Walking the Camino del Norte – Cantabria and the Asturias Coast

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  • Start Santander
  • End Fisterre or Muxia
  • DateApril to October
  • Duration 20 nights - can be tailored
  • Distance227 miles / 354 km
  • GradeEasy & Moderate with some hilly sections

The Northern Way, also known as the Camino del Norte, beautifully encapsulates the mesmerizing landscapes of ‘Green Spain’, winding through the regions of Cantabria and Asturias. This route promises sun-kissed beaches, secluded coves, lush meadows, towering mountain peaks, panoramic sea vistas, historic towns, charming fishing villages, and tranquil pathways!

Why Walk the Camino del Norte?

Often touted as the Camino boasting the most captivating terrains, the Northern Way owes its allure to its unique positioning between the ocean and the mountains. Spanning a distance of 840 km (520 miles), the journey kicks off from the French border, meanders along the picturesque Basque coast, traverses through Cantabria, advances to Asturias, and finally dips into Galicia. Here, the path takes an inland turn, leading pilgrims southwards to the iconic Santiago de Compostela.

While we extend the option of exploring the complete Camino del Norte from Irun to Santiago de Compostela, most enthusiasts opt for custom-crafted experiences spanning 1 to 3 weeks, mainly focusing on the enchanting neighboring regions of Cantabria and Asturias.

Ideal for seasoned hikers acquainted with long-distance trails, this segment of the Camino offers a more peaceful experience compared to the bustling Camino Frances further south. As such, walkers should be equipped for a self-guided journey, although we ensure comprehensive assistance through in-depth walking notes, maps, and GPS tracks. If you’re contemplating your next Camino voyage or previously enjoyed inn-to-inn trekking, the Northern Camino stands out as a brilliant choice.

For those seeking a shorter immersion into the region’s beauty, our week-long expedition along the Basque Camino is an excellent pick, made even more accessible with convenient flight options into Bilbao. (Learn more on our Camino del Norte – Basque Coast page.)

Scenic Splendors, from Santander to Ribadeo

Embark on a three-week journey through the Camino del Norte’s Cantabria and Asturias stretch. This expedition commences in Santander, the maritime heart of Cantabria, and concludes at the scenic coastal town of Ribadeo, marking the threshold between Asturias and Galicia.

Santander radiates maritime charm. As a bustling ferry port and sailing hub, the city boasts expansive sandy beaches, iconic cultural landmarks, and fascinating museums. Your pilgrimage departs from the majestic Gothic Cathedral. As you navigate through Santander’s suburbs and commercial precincts westward, the urban landscape gradually dissolves into open countryside, leading you to the historic Santillana del Mar.

Revered for its medieval towers, Renaissance edifices, and Romanesque religious structures, Santillana’s proximity to the UNESCO-acclaimed Altamira Caves, celebrated for their exquisite prehistoric artwork and murals, makes it an unmissable landmark.

Following a few serene days of countryside trekking, your trail steers toward the coastal route around Comillas. This seaside haven houses an eccentric summer abode designed by Gaudi, the architectural genius behind Barcelona’s iconic cathedral. The journey continues to the picturesque port of San Vincente de la Barquera, ultimately leading to Asturias, a realm with charming fishing harbors and hamlets. The landscapes of Eastern Asturias boast towering mountains with emerald façades, jagged peaks often veiled in mystic mists, and steep declines that cleave to the Cantabrian waters. Such a panorama could easily be the backdrop of a Tolkien masterpiece.

We’ve divided the Asturias Camino into eastern and western segments, using the city of Aviles as a bridge between the two. We encourage travelers to consider a leisurely break in nearby Oviedo, a city rich in heritage and the administrative heart of the region.

The flexibility of our itinerary allows you to tailor your journey. Opt for your preferred starting and concluding points, and we’ll streamline the logistics, ensuring an experience best suited to your desires. While long-distance paths inevitably include some urban stretches, especially around major cities like Santander, Gijon, and Aviles, our expertise allows us to craft itineraries that emphasize rural and scenic sections.

(Not the perfect Camino adventure for you? Explore the rest of our Camino Tours and take the first steps on your dream trip today.)

Price Includes

  • 20 Nights twin room/ double share B&B
  • Baggage Transfers

Price Excludes

  • Driver Service Fee
  • Guide Service Fee
  • Room Service Fees

Single Supplement

£440

Highlights

  • Beaches – The golden sands of Gijon’s Playa de San Lorenzo
  • Traditional fishing ports
  • Coastal footpaths – Cantabrian Sea
  • Natural monuments – Cathedral Beach, Galicia
  • History – Santa Maria del Naranco, Ovideo

Food & Drink

The culinary traditions of land and sea have equal weight here and you’ll be delighted by the regional specialities. Spanish chefs produce wonderful dishes using first-class local ingredients; locally caught fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea, dairy and beef producers are often small scale farmers and artisan cheesemakers and the region has an enviable climate for growing fruit and vegetables as well as orchards and vineyards. You can expect high-quality cuisine in the simplest of establishments. You’ll also find excellent regional wines, ciders and liquors that easily compete with the best in Europe.

Itinerary

Cantabria Section - 53 miles / 85 km

  • Arrive in Santander
  • 9.3 miles / 14.9 km to Mogro
  • 13.1 miles / 20.9 km to Santanilla del Mar
  • 13.9 miles / 22.3 km to Comillas
  • 7.1 miles / 11.3 km to San Vicente de la Barquea
  • 9.6 miles / 15.4 km to Unquera

Asturias Oriental Section (East) - 95 miles / 152 km

17.3 miles / 27.6 km to Llanes
8.0 miles / 12.8 km to Nueva
11.6 miles / 18.6 to Ribadesella
12.4 miles / 19.8 km to Colunga
11.1 miles / 17.8 km to Villaviciosa
18.7 miles / 29.9 km to Gijon – (this is quite a tough day, in terms of distance, terrain and ascent. We suggest we split it into two days with a transfer off Camino to overnight accommodation).
15.8 miles / 25.3 km to Aviles

Asturias Occidental Section (West) - 80 miles / 127 km

  • 14.3 miles / 22.8 km Muros de Nalon
  • 10.3 miles / 16.4 km Suto de Luina
  • 11.8 miles / 18.9 km Cadavedo
  • 10.0 miles / 16 km Luarca
  • 12.6 miles / 20.1 km Navia
  • 13.1 miles / 20.9 km Tapia de Casariego
  • 7.5 miles / 12 km to Ribadeo (Galicia)

Oviedo - Captial of Asturias

The magnificent, ancient capital city of Asturias is Oviedo, located just a few miles south of Aviles and set in a pretty green valley surrounded by hills. An overnight visit here is highly recommended, with plenty to admire and taste. The Cathedral of Oviedo is the starting point of the Camino Primitivo. Asturian King Alfonso II was the first pilgrim to travel to Santiago de Compostela, in the 9th-century, just a few years after the discovery of the remains of the Apostle St James. There are many art and architectural treasures in Oviedo, including the enchanting 9th-century pre-romanesque church of Santa Maria, which sits nestled into Mount Naranco and overlooks the city with a clear line of sight to the Cathedral tower.

Map

Accommodation

Small Country Hotels & Guest Houses

We book our clients into small family-run hotels and pensions. These are traditional style in the main and classified as 1 – 3 stars depending on amenities such as lifts, swimming pools, air-con and restaurcion. In the larger towns and cities, there are upgrades to 4-star establishments.

Reviews

Camino del Norte
FromGBP£1,900

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