Camino del Norte
Elevation profile
Overview
The Camino del Norte is a 820km pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, typically completed in 35 days. It offers a transformative journey combining spiritual reflection, natural beauty, and cultural immersion.
Highlights
The Camino del Norte runs along Spain's rugged northern coast from Irún (near the French border) to Santiago, passing through San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijón. It is the most scenic of the major routes, with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and the lush green mountains of Asturias and Galicia.
Terrain & Difficulty
This is one of the most physically demanding routes. The path constantly climbs and descends along coastal cliffs and mountain ridges. Elevation gains can exceed 500 m on a single day. The surface varies from paved coastal paths to rugged mountain tracks, particularly in Asturias where the route moves inland through the foothills of the Picos de Europa.
History
The Northern Way was a primary route in the early centuries of the pilgrimage, when the inland Francés route was unsafe due to Muslim control of the peninsula. It follows ancient Roman roads and pre-Christian trading routes along the Bay of Biscay coast, used since the Iron Age.
Best Time to Walk
May–October. The northern coast has a cooler, wetter climate than the rest of Spain. July and August are the busiest months, though the route is never crowded compared to the Francés.
Practical Tips
Build in extra rest days—the continuous climbs are demanding. San Sebastián's pintxos culture is legendary; budget time to enjoy it. The route joins the Primitivo at Villaviciosa, where many pilgrims choose to continue on the oldest Camino path to Oviedo.
Towns & Waypoints
Irún
0 km cumulative
San Sebastián
24.7 km cumulative
Zarautz
46.8 km cumulative
Deba
67.8 km cumulative
Markina-Xemein
91.1 km cumulative
Gernika
116.5 km cumulative
Lezama
136.3 km cumulative
Bilbao
147.3 km cumulative
Portugalete
166.5 km cumulative
Castro Urdiales
198.6 km cumulative
Laredo
229.1 km cumulative
Güemes
257.8 km cumulative
Santander
273.1 km cumulative
Cudón
290 km cumulative
Santillana del Mar
309.4 km cumulative
Comillas
331.6 km cumulative
Colombres
359.6 km cumulative
Llanes
382.5 km cumulative
Nueva
397.5 km cumulative
Ribadesella
412.5 km cumulative
San Esteban de Leces
424 km cumulative
Sebrayo
437 km cumulative
Villaviciosa
450.1 km cumulative
Gijón
479.9 km cumulative
Avilés
505.3 km cumulative
Muros de Nalón
526.5 km cumulative
Cudillero
537 km cumulative
Soto de Luiña
541.8 km cumulative
Cadavedo
560.3 km cumulative
Luarca
575.6 km cumulative
La Caridad
606.1 km cumulative
Ribadeo
627.4 km cumulative
Lourenzá
648.3 km cumulative
Abadín
680.5 km cumulative
Vilalba
701.3 km cumulative
Baamonde
719.8 km cumulative
Miraz
740 km cumulative
Sobrado dos Monxes
759.6 km cumulative
Arzúa
781.6 km cumulative
O Pedrouzo
800.9 km cumulative
Santiago de Compostela
820.3 km cumulative
Stages
Day 1
Irún → San Sebastián
25 km
Day 2
San Sebastián → Zarautz
22 km
Day 3
Zarautz → Deba
21 km
Day 4
Deba → Markina-Xemein
23 km
Day 5
Markina-Xemein → Gernika
25 km
Day 6
Gernika → Lezama
20 km
Day 7
Lezama → Bilbao
11 km
Day 8
Bilbao → Portugalete
19 km
Day 9
Portugalete → Castro Urdiales
32 km
Day 10
Castro Urdiales → Laredo
31 km
Day 11
Laredo → Güemes
29 km
Day 12
Güemes → Santander
15 km
Day 13
Santander → Santillana del Mar
36 km
Day 14
Santillana del Mar → Comillas
22 km
Day 15
Comillas → Colombres
28 km
Day 16
Colombres → Llanes
23 km
Day 17
Llanes → Ribadesella
30 km
Day 18
Ribadesella → San Esteban de Leces
12 km
Day 19
San Esteban de Leces → Villaviciosa
26 km
Day 20
Villaviciosa → Gijón
30 km
Day 21
Gijón → Avilés
25 km
Day 22
Avilés → Cudillero
32 km
Day 23
Cudillero → Cadavedo
23 km
Day 24
Cadavedo → Luarca
15 km
Day 25
Luarca → La Caridad
31 km
Day 26
La Caridad → Ribadeo
21 km
Day 27
Ribadeo → Lourenzá
21 km
Day 28
Lourenzá → Abadín
32 km
Day 29
Abadín → Vilalba
21 km
Day 30
Vilalba → Baamonde
19 km
Day 31
Baamonde → Miraz
20 km
Day 32
Miraz → Sobrado dos Monxes
20 km
Day 33
Sobrado dos Monxes → Arzúa
22 km
Day 34
Arzúa → O Pedrouzo
19 km
Day 35
O Pedrouzo → Santiago de Compostela
19 km
Ready to Start?
Create your personalized itinerary for this route.
Distance: 820 km
Duration: 35 days
Stops: 41 towns
💡 View info
📍Click on the ▶ start and 🏁 finish markers to see the start and end points of the route.
📈Hover over the elevation chart to see the altitude and total distance at each waypoint along the route.
🏘️Browse the Towns & Waypoints and Stages lists below for detailed guides on each town, stage, and point of interest.
We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy