Camino del Norte cycling from Bilbao to Santiago

As you arrive in the modern and vibrant city of Bilbao you can sample the renowned Basque cuisine. If you arrive early it's worth visiting the Guggenheim Museum, walk through the old town and along the river at the center of the city as you prepare for your Camino. 

Today you start cycling in Bilbao towards Portugalete on urban areas. From there a long cycle path leads you to the beach of La Arena, where you will meet the Cantabrian Sea, you then follow a path along the cliffs, a very beautiful stretch where you leave the Basque Country to enter Cantabria. The coastal trail leads you to Castro Urdiales, a town with a beautiful harbor and a rich history. Take some time to explore its historic streets and taste the local seafood.  

Challenge: 41 km / 25.5 miles, 750m ascent.

Your journey continues along the northern coast, with the beauty of the Bay of Biscay as your backdrop. An interesting stage with beautiful scenery, with several beaches, cliffs and stretches through forest, alternating with green inland valleys. Its profile is a continuous up and down, but with moderate gradients. Laredo, your destination for the day, is known for its golden sandy beaches. This is a great place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.  

Challenge: 33 km / 20.5 miles, 825m ascent.

The trail winds through lush countryside and charming villages, crossing three long beaches: Salvé (in Laredo), Berria (after Santoña) and Helgueras-Trengadín (Noja). From the Puntal de Laredo to Santoña you will take short sail. You will then turn inland to Güemes, before going back to the coast in an area with cliffs and some beautiful scenery. Once in Somo, you take a second passenger boat across the bay, leaving you right in the centre of the city. Santander offers a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect ending point for your pilgrimage.  

Challenge: 56 km / 35 miles, 850m ascent.

Leaving behind the urban environment of Santander, your path guides you towards Santillana del Mar. This long route unfolds through serene countryside, and you'll feel transported back in time when you arrive at this enchanting medieval town, one of the prettiest in Cantabria.  

Challenge: 47 km / 29.5 miles, 725m ascent.

Today's route is long and interesting and alternates inland landscapes with some brief incursions by the sea. The route meanders through rolling green hills, offering captivating views of the Cantabrian coast. In Comillas, you'll be captivated by the buildings in the modernist style - our art nouveau - such as El Capricho, one of Antoni Gaudí's first works. Continuing your route toward Colombres you will cross several bridges over marshes and estuaries, with steep inclines between the successive valleys. Although the gradients are moderate, you get the feeling that the mountains are very close. After visiting San Vicente de la Barquera, an interesting fishing village, you will leave Cantabria to enter Asturias and finish the day in Colombres, where the houses built by indianos, emigrants who returned from their stay in America with a wealthy lifestyle, are outstanding.   

Challenge: 50 km / 31 miles, 960m ascent.

This is a peaceful but long route full of beautiful scenery. As you leave Colombres, the gentle sound of the ocean accompanies your journey as you pass through idyllic fishing villages, immersing yourself in the culture of Asturias. After Andrín you will have a notable slope and after the descent you will reach Llanes, a town with a historic quarter with lively terraces in summer, as well as the fishermen's port and its artistic breakwater. When leaving Llanes you will cross some beaches such as Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín, all of which are beautiful and quite busy in summer. The route then turns inland once again, through rural areas with less tourist pressure. After crossing a number of level crossings, you will end the day in Ribadesella, a coastal town famous for its prehistoric caves among other things.   

Challenge: 53 km / 33 mi, 1030m ascent.

Today’s route is scenically very interesting, with mountains and good views of the coast, and passing by several beaches: Santa Marina (in Ribadesella), La Vega, Arenal de Morís (somewhat remote), La Espasa and La Isla. Then you will leave the coast as you arrive to Colunga, after that small town the route takes you through orchards and farmland as you will enter into the agricultural heartland of Asturias, through more mountainous terrain than on previous days and past tiny rural hamlets. Your route takes you to Villaviciosa, the Apple Capital, famous for its cider production.  

Challenge: 19 km /12 mi, 1200 ascent.

Today you turn towards the interior of Asturias, away from the coast. Leaving Villaviciosa behind, you traverse the rolling hills of Asturias, arriving in Pola de Siero, a bustling market town. The transition from peaceful countryside to a lively urban atmosphere provides a unique and enriching experience, bringing you to the capital of Asturias, where you can delve into the rich history and culture of the region. Visit the magnificent Oviedo Cathedral and savor the local cuisine at one of the city's many restaurants or sidrerías (cider bars).   

Challenge: 43 km / 27 mi, 900m ascent.

Starting in Oviedo, your route today takes you to the coastal city of Avilés. As you leave the capital of Asturias behind, walking on the mount Naranco foothills, you'll experience a mix of urban and rural landscapes. Avilés welcomes you with its historical quite impressive old town. 
 

Challenge: 30 km / 19 mi, 400m ascent.

Your journey continues with this route along the coastline. The path offers serene views of the sea and traditional Asturian architecture. The nicest views will be as you arrive to the banks of the Nalón River, where the San Martín Castle is guarding the Camino from its promontory. After an ascent to Muros de Nalón you will cycle a bit further before descending to Cudillero, one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Asturias. 

Challenge: 32 km / 20 mi, 575m ascent.

Leaving Cudillero, you'll venture through picturesque Asturian countryside as you are facing one of the most beautiful stages of the entire Camino del Norte. After crossing Soto de Luiña you will take the Camín Real de Las Ballotas, this coastal route has views over the cliffs, with access to beaches, well signposted and with services, eventually reaching the charming village of Cadavedo. The last obstacle of the day is the climb from Canero, then the arrival in Luarca gives you some beautiful views of the picturesque town. This coastal gem is celebrated for its white-washed buildings, fishing harbor, and natural beauty. Luarca invites you to explore its maritime history and breathtaking scenery. 

Challenge: 55 km / 34.5 mi, 680m ascent.

Today you will advance away from the coast, along comfortable tracks and roads, with moderate gradients, passing through numerous towns with services, through rolling hills and peaceful woodlands before arriving the coastal town of Navia. From there the path provides stunning views of the sea towards Tapia, a coastal village known for its fishing traditions, with its charming little harbour. Following the coast you will arrive to the Penarronda beach and its cliffs before crossing the river Eo to leave Asturias and enter in Galicia. Ribadeo, with its beautiful estuary and lively atmosphere, is a perfect place to end your day.   

Challenge: 55 km / 34.5 mi, 325m ascent.

From Ribadeo you will move away from the coast towards the interior. The landscape transforms from a coastal path into a mountainous route, entering a sparsely populated rural territory. The most important climb of the day will be at the exit of A Ponte de Arante: 260 metres of ascent in 5 kilometres, before arriving to Gondán, then you will cross the town of Vilanova de Lourenzá, where the church of the old monastery stands out. Your path leads you to Mondoñedo, a town of historical significance, capital of the region of A Mariña Central and episcopal see since the Middle Ages. Mondoñedo’s cathedral and the old quarter, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, are the cultural jewels of the day.  

Challenge: 38 mi / 24 mi, 975m ascent.

Today you have An interesting route in which you leave the region of A Mariña and ascend to Terra Chá, the inland plateau of Lugo, passing from 140 to 560 metres above sea level. The route passes through rolling hills and agricultural landscapes through the valley of Valiñadares and Lousada, giving you a sense of the region's rural beauty, as you make your way to Abadín. Following this hilly terrain you'll arrive in Vilalba, a town known for its medieval heritage. 

Challenge: 33 km / 20.5 mi, 600m ascent.  

Today you will enjoy this varied route: tracks, dirt roads, paths and muddy corredoiras (tractor ruts). At the first half of your route you won’t hardly have any gradients in a pleasant rural environment. Your path takes you to Baamonde, a small village surrounded by lush greenery, before entering in a very solitary route, which you will enjoy it before arriving to the multitudes. The quiet paths through the Galician countryside will take you to As Cruces, very close to Sobrado dos Monxes, which welcomes you with its historic monastery.  

Challenge: 52 km / 32.5 mi, 635 m ascent.

In contrast to the previous routes, in which you walk along dirt tracks between small villages, today the landscape is becoming much more urban, as you are approaching Santiago. The route converges in Arzúa with the maelstrom of the French Way. At first glance, this stage seems to provide little interest with its monotonous movement alongside the main road. Yet today ends up being one of the most exciting of the whole week as you feel the collective energy grow, joining hordes of fellow pilgrims all excited to be nearly there! Burst back into modern life as you rush along past the regional airport and cross the highway, railway and ring-road drawn by an immense, irresistible magnet: Plaza Obradoiro. The urban hustle and bustle will not deter you and it’s still easy to imagine ancient pilgrims weeping with joy as they glimpsed the distant spires. Historically, pilgrims pause at Monte do Gozo to set their sights then make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to cleanse their face and feet before meeting their beloved saint.  

Challenge: 56 km / 35 mi, 625 m ascent.

After breakfast your Camino comes to an end. Option of booking an extra night in Santiago de Compostela.