how difficult is the section Irun to Bilbao?

[Bem48]

Hi there,
I was told the first section on the "del Norte" between Irun and Bilbao
is one of the toughest one. How could you compare it to the more strenuous
sections on the "frances"? Like over the Pyrenees, or Foncebadon or O Cebreiro ???
What daily km-average could one expect comfortably on this section?
I have close to 5 weeks to walk from Irun to SdC in May-midJune this year.
Is this enough and no need to hurry or to take short cuts to make it in time???
Are there any short cuts possible, say sections you could cover by bus/train and not
missing anything ???

Thanks for your replies
Bem in Sydney

[valleyo]

Bem,

I have completed Camino Frances starting from SJPP to Santiago, and also walked Camino del Norte from Irun to Villaviciosa, where I took a turn to walk towards Oviedo and from there followed Camino Primitivo. So I don't know all of the Camino Norte. But I know the first 500 km or so.
Bem, if you have walked over the Pyrenees from SJPP to Roncesvalles (especially if you did it in one day), I don't see any troubles for you on the Basque part of del Norte.
Just to compare the numbers: The altitude of the Pyrenees pass, on the way to Roncesvalles, as well as O'Cebreiro is about 1300 m, while the highest point on the Basque part of del Norte, before Bilbao, is about 500 m.
The views during the first stages from Irun are breathtaking.
5 weeks should be just right for completing the entire Camino del Norte. This is what it took me to get from Irun to Santiago walking the Norte/Primitivo combination.

Buen Camino!

[cosmocavan]

There is a great website that takes you across the Del Norte. The info is in spanish but if you use google you can get the page translator to work. If not, just scroll down the pages of the stages and you will see the elevations. They may not be high but they are many. I am looking forward to working up a sweat on this one! Here's the link El Camino del Norte | Guía del Camino de Santiago | EROSKI CONSUMER
Bev

[arturo]

Hello!
Question was asked long ago, I see. Today I walked the stage from Irun to San sebastian-Donostia. After climbing the mountain to the sanctuary of Guadelupe the route will split in two. The trail straight ahead is marked for the alpinists pilgroms, the road to the left is marked "for all others". People who started with me turned left and found the road pleasant and easy one. I climed the "alpine" trail and this was a bit hard for me. The narrow trail (sometime disappearing at all) leads from one mountaine top to the other. You will be rewarded with beautiful sights: valleay at your left and blue sea at your right.
After crossing the river by boat in San Juan you´ll find the same option - right road of good quality will bring you to the sea, with notable chnge of altitude, and the left road will offer a shortcut to San Sebastian.