Camino de Santiago del Norte from Ribadesella to Villalba

Arrive in Ribadesella, from one of the nearest cities such as Gijon, Oviedo or Santander.

Start your route in Ribadesella, a cheerful village with a variety of restaurants. Tour the great estuary at the mouth of the River Sella, which separates the village in two: the old part from the modern part.

Overnight in Ribadesella

Walk the paths along the coastal route until you reach the beach of La Espasa, in the middle of unique beauty on the mountain landscape and the coast. 

Then take an old road to Bueno creek, and climb to the town of the same name before arriving in Colunga, where Paleolithic men and dinosaurs were thought to live, thanks to the study of the ichnitesfound (dinosaur footprints). 

Don't forget to try typical Colunga cuisine, such as fish stew, hake and seafood.

Overnight in Colunga

Today you will have some demanding ascents along the path parallel to the Cantabrian motorway to the village Castiellu de Lue. Admire its rural architecture and grandiose views of the Sueve Sierra and the Picos de Europa.

Continue the path and visit the Virgen de la Guia Chapel and the other Catholic and Romanesque parishes along the way. As you approach Villaviciosa, you will walk along the so-called Pre-Romanesque Route,where you can get to know the remains of great monuments from the Asturian pre-Romanesque period: The Church of San Salvador de Baldeis or that of San Salvador de Priesca.

Villaviciosa is recognized, next to Nava, as the capital of cider. Thanks to the abundance of apple orchards, you can try it in one of the stops.

Overnight in Villaviciosa

Head back to the coast and go through a couple of strenuous ascents in Alto de la Cruz and Collanzo del Infanzon. If you dare, deviate a little to the south and get to know the Natural Reserve of the Lloviu Caves, the largest Asturian cavityformed in Jurassic limestone and with the presence of 5 species of bats.

Gijon, the capital of the Costa Verde, is located in a bay on the shores of the Cantabrian. Get to know its large marina and its magnificent urban beaches, its small old town and the Cimadevilla district, ideal to taste a "sidrina" (glass of cider).

Overnight in Gijon

Today, you will join two of the most important coastal cities of this section. First you will cross the industrial area and the seaport of Gijon towards The Plaza Padre Maximo. 

Arrive in the town of Verina where you will climb Mount Areo. On your descent you will reach the village of Santaolaya, in the Carreno Valley. If you wish, visit the Church of Santa Eulalia, which dates back to the 10th century.  

Follow the route, pass the village of Tabaza, and later you will be in Aviles, listed as a medieval city in Asturias. You will get to know its old town – the best-conserved in the region and declared an Artistic Historic Site – the Plaza Mayor, the Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury or the Camposagrado Palace.

Overnight in Aviles

We leave the urban landscape to enter a natural environment, with small towns along the path. We'll cross the River Nalon at its mouth.

We will be surrounded by green meadows and the characteristic mountainous landscape of the north coast, until we reach El Pito, our destination for today. In this town, you cannot miss its Renaissance palaces and gardens.

It is also worth a visit to Cudillero, a bucolic fishing village, and one of the most beautiful in Asturias. Enjoy an afternoon of delicious seafood or visit the Plaza de la Marina, the viewpoints of La Atalaya or El Pico, or one of its 9 parishes.

Overnight in El Pito

Today, we have a long stage but with only some slight slopes. The trail takes us back through green meadows and forests near the coast and passes through numerous small villages. In San Martin de Luina you can visit the La Fontona cheese shop, where they make cheese and traditional dairy products from Asturias.

Today's stage ends in Ballota, where you can regain your strength for tomorrow's route.

Get to know the Ballota Church or relax on the beautiful beaches of Ballota, Rio Cabo or Las Cabrilleras. 

Overnight in Ballota

Leaving Ballota, follow your way through forests such as Picu and Mediu, Ablaneu and El Cierru'l Cura to Tablizu. Later, near the coast, you will reach Cadavedo, where you can get to know the Tower of Villademoros, built in the Middle Ages. 

You'll pass through places such as San Cristobal, Queruas and Chano de Careno, where the River Esva is located, and which is home to the largest otter community in Europe. You will arrive at Hotel Canero, where a steep ascent awaits you that takes you to the N-634 road.

This road will allow you to reach Luarca, a fishing village where you can get to know the Virgen Blanca Chapel, the Marquis of Ferrera Palace or enjoy the beautiful beaches in Luarca, Portizuelo, Salinas, Quintana or Touran.

Overnight in Luarca

Cross the River Negro until you ascend to the village of Villuir. Follow the wooded and rural trails to Otur. On the descent, you will find El Bao and the River Barayo, which you must cross to Villapedre, a town that houses the Church of Santiago.

Go back to the road, pass the village of Villaoril and La Colorada, an industrial estate, and then reach Navia, located at the mouth of the river with the same name. 

Among its main sites of interest are the neo-Gothic Temple of Nuestra senora de La Barca, Plaza del Ayuntamiento or the La Poza nature spot.

Overnight in Navia

Head for La Caridad, the parish and capital of the El Franco council area, which is surrounded by incredible beaches such as Pormenande. Leave the village and cross the Carballeiros stream until you ascend to Alto de los Morcegos.

In El Franco, visit the Valdepares Church and the Chapel of San Pelayo, and then descend towards the River Porcia. Here you can decide whether to follow the route to Tol or Tapia de Casariego, the second road has a walk of more than 900 metres. 

Any option you choose will finally take you into Galicia, specifically Ribadeo. Visit its old quarter, declared in 2004 as a Place of Cultural Interest. Plaza Espana, The Church of Santa Maria del Campo, Torre de los Morenos or Playa de las Catedrales are some of its tourist spots.

Overnight in Ribadeo

Overnight in Lourenza

Today's route, in addition to being carried through a landscape of green meadows, passes through the town of Mondonedo, the present capital of the La Marina Central region and formerly one of the capitals of the Kingdom of Galicia.

The architectural landscape found in Mondonedo is very rich, so it is worth making a stop to visit its old town to see the Cathedral, the Church of Santiago or the Sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de los Remedios.

As we leave Mondonedo, the Camino continues to Abadin, our destination today.

Overnight in Abadin

Leaving Abadin, take the ascending road to Fernandano. Cross the River Abadin, climb Ponterroxal and then to O Rei and Plazas. Descend and cross the River Santa Baia and from Leiras to Martinan.

You will be walking through the Lugo plains or A Terra Cha, in Galician, the largest plain in Galicia, green meadows and crossed by numerous rivers and lagoons. 

Soon you will arrive in Goiriz to visit the Church of Santiago and the Chapel of Fatima. Take the path until you can see Villalba, where you can explore the Castle and the Church of Santa Maria.

Overnight in Villalba

We invite you not to miss the last stretch of the Camino de Santiago del Norte, from Villalba to Santiago de Compostela. 

If you prefer to return home, remember that from Villalba the nearest options are A Coruna, about 50 minutes by car, or Santiago Airport,1 hour and a half away. You can take a bus from Villalba to either city.

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