El Camino del Norte – The Northern Way, begins in San Sebastian and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. From the magnificent Cantabrian cliffs to the Picos de Europa in Asturias, this third stage of the Camino del Norte has beautiful varied scenery, medieval villages and towns, fantastic beaches and coastline. It is one of the most […]
El Camino del Norte – The Northern Way, Stage 3
From the magnificent Cantabrian cliffs to the Picos de Europa in Asturias, this third stage of the Camino del Norte has beautiful varied scenery, medieval villages and towns, fantastic beaches and coastline. It is one of the most challenging stages of the Camino.
Price:
£1225 per person, sharing a double/twin room
£375 supplement for a single room
Included:
10 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms
10 breakfasts
7 dinners
Luggage transport
Route notes & maps
Not Included:
Flights
Holiday Insurance – please ensure that you have adequate insurance
Drinks and picnics
Ferry boats
Transport to/from the start/end of the walk
Departure Dates:
April to October, according to accommodation availability
Stage 3 : Santander – Gijon – 11 days / 10 nights / 9 days walk
Day 1: Arrival Santander
The beautiful city of Santander is the starting point for this section of the Camino de Santiago on the Northern Way. The capital of Cantabria, Santander is an elegant and fantastic city with beaches and parks, beautiful architecture and great food. Overnight Hotel Abba Santander *** B&B
Day 2: Walk to Arce – 19km 4h00 | +229m / -231m
From Santander the Camino heads inland through the towns of Santa Cruz de Bezana, Mompia and Boo de Piélagos. Walk along the estuary at Boo de Piélagos to the small village of Arce. Dinner and overnight at Rural Hotel Posada Lunada
Day 3 : Walk to Santillana – 26 km 7h30 | +528m / -451m
Today’s walk on the Camino hugs the beautiful, hilly landscape of the northern coast. Enter the Miengo region as you reach the town of Miengo. Suance is a beautiful little village along the route that is worth spending some time exploring. Your destination is the medieval village of Santillana del Mar. You will walk through lovely meadows and tranquil villages on your way. Dinner and overnight Hotel Los Idalgos HB
Day 4: Walk to Comillas – 22.4 km 6h15 | 518m / -587m
From Santillana del Mar the route contineus along the wild, rugged coastline of Cantabria. You will pass gorgeous little villages such as Cobreces with its Cistercian monastery. Comillas itself has fantastic beaches and incredible architecture. You should take some time to explore the sights in town such as the Pontifical University, the Palace of Sobrellano with its pantheon chapel and most especially the ‘Capricho de Gaudí’. Dinner and overnight Rural Hotel Esmeralda
Day 5: Walk to Unquera – 28 km (possibility to shorten the walk by adding a night in San Vicente de la Barquera 12km) 7h30 | +564m / -602m
The route continues along the coast to Oyambre Natural Park. The park is of huge importance for its wildlife and marine ecosystem, home to many species of bird, molluscs and fish. From here the Camino del Norte heads for Colombres through green fields and woodland, passing the town of San Vicente de la Barquera and a number of small estuaries. Dinner and overnight Hotel Canal **
Day 6: Walk to Llanes – 25.3 km 6h00 | +373m / -366m
Upon leaving Unquera you will enter Asturias, crossing a bridge over the river Deva into Bustio. The pretty town of Colombres is home to several impressive ‘Casas de Indianos‘ built by local emigrants who made fortune in America. From Colombres, you will descend along the Sierra de la Borbolla. The Camino then enters Pendueles along a narrow path that climbs to the Jorcada Pass after crossing the road to Andrín. After this there is another descent to La Portilla and today’s destination: Llanes, a lively town nestled between the coast and the Picos de Europa. Dinner and overnight Hotel Don Paco ***
Day 7: Walk to Ribadesella – 29.8 km 8h | +451m / -440m
The first part of today’s stage follows the coast and the fantastic beaches of Palombina and Barro. After crossing the river Niembro you will start the steady climb up to the Church of San Pedro de Pria. The church sits on top of a hill which overlooks the seven towns of the area. From here you will descend to the river Guadamía where you will cross the medieval stone bridge. You will pass through Sobares on your way to Ribadesella, a nice little town worth exploring: divided in two by the bridge, the East side is home to the charming medieval old town, while the West side has a gorgeous beach and the town’s famous Tito Bustillo cave, home to ancient cave art. Book early if you want to visit the caves, as they have a maximum number of visitors allowed per day. Overnight Hotel Don Pepe *** B&B
Day 8: Walk to Colunga – 20.5 km 5h30 | +320m / -300m
From the lively seaside town of Ribadesella, head inland briefly towards San Esteban, and then return to the coast, where you walk past exceptional sandy beaches. Your stop for the night is the bustling market town of Colunga (San Cristóbal). Dinner and overnight Hotel Entreviñes ** HB
Day 9: Walk to Villaviciosa – 16.8 km 5h | +330m / -320m
Today’s walk is one of the shorter ones with many villages to walk though along the way. In Priesca, you should stop to check out the 10th Century Church of San Salvador, one of the oldest on the Camino de Santiago. Dinner and overnight Hotel Carlos I ** HB
Day 10: Walk to Gijón – 29.8 km 7h30 | +620m / -640m
Today is one of the longest and most challenging days on the Camino del Norte, as you will walk up Alto de la Cruz. Most of today’s trail is in lush countryside and you will hit the coast again at Gijón. At Casquita, there will be signs for pilgrims heading for Gijón and continuing on the Camino del Norte, but also signs for those pilgrims heading towards Oviedo to continue on the Camino Primitivo. Take your time to explore the city of Gijón, home to fantastic beaches, great gastronomy, history and heritage (including Roman baths) and where you will find the Bagpipe Museum. Overnight Hotel La Casona de Jovellanos ** B&B
Day 11 : End of the trip
HOTELS
Hotel Abba Santander ***
Arce – Rural Hotel Posada Lunada
Santillana – Hotel Los Idalgos
Comillas – Rural Hotel Esmeralda
Unquera – Hotel Canal **
Llanes – Hotel Don Paco ***
Ribadesella – Hotel Don Pepe ***
Colunga – Hotel Entreviñes **
Villaviciosa – Hotel Carlos I **
Gijón – Hotel La Casona de Jovellanos **
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
How to get to Santander:
1/ Best option: Santander airport (10km)
Ryanair operates in Santander and serves flights, e.g., from/ to London (Stansted), Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt (Hahn), Paris (Beauvais), Milan (Ciampino) and Dusseldorf (Weeze). See www.skyscanner.com.
2/ Alternative option: Bilbao airport (110km)
Bilbao is an international airport, connected with many cities all over Europe, e.g. London (Stansted, easyJet), Manchester (easyJet), Dublin (Aer Lingus), Paris (Orly, Vueling), Frankfurt (Lufthansa) or Lisbon (EasyJet). See www.skyscanner.com.
How to get back from Gijón:
1/ Best option: Asturias airport (42km)
EasyJet serves some flights from/ to Asturias, e.g. London (Stansted) and Lisbon. Paris (Orly) is served directly by Vueling Airlines. Domestic flights from/ to Madrid or Barcelona are also available. See www.skyscanner.com.
2/ Other option: Santander airport (174km)
Ryanair operates in Santander and serves flights, e.g., from/ to London (Stansted), Dublin, Edinburgh, Brussels, Frankfurt (Hahn), Paris (Beauvais), Milan (Bergamo), Rome (Ciampino) and Dusseldorf (Weeze). See www.skyscanner.com.
TRANSFERS TO & FROM AIRPORTS
How to get to Santander:
1/ Best option: Santander airport (10km)
In Santander, there is a bus line (every 30min), linking the bus station with the airport. See: www.movelia.es
2/ Alternative option: Bilbao airport (110km)
Shuttle bus (line A3247) from Bilbao airport from/to Bilbao bus station (stop name: Termibus, every 30min). See www.bizkaia.net.
How to get back from Gijon:
1/ Best option: Asturias airport (42km)
There are buses from Gijon (bus station) to Asturias airport every hour (taking 45min approx). See www.movelia.es.
2/ Other option: Santander airport (174km)
There are three buses a day from Gijon to Santander airport (www.alsa.es) taking between 3h and 3h30. Alternatively, there are regular bus connections between Gijon and Santander (bus station) each day (taking from 2h to 4h). In Santander, there is a bus (every 30min), linking the bus station with the airport. See: www.movelia.es.
