Camino del Norte
The coastal route along the Bay of Biscay. Irún to Santiago through the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias, with sea views and serious climbs.
Overview
The Camino del Norte follows the Bay of Biscay along the top of Spain, from the French border at Irún to Santiago. It runs roughly 820 km over about 33 stages, taking most pilgrims five weeks. Distance figures vary between sources, from around 805 to 845 km, depending on which coastal and inland variants you take.
This is one of the most scenic Caminos and one of the hardest. The coastline is beautiful and constant, passing through San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijón, but the terrain is demanding: the route climbs and drops repeatedly as it crosses headlands and river mouths, with daily ascents commonly between 300 and 800 metres. The first section, from Irún to Bilbao, is the hilliest. It’s quieter than the Francés, the weather is wetter and cooler being Atlantic, and the coastal towns are geared toward beach tourism as much as pilgrims. It rewards walkers who want sea views, fewer crowds, and a real physical challenge.
The Route
From Irún the way runs west along the Basque coast through San Sebastián, one of Spain’s great food cities, then on to Bilbao. This first stretch is the most strenuous, with steep climbs and descents along the cliffs. The route continues through Cantabria to Santander, then into Asturias through Gijón and Avilés, staying close to the sea for hundreds of kilometres.
Near Ribadeo the Camino turns inland away from the coast, climbing through Mondoñedo and the Galician hills. It joins the Camino Francés at Arzúa for the final two stages into Santiago, where it shares the busier path to the cathedral. Some pilgrims instead branch off earlier onto the Camino Primitivo, which leaves the Norte in Asturias and heads to Oviedo.
The Compostela
The route starts far beyond the 100 km minimum, so qualifying isn’t a concern if you walk the whole thing. If you’re walking only the final stretch, the last 100 km begins around Vilalba or Baamonde, depending on how the stages fall. Collect two stamps a day over the final 100 km.
Getting to the Start
Irún sits on the French border, next to Hendaye. The nearest airports are Biarritz in France (about 30 minutes away), San Sebastián, and Bilbao, all with good onward train and bus links. San Sebastián is about 20 minutes from Irún by local train. Many pilgrims fly into Bilbao or Biarritz and connect from there.
Best Time to Walk
Late spring and early autumn are best: May, and September into the first half of October, give the most reliable weather and thinner crowds. July and August are busy and pricier along the coast because the route overlaps with Spanish beach holidays, so book ahead in summer. The north is wet year-round, more so than inland Spain, so a good rain jacket is essential in any season.
Who Should Walk This Route?
The Norte suits walkers who want coastline, cooler weather, and fewer people, and who are fit enough for sustained climbing and long days. It’s a strong choice for repeat pilgrims after something tougher and quieter than the Francés. It’s less suited to a first Camino on a tight schedule, or to anyone who needs a dense, predictable run of albergues, since beds are thinner in the early regions.
Practical Details
Daily cost: budget €40–60 a day. Public albergues run €8–10 and private ones €15–17, but there are fewer public albergues in the Basque Country and Cantabria, so you’ll rely more on private albergues, pensions, and guesthouses in the first half, which pushes costs up.
Accommodation: book ahead or arrive early (by mid-afternoon) on summer weekends and in the last 100 km, when coastal towns and the final stretch fill quickly. The second half, through Asturias and Galicia, has more public albergues.
Terrain: hilly and sometimes steep, especially Irún to Bilbao, with repeated ascents and descents. Expect long days and tired legs.
Credencial: carry your pilgrim passport and collect stamps daily, with two a day over the final 100 km.