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Spain

Caminos de Santiago drive & discover

Self drive roundtrips
Pilgrim
Cultural trip
Mountain Walking
Independent, Self Guided
  • The beauty of Green Spain: Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia
  • Centuries of history to be retraced along the Pilgrims' Trail
  • Witnesses to the passing of time: from Roman remains to Modern art
  • Inspiring and impressive natural landscapes 
  • Optional walking and cycling routes for each day
  • Rural surroundings: the Costa Verde and the Picos de Europa
  • Charming accommodations with friendly staff
  • An amazing variety of regional specialities made from the freshest products

From: 515 €

Tripcode: ESDD120

2 Comfort

 

Level 1 - EN:

Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.

Level 1 - EN:

Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

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1 Difficulty

 

Level 1:

Walking levels:

Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.

Cycling levels:

Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 1:

Walking levels:

Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.

Cycling levels:

Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

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Duration: 14 days

Book now

 

Details

The Pilgrimage Trail-Camino del Norte

The Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of the first historical long-distance footpaths of Europe. The northern variant of 'El Camino' runs through Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Follow in the footsteps of millions of 'peregrinos' as you travel along the lovely Costa Verde. Beautiful natural settings, impressive historical monuments, gorgeous rural landscapes, authentically friendly villages and the freedom to discover it all at your own pace. With a variety of cultural visits and optional walking and cycling routes to choose from, your challenge will be deciding what to do first!

 

Itinerary

Expand itinerary Collapse itinerary
 
Day 1: Arrival in Cantabria

Today you fly into Bilbao, pick up your hire car and drive to the village of Queveda in Cantabria. If you arrive early, there will be time to explore the nearby town of Santillana del Mar, with its well-preserved Medieval monuments, or to do a short circular walk starting directly from the hotel.

Challenge: Travel to Northern Spain

Villages along the way: Queveda, Santillana del Mar

Day 2: Excursions in Cantabria

Begin to enjoy beautiful Cantabria, choosing from among several interesting nearby destinations. Along the coast: Playa de Oyambre Nature Reserve, Altamira Museum and the towns of Santillana, Comillas or San Vicente de la Barquera. In the mountains: the Monastery of Santo Toribio in Potes, Picos de Europa National Park or the cable car at Fuente Dé.

Challenge: Exploring the coast and nearby mountains

Villages along the way: Santillana del Mar, Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Potes, Fuente Dé

Day 3: From Cantabria to Asturias

Today you drive from Cantabria into Asturias, along the coast or via inland roads at the foot of the impressive Picos de Europa. Walk the stunning Cares Gorge, visit the Covadonga Basilica and Lakes, or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of tiny seaside villages along the Llanes Coast.

Challenge: Travel from Queveda to Cuanda

Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales, Covadonga, Llanes

Day 4-6: The Llanes Coast and the Picos de Europa

Explore the beautiful beaches and quiet coves of the Cantabrian Coast near Llanes or drive inland (30min) to visit the Picos de Europa National Park. The Cares Gorge, Sotres and the Covadonga Lakes are all nearby.

Challenge: Beaches, blowholes, peaks and gorges

Villages along the way: Llanes, Pría, Niembro, Cares Gorge, Covadonga Lakes

Day 7: From Eastern to Central Asturias

En route today, visit the lovely seaside town of Ribadesella, admire Pre-Romanesque chapels near Villaviciosa or drive among apple orchards toward Nava. In the afternoon, stroll round Cimadevilla, historical fishermen's quarter of Gijón or along beautiful San Lorenzo Beach. This evening, tapas and cider on one of the many outdoor terraces.

Challenge: From Cuanda to Gijón

Villages along the way: Ribadesella, Playa de Vega, Villaviciosa, Tazones

Day 8: In and around Gijón

Today you'll have time to further explore Gijón or the nearby fishing village of Tazones. Or take a short drive to the capital city of Oviedo to see the Gothic cathedral or the Pre-Romanesque monuments of Monte Naranco.

Challenge: Excursions from Gijón

Villages along the way: Oviedo, Gijón, Tazones

Day 9-10: From Central to Western Asturias

Your journey continues as you drive inland to the virgin territory of western Asturias, Los Oscos. This beautiful area maintains its truly authentic rural charm. Enjoy a peaceful walk in the woods, a stroll near the Somiedo Lakes or a cultural visit to the fascinating Os Teixois or Grandas de Salime ethnographic museums.

Challenge: From Gijón to Los Oscos

Villages along the way: Santa Eulalia de Oscos, Taramundi, Somiedo, Grandas, Tineo, Salas

Day 11-13: From Asturias to Galicia

Across the border and into Galicia, to spend a few days exploring yet another completely different setting. Villages and towns along the Pilgrims' Trail, with their fascinating historical monuments, or the lovely Galician cities including, of course, Santiago de Compostela.

Challenge: Villages, towns and cities of Galicia

Villages along the way: Padrón, Muxía, Betanzos, Camariñas, Fisterra, Coruña, Lugo, Santiago

Day 14: Departure from Galicia

Your arrangement ends today after breakfast.

Challenge: Travel from Touro

Practical info

Included:

  • 13 nights' accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis
  • Detailed maps and route notes in English
  • 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away

Not Included:

  • Rental car (may be booked separately)
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Entrance tickets to museums, monuments and cable car
  • Flights and transfers to first and from last accommodation
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
  • Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Optional Services:

  • Extra night/s at any of the accommodations along the way
  • This program is also available for 12 days (11 nights)

Reviews

Start: Queveda

Finish: Santiago de Compostela

 

Dates & prices

Trip availability: From 15th March to 15th November

Departures
March 30, 2013 - April 06, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 630 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 710 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 710 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 995 €/person
single room party, single room: 995 €/person
April 07, 2013 - June 20, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 515 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 530 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 530 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 730 €/person
single room party, single room: 730 €/person
June 21, 2013 - July 26, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 595 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 655 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 655 €/person
single room party, single room: 915 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 915 €/person
July 27, 2013 - August 31, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 630 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 710 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 710 €/person
single room party, single room: 995 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 995 €/person
September 01, 2013 - September 23, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 570 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 610 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 610 €/person
single room party, single room: 870 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 870 €/person
September 24, 2013 - December 15, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
triple room party, 3 persons (1 child): 515 €/person
double room (one bed) party, 2 persons: 530 €/person
twin room ( 2 beds) party, 2 persons: 530 €/person
single room party, single room: 730 €/person
solo traveler, single room: 730 €/person