Camino Santiago del Norte
Guide to the Camino del Norte pilgrimage route through northern Spain to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. It includes step-by-step descriptions of the Camino del Norte (800 km) and provides tips, information on pilgrim hostels and much more.
The essentials
- El Camino "
- Practical guide "
- The route: the Northern Way "
- What they never told you about the northern routeAdvice, information on pilgrim hostels and much more "
El Camino
Santiago de Compostela, whose cathedral houses the relics of St. James, was one of the three great Catholic pilgrimage centres of the Middle Ages, along with Rome and Jerusalem. There was no single route to Santiago; the path began at one's door. But as pilgrims approached Spain, many converged on a handful of particularly popular routes, known historically as the Caminos de Santiago.
The North Road is a coastal route of 817 km over five weeks from the city of Irun, near the French border. This route follows relatively flat terrain through quiet coastal villages. It is the most frequented of the Caminos del Norte, attracting two or three times as many pilgrims as the Primitivo.
Although the French Way is known as the Camino de Santiago, it is actually part, together with these Northern Ways, of a network of routes. However, because the French is so popular, the Camino del Norte offers ideal conditions. It is popular enough to offer sufficient facilities, clear signposting and a community of pilgrims, while plentiful and cheap accommodation along the way means there is no need to rush for a bed.
Practical guide
This guide is a meticulously detailed and practical companion to the pilgrimage routes leading through northern Spain to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, with step-by-step descriptions of the Camino del Norte route.
- Signage, route planning and maps
- Descriptions of the many historic shrines, churches, towns and cities visited.
- Preparation and planning
- How to get there and back
- Recommended equipment
- Accommodation, information on each pilgrims' hostel.
- Food
- Postal services
- Phones
When to go?
Summers are ideal, for access to the facilities and the sunny weather, but the routes are accessible all year round.
Reference Cities & Services
The main cities are San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo, Gijon, Lugo and Santiago de Compostela.
Difficulty
the first week of the Camino del Norte (Irún-Santiago) are strenuous but doable for the most able-bodied people; beyond this stretch, the Camino del Norte is accessible to all walkers.
To be seen
Pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago, famous cities (San Sebastian, Bilbao, Oviedo, Lugo), medieval villages (Santillana del Mar), sandy beaches, good hiking.
The route: Camino del Norte
How have we planned the stages?
- Stage 1. Irun to Donostia-San Sebastián
- Stage 2 San Sebastian to Zarautz
- Stage 3 Zarautz to Deba
- Stage 4 Deba to Markina-Xemein
- Stage 5 Markina-Xemein to Gernika
- Stage 6 Gernika to Bilbao
- Stage 7 Bilbao to Pobeña
- Stage 8 Pobeña to Castro-Urdiales
- Stage 9 Castro-Urdiales to Laredo
- Stage 10 Laredo to Guemes
- Stage 11 Guemes to Santander
- Stage 12 Santander to Santillana del Mar
- Stage 13 Santillana del Mar to Comillas
- Stage 14 Comillas to Colombres
- Stage 15 Colombres to Llanes
- Stage 16 Llanes to Ribadesella
- Stage 17 Ribadesella to Sebrayo
- Stage 18 Sebrayo to Gijón
- Stage 19 Gijón to Avilés
- Stage 20 Avilés to Soto de Luiña
- Stage 21 Soto de Luiña to Cadavedo
- Stage 22 Cadavedo to Luarca
- Stage 23 Luarca to La Caridad
- Stage 24 La Caridad to Ribadeo
- Stage 25 Ribadeo to Lourenzá
- Stage 26 Lourenzá to Gontán
- Stage 27 Gontán to Baamonde
- Stage 28 Baamonde to Miraz
- Stage 29 Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes
- Stage 30 Sobrado dos Monxes to Arzúa
- Stage 31 Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela
The other routes of the Camino, such as the French Way, English Way" y Primitive Way" are alternative routes from the Pyrenees to Santiago.
