Gernika to Lezama
A short but mountainous stage crossing the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve through constant climbs and descents.
Best season: Year-round, though outside summer it's worth planning accommodation ahead due to limited open hostels
Map
- Gernika
- Lezama
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
Does not include access from the track to: Lezama.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Gernika to Lezama is 19.8 km along the Camino del Norte. It's stage 6, with 520 m of ascent and 480 m of descent, completed in about 5 h. Difficulty: Moderate.
Mountains inside the Biosphere Reserve
Right after leaving Gernika, the stage faces its biggest challenge: the climb up Mount Billikario, almost 300 meters of elevation gain in just 3 kilometers. It's a demanding start that sets the tone for the whole day, with a ridge-like profile alternating climbs and descents along mid-mountain tracks.
The route runs entirely within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, one of the best-preserved natural areas in the Basque Country, walking alongside streams and Atlantic woodland. Despite the broken profile, the total distance is short, which lets you complete the stage without excessive difficulty.
The final stretch, from Goikolexea to Lezama, is practically flat, a welcome rest after several hours of ridge walking. Lezama is a tiny hamlet, so it's worth having your accommodation plan clear before arriving, especially outside the summer season.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
A steep climb up Mount Billikario at the start (300 m in 3 km), then a ridge profile of climbs and descents until the flat final stretch.
Landscape
Atlantic woodland and mid-mountain pastures within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Path type
Dirt tracks and a well-marked mountain trail, with the occasional paved stretch.
Villages
A sparsely populated stage, with scattered farmsteads before reaching Lezama.
Water points
Limited in the mountain section; leave Gernika with an adequate supply.
Shade
Good in the wooded sections, scarce in the open pasture areas.
Traffic
Very low, typical of the Biosphere Reserve's rural tracks.
Key fact
Lezama has almost no accommodation outside summer: the pilgrim hostel only opens from June 1 to September 30.
Staying in Lezama
Lezama is a tiny hamlet with very limited options.
Lezama Pilgrim Hostel
20 beds, no booking, open only from June 1 to September 30.
Eating in Lezama
Food options are very limited; it's best to carry supplies from Gernika.
The village bar
The local reference point, though with limited hours outside season.
Stock up before setting out
Gernika is the last town with a wide range of shops and restaurants before the mountain section.
Historic stops on this stage
Mount Billikario
The stage's most demanding climb, with views over the Urdaibai valley from its 300-meter ascent.
Urdaibai
One of the Basque Country's most valuable protected natural areas, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1984.
Make the most of the stretch inside the Biosphere Reserve to spot Urdaibai's biodiversity: it's one of the richest birdwatching areas along the entire Cantabrian coast.
How to get there and back
If you're starting here: Gernika has a Euskotren station with good connections to Bilbao.
If you need to return from Lezama: the most practical option is to continue to Bilbao, the next stage, which has all transport connections.
What you should know before this stage
Stock up in Gernika
Services in Lezama are minimal; buy what you need before setting out.
Plan accommodation ahead
Outside June-September, Lezama's hostel closes and there is no municipal alternative anywhere in Bizkaia before Bilbao.
Save energy for the start
The climb up Mount Billikario concentrates most of the stage's effort in the first 3 km.
Don't ruin this stage
Not checking accommodation in Lezama
Outside high season, many pilgrims are forced to continue on to Bilbao due to a lack of beds.
Underestimating the ridge profile
Even though the distance is short, the accumulated elevation change from climbs and descents makes this stage tougher than it looks on paper.
Setting out without supplies from Gernika
Lezama has almost no services; don't count on finding everything you need on arrival.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you want to know before this stage
How many kilometers are there from Gernika to Lezama?
Is this stage hard?
Is there accommodation in Lezama year-round?
What is the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve?
Are there services along the way between Gernika and Lezama?
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Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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