Camino de Santiago Northern Way Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in San Sebastián

Welcome to San Sebastián, Spain! Arrive today and check in to your hotel. This charming resort town perched on the Bay of Biscay is the perfect place to begin your Northern Way Camino journey. You’ll no doubt be charmed by this inviting city that combines tradition and modernity seamlessly.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in San Sebastian
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Begin the Northern Way

Your Camino del Norte begins today from San Sebastián as you leave the ascending Monte Igueldo, which closes the Bahía de la Concha behind.

Some sections today will be challenging as you’ll face several substantial climbs, however you’ll find yourself enveloped in the beauty of rolling green hills for much of the journey.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Zarautz
Distance: 5 hrs, 22.3km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Walk to Deba

Like yesterday, today’s journey will be challenging, as you navigate an undulating trail for much of the way to Deba. You’ll have the opportunity however to revel in the views of the sparkling sea and stretches of sandy shoreline as far as the eye can see, making today’s walk a beautiful one on your way to the sleepy seaside town of Deba.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Deba
Distance: 5 hours, 21.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Walk to Markina

Today you’ll head inland as you wave goodbye to Deba (and the sea!) and press on with yet another challenging section. You’ll enter a mountainous inland area today, where a beautiful valley will unfold before your eyes. Welcome to the Basque Country!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Markina
Distance: 6 hours, 24km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Walk to Gernika

After a hearty breakfast, lace up your shoes and set out towards Gernika. Today’s most notable challenge will be the trek from Bolibar to Ziortza. In this city you can take a short break to relax and visit the Zenarruza Monastery and its cloister. Upon arrival in Gernika this afternoon, the “meeting house” and the Gernika Tree are both well worth a visit.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Gernika
Distance: 6 hours, 24.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Press on to Lezama

Start the day with the most important climb of today with an elevation gain of about 300 meters to get the heart rate going! You’ll find yourself in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve today, also known as Mundaka or Gernika estuary, so be prepared for stunning natural beauty each step of the way.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Lezama
Distance: 5 hours, 20.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Walk to Bilbao

After several longe rstages, you’ll enjoy a shorter walk of just over 10 km today. With the exception of the climb to Mount Avril, with a 300m gain, today’s route will be fairly easy. Your descent leads to the historical center of Bilbao. Soak up the atmosphere in the historic district of this city, and be sure to check out the Gothic Basilica of Begoña and the Guggenheim Museum.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Bilbao
Distance: 3 hours, 10.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Walk to Portugalete

The beginning of today’s stage covers a large part of the city of Bilbao, making today’s walk quite an urban experience when contrasted to the previous days. You’ll have the choice of a longer and shorter route today to reach Portugalete, both leading to the impressive Vizcaya Bridge that spans the river.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Portugalete
Distance: 4 hours, 19.4 km Official Camino – 12.4 km along the river
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Walk to Castro Urdiales

In today’s phase you will enter Cantabria! You’ll again have two route options today, and both will have you ending up in the beautiful fishing village of Castro Urdiales.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Castro Urdiales
Distance: 7 hours, 27.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Arrive in Laredo

Again today, you’ll have the option of choosing a shorter route to Laredo. Green valleys and expansive views of the sparkling sea set the tone for today’s 26.6 km trek to the Cantabrian town of Laredo. Enjoy this slice of paradise on the coast this evening, in one of Cantabrias most sought after tourist towns.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Laredo
Distance: 6 hours, 26.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Hike to Güemes

At the beginning of today’s stage, during the months of March to November, you’ll have the opportunity to take a boat between Laredo (from El Puntal) and Santoña .

The greatest difficulty of the day will be the formidable almost 100-meter-high Brusco hill, whose path must be followed with caution given its narrowness and its somewhat slippery terrain when raining! Later, you’ll pass the beautiful beach of Noja, returning inland until you reach tonight’s overnight destination, Güemes.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Güemes
Distance: 8 hours, 29km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Walk to Santander, the Cantabrian Capital

Set out on the trail today, first hading towards Galizano. From here, you’ll follow the official path or, if you prefer to bypass the entire coast, opt for the longer option that offers great views.

Both of today’s routes lead to the city of Somo. End the stage with a boat that will take you from Somo to Santander. In the Cantabrian capital you can visit the beach of Sardinero, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption or the Magdalena Palace!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Santander
Distance: 3 hours, 11.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Walk to Santillana de Mar

After yesterday’s easy and short stage, you have a long day ahead of you! Although the route starts in an urban section, you soon find yourself in one of the most monumental cities in the Cantabrian Sea, Santillana de Mar. Nearby are the Altamira Caves, where the museum is a must see!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Santillana de Mar
Distance: 9 hours, 37.1km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 Hike to Comillas

The route that awaits today runs away from the sea and is mostly paved. In general, today’s walk consists of moderate climbs without any major challenging sections. You’ll trek through cities like Cóbredes, where you can see the Cistercian monastery.

The day ends as soon as you reach Comillas, a charming city, well worth exploring on foot. Top sights include Gaudi’s Capricho and the Palace of Sobrellano.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Comillas
Distance: 5 hours, 22.1km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 Welcome to Asturia!

Start today’s rural walk with a peruse through the Oyambre Natural Park near the coast as you head towards San Vicente de la Barquera. As soon as you cross the Ría de San Vicente, you will reach this charming fishing village. You can go to the old town of San Vicente to see the church, the castle and the remains of the old wall.

Later, continue towards Unquera and gradually leave Cantabria. You will cross the bridge over the Deba river to end the stage in Colombres, already on Asturian land!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Colombres
Distance: 7 hours, 29km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 Walk to Llanes

A day with beautiful landscapes awaits you as you walk to Llanes! The challenge really begins when you pass Andrín, but fear note, as just a few kilometers away, you’ll find Llanes.

Llanes has a monumental complex of particular interest, but the “Cubes of Memory”, an artistic work in the port, should also be noted as a mandatory stop!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Llanes
Distance: 5 hours, 23.2km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 Walk to Ribadesella

Fuel up this morning at breakfast, as you prepare for a longer stage today. Rest assured, you will be rewarded with beautiful landscapes on the walk to Ribadesella!

The first half of the route takes you to the coast, where you’ll gaze out over beautiful beaches such as Torimbia and Barro. Before reaching the beaches, you will also pass Celorio, with is home to a stunning monastery. Cross the Bedón River and continue towards the second part of the day, which leads inland where the rural landscape dominates.

The stage ends as soon as you arrive in Ribadesella, a fishing village at the mouth of the Sella River.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Ribadesella
Distance: 7 hours, 31.4km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Walk to Colunga

Cross the Sella River this morning as you set out towards Santa Marina Beach. Today’s walk is characterized by several stretches of sandy shoreline. Go uphill towards Vega de Ribadesella and cross the Vega River to discover La Vega Beach. Pass Berbes and follow the path through the beach of Arenal de Morís and Playa de la Espasa, and then press on to your destination today — Colunga!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Colunga
Distance: 5 hours, 20.1km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 19 Walk to Villaviciosa

One of the shortest stages of the entire journey awaits today! You leave the coast completely to take a tour inland and combine the mountainous landscape of the north with asphalt paths. The most important climb of the stage leads from Pernús to Priesca. The day ends in Villaviciosa, a city known as Comarca de la Sidra.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Villaviciosa
Distance: 4 hours, 17.2km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 20 Hike to Gijón

It’s time to face another challenging day on the trail, as you take on one of the routes most challenging stages. An undulating, but surprisingly urban environment paves the way to Gijon, with two significant climbs along the way.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Gijón
Distance: 7 hours, 29.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 Reach Avilés

Leave Gijón to enter a green and rural landscape today. Continue the trail that weaves its way through small towns like Pavierna and Santa Eulalia, where the Church of Santa Eulalia is located. The rest of the route follows the course of the Ría de Avilés.

Reach the industrial city of Avilés, where today’s walk concludes.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Avilés
Distance: 6 hours, 25.4km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 22 Walk to Cudillero

It is a fairly long stage today, but the low level of difficulty will bring you some reprieve! Head towards the coast in Salinas, before returning inland and on asphalt paths where the majority of the route unfolds today. Several rivers cross your path this afternoon, as you make your way to Muros de Nalón. As soon as you pass the river here, you’ll head inland again until you reach the coast in Cudillero. Cudillero is a picturesque and charming fishing village where you’ll retire for the evening.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Cudillero
Distance: 7 hours, 30km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 23 Walk to Ballota

Rise and make your way towards Soto de Luiña this morning, where the profile of the route changes completely. The second part of todays’ walk unfolds near the coast with beautiful green landscapes on a fairly flat and well-marked section with numerous cities and access to impressive beaches dotting the trail.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Ballota
Distance: 5 hours, 22.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 24 Walk to Luarca

Wake up and head out, ready for more vies of beautiful beaches and towering cliffs today, as you set off towards Cadavevo. It is a fairly quiet and easy stage today as you pop into and out of small towns such as San Cristóbal and Querúa. The only notable difficult part on the stage is the short but steep climb at the exit of the Hotel Canero, which once passed the small town of Chano de Canero. Once that climb is over, the rest is a breeze! Later, you’ll reach Luarca, a small but nice fishing village.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Luraca
Distance: 6 hours, 23.7km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 25 Walk to Navia

The first few kilometers from Luarca this morning lead you on a moderate ascent. You’ll then cross the Barayo River and descend to Villapedre. Continue, as you cross numerous cities and spend a large part of the route near a national road. Nevertheless, the rivers will continue to be your travel companions today as you continue your pilgrimage towards Navia.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Navia
Distance: 5 hours, 20.1km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 26 Enter Galicia

Today’s stage begins with a choice: Tol or Tapias de Casariego? The Tapias de Casariego option takes you along the coast, while Tol leads you inland. Both routes well see you welcomed into the arms of Galicia, as you overnight in Ribadeo.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Ribadeo
Distance: 8 hours 31.7 km Tol option – 32.8 km Tapia de Casariego option
Meals: Breakfast

Day 27 Reach Villamartín Grande

Today is your first day in Galicia! You’ll part ways with the coastal landscapes to re-enter the mountains today on a short but intense stage.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Villamartin Grande
Distance: 4 hours, 18.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 28 Walk to Mondoñedo

The day begins with a flat descent to Gondán followed by a climb to the church of San Xusto. From here, you’ll continue on the Batán river to Vilanova de Lourenzá.

Following your arrival in Arroxo, you’ll enjoy gentle hills to Mondoñedo. The cathedral and old town of Mondoñedo have been declared a historical-artistic site – enjoy!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Mondoñedo
Distance: 4 hours, 17.9km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 29 Walk in Abadín

Today’s stage leads you through the inner plateau of Lugo, known as Terra Cha. Enjoy exploring small villages like O Vilar or Lousada until reaching Abadín.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Abadín
Distance: 4 hours, 16.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 30 Walk to Vilalba

Press on this morning, through green meadows and forests that run parallel to a national road. The Anllo River and the Arnela River cross your path as well as small towns like As Paredes, Martiñan and O Campo do Cristo. You’ll spend the night in Villalba, the capital of Terra Chá. Once here, it is well worth seeing the Torreón de los Condes de Andrade.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Vilalba
Distance: 5 hours, 20.8km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 31 Walk to Seixón

Today’s stage has a few bumps and a pleasant rural environment. You’ll continue on mostly dirt roads to reach the end of the stage in O Seixón.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Seixón
Distance: 7 hours, 30.7km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 32 Walk to Sobrado dos Monxes

The going will be tough today with some significant changes in elevation. Although they are moderate, they are continuous, which makes the stage a little difficult! Following the example of the past few days, the environment that accompanies you is rural. In this phase you reach the maximum height of the entire northern route, at 700 meters.

You’ll continue to O Mesón and begin your descent to Sobrado dos Monxes. In Sobrado dos Monxes, you cannot miss the Cistercian monastery of Santa María de Sobrado.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Sobrado dos Monxes
Distance: 7 hours, 27.6km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 33 Arrive in Arzúa

Today you’ll walk to Arzúa, where you should not miss the opportunity to try the famous cheeses that this town is so well known for.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Arzúa
Distance: 5 hours, 22km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 34 Join the French Way!

Today you’ll join the French way, on a short and quiet stage that paves the way to Santiago de Compstela.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in O Pedrouzo
Distance: 4 hours, 19.3km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 35 Reach Santiago de Compostela

The last stage of your journey unfolds today, as the anticipation rides! We recommend leaving O Pedrouzo early to take part in the pilgrimage, which is celebrated at 12:00 p.m at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. First you’ll reach Lavacolla and continue climbing Monte do Gozo, where you can catch a glimpse of the long-awaited cathedral from a distance. Finally, you’ll reach Plaza del Obradoiro where the well-deserved personal satisfaction of having reached this point overwhelms you. Congratulations on completing the Camino de Santiago Northern Way!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Santiago
Distance: 4 hours, 19.4km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 36 Departure

Buen Camino! Your tour concludes following breakfast this morning.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast