Last places
Way of Saint James from Sarria in group with guide
NT04
On foot

Way of St. James from Santander to Gijón

SERVICES
Configurable
TYPE OF TRIP
Half distance
MODE
On your own
9 STAGES
11 DAYS
210 KM
DIF. ●●●○○
Cantabria and Asturias: the wonders of the Green Coast
Discover some of the most beautiful villages in Spain
Taste the delicious seafood cuisine
This eleven-day programme along the Way of St. James from Santander offers you the opportunity to walk along an ancient route with the Cantabrian Sea at your fingertips. Nine stages that will take you to Gijón through a succession of tiny villages and some of the most beautiful towns in Spain, through the spectacular Cantabrian and Asturian gastronomy, through the cider culture and through some of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the Way. Can anyone give more?

Services

This programme includes these services.

11-day trip along the Camino del Norte.
10 nights in accommodation according to the chosen category. Configure it.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes

Not included services

Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.

Optional Services

A whole range of optional services are at your disposal, so that you can configure your trip to suit your needs.
Luggage transport
Private transfers
Reinforced breakfasts
Half board (dinners)
Cancellation insurance

Breakfasts, half-board
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from Santander and Oviedo airports and stations.
Complementary activities
Cancellation insurance

Free cancellation if you book through our website

Is this trip for me?

Type of trip: Half distance
Journeys to savour slowly, with the best of each space and that indescribable sensation of overcoming your own limits.
Type of services: Configurable
You choose your category of accommodation, if you want breakfast or not, if you want us to carry your luggage, etc. You decide and we will make sure everything runs smoothly.
Travel style: On your own
Programmes designed so that you can travel the route on your own, at the pace set by your steps. Full autonomy and the peace of mind of knowing that we are with you if you need us.
Physical demands: Hiking
Routes of small or medium physical demand, of medium distance (20-30 km / day) and surfaces that facilitate walking, and that can be covered autonomously.

Itinerary


Day 1. Arrival in Santander

To begin your adventure on the Way of Saint James from Santander, the first thing to do is to reach the welcoming and peaceful city of Santander, with one of the most beautiful bays in Spain. The city became the main port for Castilian exports during the 18th and 19th centuries, which is why the city retains its stately and distinguished aura, witness to the splendour of the era.

Hostel: Hostel Allegro or similar
Standard accommodation: Angelines Guesthouse or similar


Day 2. Stage Santander - Arce / Mogro

Distance: 16.8 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Arce / Mogro

The first day of the Camino de Santiago from Santander begins by leaving the Cantabrian capital. The pilgrim will soon have to make a detour to cross the estuary of Mogro, since crossing the railway bridge there is forbidden.

There is no choice but to walk upstream until you reach the village of Arce to cross the river Pas over a stone bridge with five centuries of history.

Some pilgrims prefer to continue to Mogro, which is not properly on the Camino del Norte but has more services than this small town. Let us know so we can tailor it to your needs.

Hostel: Piedad Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: La Joyuca de Pas or similar


Day 3. Stage Arce - Santillana del Mar

Distance: 20.3 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Santillana del Mar

On the third day you will travel through rolling countryside, passing through Bárcena de Cudón and Barreda. On arrival in Santillana del Mar, which many consider to be one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, you can enjoy its cobbled streets that have been frozen in time and decorated with a wide range of colours thanks to the flowers hanging from the balconies.

Hostel: El Convento Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Araceli Inn or similar


Day 4. Stage Santillana del Mar - Comillas

Distance: 22.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Comillas

The route of the third stage runs through small towns full of interesting landmarks, such as Cigüenza and Cóbreces. You will continue through other small towns until you reach Comillas. There you should not miss a visit to the Pontifical University and Gaudí's Capricho. We also recommend a guided visit to the palace, chapel-pantheon and park of Sobrellano, in neo-Gothic style and inspired by 14th-century English buildings.

Hostel: La Magia del Camino Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: San Jorge Passage or similar


Day 5. Stage Comillas - Colombres

Distance: 28 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Colombres

Another day of this Camino de Santiago from Santander to Gijón, longer than the previous ones, to reach Colombres in 29 km, or to divide it in two, spending the night in San Vicente de la Barquera. Whether you continue or stop here, extending your journey by a day, the route will pass through predominantly rural landscapes, with gradients that become steeper as you get closer to Asturias. After crossing the small Tina Menor estuary and the area of Unquera, you will quickly reach Colombres, where the architecture of its Indian houses awaits you.

Hostel: El Cantu Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Valbanera or similar


Day 6. Stage Colombres - Llanes

Distance: 23.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Llanes

Sixth day of the Way of St. James from Santander to Gijón to reach the charming town of Llanes, either by the official road, near the national road N-634, or by the coastal path, which will allow you to enjoy the Bufones de Arenillas: a dozen jets of sea water, similar to a geyser, which pump through holes in the earth due to the pressure of the tides. At high tides some of these jets can reach up to 20m in height.

Hostel: La Fruta Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Alda Palacio Valdés or similar


Day 7. Stage Llanes - Ribadesella

Distance: 31.4 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Ribadesella

Today you face the longest stage of the route according to our initial itinerary. Don't worry, it is characterised by its good roads and lack of steep slopes. You will be able to enjoy stretches very close to the Bay of Biscay and valleys typical of the coast.

You can also continue to enjoy cultural heritage of great value, such as the monastery of San Salvador de Celorio, the tiny chapel of Las Ánimas de Niembro, which can be found after crossing the estuary, or the remains of the monastery of San Antolín de Bedón, in Naves, until you enter Ribadesella through its historic fishing quarter.

Hostel: La Estación Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Sablon Hotel or similar


Day 8. Stage Ribadesella - Colunga

Distance: 20.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Colunga

After leaving Ribadesella, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Pilgrims' Route from Santander to Gijón awaits you, between Berbes and La Isla, where you will find two very interesting churches: Santiago de Gobiendes, a jewel of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture dating from the 10th century, and Santa María de La Isla, a much more modern church located on the beach itself. From here it is only a few kilometres to the end of the stage: Colunga.

Hostel: Marejada Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Las Vegas or similar


Day 9. Stage Colunga - Villaviciosa

Distance: 17.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Villaviciosa

The ninth stage is short and takes place inland, with some slopes. The Way passes through Pernús and Sebrayo, whose 13th century church sums up the type of rural churches typical of this area. From Sebrayo to Villaviciosa, half of the route is along paths and tracks halfway up the hillside. And, at the end, it returns to the sea, entering what is considered to be "the cider capital" - which is not just any title in Asturias.

Hostel: Villaviciosa Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel AB Murias Blancas or similar


Day 10. Stage Villaviciosa - Gijón

Distance: 29.8 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Gijón

The last stage of this Camino de Santiago from Santander to Gijón will be mountainous, far from the coast, but with an end that makes it worthwhile to face the almost thirty kilometres that await us. There will be two important climbs: the ascent to Alto de la Cruz and the ascent to Collado de Infanzón. We must be careful not to confuse our route with the blue signs that lead to the Sanctuary of Covadonga, which has a long tradition in this area.

On your arrival in Deva you can choose the official route - our recommendation - or the Senda de Peñafrancia. Both end in Gijón (Xixón in Asturian), but on the official section you can enjoy the views of the Universidad Laboral and discover its interesting architecture.

Hostel: La Fruta Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Alda Palacio Valdés or similar


Day 11. Discover Gijón

After the break and breakfast comes the end of our services. If you have time in the city, you are in luck. Gijón is a town that deserves to be visited at leisure, given its vast cultural heritage. You can enjoy the town on your own or take a guided tour of Gijón.

What you should definitely not miss is the Cimadevilla neighbourhood, with the old fish market building, the church of San Pedro Apóstol, the Roman baths and the main square and town hall. You can also enjoy a visit to a cider press. Because what would the world be without cider?


The recipe for great journeys

Natural, historical and ethnographic heritage, spectacular gastronomy, good company, slow pace and time for time. These are the ingredients with which we design trips in Viando. Are you staying at home? 

Book now and get
free cancellation

Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from this tour?
This route is for you if you are looking for a little challenge on your way, both in terms of the gradients (numerous but generally gentle) and the number of stages. For the rest, it is an accessible route for anyone with a minimum of physical preparation and a normal state of fitness.
The Northern Way is open all year round. Although it can be done in the middle of winter, taking into account a series of technical conditions (more information here), the most advisable time is usually the first half of autumn, when the weather is milder. It can also be done in summer, as temperatures are usually mild, although due to the fact that it is a coastal and tourist area, it is advisable to book well in advance.
All the stages of this route can be completed on foot, so there is no need for additional transfers. If you need transport to get to Lugo from Santiago airport or any other airport, or if you want to hire a transfer from Santiago to the airport for your return home, we can include them as an optional service.
Accommodation in the following categories is available on this route: hostels and standard accommodation. You can see more information about the categories of accommodation we use in Viando. in this link.

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website. 

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage). 

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation. 

In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.

Mode

This label indicates the intended mode of travel, based on two typologies:

In groups

These are group trips, where you are part of a small group of people who have chosen the same destination as you. Perfect for meeting like-minded people. Group trips usually have a guide who is in charge of overseeing the dynamics of the group, revealing the secrets of the destination and, in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

On your own

In this type of trip you have full control: you choose the dates and the pace. In addition, they are usually trips with configurable accommodation and services. It is the perfect mode for independent and experienced travellers, as well as for private groups of friends or families.

Type of trip

This label indicates the type of trip we propose to you based on the following options:

Getaways

These are trips that concentrate all their essence in two or three days. The aim is to live a series of experiences in a specific geographical area.

Half distance

These trips offer routes that take only a few days to complete and are perfect for most people who want to enjoy an active holiday without being too physically demanding.

Long distances

This type refers to long routes, which offer a great variety of natural and human spaces to visit and which require several days, usually two weeks or more. They are routes and destinations designed to really disconnect and live the experience to the fullest.

Exploration

These are trips off the beaten track and off the beaten track. They often require certain orientation skills or offer specialised guides at the destination.

Accommodation

This label indicates the type of services (mainly accommodation) we offer on each trip, based on three categories: 

Configurable

The trip offers different types of services and categories of services that you can choose from. For example, standard or premium accommodation. 

Standard

The trips in this group do not offer configurable options. The accommodations correspond to the standard category (not luxurious, but clean and in good condition).

Premium

Trips with this label offer non-configurable options. Accommodation and other services correspond to the premium category.