
Stage 6 · Camino del Norte
Gernika Lumo → Lezama
About this stage
Gernika Lumo to Lezama · 20 km · up 590 m, down 600 m
A moderate stage through the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, the most important wetland in the Basque Country, formed by the Oka River estuary. The route passes through dense forest and small Basque hamlets, crossing Monte Bilikario and passing the hermitages of Santa Lucia (in the Zallo neighbourhood) and San Esteban de Gerekiz.
The walking is predominantly through forest, with the Urdaibai Reserve providing rich birdlife and a lush green canopy. The route is well-waymarked and the terrain is rolling without extreme climbs.
Lezama is a small town with architecture reflecting its medieval seignorial past: the Casa Consistorial, the Ermita de San Antolin, and the Torre de Lezama are notable. The Humilladero del Santo Cristo is also worth visiting. Services are limited but adequate for an overnight stop. Tomorrow's short stage brings you into Bilbao.
Terrain: Forested hills, rural paths, some paved roads, village streets
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Gernika Lumo
townThe symbolic heart of Basque identity, tragically bombed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and immortalised by Picasso's famous painting. Home to the ancient Oak of Gernika and the Basque assembly house.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
- 5.5km
Pozueta
villageA small rural village in the Basque municipality of Muxika, set in the green hills of Bizkaia along the route connecting the Basque interior to the coast.
View town guideRestaurantCafe - 7kmView town guide
Gerekiz
hamlet - 15.6km
- 16.4km

- 19.8km

Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
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Planning the Camino del Norte?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Gernika Lumo. Choosing is never booking.
