twooldsolesblog

May 4, 2026 – Bilbao to Portugalete (Getxo)

We are two old souls – though not quite old enough to stop wandering.
In our early 60s, we’ve learned that the best journeys aren’t the easiest ones. We love walking, we love getting a little lost , and we love seeing the world at a pace that actually lets us feel it.

A year and a half ago, we set out on our first Camino. We didn’t really know what we were getting into – just that we wanted something different. Something beyond the usual “sit by the pool, drink in hand, watch the days blur together” kind of trip.

What we found instead was something quieter and deeper. Long days on our feet. Conversations that wandered as much as we did. Moments of reflection we didn’t expect – but probably needed.

And once you’ve had that kind of experience, it’s hard to go back.

So here we are – Still walking, still curious, still choosing adventure over ease. Not because it’s always comfortable, but because it feels more alive.

Two Old Soles Blog is where we share those journeys: the miles, the missteps, the laughter, and the small meaningful moments in between.

We’re not exerts. We’re not influencers. We’re just two women who decided it’s not too late to keep exploring.

And we’re glad you’re here.

4o,334 steps – 26.47 km

We stepped out of Bilbao this morning… straight into three solid hours of rain. Out came the ponchos – the full, Camino-style ones that cover both you and your backpack. Not exactly a fashion statement but incredibly effective.

And then came the terrain…what we walked through today are often casually called “hills,” but that feels like a bit of an understatement. This stretch passes through the Basque Mountains, with elevations reaching several hundred meters and some peaks in the area pushing close to 1,000 meters. So, technically, we were very much in mountain territory…and our legs fully agree.

The climbs came early and didn’t really let up. Wet paths, steady elevation, and that quiet realization that this Camino isn’t easing us in – it’s getting straight to the point.

But in between the effort, there were those moments. The kind that make you stop for a second (partly to admire the view, partly to catch your breath). Everything was intensely green, almost unreal.

Somewhere along the way, we crossed the line into “this is a l-o-n-g day.” Over 40,000 steps and 26 1/2 km later (only 1 missed sign), the energy had shifted. What started as excitement became determination. Every step took effort. By the time we reached Portugalete we were running on willpower more than anything else.

And then we saw the bridge. The Vizcaya Bridge – a massive iron structure stretching across the river, Impossible to miss and somehow even more impressive up close. It’s not just any bridge – it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest transporter bridge in the world, still in operation.

We took the suspended platform across the river and arrived in Getxo. From there, it was just enough to get to where we were staying for the night. We had a small meal (which felt like a feast), added dessert because it felt necessary, and called it a day. Tired, a little sore, and ready for tomorrow.