Camino del Norte
From Irún to Santiago along the Cantabrian coast: demanding, green and breathtakingly beautiful.
Why choose the Camino del Norte
This is the route for those who put scenery above all else. It follows the Cantabrian coastline from Irún into Galicia, alternating between cliffs, wild beaches, fishing villages and cities with real character like San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Gijón.
In exchange for those views, it demands a lot: the profile is constantly broken up, with short but relentless climbs and descents that add up to more elevation gain than the Camino Francés. It's less crowded, though the Basque stretch fills up in summer. Ideal if you've already walked the Francés and want something wilder.
Main sections (32–34 stages)
Being such a long route, most pilgrims walk it in sections across several years. These are the natural blocks.
| Section | Route | Distance | View guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basque Country | Irún → Bilbao | ~160 km | View stage → |
| Cantabria | Bilbao → Santander | ~200 km | View stage → |
| Eastern Asturias | Santander → Gijón | ~200 km | View stage → |
| Western Asturias | Gijón → Ribadeo | ~150 km | View stage → |
| Galicia | Ribadeo → Santiago | ~190 km | View stage → |
Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the variant and the exact start and end point of each day. We'll be publishing a detailed guide for each stage.
The essentials for this route
An honest selection for the terrain and climate of this route. The links are affiliate links; they cost you nothing extra.
🥾 Mountain boots
The broken terrain and muddy stretches call for footwear with a good sole and solid support.
🧥 Quality rain jacket
The Cantabrian coast is rainy all year round: don't cut corners here.
🦯 Trekking poles
Essential with so much cumulative elevation across short climbs and descents.
🔦 Lightweight headtorch
Many stages start before dawn to avoid the coastal heat in August.
Also available at Decathlon [ENLACE_AFILIADO_DECATHLON] and Trekkinn [ENLACE_AFILIADO_TREKKINN].
Accommodation along the route
Hostels are scarcer and further apart than on the Francés, and in summer the coast fills with holidaymakers: booking is almost essential.
Public and private
Present on almost every stage, though with fewer beds than on the Francés. In July and August, book ahead.
More comfort
Plentiful along the coast, but with high prices in peak season due to beach tourism.
For a good rest
Good options in San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Gijón for splitting the route into sections.
View the full route
The map above, next to the hero, shows the complete route all the way to Santiago.
⬆️ Scroll up to see the map
Everything about the Camino del Norte
How many kilometres is the Camino del Norte?
How many days does it take?
Is it tougher than the Camino Francés?
Can it be walked in sections?
What's the best time of year?
Are there many hostels?
Can it be combined with the Camino Primitivo?
Can it be done by bike?
Ready to walk to Santiago?
Choose your starting point, plan your stages, and when you arrive, come celebrate with us at Bonsai Café: brunch, specialty coffee and cocktails right in the centre of Santiago.