Hitler and the military of Nazi Germany were not only looking to complete a favour for their ally, General Francisco Franco, but were looking for somewhere to “practice.” Hitler and the Nazis wanted to test and hone their new method of carpet bombing that would later be used in Russia and throughout Europe in World War II.