Camino de Santiago del Norte from Santander to Gijon

Explore the capital of Cantabria and one of the most beautiful and popular cities on the northern coast of Spain. We invite you to taste the delicious local dishes of mountain stew and rabas (fried squid). 

Visit some of its tourist attractions such as the Pereda Gardens, The Palacio de la Magdalena, Sardinero Beach or Santander Cathedral.

Overnight in Santander

When leaving Santander, the road today takes us away from the urban landscape to take us to the interior of Cantabria. We will pass through several villages, such as Santa Cruz de Bezana, Mompia and Boo de Pielagos.

Afterwards, we continue along the River Pas estuary in Boo de Pielagos and finally head towards Arce, where we will rest overnight.

Overnight in Arce

This day begins in Arce and will take us through the spectacular mountainous landscape on the Cantabrian coast. Along today's route, we'll stop by charming villages like Miengo and Suances, which are worth visiting. 

We will cross the River Saja and then the path continues through green meadows until we reach the medieval village Santillana del Mar, known for home to the famous Altamira Caves.

Overnight in Santillana del Mar

Cross the small towns of Orena with its approximately 1,000 inhabitants; Ciguenza, which in prehistoric times was inhabited by Autorigones or Cantabrians; and Casasola with the Portillo Cave and its Neolithic shell site.

You arrive in Comillas, a Cantabrian village in the West Coast zone. Relax on its beautiful beach and admire the magnificent views of cliffs and rocks that surround it. 

Discover the medieval and Baroque heritage of its buildings and the architectural relics of Catalan artists, such as the original Pontifical University of Comillas, which is now in Madrid, the Sobrellano Palace, and the work 'El Capricho', by Antoni Gaudí.

Overnight in Comillas

The path today will take us around the Cantabrian coast passing through the Natural Park of Oyambre. Dunes, meadows, steep cliffs and beaches form a vast, rich landscape that in turn houses a wide variety of vegetation and fauna, such as waterfowl, molluscs and fish.

Then the road will take us through fields and forests until we reach Unquera.

Overnight in Unquera

Today our trail takes us back to skirt along the north coast. We will leave the autonomous community of Cantabria to enter Asturias. Just outside Unquera, we will cross the River Deva over a bridge that takes us to Bustio.

The road continues to climb to 'Cuesta'l Cant' and then downhill through the Sierra de la Borbolla. We will pass through the town of Pendueles, by a narrow road that continues to ascend until the Jorcada Pass, after crossing the Andrin road. The trail continues downhill to La Portilla.

We continue on to Llanes, where we will stay overnight: a beautiful town surrounded by the Picos de Europa mountains and the north coast. 

Overnight in Llanes

Cross Llanes until you link with the old Po path and continue to the Monastery of San Salvador de Celorio to go around Palombina Beach. 

In the midst of easier trails, you will find several parishes, chapels and monasteries, such as the Chapel of Santin in Barru or the Monastery of San Antolin de Bedon in Amelladeru.

Cross the railway track through Toriellu, Sobares, Argunadieyu and La Espina, before entering 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 ichnites found (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 cavity formed 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

40 km from Gijon is Asturias Airport, which mainly offers domestic flights. You can also take a bus or train to Santander or Bilbao Airport.

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