Camino del Norte
835km
As ancient as the French Way, this Camino del Norte was already used by the European Kings in medieval times.
When the southern regions were brought back to peace and it was no longer required to travel through this Northern Way, it lost a lot of popularity, however, The Camino del Norte is working on its return and is gaining popularity again. More than 800 km through wonderful places and a very nice (quieter) alternative to the French Way. However, there are less pilgrim albergues along the this way, so you better plan your walks carefully. In general the way is very well marked and combines higher altitudes with ahh, how nice: walking on the beach!
The Camino del Norte is a long trail. Here are some options for your starting point:
- Go all the way: start in Irún. Fly into San Sebastian or take the train or bus from any major city in Spain.
- Start in Ribadeo and enjoy the Playa de las Catedrales
- Start in Vilalba and walk the final ~122K and obtain your Compostela
Stage 1 Irún - San Sebastián
Km 0: Irun (All services)
Km 3: Ermita de Santiagotxo (Albergue at 650 m)
Km 4,4: Santuario de Guadalupe (Bar/Restaurant)
Km 16,4: Pasai Donibane/Pasajes de San Juan (Albergue, Bars, Shops, Medical centre, Pharmacy, ATM)
Km 18,9: Faro de la Plata
Km 23,8: San Sebastián (All services)
Km 27,6: San Sebastián (Juvenile albergue) (All services)

Stage 2 San Sebastián - Zarautz
Km 0: San Sebastián (Juvenile albergue) (All services)
Km 1.4: Monte Igueldo
Km 6.8: Igueldo-Camino Buztintxuri (Bar-Grill)
Km 16.9: Orio (All services)
Km 22.4: Zarautz (All services)

Stage 3 Zarautz - Deba
Km 0: Zarautz (All services)
Km 4.1: Getaria (All services)
Km 6,1: Askizu (Albergue-Bar)
Km 9.1: Zumaia (All services)
Km 13: Elorriaga (Bar)
Km 18,5: Itziar (Bars, Shop)
Km 22: Deba (All services)

Stage 4 Deba - Markina
Km 0: Deba (All services)
Km 4,4: Ermita del Calvario de Maia (Albergue-Bar-shop, Grill)
Km 8,3: Olatz (Bar)
Km 14,2: Collado Arnoate (Water well)
Km 24,3: Markina (Albergue, All services)

Stage 5 Markina - Gernika
Km 0: Markina (All services)
Km 3,8: Iruzubieta (Bars)
Km 6,2: Bolibar (Bar, Shop, Inn)
Km 7,5: Monasterio de Zenarruza (Albergue)
Km 11,7: Munitibar (Bar, Shop, Casa Rural)
Km 16,2: Berriondo (indicated is albergue Mendata at short distance with restaurant nearby)
Km 19,1: Elexalde
Km 23: Ajangiz
Km 25: Gernika (All services)

Stage 6 Gernika - Lezama
Km 0: Gernika (All services)
Km 2,2: Ermita de Santa Lucía
Km 10,3: Albergue Eskerika
Km 17,1: Goikoelexalde (Bar)
Km 18,5: Larrabetzu (Bars, Shops, Pharmacy, ATM, accommodation)
Km 21,8: Lezama (All services)

Stage 7 Lezama - Bilbao
Km 0: Lezama (All services)
Km 3: Zamudio (All services)
Km 7,3: Monte Avril (Picnic area)
Km 11,2: Bilbao (All services)

Stage 8 Bilbao - Portugalete
Km 0: Bilbao (All services)
Km 4,4: Albergue de peregrinos de Bilbao
Km 11: Cruces (Barakaldo) (All services)
Km 12,2: Retuerto (Barakaldo) (All services)
Km 17,8: Sestao (All services)
Km 19,7: Portugalete (All services)

Stage 9 Portugalete - Pobeña
Km 0: Portugalete (All services)
Km 4,3: Nocedal
Km 5,5: Gallarta
Km 11,1: La Arena (Bars, Shops, ATM)
Km 12,3: Pobeña (Albergue open in spring, summer, Rural apartments, Bar)

Stage 10 Pobeña - Castro Urdiales
Km 0: Pobeña (Albergue open in spring, summer, Rural apartments, Bar)
Km 6,1: Ontón (Bar-Shop)
Km 7,5: Baltezana (Bars)
Km 10: Alto de La Helguera
Km 13,8: Barrio de Los Corrales
Km 15,4: Santullán (Bars, Bakery)
Km 17,5: Sámano (Bar)
Km 22: Castro Urdiales – Centro (All services)
Km 23,5: Castro Urdiales (Albergue)

Stage 11 Castro Urdiales - Laredo
Km 0: Castro Urdiales – Centro (All services)
Km 4,1: Cerdigo
Km 7,3: Islares (Albergue, Bar, Shop)
Km 11,6: Nocina (Albergue, Bar)
Km 13,4: Rioseco (Bar)
Km 14,6: El Puente (Bars, Shops, Health Center, Pharmacy, ATM)
Km 24,5: Hazas (Liendo) (All services)
Km 30,6: Laredo (All services)

Stage 12 Laredo - Güemes
Km 0: Laredo (All services)
Km 4,9: Santoña (All services)
Km 14,2: Noja (All services)
Km 21: Barrio de Solorga-San Miguel de Meruelo (Albergue)
Km 29,5: Güemes (Albergue, Hotel)

Stage 13 Güemes - Santander
Km 0: Güemes (Albergue, Hotel)
Km 3,3: Barrio Linderrio (Pension)
Km 4,4: Galizano (Hotel, Bars, Shops, ATM)
Km 14,7: Somo (All services)
Km 20,5: Santander (All services)

Stage 14 Santander - Queveda
Km 0: Santander (All services)
Km 3.5: Peñacastillo
Km 9.3: Santa Cruz de Bezana (Albergue, Pension)
Km 14.1: Boo de Piélagos (Albergue)
The best option is to take the train in Boo de Piélagos and to get off in Mogro: better then crossing the train bridge over the river Pas!
Km 23.5: Mogro
Km 31.7: Cudón
Km 34.9: Requejada (Albergues)
Km 38.3: Viveda
Km 41,4: Queveda (Albergue, other accommodation)

Stage 15 Queveda - Comillas
Km 0: Queveda (Albergue, other accommodation)
: Arroyo
: Oreña
: Alfoz de Lloredo
: San Martín de Cigüenza
: Cóbreces
: Venta del Tramalón
: Concha
: Pando
Km 26,4: Comillas (Albergues)

Stage 16 Comillas - Unquera
Km 0: Comillas (Albergues)
: Santa María del Tejo
: La Acebosa
: Pesués
Watch your way here. There are marks missing. After crossing the N-634 in Pesués, the way goes to Unquera via an ascending road that turns to the left to take a path through the forest. When you are on that path, there is a small portion without way-marks, watch your step and note that you can always return to take the N-634 to Unquera if you don’t want to get lost.
Km 26,6: Unquera

Stage 17 Unquera - Llanes
Km 0: Unquera
: Capilla de Animas
: La Franca
: Colombres
When you get out of Colombres you’ll have a portion of the N-634 with a lot of traffic. When travelling in groups, be mindful and walk one after the other and never beside each other. Safety first!
: Buelna
: Pendueles
: Camping La Paz
: Bufones de Arenillas
: Mirador Río Purón
: Mirador La Ballota
: Andrín
Km 25,1: Llanes (All services)

Stage 18 Llanes - San Esteban de Leces
Km 0: Llanes (All services)
Km 2: Poo
Km 4,3: Celorio
Km 8: Niembru
Km 12,3: Naves
Km 13,2: Villahormes
Km 16,1: Nueva
Km 18: Piñeres de Pría
Km 22,5: Ribadesella (albergue, shops, accommodation)
Km 32,6: San Pedro
Km 33,9: San Esteban (Albergue)

Stage 20 Sebrayo - Gijón
Km 0: Sebrayo (Albergue)
6.1: Villaviciosa
15.4: Nievares
: Alto de La Cruz
22.2: Peón (albergue)
Km 34,3: Gijón (Albergue, accommodation, all services)

Stage 21 Gijón - Avilés
Km 0: Gijón (Albergue, accommodation, all services)
: Alto Monte Areo
: El Valle Iglesia Santa Eulalia
: Tamon
: Trasona
Km 22,7: Avilés (Albergue, accommodation, all services)

Stage 22 Avilés - Soto de Luiña
Km 0: Avilés (Albergue, accommodation, all services)
: San Cristobal
5: Salinas
6.3: San Martín de Laspra
: Barrio de la Cruz
12.6: Santiago del Monte
: Ranon
: Riolavega
: El Pito
: Rellayo
: Arroyo Concha de Artedo
Km 38: Soto de Luiña (Albergue and accommodation)

Stage 23 Soto de Luiña - Cadavedo
Km 0: Soto de Luiña (Albergue and accommodation)
: Cruce a Valdredo
: Novellana
: Castaneras
: Santa Marina
: Ballotas
Km 23,9: Cadavedo (Albergue)

Stage 25 Luarca - La Caridad
Km 0: Luarca (Albergue, Bars, Shops)
: Otur
: Villapedre
: Piñera
: Villaoril
: La Colorada
: Navia
: Jarrio
: Cartavio
Km 29,3: La Caridad (Albergue)

Stage 26 La Caridad - Ribadeo
Km 0: La Caridad (Albergue)
: El Franco
: Porcia
: Brul
: Tol
: Figueras
Km 22,3: Ribadeo (Albergue) Welcome to Galicia!

Stage 27 Ribadeo - Lourenzá
Km 0: Ribadeo (Albergue)
Km 7: Vilela (Albergue, Bar/Restaurant)
Km 11,5: A Ponte de Arante
Km 17: Villamartín Pequeño
Km 18,5: Villamartín Grande
Km 22: Gondán (Albergue)
Km 25: San Xusto (Albergue, Bar)
Km 29,5: Vilanova de Lourenzá (Albergue)

Stage 28 Lourenzá - Abadín
Km 0: Vilanova de Lourenzá (Albergue)
2.7: Arroxo
: San Pedro de la Torre
8.8: Mondoñedo
18.2: Lousada
24.5: Gontán (Albergue, pensions)
Km 25.6: Abadín (Albergues)

Stage 29 Abadín - Villalba
Km 0: Abadín (Albergues)
Km 5.9: As Paredes – Castromayor (albergue)
Km 8.9: Martiñan
15.2: Goiríz
Km 21: Villalba (Albergues)

Stage 31 Baamonde - Sobrado dos Monxes
Km 0: Baamonde (Albergue)
Km 7.7: Digañe
Km 9,5: Service point for pilgrims (Carballedo) (internet, bar, sandwiches, camping possibility, albergue as of May 2015.
Km 12.2: Seixón de Arriba
Km 12.9: A Lagoa (albergue)
Km 14.8: Miraz (Albergue, Bar/Shop)
Km 24.9: A Roxica (Albergues)
Km 34.8: O Mesón (bars)
Km 40.4: Sobrado dos Monxes (Albergues)

Stage 32 Sobrado dos Monxes - Arzúa
Km 0: Sobrado dos Monxes (Albergues)
Km 3.8: Castro
Km 6: Madelos (albergue)
Km 8,5: Corredoiras (Bar, Shop)
9.9: Boimil (Albergue)
Km 11: Boimorto (All services)
Km 14: Sendelle
Km 21,5: Arzúa (All services)
Continue on last 2 stages of Camino Francés to get to Santiago.




