A five-day walk along Spain’s northern coast from San Sebastián to Bilbao.

Sometimes the photos tell the story better than words. These are my original trail notes from each day, paired with the route and statistics.

DAY 1

San Sebastián → Zarautz

Trail Stats

• Distance: 14.66 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,034 ft
• Moving Time: 4:47:29
• Average Speed: 3.1 mph
• Steps: 31,788

Trail Notes

really cool stops where the spaniards fed us juice and coffee. Walked through a couple towns, got some calamari, finished in Zarautz where we got to go surfing!!

-rolling sets 2 ft. Quite lovely. Clear blue water.

PHOTO COLLAGE — DAY 1

DAY 2

Zarautz → Deba

Trail Stats

• Distance: 14.31 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,520 ft
• Moving Time: 4:42:22
• Average Speed: 3.0 mph
• Steps: 31,550

Trail Notes

okay lit that’s it camino.

hard that it was 95 degrees and no shade on trail.

blisters also not great.

sangria and beach at end made it all okay.

PHOTO COLLAGE — DAY 2

DAY 3

Deba → Markina-Xemein

Trail Stats

• Distance: 15.14 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,087 ft
• Moving Time: 5:00:00

Trail Notes

so good!!!

lots of natural trail with shade.

froze my water before starting.

10/10 recommend.

Quinn good conversationalist.

PHOTO COLLAGE — DAY 3

DAY 4

Markina-Xemein → Gernika

Trail Stats

• Distance: 17.26 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,671 ft
• Moving Time: 5:34:24
• Average Speed: 3.1 mph
• Steps: 38,074

Trail Notes

if yesterday was Tahoe with cows and horses, today was Florida with bugs and muggy heat.

i daydreamed for four hours.

then got an Aperol Spritz.

then finished it.

bad blisters.

other than that 10/10.

PHOTO COLLAGE — DAY 4

DAY 5

Gernika → Bilbao

Trail Stats

• Distance: 21.72 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,402 ft
• Moving Time: 6:34:49
• Average Speed: 3.3 mph
• Steps: 45,916

Trail Notes

10/10: bc camino!

0/10: bc 100 degree heat.

3 snakes.

jungle section.

peacocks.

then 6 mile of highway.

legs are finally shot.

PHOTO COLLAGE — DAY 5