Camino del Norte Day 6: Gernika to Bilbao via Lezama

Leaving Gernika this morning I reflected on the tragic losses this symbol of Basque freedom has endured. Bombed mercilessly by Hitler’s and Mussolini’s forces at the request of Francisco Franco who at the time was trying to overturn the Second Spanish Republic.
With that dark history behind it was time to start climbing, again. It was a tranquil up and down day with lots of mud and slippery rocks on the trail. Once in Lezama 13 miles later I took what will be my first of three “cheat” days on the Camino. In this case I cut the last 6 miles (11K) into Bilbao by taking a bus, thereby avoiding a hard industrial slog and allowing myself to arrive early enough to enjoy a magnificent afternoon in this incredible city.

[@granontour]

I took a bus from Gernika to Bilbao