Sleeping in a hostel turns out to be fine if you are tired enough, even though the one I stayed in was more surfers and party goers than hikers, which meant I had to creep out at 7 am because everyone was still asleep, and no breakfast to be had at the hostel – not even coffee! But I was soon rewarded with breathtaking views across the San Sebastián bay, having climbed up the steep hill behind the town through woodruff scented woods.
The whole first day walking was amazing, 22.5 km of hilly and rocky climbs to high above the sea, with great views, and then a steep decent into Orio (didn’t see any biscuits) where I stopped for a beer and tortilla with 3 great women from La Gomera who I linked up with around 11 am. The scenery was a times stunning, including a beautiful view across the bay to Getaria, and it’s strange mouse-shaped island.
Into Zarautz for another hostel night. Nice hostel with remarkably clean bathrooms and a well stocked kitchen. Dinner with a lively Irish bunch in their twenties planning to walk the full Camino in 3o days – that’s five days quicker than my planned itinerary and no rest days!
