The Camino del Norte

The Northern Way Coastal Camino de Santiago

The Camino del Norte, or Northern Way, is one of the most breathtaking Camino de Santiago routes. Following Spain’s “Green Coast” along the Bay of Biscay, this Camino stretches from San Sebastián in the Basque Country to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

It’s a route of contrasts: stylish coastal cities, medieval towns, fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, and sandy beaches. Known for its seafood, cider houses, and world-class gastronomy, the Camino del Norte combines natural beauty with cultural depth.

👉 Start planning with our Camino Planner.
👉 Compare with the Camino Francés and Camino Portugués.

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    Why Walk the Northern Way?

    The Camino del Norte is perfect for pilgrims seeking a coastal journey away from the crowds of the Camino Francés. It offers a quieter but equally rewarding experience, with daily views of the sea, rugged hills, and forests.

    This Camino is also deeply cultural: Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia each have their own languages, traditions, and cuisines. From Basque pintxos and Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum to Asturias cider and Galicia’s seafood, the Northern Way offers an immersion into four distinct regions of Spain.

    Suggested Routes

    Camino Ways Route Planner

    For over 1000 years, pilgrims from all over the world have walked the Camino Ways across Europe in their quest for spirituality. Making the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, they encountered a variety of people, cultures and beliefs, leading to friendship and new experiences. This continues today with the Camino de Santiago being the most well known and well-loved walk in the world. More than just a walk, the Camino de Santiago is an unforgettable and unique journey for the body, mind and soul.

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    When to go on the Camino del Norte​

    The Northern Way has a mild climate, moderated by the Atlantic Ocean:

    • Spring and autumn are the best times to travel, with an average of 20 degrees celsius.
    • Unlike the hot summers of the centre and south of Spain, summer on this route rarely goes above 30 degrees celsius on average.
    • Winters are mild but could be wet, and there are not many pilgrims on the routes during this period.

    Compostela Certificate on the Camino del Norte​

    In order to get your Compostela pilgrim certificate in Santiago, remember you will need to walk a minimum of 100km into Santiago (we suggest you start your Camino in Vilalba) or cycle at least the last 200kms of the route (we suggest you start your Camino in Navia).

    What To Bring On The Camino del Norte?

    Our Camino packing guide ebook is free to download. This will help you decide what to bring on your Camino. 

    History of the Camino del Norte

    The Northern Way is one of the oldest pilgrim routes, popular in the 9th and 10th centuries when the Camino Francés was less safe. Pilgrims arrived from across Europe — from Scandinavia, England, Flanders, and Germany — often by sea, landing in northern ports before walking to Santiago.

    Pilgrims frequently visited Oviedo’s San Salvador Cathedral before continuing west. Eventually, the Francés route grew more dominant, but the Northern Way retained its cultural importance. Today, it is celebrated as both a historic and scenic alternative, joining the Camino Primitivo in Oviedo and the Camino Francés in Arzúa.

    👉 Discover more: History of the Camino de Santiago.

    Services That Make It Easy

    When booking with CaminoWays, you’ll have:

    • Handpicked hotels each night.
    • Luggage transfers so you can walk freely.
    • 24/7 support and maps provided.

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    👉 Or browse Self-Guided Tours.

    FAQs

    Q: What is the Camino del Norte?
    A: The Camino del Norte, or Northern Way, is a Camino de Santiago route along Spain’s northern coast, from San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela.

    Q: How long is the Camino del Norte?
    A: The full route is about 803 km and takes five weeks to walk. Many pilgrims choose the last 100 km from Vilalba to Santiago to earn their Compostela certificate.

    Q: What are the highlights of the Camino del Norte?
    A: Highlights include San Sebastián’s Michelin-star dining, Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, Santander’s beaches, Asturias cider houses, and Galicia’s Cathedral Beach.

    Q: When is the best time to walk the Camino del Norte?
    A: Spring and autumn are ideal, with mild temperatures around 20°C. Summer is cooler than inland Spain, while winters are mild but rainy. See our guide to the best time to walk the Camino.

    Q: Can I cycle the Camino del Norte?
    A: Yes, cycling is possible. To receive the Compostela, you must ride at least the last 200 km, for example, from Navia to Santiago. See cycling the Camino routes.

    Q: What should I pack for the Camino del Norte?
    A: Essentials include comfortable footwear, rain gear, and a daypack. Download our free Camino packing list to get prepared.

    Q: Does the Camino del Norte connect to other Camino routes?
    A: Yes, it links with the Camino Primitivo in Oviedo and joins the Camino Francés in Arzúa, before Santiago.

    The Sections of the Camino del Norte​

    San Sebastian to Bilbao

    The first section of the Camino del Norte (the Northern Way route of the St James Way) begins in the beautiful and sophisticated coastal city of San Sebastian, a gastronomic mecca home to several Michelin-star restaurants. From San Sebastian (or Donosti in Basque), the Northern Way travels west along the green hills of the Basque coastline. The trail passes the historic town of Gernika, made famous by Picasso’s masterpiece and finishes in Bilbao, where you should visit the impressive Guggenheim Museum. The Basque Country is renowned for its cuisine, its ‘pintxos’ and some of the country’s best chefs so this Camino walk will be an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

    Bilbao to Santander

    The Camino del norte from Bilbao to Santander, the Northern route of the Camino de Santiago, starts in the Basque city of Bilbao and finishes in the pretty coastal city of Santander, in Cantabria. Explore the old town in Bilbao and its magnificent Guggenheim Museum before you head west along the coast towards Santander. Along this section, you will walk by seaside towns, lovely beaches and rocky bays. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and you will be able to admire the contrast between modernity and tradition, in the many towns and historic stops along the way. The north coast in Spain is renowned for its cuisine so prepare for an unforgettable gastronomic experience on the Camino.

    Santander to Ribadesella

    This Camino trip will see you travel along the third section of the Northern Way. This section of the Camino de Santiago will see you begin in Santander and finish in the pleasant seaside resort of Ribadesella. The mountains of the north provide a spectacular contrast to the charming and picturesque coastline. This region is renowned for its cuisine and the walk will see you enjoy a high level of comfort and an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

    Ribadesella to Oviedo

    The third section starts in the pretty seaside town of Ribadesella at the foot of the Picos de Europa, by the Cantabrian Sea. The trail takes pilgrims to the tranquil villages of rural Asturias where you can taste the delicious local food and famous cider, before finally arriving in the medieval city of Oviedo, the capital of the region. Asturias has excellent cuisine and is also famous for its cider. Oviedo marks the beginning of the Camino Primitivo, the original way to Santiago de Compostela, the most popular route until the 10th century.

    Oviedo to Vilalba

    This stretch along the coast is a true Gem. It is very quiet and there are not so many pilgrims visiting this section.

    Villalba to Santiago

    The last 100km of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela. This last stretch to Santiago de Compostela along the quiet lanes and dirt tracks into the heartland of Galicia.

    Final Word

    The Camino del Norte is a Camino of sea breezes, rolling green hills, and cultural treasures. From pintxos in San Sebastián to Galicia’s peaceful countryside, this coastal route offers one of the most beautiful and authentic ways to reach Santiago.

    👉 If you’d like a personalised Camino del Norte itinerary, try our Award Winning Camino Planner.

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