At last, your travels bring you to Santander, the starting point of this stage of the Camino del Norte. Check in at your hotel, and enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the town, resting and getting into the mood and spirit for your upcoming Camino!

In the morning you take public train (company Feve) to Viveda to skip the dull metropolitan area of Santander. Beyond Viveda, the Camino will take you into the medieval town Santillana del Mar. Its nickname is “the city of three lies”, as it is neither holy (santa), nor plain (llana), nor is it situated directly at the sea (mar). With its heyday dating back to the late middle ages and its old town having remained almost entirely intact, Santillana del Mar is a true jewel of the Camino del Norte, very much worth spending some time exploring and enjoying. Today’s final destination is Cóbreces ̶ another pleasant, quaint town with the beautiful, red-gleaming Neo-Gothic Abbey of Santa María de Viaceli.

Distance: 18.9 km. (11.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Today the Camino meanders through a hilly landscape to Comillas. Many houses here were built in the “Jugendstil” and lie close to the town’s sandy beaches. Make some time to visit the villa El Capricho, built by Antoni Gaudí. Then, follow our alternative route along the coast to Gerra/ La Gerruca, from where we will have great views on the famous bay of San Vicente de la Barquera, the Atlantic, and the mountain range called Picos de Europa. You will enter the picturesque destination of today’s journey, San Vicente de la Barquera, over the “Bridge of 23 Arches” called the Puente de la Maza, which was, once, the longest bridge in Spain.

Distance: 18.8/ 25.4 km. (11.7/ 15.8 mi. | Difficulty: Moderate

Today it goes uphill and downhill more often and through a quarry first to Pesués. There you cross the bridge that leads over the Ría de Tina Menor. At your today´s destination Unquera (just before Bustio) you leave Cantabria and enter the principality of Asturias.

Distance: 21.8/ 15.2 km. (13.5/ 9.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Colombres ̶ the first town beyond Bustio ̶ is of particular interest because of the houses of the so called “Indianos” ̶ Spaniards who had returned from the New World. A good example of these unique houses is the Quinta de Guadalupe, which houses the Archive of the Indianos. Once you pass Buelna, we strongly recommend that you take the route along the coast. You will stay close to the sea and can rest on the sandy beaches right along the way. Look out for the deep caves that the surf has carved into the limestone on this stretch of the coast. Afterwards, just beyond Andrín, you will follow the Camino up a range of hills, from where you have far views over the landscape. Finally you will arrive in the bustling town of Llanes, which is often used as a filming location thanks to its wide beaches and the green landscape dotted with mansions.

Distance: 26.6 km. (16.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

From Llanes you can follow the more beautiful variant on the coast. Over fairly flat terrain, with a view of the sea and mountains, you will make a pilgrimage through some small pretty villages to Nueva, which once won a competition in 1958 and was named the most beautiful village in Asturias.

Distance: 19.9 km. (12.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

The Way of St. James is now accompanied by many apple trees that give the basis for the Sidra, the famous cider of Asturias. You will meet the sea again at your stage destination Ribadesella, which spreads maritime flair with its harbor and its history as a whaling town. Use the short stage to relax on the beach of Ribadesella.

Distance: 12 km. (7.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

On this stretch of the Camino del Norte you will pass by many small villages before reaching La Isla, a popular beach town with beautiful, sandy beaches. Your today´s destination is Colunga, a typical Asturian village.

Distance: 21 km. (13 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

The Camino de Santiago now leads into the green apple region of Asturias. Even a Bronze-sculpture Villaviciosa is dedicated to this fruit and the delicious Sidra (Cider) that is being produced from it.

Distance: 17.5 km. (10.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Before entering the metropolitan area of Gijón, pilgrims are treated with great views over the hilly scenery of the Alto de la Cruz and the green heart of Asturias. On this long and challenging walking day, there is, again, the option to skip the last 6 km. (3.7 mi.) by taking transportation. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the beautiful, vibrant city of Gijón!

Distance: 27.5 km. (17.1 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Farewell, Gijón; farewell, Camino – and safe travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Farewell, Bilbao; farewell, Camino – and safe travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Or, here is another option well-worth considering: to continue onto our next Part 4 of the Camino del Norte Self-Guided Tour; from Gijón to Ribadeo.

¡Buen Camino!