Stroll
Camino del Norte: Final Stage - Ribadeo to Santiago - 11 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino del Norte

Camino del Norte: Final Stage - Ribadeo to Santiago - 11 Days

11 Days
Easy to Moderate

Camino del Norte: Final Stage - Ribadeo to Santiago - 11 Days

from £1,120 / person

Overview

The Camino del Norte, or as it is sometimes called, the Northern Camino, stretches 800km from Irun near the French Border to Santiago de Compostela. The last and final section starts in Ribadeo and ends at the Camino Way terminus, the cathedral in Santiago. The Camino del Norte is known for its scenic beauty, diverse terrain, and cultural richness. The final stage starts in Ribadeo, a charming coastal town known for its historic bridges and sea views. The route gradually moves inland, passing through lush forests, rolling hills, and traditional Galician villages.

Key highlights are Mondoñedo, with its impressive cathedral, and Vilalba, famous for its medieval tower. The final day of walking to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a moment of reflection and accomplishment and marks the end of a spiritually enriching journey through one of Spain’s most beautiful regions.

Highlights

  • Walk alongside fellow pilgrims on the less-traveled Camino del Norte (Northern Camino)
  • The picturesque town of Ribadeo, its estuary, and the iconic Cargadeiro Bridge
  • Mondonedo and its 13th-Century Cathedral
  • Vilba and its famous medieval tower, Torres dos Andrade
  • Meet the Camino Frances at Arzua and its vibrant atmosphere
  • Receive your pilgrim's passport, the Credencial del Peregrino

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Ribadeo

Right on the border with Asturias, you’ll kick off your Camino del Norte or Northern Way in Ribadeo, a very attractive Galician fishing village. Ribadeo is famous for its stunning Playa de las Catedrales, rated as one of the world’s most spectacular beaches, and its unique houses influenced by Southern American Indian architecture. You’ll also enjoy the gorgeous views from the Torre de los Moreno and the lighthouse on Isla Pancha. Ribadeo is a fantastic location to taste some delicious seafood dishes that the town is known for.

Accommodation

Hotel in Ribadeo

What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights)

Meals

10 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

2

Stroll Walking Grade

Easy to Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Mostly flat terrain with some gentle inclines. Suitable for anyone with basic fitness who enjoys walking.

View Fitness Guide

9

Days on the trail

16-22 km

Daily distance range

196-573 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in small, family-run hotels and guesthouses that have been welcoming Camino walkers for many years. All rooms are ensuite, and the atmosphere is characteristically warm, with most fellow guests sharing the same journey.

Note: Single rooms are available but limited on this route. If travelling with others but requiring a single room, early booking is strongly advised. A single occupancy fee applies.

What You'll Eat

Breakfasts are included throughout the walk. Many of the accommodations have their own restaurants serving regional dishes with local ingredients, and dinners can be added as a supplement each evening if preferred. Lunches are yours to discover along the way — local cheeses, cured meats and the remarkable variety of breads found along the Camino make for a great midday spread.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking so we can inform your hosts. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Ribadeo, on the Galician coast of northern Spain, and finishes in Santiago de Compostela.

There are no direct international flights into Ribadeo. The most practical approach is to fly to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), then take an ALSA coach to Ribadeo, a journey of around three hours with several departures daily. Asturias Airport (OVD) is the closest airport to Ribadeo geographically, but onward connections are less straightforward and add considerably to the journey time. For those travelling via Madrid, high-speed trains run from Madrid Chamartín to several hub cities on the northern coast, with bus connections onward to Ribadeo.

The walk ends in Santiago de Compostela, which has its own international airport with flights throughout Europe. Trains to Madrid and other Spanish cities depart from Santiago de Compostela station. Book all Spanish bus and rail tickets in advance through RENFE or ALSA.

This walk is available from April to September, with no fixed start days. Spring brings warming days, green Galician countryside and the first wildflowers along the path, with May and June widely considered among the best months for mild weather, long daylight hours and manageable numbers of fellow pilgrims. July and August are warmer and more sociable, with a lively atmosphere on the trail, though accommodation can be harder to secure and a peak season supplement applies. Autumn brings milder temperatures, quieter paths and fine early colour in the forests. Whatever the month, waterproofs are worth carrying — rain is part of Galicia.

Note: Solo travellers are warmly welcome on this walk. Some transfers are costed on the basis of two people sharing, so a supplement applies for solo bookings. Contact our team for details.

Trails are well-defined throughout, following an ancient pilgrim route across varied terrain. Expect rocky paths, farm and forest tracks, long open stretches of countryside, and sustained climbs to hilltop towns and villages. Some sections run alongside roads, so walkers should remain mindful of traffic at all times. Good walking boots are essential.

Daily walks cover up to 24 kilometres with up to 300 metres of ascent and descent. Walkers should be comfortable with distances of this length before setting out. An exercise regime of two to three times per week, in addition to regular walking, is recommended in preparation.

The route is waymarked throughout by the iconic scallop-shell markers, and with fellow pilgrims on the trail, navigation is straightforward. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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1Out of season
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Out of season

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Camino del Norte reviews

Frequently asked questions

Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.

We can organise this anywhere along the walk. However, we strongly recommend a rest day at the end of the walk in Santiago.

Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.

Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs. If you feel you would prefer to stay an extra night or two in Santiago, we can help arrange this for you.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in Santiago.

We don't allow children under the age of 13 to do this walk.

Absolutely. Many people choose to complete stages of the Camino as a solo walker. There are many people walking the route and many of the overnight stays welcome hordes of walkers which means you can choose to walk your own journey or join in the camaraderie of walking with others.

We wouldn’t suggest completing the itinerary in less than 38 days but 39 days with an extra night along the way is always a good idea. Speak to the office to insert another rest day if you want to when booking.

Want to Know More?

THE CAMINO DeL NORTE EXPERIENCE

Wonder
Walk the rugged Northern Camino, tracing Spain's wild Atlantic coastline through Basque, Cantabrian, and Galician culture
Discover Bilbao's iconic Guggenheim Museum, vibrant pintxos bars, and rich maritime heritage
Pass through historic fishing villages perched above the Bay of Biscay, each with their own authentic local rhythm
Wellness
Let the fresh Atlantic air and daily effort restore clarity of mind and strength in body
Find genuine solitude on the trail — space to think, breathe, and hear yourself again
Walk pack-free each day with luggage transferred ahead, freeing you to settle into your stride
Nature
Walk clifftop paths above the Bay of Biscay, where wild Atlantic swells crash far below
Move through the green, mist-draped hills of Asturias — dense forest far removed from the Spain most people know
Wind through ancient Galician woodland and traditional stone villages on the final stage inland