Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino del Norte app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
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The ground behind you: what the walk into Larrabetzu crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Larrabetzu
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lezama | 3.4 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| Zamudio | 5.9 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Bilbao | 13.8 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Larrabetzu to Bilbao |
| Barakaldo | 26.9 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Larrabetzu to Barakaldo |
| Portugalete | 32.9 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Larrabetzu is a small, outspoken village in the Basque fight for independence. Walk through and you'll notice it — the walls are painted with murals, the lampposts are plastered with political banners, and the sentiment is unmistakable. During the Civil War, this area was part of the Cinturón de Hierro (Iron Belt) — a line of trenches and fortified bunkers on the surrounding hillsides designed to defend Bilbao from the Nationalist advance. The defense failed, but the political conviction never waned.
Beyond the politics, it's a pleasant village surrounded by txakoli vineyards. A bar and basic services are available.
San Isidro, the patron of the town, is celebrated on the 15th of May.
The Cinturón de Hierro was a system of fortifications built around Bilbao by the Republican government in 1936-37. The defensive line, which passed through the hills around Larrabetzu, was betrayed when its architect, Captain Alejandro Goicoechea, defected to the Nationalists with the plans. Bilbao fell in June 1937. Remnants of the trenches and bunkers can still be found on the hillsides.
The camino turns right at the entrance to Larrabetzu, leaving the main road behind. In town it turns right and begins to follow a different road directly to Lezama.
9. August 2026 - 17:23
August 9th lunchtime stop with sweetest buzz of locals enjoying Sunday coffee, and watching all us dusty walkers arriving. Carrying on another 7km, feeling refreshed from this friendly stop.
26. May 2024 - 13:49
the lady at the albergue was lovely and the town was quaint and lovely! not many beds though- but if you really beg the lady she has three mayoresses to put on the floor 🫶
20. May 2022 - 15:13
Just arrive in Larrabetzu at 14h30, the albergue is already full (only 11 beds available) and it seems the next albergue in Lezama is close. I found a casa rural near, but most of pilgrims have to take a bus to bilbao and come back tomorrow.
13. October 2019 - 22:13
We stayed one night in the beautiful Casa Rural Miramendi some 2 kilometres past Larrabetzu. Absolutely recomnended, if you want to treat yourself to some luxury along the camino
6. October 2019 - 16:43
As mentioned above, there are several NEW accommodations at the town center. The town itself is lovely and the people are friendly and helpful.
Maybe these pensions and albergues are still under the radar, but they are there and already operating. If we did not have pre booked an room in LEZAMA, we would have stayed here.
1. July 2019 - 12:36
A beautiful spot to stop for the night, but the hospitalario made me and a few others in my group feel uncomfortable. Overly familiar and touchy and discussing women’s bodies.
3. July 2018 - 22:00
Perfect spot for a rest - the town has everything a pilgrim needs and locals are very friendly and helpful. The albergue is clean and welcoming.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
