10-day Camino del Norte Cycling Holiday (Part 1)

As you arrive in the modern and vibrant city of Bilbao you can sample the renowned Basque cuisine. If you arrive early it's worth visiting the Guggenheim Museum, walk through the old town and along the river at the center of the city as you prepare for your Camino. And do not forget to collect the first stamp in your pilgrim’s passport!

Today you start cycling in Bilbao towards Portugalete on urban areas. From there a long cycle path leads you to the beach of La Arena, where you will meet the Cantabrian Sea, you then follow a path along the cliffs, a very beautiful stretch where you leave the Basque Country to enter Cantabria. The coastal trail leads you to Castro Urdiales, a town with a beautiful harbor and a rich history. Take some time to explore its historic streets and taste the local seafood. 

Challenge: 41 km / 25.5 mi, 575 m ascent

Your journey continues along the northern coast, with the Gulf of Biscay as your backdrop. An interesting stage with beautiful scenery, with several beaches, cliffs and stretches through forest, alternating with green inland valleys. Although relatively short, the rout profile is a continuous up and down, with moderate gradients but partially along unsurfaced roads. Laredo, your destination for the day, is known for its golden sandy beaches. Although urbanistically not the most attractive town, it's a great place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze. 

Challenge: 31 km / 19 mi, 735 m ascent

Your day starts and ends with two short sails The first from the Puntal de Laredo to Santoña and the last from Pedreña to Santander, leaving you right in the centre of the city at a few steps from the modern art museum Centro Botín. In between the Camino winds through lush countryside and charming villages, passing three long beaches: Salvé (in Laredo), Berria (after Santoña), Helgueras-Trengadín (Noja). You will then turn inland to San Miguel de Meruelo and Güemes to finalize the day with an almost flat section with again two sandy beaches within reach: Langre and Somo. Santander offers a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect ending point for your pilgrimage. 

Challenge: 52 km / 32 mi, 650 m ascent

It will take you some time to leave behind the urban environment of Santander, because the city is built on a stretch of land surrounded by water and can only expand in one direction. Again we've found good alternatives for the official Camino, through hilly and often surprisingly serene countryside, ending in the  enchanting medieval town Santillana del Mar, one of the prettiest town in Cantabria. 

Challenge: 40 km / 25 mi, 650 m ascent

Today's route is long and interesting alternating rolling green hills with some brief incursions by the Cantabrian coast. In Comillas, you'll be captivated by the buildings in the modernist style - our art nouveau - such as El Capricho, one of Antoni Gaudí's first works. Continuing your route toward Unquera you will cross several bridges over marshes and estuaries, the largest just before entering San Vicente de la Barquera, an interesting fishing village.The second part of the route takes you land inward. Although the gradients of the continuous ascents and descents are moderate (with a maximum of 100m of ascent in one go), the total sums up 1125 m, so you get the feeling that the mountains are very close. . 

Challenge: 48.7 km / 30 mi, 1125 m ascent

The first village en-route today is Colombres, where the outstanding villa Quinta Guadalupe catches your eye as you approach the town. It's one of several houses built in the 19th century by so-called Indianos, emigrants who returned wealthy from their stay in America and imported a whole new (and very flamboyant) lifestyle.  As you leave Colombres, the gentle sound of the ocean accompanies your journey as you pass through idyllic fishing villages, immersing yourself in the culture of Asturias. After Andrín you will have a notable slope and after the descent you will reach Llanes, a town with a historic quarter with lively terraces in summer, as well as the fishermen's port and its artistic breakwater. When leaving Llanes you will cross some beaches such as Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín, all of which are beautiful and quite busy in summer. The route then turns inland once again, through rural areas with less tourist pressure. After crossing a number of level crossings, you will end the day in Ribadesella, a coastal town famous for its prehistoric caves among other things.  

Challenge: 56 or 61 km/ 35 or 38 mi, 950 m ascent

A relatively short but interesting route, with some ascents that allow for superb views. Again, there are several beaches along the way to stop for a swim: Santa Marina (in Ribadesella), Vega, Arenal de Morís (somewhat remote), La Espasa and La Isla. In Colunga  you might decide to make a small detour to the Jurrasic Museum (MUJA) or the Playa de la Riega, where you can literally retrace the (fossilized ) steps of dinosaurs. The route continues more inland, through a mountainous landscape typical for Asturias, ith apple orchards, meadows and tiny rural hamlets. The day ends in Villaviciosa, the Apple Capital, famous for its cider production. 

Challenge: 39 km  / 24.4 mi, 800 m ascent

Today you will turn your back to the ocean in order to end your pilgrimage in a proper way, at the doorstep of the gothic Cathedral San Salvador in Oviedo. While cycling away from Villaviciosa recommend to visit the prerromanesque church and romanesque monastery in Valdedios before starting with the last (and very steep) ascent of 260 m to el Alto de la Campa. After that you'll sail mostly down, to the market town Pola de Siero and past some modern sub urbs. We have postponed the transition from peaceful countryside to a hectic urban atmosphere as long as possible, by offering an alternative route to the official Camino that follows the old N-634 for kilometers on end. But at the end you will be heading to the magnificent Cathedral of Oviedo, symbolizing the rich history and culture of Asturias which has been linked with the history of the Camino since the 9th century. It's a friendly town with some very good restaurants and numerous sidrerías (cider bars).  

Challenge: 45,7 km / 28.4 mi, 900 m ascent

 After breakfast your journey comes to an end. 

You can also combine this trip with the next stage of the Camino and get to Santiago de Compostela in 10 more days.