Camino Del Norte: Via the Spanish Coast to Santiago

There are several Caminos (roads), which in this case do not lead to Rome, but to Santiago de Compostela. Names you may come across besides Camino del Norte are Camino, Camino de Santiago, St James' Way or Pilgrims' Way. All names refer to the long-distance walk to Santiago de Compostela, starting points of the route are located in many places in Europe. The Camino del Norte is part of the overall route and itself consists of several variants, which we will explain in more detail later.

The Camino del Norte is located in northern Spain and runs via Irún near the Spanish-French border to western Santiago de Compostela. There are also a number of other Camino routes leading to Santiago de Compostela from alternative directions. The Camino Francés, for instance, is also located in north-west Spain. This route runs from the border area between France and Spain in the Pyrenees towards Santiago and is located further south than the Camino del Norte.

The Camino Portugués, as its name suggests, runs from Portugal northwards to Santiago, passing the Portuguese-Spanish border on the way.

The full route of the Camino del Norte is 822 kilometres long and runs from Irún on the Spanish-French border, to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The route consists of 32 stages, plus some additional ones that connect the Camino del Norte with the Camino Primitivo where applicable. In this blog, we further explain the stages from Baamonde, totalling well over the required distance of 100 kilometres to get to your compostela. Further on in this blog we explain more about the compostela.

The Camino del Norte may be less well known, but it too has been walked by pilgrims for over 1,000 years. The stages pass through four autonomous regions of Spain, each with its own culture: the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Some of these regions have local languages spoken alongside Spanish, a great time to test your language skills.

The Camino del Norte takes you partly along the sea, naturally many sailors used to come from this area. For instance, Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first explorer to sail around the world in the 16th century, came from the Basque country. He is commemorated in his birthplace Getaria with a statue.

In addition, during the Camino del Norte you will come across beautiful churches, which are worth visiting. The region also has many historical sites, such as Roman remains and prehistoric paintings in the cave of Altamira. While walking in Galicia, you will come across hórreos, storage sheds for maize or grain, typical of the region.

The scenery is also varied, with the Camino del Norte leading over cliffs and through eucalyptus forests, alternating with hillside paths and rivers. The area is relatively green, as there is more rainfall due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and mountainous areas such as the Picos de Europa.

The Camino del Norte is not technically difficult and is easy to walk. You do not have to be an athlete to have an enjoyable trek, but it is important that you prepare yourself well for the fact that you will be walking a good number of hours every day. In the weeks before the trek, try to walk a few hours a day and try to wear the same shoes as during the trek so that you don't get blisters or hurt your feet. Another good idea is to walk with a backpack on your shoulders so that your back can get used to the weight.

The location of the Camino del Norte in Spain means that the route is easily passable all year round, though you have to take into account the different seasons which all have their advantages and disadvantages. Bookatrekking.com recommends walking the Camino del Norte in the summer months (June-August). The temperature is pleasant and there is relatively little rain. Hotels and other accommodations are ready to receive pilgrims and there is always a table in a restaurant. Keep in mind, though, that there are pleasant crowds along the way.

Outside the summer months, the weather can be unpredictable and rainy. In addition, not all accommodations and restaurants are open.

While walking the Camino del Norte, it is useful to have a so-called Pilgrim's Passport (credencial). This document gives you access to many accommodation addresses for pilgrims, you also need a credencial to claim your certificate (compostela), for which you must have travelled at least 100 kilometres.

The Pilgrim Passport gives the traveller pilgrim status. It contains the walker's personal details, space for stamps and useful information about the route, including maps. You can get the pilgrim passport from one of the many Pilgrim Societies, hotels, churches or in one of the Brotherhoods of the Apostle James.

The passport is full of empty boxes, into which various stamps must be placed to prove that you have travelled through the various places on the route. These stamps can be obtained at hostels, pilgrim associations, parishes and also at the post office in each town. To prove that you have covered the required 100 kilometres for a certificate, you need to collect at least two stamps per day in the passport.

In Santiago, on presentation of your Pilgrim Passport, you can collect your certificate. Your name will be translated into Latin for this purpose, making it a special souvenir.

In the towns you pass along the Camino del Norte, there are plenty of places to stay. There is something for every budget and desire, from dormitory rooms to four-star hotels. We gladly explain the most common places to stay below.

Albergues

These 'hostels' cater to pilgrims and offer simple accommodation, at a low price. You usually spend the night in dormitories, smaller or private albergues sometimes offer private rooms. Bathrooms almost always have to be shared with other guests, nor is self-catering in an albergue always possible.

Fondas and pensions

Accommodation in a fonda or pensión is often simple; you do not always have a private room with its own bathroom. Facilities are limited and the price to stay overnight is attractive.

Hotels and hostals

Along the Camino del Norte, you will also find hotels and hostals You will mostly have a private room with private bathroom here. Some accommodation also has its own restaurant to grab a bite to eat in the evening.

While walking a Camino, there is plenty of room to enjoy good food. Bocadillos, tortillas, pinxtos, seafood and paella, take your time for a good meal!

Depending on where you stay, breakfast is (limited) included. No need to start the day on an empty stomach. All towns have bars and cafés where you can have breakfast, often with café con leche and sweets such as croissants.

In the evening, you can eat in one of the restaurants after your hiking day; a daily snack or menu with local specialities can always be found. Depending on your overnight accommodation, there may be a communal kitchen where you can prepare your own dinner.

Also, the Camino del Norte is a less busy route than, say, the Camino Francés. There are plenty of overnight addresses, but amenities along the way such as cafés are less present along the paths. Keep in mind to take enough food and drinks with you during the day, that way you will always be provided for during your walk.

The Camino del Norte has several places to start, all of which can be reached by plane, bus or train. Irún is the starting place of the entire Camino del Norte, Bookatrekking.com starts its package in Baamonde.

Starting in Irún

Biarritz airport is the closest, from the airport you can continue to Irún by bus or train. San Sebastián airport is also an option to fly into, you can easily travel on to the start from here. In addition, Irún has a good bus and train station, with many (inter)national connections that make arriving easy.

Starting in Baamonde

Baamonde can be reached by train and bus, with Santiago airport being the closest. From the airport, you can travel on to Baamonde with a direct bus connection. Trains make limited stops in Baamonde, if you have the time you can arrive by train via a change in A Coruña or Monforte de Lemos.

Departure from Santiago

From Santiago, you can go in different directions. By plane, train or bus, you can travel home or to another destination. The airport is easily accessible from Santiago city centre and flies to many European destinations.

You can carry your own luggage during the day, but you don't have to. There are several companies that will take your luggage to your next overnight address every day at a small cost. Your bag should weigh a maximum of 15 or 20 kilos and you drop it off at the lobby each morning. While you are enjoying your hiking day, your luggage will be transported to the next location and will be ready when you arrive in the afternoon. Convenient, right?

The Camino del Norte is well marked, with yellow arrows and shell symbols to guide pilgrims during the stages.