Camino del Norte (Santander - Gijón)

You arrive at Cantabria's largest city, Santander, typically via train or bus from either Bilbao or Madrid. Santander is a beautifully located city and is also a very popular holiday area. The beach El Sadinero attracts thousands of bathers in the summer, which like to go evening walks around the La Magdalena Palace or along the beautiful seafront promenade. The major bank, Banco Santander, supports everything in the city, which has given Santander a wide range of cultural activities. A major fire in 1941 coused that the city do not have any 'old town', as many other cities in Spain, but the new city are nicely landscaped and has, despite a lot to offer.

A small train transports you through the relatively boring suburbs and industrial areas of Santander. After about 20 minutes in the train you will see the lush green tones, which will be characteristic for the rest of the journey.

You can choose to leave the train in two places, depending on how far you want to walk. The train ticket must be purchased at the station (not included - about 3 € / person), we add a step-by-step plan. You can decide how much time you want to spend in Santander before the walk begins.

Depending on where you get off the train, you will walk 7 or 18 km. The practical information will be included in the Spain is More guidebook, which you will receive before departure, this way you will easily get to the beautiful Santillana del Mar. The rivers and infrastructure have have made it a little dificult for pilgrims because you have to make a considerable detour if you do not take the train.

Santillana del Mar was founded in the 9th century by monks who brought relics of St. Juliana and built a chapel and a small monastery here. The monastery has since been expanded by various donations. Church Santa Juliana is Romanesque style from the 12th century. The city of Santillana del Mar is a monument in itself and it is nice to wander in the small streets with mansions and castles.

In addition, it is possible to visit the caves of Altamira, just outside Santillana del Mar. One of the world's most important architectural findings, with its 17,000 ancient cave paintings.

Comillas, and its beaches, in the 19th Century become, along with Santander, one of the most prestigious places to spend the summer and practice the famous sunbathing.

The major attractions in Comillas are: Universidad Pontificia, El Capricho de Gaudí and the port of Comillas.

Distance: 22 Km

Three are the rias that the pilgrim will cross today and it will spend the night next to another before leaving Cantabria. 

Before reaching San Vicente a detour can bring your throug the wonderful natural reserve, Oyambre. San Vicente de la Barquera, is a lovely little fishing town village.

Unquera is a town strategically located in a privileged location, with the beach and the mountains just a few kilometers far. At the mouth of the River Deva in the Cantabrian sea and the mountains of Picos de Europa, are only 30 kilometers apart.

From its source in Picos de Europa, river Deva runs 62 kilometers winding through the Liébana and the Hermida gorge. It flows into the Tinamayor estuary in Unquera, creating a natural border between the regions of Cantabria and Asturias.

Distance: 20 Km

We start crossing the bridge over the river of Tina Mayor, thus we enter Asturias. This friendly way, by which we advance our way to Llanes, reward us in some places with good views of the sea.

Later, a sign will indicate that we are dealing with the ”Bufones of Arenillas”. These cracks or open fires on the coast, and connected with marine abysses, where the salt water penetrates with pressure, forming water spray jets that can reach over 20 meters high.

We will be able to admire it if the conditions are propotious.

The stage is long and sloped, and it is recommended to split the stage in two with an extra night. Another possibility is to split this and tomorrow's long stage in a total of 3 stages.

Distance: 29 Km

Extensive and entertaining stage thanks to the many parishes of the councils of Llanes and Ribadesella accompanying the walk of the pilgrim. It's a hilly stage, which most people choose to split up in two - or split as well with yesterday's stage into three shorter stages!

In this area in the 19th Century it began an urban exploitation with modernist mansions and villas that were occupied by members of the aristocracy and gentry of Asturias and Madrid.

It now has a boardwalk and during the summer it has a rather high occupancy and it is perfect to practice water sports.

Distance: 31 Km

Today the route continues across the council of Ribadesella and visits Caravia and Colunga.

In the first kilometers, to La Isla, we do not find any natural barrier that separate us from the sea. In the Council of Caravia we have to ascend to a track that soon falls between eucalyptus and ferns to Arenal de Moris.

It begins a few kilometers of great beauty as we walk up the side of the mountain by the sea.

Distance: 23 Km

A relatively hard stage, in a hilly terrain through larges forests. The stage is in turn relatively short. Villaviciosa is known for its sidra-production, and a few manufacturers can be visited. If you can't get enough of the beach, you can spend the afternoon at the beautiful Rodiles-beach, where you will also find a few good restaurant.

Not far from Villaviciosa is a small idyllic fishing village with really good restaurants. However, it is necessary to take a taxi or bus to get there.

Distance: 18 Km

The toughest stage on the Camino del Norte, with two very long climbs. The stage can be splitted with an extra nights approx. 10 km. before Gijón. Alternatively, our guidebook provides a few tips how to skip the most difficult part of the stage.

Gijón is a city that has plenty to offer and the city is one of the most beautiful and vibrant along the Northern Coast. Lots of great restaurants, shopping and exciting tours make the city an interesting tourist town. 
If weather permits, the beach and along the beautiful promenade are always exciting places to be.

The old town is beautiful and well maintained, and in the evenings you will find everyone pouring sidra from green bottles. A glorious city and an ideal place to begin your pilgrimage. Adding an extra night in town is certainly recommended if your time permits.

Distance: 29 Km