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Overview
Hiking Camino del Norte is the pilgrimage that has the most beautiful landscapes, thanks to its geographical location between sea and mountains. The full Camino del Norte is 840 km, starting at the French border, winding along the Basque coast, to Cantabria, to Asturias and finally to Galicia, where the Camino del Norte turns inland, heading south towards Santiago de Compostela.
In recent years, the number of pilgrims on this Camino has grown considerably. Partly because pilgrims who have previously walked or cycled the Camino Francés want to get back on the road and then choose, for example, the Camino del Norte. Partly because pilgrims who embark on a pilgrimage path for the first time choose this pilgrimage route as an alternative to the “full” Camino Francés.
During hiking Camino del Norte you will pass several interesting cities. Think of ‘food paradise’ San Sebastian, known for its famous pintxos and many Michelin restaurants. Or Bilbao. This modern, hip city of more than a million inhabitants symbolizes the progressiveness of the Basque Country, the world-famous Guggenheim museum is the best example of this. But Santander is also worth a visit. It will not surprise you that you can also eat the most delicious fresh fish along the Camino del Norte. So enjoy!
Hiking Camino del Norte means pure enjoyment. The pilgrimage route is well signposted and along the way the cliffs and deep blue sea contrast sharply with the snow-capped peaks of the Picos de Europa. You will see deserted beaches and medieval coastal towns. Occasionally the trail veers inland into the forested hills, but it’s never long before you descend back down to the ocean. And the view? That is fantastic on the Camino del Norte!
Do you want to walk your Camino del Norte from San Sebastian? You can!
Do you want to walk your Camino del Norte from Bilbao? Which can!
This 10-day Camino del Norte hike from Santander to Gijón offers you the opportunity to walk along an ancient route with the Cantabrian Sea within easy reach. Eight stages that take you to Gijón through a succession of small villages and some of the most beautiful towns in Spain. This combines with spectacular Cantabrian and Asturian gastronomy and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes along the way. What else do you want?
Santander is a maritime city, with a busy ferry port and popular for recreational sailing. This attractive city sits on a wide bay and has sandy beaches, cultural monuments and museums to explore. Your hiking Camino del Norte starts at the imposing Gothic cathedral and heads west through the suburbs and commercial district until you reach open countryside and the historic town of Santillana del Mar. Santillana is a jewel in the Cantabrian crown, full of medieval towers, Renaissance palaces and Romanesque religious buildings. You’ll also find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Altamira Caves, internationally famous for its beautiful prehistoric art and cave paintings.
You’ll have a few days to wander through the countryside before reaching the coastal path around the coastal town of Comillas, where Gaudi (of Barcelona Cathedral fame) built an utterly fantastic summer residence. Then continue to the picturesque port of San Vincente de la Barquera before reaching the border with Asturias, a region dotted with quaint fishing ports and small villages. Eastern Asturias takes you past mountains that rise dramatically in brilliant green, with sharp peaks often shrouded in mist and steep slopes dropping down to the Cantabrian Sea. Truly a WAW experience!
Then you walk into the cider region during hiking Camino del Norte. With the highlight being Villaviciosa. The ideal place to taste Asturian cider. Cheers!
Hiking Camino del Norte will ends in the city of Gijón, where you can enjoy your well-deserved rest.
This is the starting point of your hiking Camino del Norte. You can fly to Bilbao (you can take the bus to Bilbao or we will arrange a transfer with a taxi) or to or from Santander. This city is located in a picturesque bay between green mountains and the blue sea. This royal city is a popular seaside resort, especially for Spaniards. There are beautiful white sandy beaches and many cozy restaurants and bars. The city has acquired a hip image in recent years. Neighborhoods and the boulevard have been renovated, art projects have been started and new museums have been opened.
By taxi you avoid the relatively boring suburbs and industrial areas of Santander. From Barreda you walk to Santillana del Mar. Santillana del Mar was founded in the 9th century by monks who brought relics of St. Juliana and built a chapel and a small monastery here. The monastery has since been expanded through various donations. Church Santa. The town of Santillana del Mar is a monument in itself and it is worth walking around the maze of streets lined with mansions and castles. In addition, it is possible to visit the caves of Altamira, just outside Santillana del Mar. One of the world’s most important architectural findings, with its 17,000 ancient cave paintings.
Today you cross three rivers. Before you reach San Vicente, you can take a detour through the beautiful Oyambre nature reserve. San Vicente de la Barquera is a cute fishing village. The town of Unquera is ideally located with a beach and mountains a few kilometers away. This is great to see! And so this is also the final destination of your hiking Camino del Norte for today!
Today you can fully enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer while hiking Camino del Norte. The mouth of the Deva River in the Cantabrian Sea is only 30 km from the mountains of the Picos de Europa. From its source in the Picos de Europa, the river winds its way for 62 kilometers through the province of Liébana and the Hermida gorge, after which it flows into the sea at Unquera. The river forms a natural border between the regions of Cantabria and Asturias.
You immediately cross the Tina Mayor river valley via a bridge and enter Asturias. This pleasant path towards Llanes gives us occasional glimpses of the sea. If you follow the path along the coast, you will pass the special phenomenon “Bufones de Arenillas”. These are cracks or fireplaces in the rocks near the sea through which the seawater is pushed with great force by the pressure of the waves. This causes the water to spray up to twenty meters into the air.
It is a hilly stage today during hiking Camino del Norte. Like Llanes, Ribadesella is a charming town and has excellent restaurants. The large Sella river cuts the town in half; on the east side the old part with medieval buildings and on the west side the modern part that houses luxurious holiday homes of the upper classes. Nowadays it has a promenade and during the summer it is busy and the ideal place to practice water sports. This stage can be shortened with a transfer.
Today’s stage consists of many climbs. During the first kilometers to La Isla, there is nothing separating you from the sea. At Caravia you have to ascend a bit on a path that is soon surrounded by eucalyptuses and ferns towards Arenal de Moris. You will come across beautiful beaches along the way. Also with bars for a delicious cup of coffee or lunch.
This stage is tough with a steep climb to Alto de la Cruz. Villaviciosa is a large village famous for its delicious cider and the large number of apple trees (from which the cider is made). This makes it the ideal place to taste Asturian cider for those who have not tried it yet. Cheers!
The most difficult stage during hiking Camino del Norte from Santander to Gijón, with two very long climbs. Gijón has a lot to offer, as it is one of the most beautiful and lively coastal cities. In Gijón there are many restaurants, shops and places to visit, making it an interesting tourist city. When the weather permits, residents make full use of the beautiful, large city beaches where you can also practice various water sports. The sights are mainly located in the small old town; in the Cimadevilla district, the ideal place to share a ¨sidrina¨ (large bottle of cider) to have a successful Camino! This stage can be shortened with a transfer.
Your hiking Camino del Norte is over. After breakfast you can enjoy the city of Gijón before your journey home begins. Do you want to extend your stay there? Or explore the coast of Northern Spain with a rental car. Let us know. Or maybe you’ve got a taste for it and want to continue walking to Santiago de Compostela? Why not. We are happy to help you.
By taxi you avoid the relatively boring suburbs and industrial areas of Santander. From Barreda you walk to Santillana del Mar. Santillana del Mar was founded in the 9th century by monks who brought relics of St. Juliana and built a chapel and a small monastery here. The monastery has since been expanded through various donations. Church Santa. The town of Santillana del Mar is a monument in itself and it is worth walking around the maze of streets lined with mansions and castles. In addition, it is possible to visit the caves of Altamira, just outside Santillana del Mar. One of the world's most important architectural findings, with its 17,000 ancient cave paintings.
Today it is a pleasant path to hiking Camino del Norte, but you are walking a bit far from the sea. Comillas, including beaches, was a place where many royals, aristocracy and upper class spent the summer in the late 19th century. The main attractions in Comillas are the Pontificacia University, Sobrellano Palace, Gaudí's El Capricho and the port of Comillas. Definitely worth a visit there!
Today you can fully enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer while hiking Camino del Norte. The mouth of the Deva River in the Cantabrian Sea is only 30 km from the mountains of the Picos de Europa. From its source in the Picos de Europa, the river winds its way for 62 kilometers through the province of Liébana and the Hermida gorge, after which it flows into the sea at Unquera. The river forms a natural border between the regions of Cantabria and Asturias.
You immediately cross the Tina Mayor river valley via a bridge and enter Asturias. This pleasant path towards Llanes gives us occasional glimpses of the sea. If you follow the path along the coast, you will pass the special phenomenon "Bufones de Arenillas". These are cracks or fireplaces in the rocks near the sea through which the seawater is pushed with great force by the pressure of the waves. This causes the water to spray up to twenty meters into the air.
It is a hilly stage today during hiking Camino del Norte. Like Llanes, Ribadesella is a charming town and has excellent restaurants. The large Sella river cuts the town in half; on the east side the old part with medieval buildings and on the west side the modern part that houses luxurious holiday homes of the upper classes. Nowadays it has a promenade and during the summer it is busy and the ideal place to practice water sports. This stage can be shortened with a transfer.
Today's stage consists of many climbs. During the first kilometers to La Isla, there is nothing separating you from the sea. At Caravia you have to ascend a bit on a path that is soon surrounded by eucalyptuses and ferns towards Arenal de Moris. You will come across beautiful beaches along the way. Also with bars for a delicious cup of coffee or lunch.
This stage is tough with a steep climb to Alto de la Cruz. Villaviciosa is a large village famous for its delicious cider and the large number of apple trees (from which the cider is made). This makes it the ideal place to taste Asturian cider for those who have not tried it yet. Cheers!
The most difficult stage during hiking Camino del Norte from Santander to Gijón, with two very long climbs. Gijón has a lot to offer, as it is one of the most beautiful and lively coastal cities. In Gijón there are many restaurants, shops and places to visit, making it an interesting tourist city. When the weather permits, residents make full use of the beautiful, large city beaches where you can also practice various water sports. The sights are mainly located in the small old town; in the Cimadevilla district, the ideal place to share a ¨sidrina¨ (large bottle of cider) to have a successful Camino! This stage can be shortened with a transfer.
Your hiking Camino del Norte is over. After breakfast you can enjoy the city of Gijón before your journey home begins. Do you want to extend your stay there? Or explore the coast of Northern Spain with a rental car. Let us know. Or maybe you've got a taste for it and want to continue walking to Santiago de Compostela? Why not. We are happy to help you.
Although the camino is accessible to everyone, experience and good physical condition are recommended.
On the way you walk with a small backpack. In it you put some things you need for on the go. Think of some food, drinks, sunscreen, a raincoat. The rest of your luggage is taken from accommodation to accommodation.
You can always contact us and we will look together for a solution.
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