Deba - Markina-Xemein Day 4

Markina-Xemein

We said good bye to the coast and headed for the interior of Vizcaya. We climbed over the Callodo de Arno about 500 feet higher then Deba where we spent the night. We passed thru forested hills on footpaths that were very wet and slippery. The last 2k are rocky and steep.

We booked a place to stay tonight at an unlisted albergue-casa rural which was posted in the Deba Alberque, George in a dorm room and Stu and I in a private room. There were over 45 walkers at the Deba albergue last night so we are calling ahead to book a bed whenever we can. The alberque told us to call when we arrived at the football field in Markina-Xemein. We called and were picked up. The driver took us to the Church of the Assumption built in the 11th century around three megalithic stones and then to the lovely albergue. Markina-Xemein was built around a Fort. It enjoyed little peace because of Napoleon, the Carlist Wars and the Spanish American War.

We had a splendid dinner that was prepared at the albergue. At our table was Joe, a Dutchman, that had bicycled along the coast from Holland. Joining him was Willamina and Anthony who were also from Hollland.

The walk to Markina was strenuous but fantastically beautiful. This is the way to see the Basque Country and Spain. You best be prepared before you take the Norte. Initially, It has lots of steep ups and downs and often no choice to go less then 20k.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stu uses MotionX-GPS on the iPhone and is sharing with you the following track:

Name:		Markina Xemein
Date:		May 17, 2013 6:13 am
Map: (valid until Nov 14, 2013)		View on Map
Distance:		23.5 kilometers
Elapsed Time:		5:55:07
Avg Speed:		4.0 km/h
Max Speed:		8.5 km/h
Avg Pace:		15' 05" per km
Min Altitude:		0 m
Max Altitude:		499 m
Start Time:		2013-05-17T04:13:13Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43º 17' 35" N
	Longitude:	2º 21' 10" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43º 16' 31" N
	Longitude:	2º 29' 40" W

 

Posted via Blogsy