The Way of Saint James from Gijón to Ribadeo in 7 stages

The first thing to do to enjoy this Way of St. James from Gijón to Ribadeo is to get to this coastal town in Asturias. Gijón, in Asturian Xixón, is a town that deserves to be visited at leisure, given its vast cultural heritage. 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 Plaza Mayor and the town hall.

Hostel: Boogalow Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel La Polar or similar

Distance: 25.4 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Avilés

The first stage of the Way of St. James from Gijón, it connects two important towns in Asturias and has to cross two industrial areas. However, it also has interesting cultural elements, such as the 5,000-year-old necropolis of Monte Areo, with dolmens and prehistoric burial mounds. Or the Fonte les Xanes, with its stories of xanes (a kind of fairies from Asturian folklore).

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

Distance: 23.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Muros de Nalón

On the third day the stage will finish in Muros de Nalón. The official route on this section was modified in 2018 by turning off at Piedras Blancas. However, it is still not sufficiently conditioned and you have to walk along the hard shoulder of the AS-320 for more than a kilometre. Some pilgrims prefer to continue to El Pito and from there turn off the Camino to spend a night in Cudillero.

Hostel: Los Novales Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Playa Las Llanas or similar

Distance: 15.3 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Soto de Luiña

A new stage of the Camino de Santiago from Gijón, mainly rural and with frequent, short but intense slopes. You will only approach the coast at the Concha de Artedo beach. Some pilgrims, as it is a fairly short stretch, take the opportunity to make a detour in El Pito, with spectacular houses of indianos, to go to Cudillero, where they can enjoy this magnificent fishing village.

In Soto de Luiña don't miss the church of Santa María, which was built on the site of an old chapel, or the Casa Rectoral, a former pilgrims' hospital just a few metres from the church.

Hostel: Hostel in Soto de Luiña or similar
Standard accommodation: Hostel Paulino or similar

Distance: 18.5 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Cadavedo

On this stage of the Camino de Santiago from Gijón, as soon as we start walking we will find two options: to continue along the Camín Real de las Ballotas, which runs parallel to the coast, or along the Sierra de Las Palancas, crossing the mountain. Both options are good, although the one that crosses the mountain is 2 km longer.

In any case, it is our favourite stage of this section of the Camino. If you continue along the Camín Real you will cross seven small valleys called ballotas or vaḷḷoutes, in Asturian. In this way, you will be able to enjoy the magnificent cliffs and beach areas while crossing forests and pastures until you reach the end of the stage in Cadavedo.

Hostel: Pilgrim House or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel La Casa Roja or similar

Distance: 15.3 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Luarca

This section moves away from the coast and some of its kilometres follow the N-634. Starting this stage of the Camino de Santiago early from Gijón will allow you to enjoy the town of Luarca for longer.

You will pass through the villages of Villademoros and Querúas, where you will begin a beautiful route through oak and chestnut forests that leads to a national road that will allow you to cross the river Esva. You will soon reach the beautiful fishing village of Luarca, the end of the stage.

Hostel: Villa de Lluarca Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Dabeleira or similar

Distance: 30.5 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: La Caridad

Penultimate stage of the Camino de Santiago from Gijón, leaving Ḷuarca behind and passing through small towns until you reach Navia, the main town you will pass through during this stage. Many pilgrims prefer to stop in Navia to eat and enjoy its wonderful traditional dessert, the veneres.

By doing so, you will leave about 8 km to your destination, La Caridad, for the afternoon.

Hostel: La Xana Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Xusto House or similar

Distance: 22.4 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Ribadeo

At last! The last stage of this section of the Northern Way, which leaves Asturias behind and enters Galicia by crossing the Eo estuary. Here you have several options, but our recommendation is to follow the coastal route that takes you to Tapia de Casariego and, further on, to Ribadeo, crossing over the Puente de los Santos (Bridge of the Saints). This bridge allows you to easily cross the Eo estuary and saves you 6 km of walking.

In Tapia you can enjoy a wonderful promenade with viewpoints overlooking the sea. Finally, you will reach Ribadeo, the end of the stage. Be sure to visit the historic quarter with its Indian houses; the 12th century chapel of Atalaia and its views.

Hostel: Hostel Ribadeo A Ponte or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Rolle or similar

After rest and breakfast, our services come to an end. However, if you have time, you won't want to miss a visit to the world famous Praia das Catedrais, the result of the power of the sea and the patience of the weather.

This natural wonder is protected from tourism, so access is restricted to a certain number of people per day. It also depends on a strict tide schedule, as it is not accessible at high tide.

If you would like to visit it, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can arrange access and timetables. Another option is to visit an ethnographic complex from the 18th century based on the integral use of the river's hydraulic energy, with large houses, cabazos, hórreos and mills.