Experience the sea, countryside and impressive mountains. With our guidebook in hand you will walk from the coast to the mountains in a rural and idyllic environment.
The Camino Lebaniego route starts in Santander. The first 3 days of this route you follow the Camino del Norte and after that you enter the mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park.
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The first 3 days of this route
you follow the Camino del Norte
and after that you enter the mountains
of the Picos de Europa National Park.
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Camino Lebaniego is a “hidden” Camino that starts at the Bay of Biscay and goes through lush hinterland and into the National Park of Picos de Europa. You will experience sea, countryside and mountains, all during the same hike. You will overnight at charming and traditional hotels, each with its unique and cozy atmosphere. From the coast you can see the peaks with snow from the mountains on the southern horizon.
The majority of the walk is along the Camino Lebaniego, one of the world's most important pilgrimages and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The stretch on the Camino del Norte between Santander to Gijón is a clear example of the best of Northern Spain: lovely beaches, quaint fishing towns, impressive natural landscapes and culture. The cuisine is some of the best and judging from a scenery point of view, it would be difficult to find anything more beautiful. The terrain along the Camino del Norte is quite varied without being difficult to hike. The majority of the days it's possible to divide the stages, if you like. In summary, this route has everything one could desire in a vacation in the North of Spain. In the "stages" section you will find more detailed information as well as maps of the stages and photos. Service functions are very good throughout the length of the route.
The end of the Pilgrimage is the Romanesque Monastery of Toribio, which is one of the five most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world, along with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in importance, but on a smaller scale. The Monastery preserves a one of a kind relic (Lignum Crucis), the world's largest piece of the Holy Cross of Jesus, brought to Spain from Jerusalem by Constantino, who is also buried in the Monastery.
During the first stage, the trail follows the Nansa River, which is the river with the most salmon in all of Cantabria. The trail winds through green valleys, over small hills and into small villages with a peaceful atmosphere all around you. Everyone you meet is welcoming and proud over the fact that you are visiting their little town. You’ll get a unique glimpse into the rural and authentic Spain, which a lot of tourists don't ever get the chance to see and visit.
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The people who live along this Camino
are not used to seeing pilgrims.
Get to know the most rural and unknown Spain.
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The surroundings during the first 2 days on the Camino Lebaniego are best described as something taken from a fairytale. You pass by cows grazing freely in flowering meadows, waterfalls, small lakes and walk over pebbly streams crossing over them on small wooden bridges. Next to the trail there is an abundance of apple and pear trees, where you might want to stop to pick a quick snack.
The further south you walk, the more the landscape starts changing and the mountains get closer. The scenery becomes dramatic and the terrain gets steeper. Small crystal-clear rivers flow down below you in deep gorges, and nature provides you with a micro-climate of varied fauna and rich wildlife. Moreover, there are plenty of vista points where you can stop and enjoy the spectacular views.
You will also pass many small picturesque churches, strategically built in the middle of nature and surrounded by mountainous cliffs. When most of the Iberian Peninsula was under occupation by the Moors, these inaccessible areas offered places of refuge for early Christians. Eventually, the Reconquest of Spain began in the mountains and caves of this region.
Along the way, you will see many viewpoints from where you can enjoy the whole landscape.
During the Camino, you can eat lunch and dinner in local cider houses, restaurants or bars. You'll have the chance to try delicious Cantabrian cuisine with signature dishes like the Cocido Lebaniego, grilled meat, traditional cheeses, and of course, a number of well-known desserts.
This trip is perfect for those who want to enjoy nature, eat fantastically well and have a sustainable holiday. In just 6 hiking days you will experience so many sights, tastes, sounds and gather memories to last forever. It will make you look ahead to the next year and another adventure with Spain Is More...
Spain is More organizes accommodations and transport, so that you can fully enjoy your vacation. You walk at your own pace, and with our guidebook in hand you will get all those little tips and tricks that only the locals know about. The accommodations are small rural hotels with a marked traditional and family character. The accommodations are well located and always welcome pilgrims / tourists with a smile.
Note: It is possible to extend this trip with two more hiking days from Potes. Walk through the fantastic valley of Liébana to the Cable Car in Fuente Dé, where you can spend the night in a luxurious Parador hotel. Please, just let us know if you would like to extend your holiday. You can also add additional activities and more nights in Bilbao, Santander or Potes. See the detailed program below.
Our personalized written guide will accompany you all the way. Here you will find all kinds of information about the route as well as the places you will go through.
