Camino del Norte cycling from Oviedo to Santiago

Today you arrive in Asturias, in time to visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, THE historic holy site where the Camino begins. This evening you’ll enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere, charming lanes in the old town and traditional cider houses.  

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

Challenge: 30 km / 18.5 mi, 400 m 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, 575 m 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 the Canero, 140 meters of elevation gain in 1.6 km. In the final stretch, 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 mi, 680 m 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 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 km / 23.5 mi, 975 m 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. 

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. 

Challenges: 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.  

You can do the complete Camino on this trip