Place to visit
Northern Way, Spain: what it is and when to go
The Basque section of the coastal Camino de Santiago, between the border at Irun and the boundary with Cantabria. It alternates clifftops, beaches and climbs past farmsteads, with more ascent than the Meseta even though the stages are short. It's waymarked with yellow arrows and is one of the most scenic routes. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October. In June there are 15 h 12 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain · Hiking
- Where
- Spain
- Best time
- April to June and September to October.
- Nearest airport
- MAD Madrid, 326 km as the crow flies
- Trail network
- National
- Coordinates
- 43.30706, -2.46831
What you will see here
- The start from Irun towards Mount Jaizkibel, with the sea on one side
- San Sebastián and the walk past La Concha
- The flysch between Deba and Zumaia
- Markina, Gernika and the descent towards Bilbao
There are fewer hostel beds than on the Camino Francés and the villages are further apart: book the next day's stage rather than counting on finding a place when you arrive.
What it is and where
Northern Way is a cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain (Bilbao).
Camino del Norte in Basque Country
It is in Bilbao, where this site lists 149 more places to see, 38 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 43.30706, -2.46831; the nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD, Madrid), 326 km as the crow flies. How to get around Spain (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Trail network
- National
It is one of the Hiking places in Spain. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Northern Way is April to June and September to October.
Summer is the busiest season and the hottest on the climbs; in winter it rains a lot, the dirt sections get muddy and many places to stay close.
- JanPossible9:08
- FebPossible10:17
- MarPossible11:39
- AprBest time13:12
- MayBest time14:30
- JunBest time15:12
- JulPossible14:54
- AugPossible13:47
- SepBest time12:17
- OctBest time10:47
- NovPossible9:27
- DecPossible8:48
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 15 h 12 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Spain in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Spain
To enter Spain there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Spain checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Lea-Artibaiko bazterrakHiking772 m
- GoikolauCave3.0 km
- Variante de KobakoganeHiking4.1 km
- Variante de Barroeta y ArretxinagaHiking4.4 km
- SaturraranBeach and women prison in Spain4.9 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Spain guide.
More in Spain: Hiking
- Camino de Santiago: Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Vía de la Plata: ancient commercial and pilgrimage path
- French Way: pilgrims' way, part of Santiago Way
- E3 European long distance path: walking path
- Northern Way: cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain
- E9 European long distance path: walking path, Europe
Every Spain place under Hiking, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Way?
It is a cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain.
When is the best time to visit Northern Way?
April to June and September to October. In June there are 15 h 12 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48.
How do you get to Northern Way?
The nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), 326 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Spain is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Spain map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Lea-Artibaiko bazterrak, Goikolau, Variante de Kobakogane. The rest is in the Spain guide.
Keep reading
- Bilbao149 places to see in and around Bilbao, Spain: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Vizcaya Bridge, Bilbao Cathedral. Best time: April to June and September to October.
- Hiking4310 places for hiking in Spain, from Camino de Santiago to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to June and September to October. Each with its own season by al
- SpainBefore travelling to Spain: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For visitors from the EU there are no entry formalities: a valid ID card or passport is e…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Northern Way on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.