Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte (also known as the Northern Way, Coastal Route and Ruta de la Costa)  is in the north of Spain. It covers 817km and crosses four distinct regions: Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. 

Walking the full length of the Camino del Norte (817km) takes about 45 days. Many people choose to walk shorter stages / sections of 7 to 21 days. If you don’t see the exact trip you’re looking for then consider a customised trip, individually tailored to your ideal walking distances, timeframe and rest days.

The Northern Camino de Santiago traditionally starts in Irun, a small town in Northern Spain on the border with France. You can start walking from anywhere along the route depending on how far you want to walk and how much time you have. The most popular starting points are as follows:

• San Sebastian – 808km to Santiago
• Bilbao – 680km to Santiago
• Santander – 556 km to Santiago
• Gijon – 348 km to Santiago
• Ribadeo –195 km to Santiago

For information about getting to and from the Camino del Norte, see our our comprehensive insight, which includes information on international flights, local transport, and recommended routes to get to your chosen starting point.

Here is an overview of the best international airports if you are starting in…

• San Sebastian or Bilbao: Best international airports are Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Paris (CDG / ORY) or Bordeaux (BOD)
• Santander or Gijon: Best international airports are Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN)
• Ribadeo: Best international airports are Madrid (MAD), A Coruna (LCG) or Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
• Ending in Santiago de Compostela: Best departure international airports are Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), A Coruna (LCG) or Madrid (MAD)

For travellers seeking a boost out of industrial cities, breaking up longer walking days, or taking a day’s rest, it’s crucial to know the transportation options available on the Camino del Norte. Public transportation like buses, trains, and taxis can help manage distances and facilitate the journey. Booking local trains can be easily done through websites like the Spanish Railways RENFE or Rail Europe. For bus travel, consider companies like ALSA, FlixBus, and Express Bouricott. Each region may have its own local transport operators, so it’s best to inquire about specific cities or areas for local transportation information. It is advisable to plan ahead and begin the day with a “boost” rather than relying on potentially limited services on the trail later in the day. Please be aware that any additional transport not arranged by RAW Travel will be at your own expense.

While the Camino Francés pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela traverses inland Spain, the Camino del Norte sticks largely to the coast. It is considered more physically demanding than the Camino Frances routes due to its hilly nature, longer walking distances and the variability of the terrain. There are rocky trails and occasional steep ascents and descents, adding an adventurous element to your journey. You’ll also walk through woodlands, meadows and rolling hills – terrain that is less strenuous but still dramatic. See more information under ‘walking stages’ below.

Like the Camino Francés, the route is dotted with architectural gems and sites of historical significance, including cathedrals, monasteries and medieval bridges, each bearing witness to centuries of pilgrimage tradition. The Camino del Norte connects to the Camino Francés in the town of Arzua. For guests who have walked the last 100km of the Camino Francés, this section will be familiar. 

The way-marking along the Camino del Norte is generally good. In parts where the signage is confusing or unclear, you can navigate safely using our exclusive walking app. The route passes through more than 130 villages and towns, so access to food and water is good.

San Sebastian to Bilbao (127km)

The first section from San Sebastian to Bilbao is often on an unpaved trail that makes its way from the coast to the mountains and back again, so you’ll experience an ever-changing landscape with dramatic coastlines, spectacular cliffs, grasslands and forest paths. Hikers should be prepared to tackle numerous ascents and descents each day, sometimes steep, which are guaranteed to get the heart rate racing. We do recommend sturdy footwear and walking poles as you will encounter rugged trails and frequent ascents and descents, that can be very slippery especially after rain. 

Bilbao to Santander (117km)

This second stage features transitions from the Basque country into Cantabria and involves some long walking days often with frequent ascents and descents. There are some options to break down distances and/or shorten some walking days, so this stage is arguably less strenuous than the first stage. Once you have navigated out of Bilbao’s urban areas you can enjoy more peaceful coastal and rural paths, and on many days there are various trail options you can choose between, depending on your sense of adventure, fitness levels, and the weather.

Santander to Gijon (220km)

This third stage is through Spain’s beautiful ‘green coast’ or Costa Verde – from Cantabria into Asturias province. Outside Santader’s suburban sprawl, the Camino del Norte’s country paths and seaside tracks are largely quiet and provide pilgrims with a pleasant walking experience, although due care should be taken on narrow paths and especially in more rugged inland and coastal areas. Some long distances and steep ascents and descents will present hikers on this section with a physical challenge. 

Gijon to Ribadeo (153km)

Much of the walking on the fourth stage is along coastal paths that vary from well-maintained to rugged and uneven. As you move inland from the coast, you’ll encounter hilly areas. The terrain can be steep and challenging, especially during ascents and descents. The sections through wooded areas offer shade and a more serene walking experience, but the paths are often narrower and more rugged. This section concludes in the coastal town of Ribadeo in the province of Lugo, Galicia.

Ribadeo to Santiago (195km)

On this final stretch of the Camino del Norte you’ll find yourself walking inland through Galicia’s farmland and lush rolling countryside. The scenery is nothing short of enchanting and provides a peaceful backdrop for your pilgrimage. You will join the Camino Frances in Arzua (‘the land of cheese’) before your journey culminates in the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino del Norte season starts on 1 April and ends on 31 October each year, so your Camino del Norte trip must fall within this period.

May and September are great times to walk

During these months, most accommodations, shops and restaurants are open. The Spanish sun is out for longer, allowing for leisurely walking days and comfortable apparel. While there is less rainfall in May and September, expect around 5 to 10 days of rain during a month-long camino, with rain persisting throughout those days.

April and October are also good options

If you are planning to walk during these months, you’ll need to be prepared with suitable gear and attire. It’s common to experience rainfall, chilly coastal winds and lower temperatures during these months.

Avoid July and August (summer high season)

These months become heavily crowded as Spaniards seek relief from the scorching 40-degree Celsius temperatures down south. Prices increase during the summer high season, making the Camino del Norte the most expensive route.

You will encounter frequent uphill and downhill hiking, with an average daily ascent of 396m to 487m, emphasising the need for proper conditioning. The trail alternates between coastal and mountainous sections, occasionally passing along steep cliffs overlooking the coast. Dense forests of evergreen fir and eucalyptus trees are also present, while rainy days can make the trails muddy and slippery, making walking poles useful. The route primarily consists of paths and beaches during the initial days, with more encounters with roads when entering or leaving major cities, such as walking out of Bilbao, from Gijón to Avilés, or leaving Santander.

• Camino del Norte Elevation (PDF)

Camino del Norte Elevation (PDF)

Although the best choice for hiking the Camino is generally a good fitting hiking boot that provides stability and protection, during the warmer summer months outdoor trainers may be considered as an alternative, but they may not provide adequate ankle support and stability over consecutive long walking days. When selecting footwear it’s important to understand what the weather will be like during the time of your walk. We recommend choosing footwear that is waterproof, has good tread, is worn-in, lightweight and provides ankle support.

The Camino del Norte is largely a rural walk and not all the accommodation is located in towns or directly on the Camino trail. In these smaller hamlets and in rural areas, accommodation is often in ‘casa rurales’, which are like rural B&Bs. They provide an authentic Spanish experience that our clients always appreciate and enjoy. Additionally, there are fewer options for accommodation on the Camino del Norte as there is less associated ‘camino infrastructure’ in comparison with the Camino Frances, and outside the main towns and cities accommodation on the Camino del Norte generally tends to be a bit smaller and more modest in nature in comparison to the Camino Frances and Portuguese Camino. 

RAW Travel does not offer cycling itineraries on the Camino del Norte.