Stroll
Camino del Norte: The Full Route - 39 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino del Norte

Camino del Norte: The Full Route - 39 Days

39 Days
Challenging

Camino del Norte: The Full Route - 39 Days

from £4,460 / person

Overview

The Camino del Norte spans approximately 825 kilometres (513 miles) from Irún, located on the French-Spanish border, to Santiago de Compostela, crossing four autonomous communities.

The Camino del Norte, or Northern Way, is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, with origins in the early medieval period. Developed alongside the Camino Primitivo in 9th-century Asturias, it swiftly became a significant path for pilgrims venerating the relics of St. James.

During the 8th to 10th centuries, when much of central Spain was under Moorish control, the northern regions offered a safer alternative for Christian pilgrims. Consequently, the route gained prominence, particularly among Northern European pilgrims from the British Isles, Scandinavia, Flanders, and the Baltic regions, who often arrived via maritime ports such as San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijón.

Highlights

  • Walk the full 825km of the Northern Camino route from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela
  • Explore and enjoy diverse landscapes and breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Sea, golden beaches, rugged cliffs, green mountains of Asturias, and rolling hills of Galicia.
  • Hike across culturally rich cities and towns like San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santillana del Mar, Luarca, and Santiago de Compostela.
  • Explore Natural Reserves like the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and Marismas de Santoña Nature Reserve.
  • Discover ancient architectural sites such as the Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao), Altamira Caves, and Sobrado dos Monxes Monastery.
  • Spend each day walking alongside fellow pilgrims on this world-famous route and enjoy a less busy route

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (38 nights)

Meals

38 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Boat Ride

Guidance & Support

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

How We Rate This Walk

5

Stroll Walking Grade

Challenging

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

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

37

Days on the trail

11-32 km

Daily distance range

105-755 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 San Sebastián and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. The closest airport to San Sebastián is San Sebastián Airport (EAS), with international connections across Europe. Biarritz Airport (BIQ), just across the French border, is a useful alternative, with trains to San Sebastián taking around an hour. Madrid is also a practical entry point, with high-speed trains to San Sebastián taking around 3-4 hours.

Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) serves the end of the walk, with international connections across Europe. A regular bus links the airport to the city centre and train station. Book Spanish rail tickets in advance through Renfe.

This walk is available from April to October, with no fixed start days. Early in the season, conditions can be changeable, with warm days giving way to cool nights and the occasional frosty morning. Rainfall is more likely in April, particularly on the Basque coast and in Galicia. From May onwards, the weather settles, with temperatures holding comfortably between 20 and 24 degrees and fewer wet days. July and August are the warmest months and the most sociable, though popular towns along the route fill quickly and early booking is advisable. September remains excellent for walking, with pleasant temperatures and quieter trails. Throughout the season, local festivals add colour to the journey, from the jousting at Puente de Órbigo to the Rioja Wine Festival in Logroño and the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa. Waterproofs are worth carrying at any time of year.

Graded challenging, this tour earns its rating through the sheer accumulation of 37 consecutive days on the trail. Some stages may be slightly shorter or longer than planned to suit accommodation bookings, and you will be notified in advance if this is the case.

The trails are well-defined, following an ancient pilgrim route across varied terrain. Rocky paths, farm and forest tracks, and long open stretches of countryside make up the bulk of each day, with sustained climbs to hilltop towns and villages along the way. Some sections run alongside roads, so walkers should remain mindful of traffic. Good walking boots are essential.

Daily walks reach up to 28 kilometres with up to 400 metres of ascent and descent. You should be comfortable with both before setting out. An exercise regime of three to four times per week is recommended, with regular back-to-back walking days particularly useful preparation for this tour.

Navigation is straightforward throughout, with the iconic scallop-shell markers guiding the way and fellow pilgrims never far behind. 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.

A $1,000 deposit is required to book this trip due to its length.

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.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

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

August 2026

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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