10-day Camino del Norte Cycling Holiday (Part 2)

Today you arrive in Asturias, in time to visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, THE historic holy site where the Camino begins. This evening you’ll enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere, charming lanes in the old town and traditional cider houses.  

After a quiet morning in Oviedo, during which you can visit the Cathedral or one of the museums (Modern Art or Archeology), today's route takes you to the coastal city of Avilés. As you leave the capital of Asturias behind, cycling through the mount Naranco foothills, you'll experience a mix of urban and rural landscapes. Avilés welcomes you with an ugly area that recalls the heyday of mining industry but it has a surprising historical town centre full of nice terraces and the flamboyant Niemeyer Art Cente . 

Challenge: 30 km / 18.5 mi, 400 m ascent

Today your Camino follows the coastline, offering splendind views while crossing villages with traditional Asturian architecture. The nicest views will be as you arrive to the banks of the Nalón River, where the San Martín Castle is guarding the Camino from its promontory. After an ascent to Muros de Nalón you will cycle a bit further before descending to Cudillero, one of the most beautiful fishermen's villages in Asturias. 

Challenge: 32 km / 20 mi, 575 m ascent

Leaving Cudillero, you'll venture through picturesque Asturian countryside as you are facing one of the most beautiful stages of the entire Camino del Norte. After crossing Soto de Luiña you will take the Camín Real de Las Ballotas, a coastal route with access to beaches and other services, eventually reaching the charming village of Cadavedo. The last obstacle of the day is the uphill section after Canero, but it allows for some beautiful views during the descent across Luarca with its white-washed buildings and fishing harbor.

Challenge: 55 km / 34 mi, 680 m ascent

Cycle away from the coast, along comfortable tracks and roads, with moderate gradients, passing through numerous towns with services, through rolling hills and peaceful woodlands before arriving the coastal town of Navia. From there the the Camino returns to the coast as head towards Tapia, another village with a charming little harbour, and Penarronda beach, surrounded by spectacular cliffs. Finally you will cross the wide river Eo to leave Asturias and enter Galicia. Ribadeo, with its beautiful estuary and lively atmosphere, is a perfect place to end your day.   

Challenge: 55 km / 34 mi, 325m ascent

From Ribadeo you will definitely move away from the coast to enter the green hills of Galicia, a rather mountainous route through a sparsely populated rural territory. The most important climb of the day will be between A Ponte de Arante and Gondán: 260 metres of ascent in 5 kilometres! You will cross two interesting towns with an interesting cultural heritage: Vilanova de Lourenzá, where the church of the old monastery stands out, and Mondoñedo, capital of the region of A Mariña Central and diocese since the Middle Ages. Mondoñedo’s cathedral (erected in 1246 although restyled several times afterward) and the old quarter are a National Historic-Artistic Site.  

Challenge: 38 km / 23.5 mi, 975 m ascent

An interesting route because you ascend to Terra Chá, the inland plateau of Lugo, passing from 140 to 560 metres above sea level. The Camino passes through the valleys of Valiñadares and Lousada, as you make your way to Abadín and finally Vilalba, another town known for its medieval heritage.

Today the Camino follows all sort of tracks; dirt roads, paths and muddy corredoiras (tractor ruts) and there hardly are any ascents, allowing you to truely enjoy the rural environment. Buy a coffee and bocadillo in Baamonde, the last village before entering a very solitary and wooded section populated only by meigas and trasgos (mythical creatures similar to witches and goblins), Finally you will reach As Cruces and Sobrado dos Monxes; named after it's impressive monastery founded in 951 by monks (monxes).  

Challenge: 52 km / 32.5 mi,  635 m ascent

In contrast to the previous sections, today the landscape is becoming much more urban, as you are approaching Santiago. The route converges in Arzúa with the maelstrom of the classic Camino also known as the French Way. Although a very busy and monotous section, it has the added value of the vibes of excitement that fill the air; the collective positive energy of hordes of fellow pilgrims, drawn by an immense, irresistible magnet: the Plaza Obradoiro in Santiago. The urban hustle and bustle will not deter you and it’s still easy to imagine ancient pilgrims weeping with joy as they glimpsed the distant spires of the Cathedral. Historically, pilgrims pause at Monte do Gozo to set their sights then make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to cleanse their face and feet before meeting their beloved saint in Santiago de Compostela.  

Challenges: 56 km / 35 mi, 625 m ascent

After breakfast your Camino comes to an end. Option of booking an extra night in Santiago de Compostela.  

You can do the complete Camino on this trip