CAMINO DEL NORTE: DAILY STAGES. A GUIDE TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR PERFECT CAMINO DEL NORTE ADVENTURE.
If you are planning to walk the Camino del Norte, you may be looking to plan your daily stages as part of the preparation.
We’ve put together the guide below setting out the Camino del Norte Daily stages with different options included depending on the distances that you prefer.
In this guide you will also ask answers to frequently asked questions about the Camino del Norte.
The Camino del Norte is over 800km
835km to be exact, from Irun in the North of Spain to Santiago de Compostela.
Most people walk in 32 days, but you don’t have to
On average, most people walk the Camino del Norte in around 31 or 32 days.
This will involve walking distances of between 25km and 35km every day. But, it is possible to walk it in less time this (see our guide to that below) each day.
It is also very possible to walk less distance each day and slow down your Camino. The main dependency you will find on the Camino del Norte is whether there is enough accommodation at each stage to enable a slower paced Camino.
5 reasons we think the Camino Norte is worth your time
Clearly, spending one month walking is a big investment. Here are the top 5 reasons that we think the North route is really quite epic and well worth your time.
- The Camino del Norte is a coastal route, you are never too far from the sea and beautiful views
- You get to walk through a number of very different provinces in Spain – from the Basque country, to Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Each one is individual with different cuisine and culture
- The Camino Norte route is much quieter than the other popular routes such as the Frances and the Portuguese. This creates a different sort of experience
- It is absolutely stunning! The scenery is incredible
- The North route travels through a number of vibrant and interesting Spanish cities such as Bilbao, San Sebastian and Santander before arriving in Santiago
You can read more here about the different routes and find out which route is best for you.
Accommodation on the Camino del Norte
The Camino del Norte has a mix of albergues and private accommodation. You can find out more about what albergues are in our piece on albergues here, in case you want to know the basics.
Our daily stages guide as well as our Camino del Norte eBook also recommends accommodation at each daily stage.
We really recommend using the Buen Camino app to plan your daily stages and view accommodation options at each stage too.
In general, accommodation on the Camino del Norte is a little more expensive than accommodation on the Camino Frances. We would always recommend booking ahead for private accommodation, especially in summer when tourists will be visiting the coast.
Typical daily stages on the Camino del Norte
On the Camino del Norte, you will find that most people walk similar daily stages.
Typically, in our experience, many people walk between 25km and 35km each day. But there are variances to this, with some walking less and others walking more.
The below are the typical stages of the Camino del Norte. These are popular stages as they have accommodation at the end of each day and take in the main sites on the North route. We’ve also provided a detailed breakdown of each stage of the walk below.
- Day 1: Irun to San Sebastian 26km
- Day 2: San Sebastian to Zarautz 21km
- Day 3: Zarautz to Barrio de Ibiri 27km
- Day 4: Barrio de Ibri to Zenarruza 26km
- Day 5: Zenarruza to Gernika 18km
- Day 6: Gerninka to Bilbao 32km
- Day 7: Bilbao to Pobena 26km
- Day 8: Pobena to Castro Uridales 30km
- Day 9: Castro Uridales to Laredo 30km
- Day 10: Laredo to Guemes 30km
- Day 11: Guemes to Santander 10km
- Day 12: Santander to Santillana del Mar 37km
- Day 13: Santialla del Mar to Comillas 22km
- Day 14: Comillas to Colombres 29km
- Day 15: Colombres to Llanes 23km
- Day 16: Llanes to San Esteban de Lecces 34km
- Day 17: San Esteban de Lecces to Villavicisosa 33km
- Day 18: Villavicisosa to Gijon 29km
- Day 19: Gijon to Aviles 25km
- Day 20: Aviles to Soto de Luna 36km
- Day 21: Soto de Luna to Luarca 34km
- Day 22: Luarca to Navia 20km
- Day 23: Navia to Tapia de Casariego 21km
- Day 24: Casareigo to Ribadeo 11km
- Day 25: Ribadeo to Lourenza 27km
- Day 26: Lourenza to As Parades (Castromaior) 22km
- Day 27: As Parades to Baamonde 33km
- Day 28: Baamonde to Sobrado dos Monxes 32km
- Day 29: Sobrado dos Monxes to Salceda 34km
- Day 30: Salceda to Santiago 27km
Camino del Norte Daily Stages Map
Here’s a map showing the typical daily walking stages on the Camino del Norte.
You don’t have to walk long daily stages on the Camino del Norte
Yes you can walk the Camino del Norte in more than 30 days taking shorter daily stages. We chose to walk in 28 days, but perhaps a more common approach would be to take between 30 and 32 days.
Many people may also choose to walk the Camino del Norte in more time than this. For example, it is possible to walk less than 25km per day.
It is also possible to walk less than 20km per day if you wish to. But, if you are doing this then you may need to rely on some private accommodation as albergues may not always be easily found with such regularity.
If you want more information on training for the Camino, you can find our guide here.
Walking less than 25km per day
Many people walk the Camino del Norte in 30 or 31 days. But, this can be very difficult, especially as the route is quite undulating. If you’d rather stick to shorter distances each day, the suggested daily stages below may suit you.
At the end of each daily stage we have suggested, there is some form of accommodation available. But, some of this is private and not a pilgrim hostel (albergue.)
Many of the accommodation options are quite small too, so we would recommend booking beds in advance if possible.
You’ll notice that there are a few distances just over 25km. This is because there are a few places that we would really recommend that you try to stay if possible.
One is Guemes, which in our view has one of the best albergues on the Norte – read more here. San Vicente de la Barquera is also a stunning town and we would very much recommend spending a night here.
You may also notice that there are a few shorter days on our suggested route. This is to allow you time to enjoy the big cities of Bilbao, Santander and Gijon.
Finally, we recommend using the Buen Camino app as this can help you to plan personalised daily stages. There may be other options or alternatives to the route below.
If you want more information on training for the Camino, you can find our guide here.
Daily stages for the Camino del Norte of less than 25km
If you want to walk the Camino in slower time, then you may want to consider walking less than 25km per day. It is possible to do that. Here are the suggested daily stages for the Camino del Norte of less than 25km per day:
- Day 1: Irun to San Sebastian 26km
- Day 2: San Sebastian to Zarautz 22km
- Day 3: Zauratz to Deba 21km
- Day 4: Deba to Markina 23km
- Day 5: Markina to Gernika 25km
- Day 6: Gernika to Lezama 19km
- Day 7: Lazama to Bilbao 10km
- Day 8: Bilbao to Portugalete 20km
- Day 9: Portugalete to Onton 18km
- Day 10: Onton to Castro Uridales 18km
- Day 11: Castro Uridales to Rioseco (Guriezo) 15km
- Day 12: Rioseco (Guriezo) to Laredo 19km
- Day 13: Laredo to Guemes 27km
- Day 14: Guemes to Santander 10km
- Day 15: Santander to Mar 25km
- Day 16: Mar to Caborredondo 18km
- Day 17: Caborredondo to San Vicente de la Barquera 27km
- Day 18: San Vicente de la Barquera to La Franca 20km
- Day 19: La Franca to Llanes 20km
- Day 20: Llanes to Villahormes 14km
- Day 21: Villahormes to San Esteban de Leces 21km
- Day 22: San Esteban de Lecces to Priesca 24km
- Day 23: Priesca to Peon 25km
- Day 24: Peon to Gijon 15km
- Day 25: Gijon to Aviles 25km
- Day 26: Gijon to Soto del Barco 18km
- Day 27: Soto del Barco to Soto de Luiña 20km
- Day 28: Soto de Luiña to Canero 25km
- Day 29: Canero to Piñera 23km
- Day 30: Piñera to Valdepares (El Franco) 26 km
- Day 31: Valdepares (El Franco) to Ribadeo 18km
- Day 32: Ribadeo to Lourenza 27km
- Day 33: Lourenza to Gontan 20km
- Day 34: Gontan to Vilalba 22km
- Day 35: Vilalba to Baamonde 19km
- Day 36: Baamonde to Miraz 15km
- Day 37: Miraz Sobrado dos Moxes 25km
- Day 38: Sobrado dos Moxes to Arzua 22km
- Day 39: Arzua to A Rua 18km
- Day 40: A Rua to Santiago de Compostela 20km
Walking the Camino del Norte in less than 30 days
It is possible to walk the Camino del Norte in less than 30 days. If you are a confident walker and comfortable with long distances of 35km and above, there are options to merge some stages and walk the Camino del Norte in 29, 28 or even 27 days. I expect some people have walked it in less.
The second thing to consider if you are looking to save time is to take trains into and out of the large cities.
This may sound like cheating or you may think it’s not an option for you to consider. But, people do take this option on the Norte as there are some rather bleak walks into and out of Bilbao and Gijon.
Both cities are surrounded by large industrial areas and therefore you could choose to skip a few kms, especially if the weather is very hot. For example, you can take a train from Lezama to Bilbao.
Alternatively, you can take a train from Bilbao to Portugalete, which will mean you may be able to walk to Castro Uridales that day.
If you want more information on training for the Camino, you can find our guide here.
Camino del Norte daily stages of 25km to 35km
The guide below is based on the Camino del Norte route that we completed in July 2022. When we walked the Norte, it was our first Camino route. We had reasonable levels of fitness, but were not very experienced walkers. In fact, this was our first multi-day walk, longer than 2 or 3 days.
Find our daily stages guide below.
Day 1: Irun to San Sebastian 26km
Route:
We recommend taking breakfast and a coffee in Irun as it will be a while before you get to another cafe once on the way. The route of of Irun can be a little tricky to find, but pay attention to the navigation on the Buen Camino app and you will find it.
After this, you will start to see your first Camino shell sign posts, which you can follow all the way to Santiago.
The first part of this walk is along a long shady footpath. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the journey you are starting and get excited for what lays ahead!
Eventually you will reach the town of Pasai Donibane – a quaint town and a great chance to get photos on your first day. From here, you must take a short boat across to the other side of the bank before continuing to San Sebastian. It costs 90 cents (as of 2022) and takes a couple of minutes.
There are two steep hills to climb on the first day, one of which takes you close to San Sebastian and offers spectacular views of the city once you arrive at the top. You will then walk down a steep hill to get to the city.
Highlights:
- The boat ride from Pasia to San Sebastian
- When San Sebastian starts to come into view over the cliffs
- Arriving in San Sebastian for wine and pintxos
Accommodation:
There are at least six albergues in San Sebastian, this includes one donation based albergue Claret Ikastola Pilgrims Hostel. Alternatively, you can book one of the many private hotel options in San Sebastian city.
There are also some really great and modern hostels that you can book in advance on Hostel World. We would recommend booking ahead for San Sebastian.
The three best bookable hostels are, Colo Colo (a fancy start to your Camino!), Downtown River Hostel (simple and clean), A room in the city (complete with fantastic courtyard bar).
Day 2: San Sebastian to Zarautz 22km
Route:
From San Sebastian you will follow the bays until you reach a steep uphill out of the city. There are a couple of places to refill water but not much else on the first part of the trail today.
Highlights:
- The forest trails from San Sebastian to Orio
- Sea views in and around Zarautz
Accommodation:
Many people stay in Zarautz on night two, but we continued to Zumaia to keep to our time schedule. But, we had also previously visited Zarautz and wanted to stay somewhere else.
If you have plenty of time, we would recommend staying in Zarautz if you can. Many people also choose to stay in Getaria which is a smaller and more quaint town.
If you stay in Zarautz, there are a couple of hostels. The first is Blai Blai Hostel, the second is Zarautz Surf Hostel and the largest is Igerain Youth Hostel. We recommend booking ahead for this stage as Zarautz is a popular surf town and the hostels can be full of surfers in the summer!
Day 3: Zarautz to Barrio de Ibiri 27km
Route:
Today was one of our favourite days on the Camino del Norte. The scenery is simply spectacular. There are not that many facilities on this day, aside from Deba town. We recommend having breakfast before you hit the trails.
There are two steep ascents today on the route from Zarautz to Barrio de Ibri. The first is into the small beach town of Zumaia. The second is a 300m climb up into Itziar.
Highlights:
- Sea views from Zarautz onto playa Zumaia
- The incredible scenery at Baratzazarrak observation deck
Accommodation:
Many people choose to stay in Deba town, we continued to Barrio de Ibri because we wanted to stay at the Izarbide Pilgrims Hostel.
We really recommend this hostel. It is remote and surrounded by fields. There are separate male and female dorms and good facilities, including a bar. The albergue does not host dinner, but they organise a communal supper at a nearby restaurant.
They can also arrange a packed lunch for you to take the next day (we recommend doing this as there are no facilities after the hostel until 19km later. There are 32 beds and if you arrive early enough, you should get a bed. Reservations required in the winter.
Day 4: Barrio de Ibri to Zenarruza 26km
Route:
The route from Barrio de Ibri until Markina Xemein is along stunning trails. But there are two things to be mindful of. Firstly, there are steep ascents and descents.
The plus side of this is that it offers you fabulous views across the hills. The second, there are no facilities for 19km after you leave the hostel.
Markina Xemein is a pretty little town with a central square. There are plenty of places to eat and drink before you walk the 7km to the monastery at Zenarruza.
Highlights:
- The mountain scenery for the first 19km
- Getting to the top of the steep 450m climb
- The delightful monastery and hospitality
Accommodation:
Accommodation tonight is at the Monasterio de Ziortza in Zenarruza. Facilities are basic but you will be made to feel very welcome.
If you’d rather not stay at the monastery, you can stay in Markina. There is a municipal albergue in the main square – you can’t book but can queue outside at opening time (15:00). But, be sure to visit the monastery the next day.
Day 5: Zenarruza to Gernika 18km
Route:
Some steep ascents and descents again today. A mix of walking trail and some walking on road. Water fountains and one or two places to stop for refreshment are available.
Highlights:
- The historic city of Gernika makes an excellent stop for lunch or dinner
Accommodation:
The largest albergue in Gernika is currently closed. Therefore, the other options are Akellare Boarding House or a few inns that can be booked in advance.
If you want to walk a little further than Gernika to get closer to Bilbao ahead of the next day, one option is to stop for lunch in Gernika and continue further to another albergue.
We chose an albergue in Muixca y Morgan called Albergue Eskerika, which was one of our favourites on the Camino del Norte. You can book in advance on booking.com. Another popular option is Pozueta Rooms in the same area, this cost 15 euros per night for a bunk. Contact in advance to book.
Day 6: Gernika to Bilbao 32km
Route:
A steep climb awaits from Gernika, with some footpaths in shade. The walk to Lezama and beyond is quite arduous, although a mostly flat walk the sun can be over head with no shade in the summer. Stock up on food in Gernika before heading out as there are few facilities until Lezama.
*As an FYI, it is possible to skip part of the walk into Bilbao if you get a train from Lezama. The walk into Bilbao is quite industrial and personally we chose to take the train to avoid this. Bilbao is also such a great city and we wanted to spend time there enjoying the city.
Highlights:
- Intial trails out of Gernika
- Arriving in Bilbao and eating in Casco Viejo – try to spend an extra day in the city if you can
Accommodation:
Bilbao is a large city and there are plenty of private accommodation options. There is one pilgrim only hostel, Santa Cruz de Begona Pilgrims Hostel. There are 22 beds and this is a donation based albergue so is likely to be popular.
If you’d like to book a hostel in advance which would be advisable in Bilbao, there are some good options available on Hostel World. First is Poshtel Hostel, which is advertised as a luxury hostel in the centre of town. Ekoos is an eco hostel with really nice communal space. Finally, La Troupe La Granja is a fun hostel with a bar.
Day 7: Bilbao to Pobena 26km
Route:
The route leads along the river and across to Portugalete. The walk is quite industrial and not the most pleasant, it’s possible to take public transport to Portugalete instead. After this, the beach around La Arena is very pleasant.
Highlights:
- Seeing the highlights of Bilbao before arriving at the industrial area
- The beach and board walk at La Arena
Accommodation:
Pobena is a small place and it has one pilgrim hostel called Muskiz Pilgrims Hostel. 40 beds are offered on a donation basis and there are cooking facilities. Bring food to cook as Pobena doesn’t have good facilities.
Day 8: Pobena to Castro Uridales 23 km
Route:
From Pobena to Castro Uridales is a fairly relaxed walking day. You can take a coastal route, which is a little shorter but has some road walking.
We always take the coastal route when we can, so stuck with this option today. If the weather is good, you will want to get to Castro Uridales early to relax in the water and enjoy some tapas on your first night in Cantabria.
Highlights:
- Arriving in Castro Uridales which is a stunning town
Accommodation:
There is one pilgrim only albergue in Castro Uridales, called Castro Uridales Pilgrim Hostel. It has 16 beds and is only open in peak season. They do allow camping in the garden if full. Otherwise, you can find private boarding houses and accommodation online.
Day 9: Castro Uridales to Laredo 34km
Route: Hands down, the walk from Castro Uridales to Laredo was our favourite day of walking on the Camino del Norte when it comes to scenery. But, we took a slightly different route to the norm. Just after Islares, we found a route that crossed over the river and up the cliff.
This meant that we essentially walked over the cliff rather than around it. It’s a steep climb and not for the faint hearted/ not an official Camino route – but if you want to take it, you can find it on Maps.Me and follow the black markings up the hill.
The normal route is 34km and takes you inland in a U shape before rejoining a lovely path at Liendo, which has great views of Laredo.
Lardeo is a large town with a beautiful sandy beach and lots of bars and restaurants. A perfect place to spend an afternoon if you can arrive early.
Highlights:
- Cliff top views as far as the eyes can see
- Relaxing in Laredo on arrival after the scary cliff top walk
- The wonderful welcome at Casa de La Trinidad and communal dinner
Accommodation:
By far, the best place to stay in Laredo is the convent Albergue Casa de La Trinidad. As of 2022, a bed here costs 10 Euros and there is a communal dinner in the evening that you can join. Arrive at opening time (15:00) for the best chance of securing a bed.
Day 10: Laredo to Guemes 28 km
Route:
We stuck with the coastal route which requires a small boat crossing to Santona. This takes a few minutes and is very easy to board. But, do note that the first crossing tends to be at 09:00 so you can’t get an early start if you take this route.
But, everyone is in the same boat (literally!) Check the latest crossings before you leave the albergue. From here, there are a few nice seaside views along the Cantabrian coast before crossing inland to head to Guemes.
Santona has places to eat and drink. We also found a delightful vineyard, Bodega Vidular, which is worth a stop if you like wine.
Highlights:
- Taking the little boat from Laredo in the morning
- A lovely little vineyard, Bodega Vidular just off the road, a great place to stop for a drink
- More coastal views
Accommodation:
Guemes Pilgrims Hostel, one of the oldest Albergue’s on the North Route is undoubtedly a must visit for anyone on the Camino del Norte.
The owner of this Donativo Albergue will entertain you for hours, the facilities are wonderful and the communal dinner is a convivial experience. You can’t book but it’s a large albergue and you are pretty much guaranteed a bed if you turn up at a reasonable time.
Day 11: Guemes to Santander 10km
Route:
We chose to walk from Guemes and stay in Santander. But, many people skip the city and continue to Santa Cruz de Bezana. We decided when we set out that we wanted to see all of the cities on the Norte, therefore we stayed in Santander.
We would really recommend that others consider doing the same, Santander is an understated city and well worth a visit. We’ve written more about it here.
Once again, there are route choices on the way to Somo from Guemes. One inland and one coastal, the coastal is slightly longer and we think worth it.
Both end up in Somo where you can take the ferry over to Santander. Somo itself is a nice town and a great place to stop for a long lunch or a dip in the sea. It’s also a popular surf spot too.
Highlights:
- Tapas in Santander
- The ferry from Somo
- Long lunches in Somo and enjoying the beach
Accommodation:
In Santander, the pilgrim only hostel is called Santos Martires. There are 50 beds and it costs 15 euros. We’ve not heard the best things about this hostel, but it does seem reliable as a place to stay if you don’t have a booking.
There are various private accommodation options in the city that can be booked in advance. If you want to book a hostel in advance, there are some good options. First is Santander Central Hostel and another option with good reviews is Hostel Santander.
Day 12: Santander to Santillana del Mar 37km
Route:
The route is fairly bland at the start but soon turns into countryside. We struggled to find anywhere for food and refreshments, but had packed lunch and there were plenty of nice spots to have a picnic.
Santillana del Mar is a beautiful town and we recommend staying here if you can. Confusingly, it is not actually on the sea, despite the “del Mar” in it’s name. But it has cobbled streets and stunning architecture, plus plenty of good restaurants with reasonable menus.
*You could take public transport out of Santander to get ahead of the day and skip some of the quite plain walking
Highlights:
- Nice countryside with animals
- The stunning town of Santillana del Mar – wander the streets and you feel as though you are in a movie set
Accommodation:
El Convento Hostel is the main pilgrim only albergue in the town. It has 55 beds and we would recommend booking in advance as it’s very popular. There are a few smaller hostels in the town that will have some availability if the convent doesn’t. There are also small hotels with rooms for around 40 Euros, such as Hotel Santillana.
Day 13: Santillana del Mar to Comillas 22km
Route:
The route today is fairly flat and easy to travese. Lots of animals and countryside surround you. On this day, we chose to continue past Comillas to San Vicente de Baquera as we wanted to walk further on this day. San Vicente is a beautiful town and we really enjoyed our evening there. So if you want to walk a little further, that is an option.
Highlights:
- Nice to enjoy a flat day
- Sea views and beach vibes towards the end of the day
Accommodation:
Comillas has one pilgrim hostel, La Huella dle Camino, it is available to book on booking.com here.
Day 14: Comillas to Colombres 29km
Route:
The route today has a significant milestone as you will move from Cantabria into Asturias. You will also move inland after San Vicente. If you have a chance to stop in San Vicente for breakfast or lunch before you move on to Colombres, it is well worth it in our view. Otherwise, the route enjoys a few undulating hills and not many facilities.
Highlights:
- Crossing the bridge into Asturias
- The beautiful harbour town of San Vicente de Baquera
Accommodation:
In Colomobres there are two private albergues, El Cantu and La Arboleda and a hotel.
Day 15: Colombres to Llanes 23km
Route:
Some road walking for the first section, after which you can continue on road or take the more scenic coastal route (slightly longer but prettier and less hard on the feet.)
Highlights:
- The beautiful and welcoming town of Llanes
- Trying the famous Asturias cider in one of the cider houses in Llanes
Accommodation:
There is no municipal albergue in Llanes, but there are private options including hostels. The best for budget is probably Albergue La Estacion, which can be booked here.
Llanes to San Esteban de Lecces 34km
Route:
A straightforward walk, some pavement and road. Some nice coastal views. The route goes through the delightful town of Ribadesella, we were tempted to stay here but it is a little on the expensive side. As it’s quite a popular tourist town, we also didn’t feel that it was that welcoming to pilgrims. We decided to continue to San Esteban de Lecces to stay in the albergue there.
Highlights:
- Ribadesella – a cute town with lots of nice restaurants
- The hostel had a nice social vibe
Accommodation:
We stayed at the hostel in San Esteban de Lecces. We really liked it. It has a nice garden and social vibe. You can buy beers and breakfast is included, but you’ll need to take food or eat before you arrive as there is nothing else in the area. We ate in Ribadesella and walked on to San Esteban de Lecces.
The hostel is called Albergue de Peregrinos San Esteban de Lecces. It’s a Municipal albergue, just turn up to find a spot rather than book ahead. There are 60 beds.
Day 16: Esteban de Lecces to Villaviciosa 33km
Route:
Quite a difficult day of walking with some tough climbs. You are now over half way through the Norte, and if like me, your feet aren’t holding up very well (scroll down for a picture of my feet on this day – not in picture is the giant Gin and Tonic I was drinking), I promise it will get easier!
Just like the route today, which gets easier for the last half! Food and refreshment available in Colunga today. Then lots of restaurants and bars in Villaviciosa.
Highlights:
- Stunning coastal scenery along the way
- The buzzing town of Villaviciosa
Accommodation:
Private albergues in the town are available, but no Municipal. We stayed here at the Villaviciosa Albergue which can be booked in advance on their website.
Day 17: Villavicisosa to Gijon 29km
Route:
A fairly flat and easy day into Gijon. The last part of the path winds through the leafy suburbs of Gijon before entering the city. We didn’t find anywhere to eat until we neared Gijon and would recommend packing food. There is normally a restaurant half way to Gijon but it closes one day a week and leaves only a vending machine in it’s place (cash required.)
The route splits before Gijon. Turn left to Oviedo to take the Primitivo (if you dare) or continue to Gijon for the norte route.
Highlights:
- Gijon is a vibrant city with plenty going on. We loved trying local wines in the wine bars in the city and exploring
- Lots of downhill and a few forest paths today
- Nosing around the suburbs of Gijon
Accommodation:
There is no municipal albergue in Gijon itself, the nearest is Camping Deva just before the city.
As this is a lively city, we would recommend booking something ahead if you plan to stay in the centre. If you’re looking for a bookable hostel in Gijon, then Boogalow is a cool and central option. You can book through hostelworld here. Otherwise, there are plenty of options on booking.com
Day 18: Gijon to Aviles 25km
Route:
The route from Gijon to Aviles is quite possibly the worst day on the Camino del Norte. So much so, that we didn’t take any pictures, not helped by the fact we walked in rain. It’s an easy day of walking, but just quite boring. You mainly walk on flat road through industrial areas. There are a few cafes and truck stops along the way. Some do not take card, so hopefully you have some cash with you.
Aviles is quite nice however, so you will have a warm welcome awaiting you at the end of your walk. Plenty of places in the central square for a menu del dia.
For more on whether you need cash or card for the Camino, read our guide here.
Highlights:
- Arriving in Aviles to a surprisingly pretty town and enjoying a late lunch on the square
Accommodation:
The main accommodation option in Aviles is the municipal albergue, albergue de pedro solos. Find it here. Bookings are not accepted but arrive at opening time to queue. It is a large albergue with plenty of beds. Not the comfiest of sleeps in this hostel, but it’s cheap and central with some nice communal space outdoors.
The albergue is right near to a superb bakery which opens very early in the morning. We strongly recommend picking up breakfast in the morning.
Day 19: Aviles to Soto de Luna 36km
Route:
Don’t forget to head to the bakery next to the albergue here. Grab breakfast and a loaf for the day ahead. There are not many places for refreshment on the way after Soto de Barco, but lots of nice places for a picnic.
We encountered an unleashed farm dog dog blocking our way and had to re-route. A few others have had the same experience, but you may get lucky and sail through. Some nice walking in forest.
Highlights:
- Stunning views and picnic stops available
Accommodation:
Soto de Luna is a small town, but there are a few options for accommodation. The municipal albergue – website here – is quite pretty and inside an old school building. Lots of garden space. There are also private options, including this hotel, which has some pilgrim accommodation attached. We paid 40 Euros for a private room for two and got a free beer on arrival.
Day 20: Soto de Luna to Luarca 34km
Route:
Out of Soto de Luna there are two routes, a mountain and coastal. The mountain route is not safe, therefore we followed the coastal route. There are also options to take roads near to the coastal route (quicker but not as pretty). We went for the coastal the whole way. A few towns and stops on the way to grab food, even on a Sunday.
Highlights:
- Coastal scenery and paths
- Arriving in Luarca after a steep climb – a pretty town, albeit a little run down feeling
Accommodation:
Albergue villa de Luarca is the main albergue in the town. You can find it here. Otherwise, private accommodation available on booking.com
Route:
A really nice day of walking. The path flows through a shady area with pine trees, creating a beautiful scent if pine in the air. Plenty of places to stop, including a lunch spot with a pilgrim menu. You’ll climb around 430m and also descend the same amount.
Highlights:
- Shaded paths and descents with lovely views
- Navia is a buzzy town with a nice beach to enjoy an hour or so of reclining
Accommodation:
We stayed at Albergue San Roque which is the most popular in the area. The owner makes this place really special as he is super welcoming, plus the facilities are great. The town has plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy too.
Route:
From Navia, you have two route options. One travels inland and the other detours to the beautiful little town of Tapia de Casariego. We would strongly recommend breaking up your journey and detouring to Tapia.
You have a choice here, you could either stop for lunch and continue walking to Ribadeo (this is what we did.) Or, you could stay overnight in Tapia and then visit the stunning Playa Penarronda the following day before Ribadeo (which is what we wish we did.) If the weather is fine, we recommend taking two days. This stretch is the last bit of coast before you head inland to Santiago!
Highlights:
- Small town of Tapia de Casariego – a wonderful place to be on the Norte
Accommodation:
If you plan to stay in Tapia de Casareigo, there are two albergues. Either the Pilgrims hostel – found here. Or, Hostel Tapia, found here. The first is very near to the sea.
Day 23: Tapia de Casareigo to Ribadeo 11km
Route:
A short day if this is the route you choose. Take time to stop at the beach in Playa de Penarronda. When you reach Ribadeo, you will be entering Galicia and leaving Asturias behind. Be sure to try the seafood specialities in Ribadeo town.
Highlights:
- Playa de Penarronda
- Seafood in Ribadeo with a glass of white wine (Albarino of course)
Accommodation:
We stayed in one of our favourite albergues in Ribadeo, purely because the breakfast was so good. Albergue a Ponte, found here. Albergue Rio Eo is another option.
Day 24: Ribadeo to Lourenza 27km
Route:
A stunning route heading through eucalyptus forest. Quite a few steep hills. There are no refreshment options for the first 18km so you will want to buy breakfast in Lourenza before you leave and possibly pack snacks. There’s a delightful cafe in San Xusto where most will stop for lunch or a drink.
Highlights:
- Walking through eucalyptus forest
- Lourenza is a small town but sociable with other pilgrims as there is only one bar and a few different albergues
- Lourenza has a municipal swimming pool if you fancy a dip on arrival
Accommodation:
Lourenza has a plethera of albergues to choose from. O Pedregal is one of the best and can be booked in advance here. Albergue Savior is also great and has a fun roof terrace (the pictures on booking.com don’t do it justice.) Castelos Lourenza is also a great option with private rooms.
Day 25: Lourenza to As Parades (Castromaior) 22km
Route:
From Lourenza, you’ll first arrive in Mondonedo. This is a really pretty cathedral town and worth a stop for breakfast in one of the cafes near the square. This will also be the last stop for refreshment before you arrive in Gontan.
There are two options, you can take the official route which is a shorter route with a steep hill. Or a flatter route, which is longer. We took the shorter and steeper route.
If it’s very muddy, this may not be the best. But otherwise, we thought the mountain route that we took was the best option for scenery. We packed lunch to enjoy at the top of the hill. Be sure to take enough food and water with you.
Highlights:
- Finding a beer in Gontan after the long and steep climb
- Incredible views unlike anything we had seen on the Norte so far
- Albergue O Xistral
Accommodation:
Many people choose to stay in Abadin. We continued to As Parades as we had heard of an amazing albergue with a swimming pool there. We do not regret this as it was one of our favourites on the route. Albergue O Xistral has excellent facilities and a great communal dinner including wine.
If you choose this option too, be sure to book ahead here.
Day 26: As Parades to Baamonde 33km
Route:
A relatively flat day, with not many places for refreshments. Vilalba offers the best place to stop for lunch. A few places to eat and supermarket in Baamonde.
Highlights:
- Albergue breakfast before heading out
- Some shady paths and nice walking conditions for first 10km or so
Accommodation:
Baamonde has one municipal albergue. Friends our ours stayed there and said it was not the best, plus Baamonde is not the prettiest town. If you do stop in Baamonde, head to the albergue can be found here.
We chose not to stay there and actually carried on to Parga, which was a further 11 km up the road. We loved that hostel, but 44km is a lot in one day.
Baamonde marks the last 100km of the route, we’ve written in more detail about that here. Don’t forget to start getting two stamps per day if you want to get your Compostela. Do this from Abadin if you plan to take the short route out of Baamonde.
Day 27: Baamonde to Sobrado dos Monxes 32km (or 40km)
Route:
Between Baamonde and Santiago, you will have a choice of two routes, as well as a choice over how many days you take to walk the route you choose.
There is a junction at Toar (just after Baamonde) where you have the option to take the original Camino route to Santa Leocadia (Miraz) or the newer route to A Pobra de Parga (As Cruces). The original route is 40km, whilst the shorter route is 32km.
We chose the 32km route, which we thought was very beautiful. Lots of shady paths through pine tree forest. The route is also fairly flat. Not many places for refreshment, we recommend packing lunch.
Sobrado dos Monxes is a lovely town, the monastery is the center piece. Lots of restaurants and nice bars too.
Highlights:
- Pine tree forests on the trail
- The monastery in Sobrado dos Monxes
- Municipal swimming pool in Sobrado dos Monxes for a dip (swimming cap required)
Accommodation:
Sobrado dos Monxes Pilgrims Hostel is a monastery albergue with 98 beds and costs 8 euros. Lecer Hostel is an alternative in Sobrado dos Monxes, an alternative family run albergue if you choose not to stay at the monastery. You can book Lecer here.
If you don’t stay in the monastery, be sure to visit to look around.
Day 28: Sobrado dos Monxes to Salceda 34km
Route:
You’ll notice more cafes and bars to stop at on route as the Norte merges with the French route. There are plenty of nice places to stop for drinks and get stamps too. Arzua is a big town on route for lunch. A relatively easy walking day to Salceda.
Highlights:
- Abundance of places on route for drinks including some quirky cafes
- Plenty of shaded walking
Accommodation:
Salceda is a small hamlet, mainly with albergues and not much else. You can choose to stay elsewhere, but we liked this spot. We advise booking in advance. Try Casa Tia Teresa for laid back, Pension Tasaga for private rooms or Albergue Turistico Salceda for an albergue with a swimming pool.
Day 29: A salceda to Santiago 27km
Route:
Nice walk mainly on trails with some road. You’ll see lots of pilgrims finishing the last stretch into Santiago. A surreal day with celebration in the air! Plenty of stops for refreshment and stamps on route.
Highlights:
- Arriving in Santiago!
Accommodation:
There are plenty of choices in Santiago. We like the Last Stamp which can be booked here. Or the Loop Inn is also a good choice – book here.
We’ve written more about visiting Santiago de Compostela here.
Don’t forget to pack your Camino stash to wear when you walk.
Camino del Norte: FAQs
We know that there are many questions you may have about the Camino del Norte. Here are the most frequently asked ones.
How many stages are there on the Camino del Norte?
There are as few or as many stages as you want on the Camino del Norte! Choosing your own daily stages is one of the big decisions you’ll have when you walk the Camino.
The average number of stages on the Camino del Norte is between 30 and 33, but as we have shown in this daily stages guide – you can play around with the distances you walk each day to pick the correct number of daily stages for you.
Is the Camino del Norte difficult?
Since we walked the Camino del Norte, we have walked many long-distance hikes including the Camino Frances and both Camino Portuguese routes. Looking back, we can see that the Camino del Norte is one of the most challenging routes we have walked.
What makes the Camino del Norte challenging is three main things. First, there are some daily stages where accommodation is scarse and we therefore walked long-distances to find somwhere to stay. That said, it is possible to avoid this with careful planning.
Secondly, the route is undulating. Compared to the Camino Frances and Portuguese routes, there are more daily ups and downs on the Norte. In total you’ll climb about 40,000 ft over the walk.
Finally, there’s a fair bit of asphalt on the route. Roughly 560km of the route are on road or pavement, rather than trail. My feet certainly felt it.
What is the best month for the Camino del Norte?
The best month to walk the Camino del Norte is June, July or August. During these months the daily temperatures hovers at between 21 and 24 degrees centigrade.
These are also the most popular months on the Camino del Norte and therefore you’ll have a chance to socialise and meet fellow pilgrims.
How busy is the Camino del Norte?
According to official statistics 20,581 people walked or cycled part of the Camino del Norte in 2023. This is significantly less than the number walking the Camino Frances. See chart below which shows the number of people on the Camino del Norte versus other routes.
Peak months on the Camino del Norte are June, July and August. But it’s diffiuclt to describe the Camino del Norte as “busy”. In fact, it is one of the quietest routes.
We estimate that we probably interacted with about 30 people per day on the Camino del Norte when we walked in July.
Is it safe to do the Camino del Norte alone?
Although we walked the Camino del Norte as a couple, we met many people walking alone – male and female of all ages.
To stay safe when walking alone on the Camino del Norte, we would recommend planning your accommodation in advance. There are sometimes long gaps between albergues and it’s best to have a clear plan of where you are going to spend the night before you set out in the morning.
We would also recommend sticking to the peak summer months when walking the Camino del Norte alone – particularly if you are concerned about safety, or want to ensure that you can socialise a bit.
Take a sleeping bag or sleep sheet
If you plan to stay in albergues on the Camino del Norte, either a lightweight sleeping bag or a sleep sheet is ideal. We prefer the latter when walking in summer.
Find our guide to the best sleep sheets and sleeping bags for the Camino here.
It’s best to plan ahead
Honestly, we would really recommend having a rough daily stages plan before you go and where possible booking accommodation ahead.
If you are relaxed about your accommodation and able/willing to walk an extra few kms every day if you can’t get into your first accommodation choice, then by all means don’t plan ahead. But, if you’d prefer to guarantee a place in accommodation – we suggest booking up at least one or two days before arrival.
On the Camino del Norte you will also walk through some very popular seaside towns. If you plan to stay in private accommodation, be aware that weekends get busy on the coast as holiday makers and Spanish locals flock to the sea.
The route starts in Irun
The Camino del Norte starts in Irun, close to the French border. Unlike the Camino Frances, the Camino del Norte starts in Spain.
Biarritz is the best airport to fly into
If you are walking the Camino del Norte from Irun to Santiago de Compostela, we recommend flying into Biarritz Airport in France.
From Biarritz Airport you will need to take a bus or train to the French town of Hendaye before boarding another train to the Spanish town of Irun.
You can camp on some of the route
We met a few people on the Camino del Norte who had tents and were camping some or all of the route. This included one or two people who were Wild Camping. As well as a few people who were camping in the gardens of albergues – this is always with the permission of the albergue and in exchange for payment.
Wild Camping in Spain is not legal and there are stories of the Police intervening if they find pilgrims camping on the way. We also saw the Police frequently patrolling in woodland to check for campers. Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend it.
If you want to camp legally – consider St Olav’s Way in Norway. A super alternative to the Camino and you’re able to camp along the way.
Would you like more info on the Camino del Norte?
We’ve got an Ebook packed full of information about the route. This includes a guide to accommodation, all the cities on route and more route daily information.
Find it here in our shop and download it today.
Feeling daunted?
If the daily stages sound daunting, please don’t worry. We promise that you can walk the Camino! With a little training and determination, you can do it.
We have created two wonderful products to help you train for the Camino:
- How to train for the Camino de Santiago: Camino Training Plan
- YOGA FOR HIKING on our sister website, Game Changer Yoga.
Buen Camino!
Would you like us to plan your walk for you?
Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Lotus Eaters Travel Planning, where we turn your dream of long-distance walking into a meticulously planned reality.
Our passion for exploration, love for diverse cultures, and commitment to providing an unparalleled experience drive us to offer personalized consultation services for some of the world’s most iconic walking trails
John and Emma’s hiking gear. These are items we love to use when we go hiking, find them here on Amazon.
Corfu or Sicily: which Mediterranean Island should you choose?
CORFU OR SICILY: WHICH MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? If you’ve ever found yourself staring at flight searches or holiday deals wondering whether to book a trip to Corfu or Sicily, you’re not alone. They’re both Mediterranean, both steeped in history, both drenched in sunlight… and yet they couldn’t feel more different once your feet…
13 of the best places to visit in Galicia
13 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GALICIA. After walking the Camino through Galicia several times, we’ve spent a fair amount of time getting to know this quiet, green corner of Spain. Each visit, we’ve found somewhere new to love. If you’re planning a trip to Galicia — or maybe you’re finishing your Camino…
How much does it cost to walk from Oslo to Trondheim on St Olav’s Way
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO WALK FROM OSLO TO TRONDHEIM ON ST OLAV’S WAY? Walking Pilegrimsleden is very different from walking the Camino in Spain or the Via Francigena in Italy. There are fewer cafés, no €10 pilgrim hostels, and long stretches with nowhere to buy anything at all. We spent evenings eating pasta…
Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case.
Find them here on Amazon.
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.
25 responses to “Camino del Norte Daily Stages: A detailed guide”
[…] machines, normally a couple of euros. The exception is the donativo albergues, like Guemes on the Norte route, which does not charge a set rate for machines (but consider this as part of your […]
[…] you will be walking every day for around one month, assuming that you walk the Frances or the Norte route. Or, for around two weeks if you walk one of the shorter routes. Wearing the same shoes every day […]
[…] you are walking the Camino del Norte or the Camino Portuguese coastal route, you might wonder whether you ought to pack a beach towel. […]
[…] water stops can be found frequently. But in our experience of other routes, particularly the Norte, there are some days when facilities are sparce. On these days, I would aim to carry 2 litres (70 […]
[…] that I did. Not only did my diary entries help me to create blog posts afterwards, such as the Camino del Norte daily stages. But, the journal is full of memories and funny stories that I would have otherwise […]
[…] in every day of walking, an inner contentment perhaps. We’ve felt this too when we walked the Camino de Santiago and latterly the Via […]
[…] wines. But Nothern Spain also has some unique wines and drinks and for that reason you must try when walking the Camino del Norte. The Basque region, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia are all different as are the drinks you can […]
[…] You can read more about the Camino del Norte here. […]
[…] Distance: The Camino del Norte (the Camino North Route) is 835km. Find our guide to the daily stages for the Camino North route here. […]
[…] summer 2022, we walked the Camino del Norte, which was incredible. In late 2022, we were keen for another bite of the cherry and we walked the […]
[…] Without a doubt, San Sebastián is our favourite city in Spain. With a wide sandy beach, quaint harbour, world renowned gastronomy scene and a thronging old town it is easy to see why! You will be duly rewarded when you arrive at this city after your first day of walking on the Camino del Norte. […]
[…] the typical “daily stages” – you can find our alternative daily stage guides to the Norte, Portuguese, Frances and […]
[…] / The Camino del Norte: 830km from Irun to Santiago de Compostela along the North coast of Spain, passing through […]
[…] extensively about the different Camino routes, and we are fortunate to have walked the Frances, the Norte, Portuguese Coastal and Portuguese Central route. For this reason, I was very interested to delve […]
[…] may not be possible on some Camino routes, such as the Norte, where daily stages are long. But on others, such as the Frances, is it […]
[…] The Camino Frances is one of the longer routes, along with the Camino del Norte. Both routes take around one month to walk, compared to the Camino Portuguese and Primitivo which […]
[…] walking 800km across Spain. Not only that, but I’d thrown myself into the deep end by choosing the Camino del Norte – otherwise known as one of the most tricky […]
[…] hiking and wild camping in the countryside. But I walked my first serious hike in July 2022, The Camino del Norte, one month of walking to be precise. It’s fair to say, I haven’t looked […]
[…] your daily stages – our guides to the Portuguese route, Frances and Norte may […]
[…] will find one or two days of walking, particularly on the Camino del Norte, where amenities are not very prevalent and therefore you may not find a bathroom for some or all […]
[…] you want to make the most of time on the beach on the Camino Portuguese or Camino Norte, or dip in a river on the Camino Frances – having access to a swimsuit means you can do so on a […]
[…] we walked our first Camino, the Camino del Norte, it’s fair to say that we set out with few plans beyond just walking every day and trying not to […]
[…] The second thing of note, is one for art lovers. 2024 is the centenary of Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida. To celebrate, there are going to be a number of exhibitions, including in Bilbao and Aviles (both on the Camino del Norte.) […]
[…] Find our daily stages guide for the Camino del Norte here. […]
[…] to other trails we’ve done, such as the Lycian Way, St Olav’s Way or the Camino del Norte – the Fisherman’s Trail is much […]