The Camino del Norte, sometimes known as the Ruta de la Costa, was established in the Middle Ages, when it was first used by pilgrims arriving in Spain via the northern ports.

Without the crowds or extensive infrastructure of the Camino Francés, The Northern Way can be a great alternative for first-time Pilgrims seeking a more solitary Camino.

One of the longer, hillier routes, the Camino del Norte can present a substantial physical challenge rewarded by stunning views of the coast.

The Route

The trail starts from the border town of Irún and stretches approximately 815km across northern Spain to the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. It can be divided into roughly 34 stages, with stretches varying in length from 10-40 km per day. It takes on average 5-7 weeks to complete in full.

The Camino del Norte travels through four distinct regions. Setting off from the Basque Country, the route passes through several seaside towns, crosses the beaches and meadows of Cantabria and Asturias, then turns inland over the hills of Galicia, to join up with the Camino Francés at Arzúa.

Waymarking is sufficient, but not as prolific as on the Camino Francés, and the distinctive yellow arrows mark the way on rocks, trees, and buildings along the route. It can be tricky to pick up the trail when exiting towns and cities, but a route-finding app will get you back on track… if a friendly local hasn’t already.

The symbolic scallop shell is used to waymark the route throughout, but it’s worth noting the variations between regions. In Asturias, the base of the shell indicates the direction of travel, whereas in Galicia it’s the opposite, with the shells’ rays pointing the other way.

Where to Start?

There are several points you could begin along the route, but the most popular starting point for the Camino del Norte is:

Irún (815km to Santiago)

For a shorter Camino a good option would be to start at:

Santander (260km)

The closest airport to Irún is San Sebastián, however most pilgrims find the most convenient airport is usually Biarritz (BIQ) which offers more international connections and is still only 30 mins away by bus.  Santander has the benefit of having its own airport, but where you fly in to will largely depend on where you are travelling from. To find the best travel options from your home country you can use a journey planning tool like Rome2Rio.

Terrain

The terrain varies greatly, from forest tracks and rocky paths to beaches and man-made walkways. There’s more road walking than on the Camino Francés, particularly in Asturias (the stretch from Gijón to Avilés has some particularly grey kilometres). This is balanced by days of walking along lush green coastline. The stunning beaches of San Sebastián and Laredo more than make up for the stretches of tarmac.

The difficulty of the Camino del Norte is present in its frequent ascents, descents, and some particularly long stretches between rest-stops. It can certainly feel like a step-up from the Camino Francés, in terms of the physical challenge. Good hiking footwear is essential, and you’ll want to take care of your feet to prevent blisters.

One of the most strenuous stages is from Deba to Markina. This day involves a significant amount of accumulated ascent, descent, and a long 16km stretch without services. After leaving the rolling hills of the Basque country, the ascents become less dramatic, but the 37km stretch between Santander and Santillana del Mar still presents a considerable challenge. The trail flattens out a bit after Gijón until it reaches Ribadeo where it starts undulating again across the hills of Galicia.

Towns and Cities

The trail passes through numerous cities, towns, and villages. Many pilgrims choose to take a few rest days along the way to allow the body to recover, and take in some of the sites and culture.

Notable towns and cities on route include: San Sebastián, Bilbao, Castro Urdiales, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Ribadesella, Gijón, Avilés, Luarca, Ribadeo, Mondoñedo, and Sobrado dos Monxes.

With many of the coastal towns and cities being attractive holiday destinations, there’s plenty to explore once you arrive. Relax on the beautiful La Concha Beach in San Sebastián, visit the famous Guggenheim in Bilbao or take a wander down the historic streets of Santillana del Mar. Stunning beaches, historic sites, museums, and parks, make the cities and towns great places to spend a rest day.

Urban centres cater to holidaymakers, as well as pilgrims, so the typical cheap set-menu for pilgrims (a staple on the Camino Francés) is less common. There’s usually a reasonably priced menu of the day, and some tapas (called pintxos in the Basque Country) won’t cost you a fortune. Seafood is usually a feature on the menus of local restaurants, and specialties range from hearty cod stews to fried squid and octopus.

When to Go?

May to October is recommended. The trail passes along Spain’s Costa Verde (Green Coast) and the oceanic climate means temperatures can be cooler, and less stable than on the Camino Francés. July and August are more likely to be warm and sunny, but wet, windy, and cloudy days are to be expected at any time of the year. I spent much of my first trip on the Camino del Norte crunching along the trail in a bright blue plastic poncho… and that was in August!

The route is less crowded than the Camino Francés, but accommodation can be sparse in some areas, with a few albergues having limited capacity. Although you’re likely to encounter fewer pilgrims on the route, accommodation can still fill up quickly, especially in August during the Spanish holidays.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not as plentiful as on the Camino Francés and is spread out along the route, requiring pilgrims to hike some long stretches. A good option can be to split longer sections by taking a taxi from your finish point to your accommodation and then back again the following morning. 

Many choose to stay in municipal albergues. These pilgrims’ hostels are the cheapest and most basic type of accommodation, dormitory-style and usually bunk beds. They cannot be booked in advance and offer priority to pilgrims making the journey on foot. Not every town on the Camino del Norte has a municipal albergue, so you should be prepared to stay in a variety of accommodations along the way and factor this into your Camino budget.

Some private albergues are also available, offering dormitories with fewer beds, private rooms, and additional facilities such as washing machines and tumble dryers. They are more expensive than municipals but usually allow bookings in advance.

Alternative accommodation is available in most larger towns and villages in the form of Casas Rurales, Hostales, or Hotels. Pilgrims may find themselves competing with holidaymakers for this type of accommodation, particularly in seaside towns, and prices will reflect the demand. If travelling during the peak months it may be beneficial to book in advance or be prepared to make a short taxi ride away from the tourist hot spots.

The Camino del Norte converges with the Camino Francés for the final two stretches to Santiago. This section can get extremely busy, and it may be worth pre-booking accommodation to avoid getting caught up in a ‘race for beds’. The Camino del Norte is a challenging route with plenty of sparkling coastline, sandy beaches, and rolling hills. It makes a great choice for the adventurous pilgrim seeking more solitary stretches.

Want to hike the Camino del Norte? Then it’s time to get planning → Start Here for practical tips and advice on how to get started.

Curious to learn about the other routes? Download your Free Camino Planning Starter Pack which includes both a Routes Summary and a Distances Comparison Table.