Walk the entire length of one of the original Camino routes followed by pilgrims walking to Santiago. 'El Camino del Norte' originates from the 9th Century and was one of the original Camino routes for pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela. Sheltered from the rest of the Muslim dominated Iberian Peninsula by the Picos de Europa and Cordillera Cantabrica, it was considered the safest route for Christian pilgrims making their way to the tomb of St James. The full route starts in Irun near the French border and joins the French route at Arzua. This walk begins in the vibrant city of Bilbao with the iconic Guggenheim museum, before continuing along the dramatic coastline through Cantabria and the Asturias region. From Ribadeo, gateway to Galicia the route veers south passing through historic villages enroute to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy a variety of landscapes and architecture, both ancient and modern, while staying in small hotels with local character. The dramatic coastline of the Bay of Biscay and mountain paths make the northern way both challenging and rewarding, whilst the quieter trails offer a great alternative to the more popular French route.
Bilbao, Santiago De Compostela, Bustio, Llanes, Ribadesella, Colunga, Villaviciosa, Gijón, Aviles, Soto Del Barco, Cadavedo, Luarca, Navia, Ribadeo, Mondonedo, Abadín, Vilalba, Reguela, Sobrado Dos Monxes, Arzúa, Liendo, O Pedrouzo, Noja, Galizano, Santander, Santillana Del Mar, Comillas, San Vicente De La Barquera