The Camino del Norte: Complete First-Timer's Guide to the Northern Way

The Camino del Norte — also called the Northern Way — is one of the most scenic Camino de Santiago routes in the world. Hugging Spain's wild Atlantic coastline from San Sebastián in the Basque Country to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, it offers a quieter, more rugged alternative to the busy Camino Frances — without sacrificing culture, history, or the sense of pilgrimage.

If you're a first-time pilgrim looking for coastal scenery, world-class food, and fewer crowds, the Northern Way deserves serious consideration.

What Is the Camino del Norte?

The Camino del Norte follows Spain's "Green Coast" along the Bay of Biscay for approximately 803 km, passing through four distinct regions — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia — each with its own language, traditions, and cuisine.

It's one of the oldest Camino routes, popular as far back as the 9th and 10th centuries when pilgrims from Scandinavia, England, Flanders, and Germany arrived by sea along the northern coast. Today it remains one of the most rewarding — and most underrated — ways to reach Santiago.

Key Facts at a Glance

DetailInfoStart pointSan Sebastián, Basque CountryEnd pointSantiago de Compostela, GaliciaTotal distance~803 kmTime to complete~5 weeks (full route)Minimum for Compostela100 km on foot from VilalbaDifficultyModerate to challenging — more elevation than the FrancesBest time to walkSpring (April–June) or Autumn (September–October)

Why Walk the Camino del Norte?

The Northern Way is the right choice if you want:

Coastal scenery — daily views of the Atlantic, green cliffs, fishing villages, and quiet beaches
Fewer crowds — significantly less busy than the Camino Frances, particularly outside the final 100 km
Outstanding food — the route passes through some of the best eating regions in Spain, from Basque pintxos and Bilbao's Michelin-starred restaurants to Asturian cider houses and Galician seafood
Cultural variety — four regions, four distinct identities, all within a single route

The trade-off compared to the Frances is more elevation — daily ascents and descents are a feature of this route, not an exception. It suits pilgrims with moderate fitness who want a more adventurous experience.

The 6 Stages of the Camino del Norte

Stage 1: San Sebastián → Bilbao

The route begins in San Sebastián (Donostia) — one of Europe's most celebrated food cities and a stunning place to start a pilgrimage. The trail heads west along the green Basque coastline, passing through Gernika (made famous by Picasso's painting) before finishing in Bilbao, home to the iconic Guggenheim Museum. This opening section sets the tone for the entire route: dramatic coastal scenery, extraordinary food, and a strong sense of place.

Accommodation tip: San Sebastián is a popular city with limited pilgrim-specific beds. Book your first night well in advance, especially in summer.

Stage 2: Bilbao → Santander

Leave Bilbao's old town behind and continue west along the Cantabrian coast, passing seaside towns, rocky bays, and stretches of outstanding natural beauty. The stage finishes in Santander, Cantabria's elegant coastal capital, with its golden beaches and royal summer palace.

Stage 3: Santander → Ribadesella

A spectacular section where the mountains of northern Spain provide a dramatic backdrop to the coastline. The stage ends in Ribadesella, a charming seaside town at the foot of the Picos de Europa mountain range.

Stage 4: Ribadesella → Oviedo

From the Cantabrian coast, the trail moves inland through the tranquil villages of rural Asturias — famous for its cider culture, fishing harbours, and hearty mountain food. The stage finishes in Oviedo, a beautifully preserved medieval city and the starting point of the Camino Primitivo (the original route to Santiago).

Accommodation tip: Oviedo is a hub where the Northern Way meets the Primitivo — beds can be competitive in peak season. Booking ahead here is a smart move.

👉 [Book accommodation in Oviedo →]

Stage 5: Oviedo → Vilalba

The quietest and most solitary section of the route, passing through the remote border between Asturias and Galicia. Pilgrim numbers are low here, giving the trail a genuine sense of peaceful isolation. Vilalba marks the start of the final qualifying section for the Compostela.

Stage 6: Vilalba → Santiago (The Final 100 km)

The last stretch winds through quiet Galician countryside along lanes, dirt tracks, and forest paths toward Santiago. This section qualifies you for the Compostela certificate and is also the ideal starting point for first-time pilgrims who want to experience the Northern Way without committing to the full five-week route.

Accommodation tip: The final stages into Santiago fill up fast in summer. Book the last two or three nights — including Santiago itself — well in advance.

👉 [Find and book Camino del Norte accommodation →]

The Compostela Certificate: What You Need to Know

To receive the Compostela at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago, you must:

Walk a minimum of 100 km on foot — the recommended starting point on the Northern Way is Vilalba
Cycle a minimum of 200 km — the recommended starting point for cyclists is Navia
Carry a Pilgrim Passport (Credencial) and collect stamps (sellos) at churches, cafés, and hotels along the way
Present your stamped passport at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago de Compostela

Where to Stay on the Camino del Norte

Accommodation on the Northern Way is less dense than on the Camino Frances, which is part of what makes it feel quieter and more personal — but it also means planning ahead matters more.

Albergues (Pilgrim Hostels) are available throughout the route, though less frequent than on the Frances. In some rural sections between Oviedo and Vilalba, overnight stops are spread further apart, so knowing your stage plan in advance is important.

Private rooms (guesthouses, B&Bs, small hotels) are plentiful in the larger towns — San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo, and Santiago — and increasingly available in smaller coastal towns too.

First-timer tip: The Camino del Norte has fewer accommodation options per stage than the Frances. In summer especially, beds in smaller villages can run out early. Booking at least your first few nights and the final approach into Santiago in advance is strongly recommended.

👉 [Browse and book Camino del Norte accommodation →]

Terrain and Difficulty

The Camino del Norte is rated moderate to challenging — a step up from the Camino Frances or Portugués in terms of daily elevation.

Trail surface — a mix of coastal paths, forest tracks, and quiet country lanes
Elevation — regular daily ascents and descents throughout; more demanding than the Frances
Fitness requirement — moderate fitness recommended; no technical climbing, but sustained hills are common

The reward for the extra effort is some of the most dramatic and varied scenery of any Camino route — ocean cliffs, mountain backdrops, river valleys, and medieval town centres, all within a single day's walking.

Best Time to Walk the Camino del Norte

The Northern Way benefits from an Atlantic climate moderated by the Bay of Biscay — cooler and greener than inland Spain, but wetter too.

SeasonProsConsSpring (Apr–Jun)Mild temperatures (~20°C), lush green landscapesSome rain, particularly in GaliciaSummer (Jul–Aug)Rarely exceeds 30°C — much cooler than the MesetaAccommodation competition in coastal townsAutumn (Sep–Oct)Ideal temperatures, quieter trailsDays shorten in OctoberWinter (Nov–Mar)Very few pilgrims, lower pricesWet and cold; some facilities have reduced hours

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for first-time pilgrims. Summer is also very manageable on the Norte — unlike the scorching Meseta on the Frances, the coastal climate stays pleasant even in July and August.

Top Highlights Along the Route

San Sebastián — one of Europe's great food cities; a perfect place to begin the Camino
Gernika — historic Basque town, immortalized by Picasso
Bilbao — the Guggenheim Museum and a world-class dining scene
Santander — golden beaches, a royal palace, and Cantabrian seafood
Ribadesella — charming coastal town at the foot of the Picos de Europa
Oviedo — a beautifully preserved medieval city; junction with the Camino Primitivo
Cathedral Beach (Ribadeo) — one of Galicia's most photographed natural wonders
Santiago de Compostela — the Cathedral, the Plaza del Obradoiro, and the arrival

How the Camino del Norte Connects to Other Routes

The Northern Way is well connected for pilgrims who want to combine routes:

In Oviedo, the Northern Way meets the Camino Primitivo — the original route to Santiago
Near Arzúa, the Northern Way joins the Camino Frances for the final stretch into Santiago

This makes the Norte a great option for experienced pilgrims planning multi-route journeys, or for first-timers who want to end their walk on the busy, social final section of the Frances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Camino del Norte suitable for first-time pilgrims? Yes, but it suits first-timers who are reasonably fit and comfortable with the idea of fewer fellow pilgrims on the trail. It's less hand-held than the Frances — which many people consider a feature, not a drawback.

How does it compare to the Camino Frances? The Norte is longer, hillier, quieter, and more coastal. The Frances has better infrastructure and a more social atmosphere. If you want crowd-free scenery and exceptional food, the Norte wins. If you want maximum camaraderie and established pilgrim culture, the Frances is the better choice.

Do I need to book accommodation in advance? More so than on the Frances. Accommodation options are fewer per stage on the Norte, and popular coastal towns fill up quickly in summer. Booking the first few nights and the final approach to Santiago in advance is strongly recommended.

Can I walk just the last 100 km? Yes — starting in Vilalba gives you the minimum distance to earn the Compostela and lets you experience the quiet Galician countryside that defines the final stretch of the Northern Way.

How do I get to San Sebastián to start? San Sebastián is well connected by train from Madrid and Barcelona, and by air via Biarritz Airport (France) or Bilbao Airport, both within easy reach. Budget airlines serve both airports from most European cities.

Ready to Walk the Camino del Norte?

The Northern Way offers one of the most beautiful and authentic Camino experiences available — coastal scenery, cultural depth, outstanding food, and a quieter trail that rewards those willing to step off the most-beaten path.

Getting your accommodation sorted before you leave — especially for the first night in San Sebastián and the final stages into Santiago — means you can focus entirely on the walk.