Camino del Norte | Círculo Chileno

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From Irún to Santiago de Compostela. 33 stages. About 864 km. At Arzúa it joins the Camino Francés.

The Camino del Norte runs along the Cantabrian coast until it reaches Santiago de Compostela. It is as old as the Camino Francés and was the road used by the European kings of the Middle Ages to reach the tomb of the Apostle.

With unique landscapes, abundant nature and a very rich cultural heritage, the Camino del Norte, also called the Camino de la Costa, is today one of the favorite routes of pilgrims. The route starts in Irún and crosses the País Vasco, Cantabria and Asturias before entering Galicia at Ribadeo. Not the whole way goes next to the sea: the País Vasco has the most mountainous sections, while in Cantabria and Asturias paved roads and tracks alternate.

With more than 800 kilometers, it is the second longest route to Santiago de Compostela, after the Vía de la Plata. The growth in the number of walkers in recent years has given it excellent waymarking, especially in the Basque section, as well as a solid network of hostels and lodgings.

It was one of the historic routes used by European pilgrims to reach Compostela. Its route runs across all of northern Spain, following the Cantabrian coast from France to Galicia, which made it a very busy road even before the Reconquista, since it crossed safe territory both for ordinary pilgrims and for European nobility. Among those who helped make this route famous was San Francisco de Asís, who made a pilgrimage to Santiago in 1214.

When the peninsula returned to Christian rulers, the Camino Francés gained prominence over other routes. However, in recent decades the Camino del Norte has regained its popularity, thanks to the beauty of its surroundings and the constant presence of the Cantabrian Sea.

Beach and mountain combined. The variety of landscapes is one of its greatest attractions, and the most demanding stages are concentrated in the Basque section. In Cantabria the terrain gives the pilgrim a rest, although a good part of the way runs along roads and tracks. Some sections follow the coast very closely, with views of beaches and cliffs such as Zarautz, El Sardinero in Santander or the inland beach of Gulpiyuri. Others go inland among mountains, valleys and forests, passing through San Sebastián, Bilbao, Castro Urdiales, Santillana del Mar or Comillas, with its Capricho de Gaudí. Once in Asturias, the pilgrim can enjoy Llanes, Villaviciosa, known for its cider, or Mondoñedo, one of the old seven capitals of Galicia.

Meeting the Camino Primitivo and the Camino Francés. In Asturias, the Camino del Norte crosses the Primitivo at Sebrayo: there the pilgrim can turn toward Oviedo or continue along the coast to Gijón. At Arzúa, after walking more than 780 kilometers from Irún, it joins the Camino Francés to reach Santiago together.

The Camino del Norte by sailboat. It is one of the few pilgrimage routes that can also be done by sea, under the name «Navega el Camino». The ports of Ferrol, A Coruña or Finisterre mark the first stage of this crossing, which must be completed on foot to Santiago. To obtain the Compostela this way, it is necessary to complete one hundred nautical miles of sailing and walk the final section on foot, from Monte do Gozo to the Cathedral.

Stages

Getting to the starting point

Irún: by train there are long-distance services from Madrid and Barcelona (with a change in Zaragoza) and from other cities such as Pamplona, Segovia, Burgos, Valladolid or Lleida; from San Sebastián there is a continuous service with Euskotren. By bus, Alsa connects Irún with Madrid, Oviedo, Santander, Burgos or Vitoria; Bilmanbus from Valencia, Murcia or Teruel; Vibasa-Monbús from Barcelona. By car, about 470 km separate Madrid from Irún (at least 4 and a half hours via the A-1 and the AP-1). The nearest airport is San Sebastián, with daily flights to Madrid and Barcelona.

Bus, train and airport links are on the Spanish page. With the 25 km of the Vía de los Andes validated, Chilean pilgrims need 75 km on foot in Spain to reach the minimum 100 km for the Compostela.