Way of St. James from Santander to Gijón

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?