Camino del Norte - Highlights Trip

Make your own way to the coastal city of San Sebastian – one of Spain’s top tourist destinations. San Sebastian is famous for its stunning beaches and culinary scene and has more Michelin stars per square metre than any other city in the world. Its open air sculptures make the entire city feel like a work of art. After checking in, your day is free to relax or explore the delights of this vibrant destination. A visit to the cobblestoned old town and Plaza de la Constitución is not to be missed, as are its two most famous beaches Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta and its picturesque bay front promenade.

Follow the winding shoreline as you leave San Sebastian before the trail passes through green landscapes and rolling hills, offering nice glimpses over pretty valleys and meadows. You will pass the ancient Roman Church of San Martín de Tours with its weathered exterior. The pilgrimage continues past pretty coastal villages to finish in either Zarautz, famous for its whaling history and its long sandy beach, or the fishing village of Getaria. You may like to try the local Txakolí wine this evening.

Meals: B

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Basque Country from Zarautz to Deba as the path winds its way through rolling hills, occasionally dipping back towards the coastline to reveal gorgeous sea views over the Bay of Biscay. Enjoy the unique charms and friendly locals in the villages you pass along the way. We recommend stopping to visit the Basque Coast Geopark famous for its geological flysch deposits, before your journey ends at Deba, a pleasant coastal town embraced by rugged cliffs. You may like to visit the gothic Iglesia de Santa Maria, which is recognised as one of the finest churches in this region.

Meals: B

The section from Deba to Markina leads pilgrims along the coastline before moving inland where there are some steep ascents to tackle. The tranquil route through the countryside offers coastal views and forested hills. Depending on what time of year you walk, enjoy vibrant wildflowers, lush vegetation and green rolling hills. There are numerous ancient stone bridges to cross where you can picnic and dip tired feet into cooling water before arriving into Markina–Xemein. The town boasts a rich historical heritage, with its medieval buildings and picturesque streets, and is also renowned for being the birthplace of numerous famous pelota champions.

Meals: B

Today the trail winds through rolling hills leading you through tiny Basque villages, each with their own unique charm. You will pass the medieval monastery at Zenarruza which holds a significant place in the region’s history. The monastery dates back to the 13th century and served as an important spiritual centre for pilgrims. Today’s section culminates at the historic town of Gernika (Basque spelling) immortalised by Picasso’s iconic painting, “Guernica,” which holds deep significance as a symbol of peace and resilience. The moving Museo de la Paz de Guernica is worth a visit for those interested in discovering more of the troubled history of the town during the Civil War period and is dedication to peace.

Meals: B

Leaving Gernika, the path ascends and descends through the gorgeous green landscape of the Biscay countryside. Enjoy the beauty of rolling hills, charming hamlets and small villages. Along the way the trail passes through pretty woodland forests of oak which provide the perfect spot for a picnic or rest. Marvel at the beauty and engineering ingenuity of the medieval bridges near Lezama where you should take the opportunity to explore the village, with its traditional houses, towers and winding streets. 

Meals: B

The path from Lezama to Bilbao takes in several notable sites including the Romanesque Church of San Martin which stands testament to the region’s rich history and architectural heritage. The largely paved path today also passes the Tower of Malpica, an imposing medieval tower that once served as a defensive structure. As you approach Bilbao, the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña stands proudly on a hilltop welcoming pilgrims to the city. The magnificent basilica is a pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary and offers breathtaking views. Entering the city you will find yourself in the vibrant old quarter known as Casco Viejo where you can enjoy the old-world blend of bustling markets and modern city life.

Meals: B

Today is a free day to explore Bilbao. Make sure you explore this port city’s iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, indulge in the local cuisine, stroll the streets of the old town or people watch while sipping local wine or cider in the Plaza Nueva. Slightly further afield you may like to make a side trip to visit spectacular San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – a tiny island with its stone bridge and steep staircase, made famous as the location of ‘Dragonstone Castle’ in Game of Thrones. 

Meals: B

You will need to arrange your own transfer to Vilalba. The ALSA bus company provides a daily bus service from Bilbao to Vilalba, making stops at key towns along the Camino del Norte route, such as Santander, Oviedo, Gijon, Aviles, Luarca, Navia, and Ribadeo. If you have more time, you can request for additional nights in these towns to break up the bus journey and explore new destinations along the Camino del Norte route. Upon arrival in Vilalba later in the day, you can explore various attractions including the castle and mediaeval fortress, which offer panoramic views. A walk through the historic centre reveals Santa María de Vilalba Church, quaint shops, and cafes serving local delicacies like empanadas, Galician beef, and cheeses.

Meals: B

Before embarking on the final 100km journey to Santiago, remember to obtain your stamp in Vilalba before heading to Baamonde. This stamp collection is essential for pilgrims on the Camino del Norte to obtain their certificates in Santiago. The trail winds its way through flat fertile farmland called “Terra Cha,” accurately describing today’s landscape. Along the route, you’ll traverse several small, charming villages and visit tiny churches, enriching your pilgrimage experience.

Meals: B

The route today is again relatively easy, with mainly flat terrain and some gentle inclines. You can enjoy the scenic Galician countryside as you stroll towards Miraz, a small rural village that offers a glimpse into the local history and culture of the area. Don’t forget to visit the small church of Santa Maria de Miraz (Church of Santa Maria) and the Capilla de San Alberte (Chapel of San Alberte), both built in traditional Galician architectural style usually characterised by the use of stone. Afterward, you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation.

Meals: B

Immerse yourself in the ambiance of rural Galicia as you follow the Camino del Norte’s trails through fields, meadows, and pretty wooded stretches as you ascend steadily to A Roxica and then onto Marcela, the highest point of this section at 710m. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from Alto de Vilar before taking a moment to pause and reflect on your accomplishments on your Camino pilgrimage. You soon arrive at the captivating village of Sobrado dos Monxes renowned for its monastery built in the 10th century. Explore the village at your leisure taking in the traditional stone houses, local shops and restaurants. 

Meals: B

A truly significant day, as today is your last day hiking on the quieter Camino del Norte before it merges with the Camino Francés just before Arzúa. Arzúa is a vibrant town that serves as a welcoming hub for pilgrims. You will notice the increase in pilgrim activity, providing you with a unique opportunity to engage with your fellow pilgrims and share stories as you come together. For foodies, be sure to try Arzúa’s famous cheese, “Queso de Arzúa-Ulloa”, it is delicious!

Meals: B

Today’s route will be noticeably busier as the Camino del Norte has now merged with the main Camino Frances trail, so you will be joined on the trail by many pilgrims walking the final days of their pilgrimage journeys into Santiago de Compostela. The majority of today’s walk to O Pedrouzo is through wonderful pine and eucalyptus scented woodland. The path is mostly level, passing through three shallow river valleys with a gradual climb up to Alto de Santa Irene at 404m. The country lanes and woodland paths pass through many small hamlets. The final section climbs steeply to a main road, into eucalyptus woodland and onto A Rua and the village to O Pedrouzo. O Pedrouzo /Arco do Pino is a small but busy town with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars and the staging point for the last section of the Camino before entering Santiago de Compostela.

Meals: B

Today begins the last stage of your walk into Santiago. The pilgrims mass at Santiago Cathedral begins at midday so we recommend leaving early to arrive on time. The first section of today’s route passes through eucalypt forests with most of the route on quiet roads and pathways before the final kilometres and a climb to Mount Gozo before descending into the suburbs of Santiago. The path runs alongside the airport and you will see many crosses of twigs and branches used by pilgrims to decorate the fence. Lavacolla village is where pilgrims traditionally wash to purify themselves before entering Santiago, and Lavacolla literally means to wash your tail. At Monte do Gozo, Mount of Joy, you will first sight the stunning Catedral de Santiago spires. The final section is well signposted into the old quarter with its wonderful historical buildings and narrow shop filled alleyways, until you finally reach the Praza Obradoiro in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, and the wonderful ancient Cathedral. 

Meals: B

Today you have the whole day to enjoy and explore historic Santiago de Compostela with its many enticing tapas bars and restaurants. You can attend the midday pilgrims mass and look around the famous Cathedral of St James which forms the city’s heart and watch the steady stream of excited pilgrims arriving into the square as they finish their epic journey. Alternatively you may like to take a day trip out to visit Finisterre, the ‘end of the world’ or a shorter rooftop tour of Santiago, both of which can easily be arranged locally.

Meals: B

You are free to check out of your hotel any time before 10am. If you’d like to explore Santiago further, you can leave your bags with reception. Interested in more walking options from Santiago? Consider extending your journey with our captivating Finisterre extension for an epic journey to the ‘end of the world’!

• Accommodation with private en-suite rooms on a double/twin share room basis
• Daily breakfast
• Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel (1 x <18kg bag per person) on days when walking
• Pilgrim’s passport per person
• Use of RAW Travel App, with maps of your hotel locations, local emergency contact numbers and more
• Local RAW Travel support staff in Spain

• Peak season surcharge (June, July, August, September) 
• Travel insurance
• Flights to/from Spain
• Train tickets
• Lunches and dinners
• Guidebooks and phrasebooks
• Taxis or local buses between towns if needed
• Arrival or departure transfers