"Santiago is not the end of the journey, but the beginning."

Paulo Coelho

Northern Way from Ribadeo to Santiago de Compostela: 9 stages

Information about the trip: Northern Way from Ribadeo to Santiago de Compostela: 9 stages

The Northern Route, or Camino del Norte, runs from France and follows the northern coastline of Spain to Galicia, where it heads inland towards Santiago joining the French Route at Arzua.
This route follows a stretch of the old Roman road, the Via Agrippa, and is part of the Coastal Route or Camino de la Costa.

This itinerary leaves from Ribadeo in Galicia, covering the last 190km of the Northern Route, which is more than the minimum required to apply for your “Compostela” certificate

Travel itinerary (Summary)

  • DAY 1: Arrival to Ribadeo
  • DAY 2: Stage 1, Ribadeo, Lourenzá  27,5 km 2/5
  • DAY 3: Stage 2, Lourenzá, Abadín  25,6 km 2/5
  • DAY 4: Stage 3, Abadín, Vilalba  20,8 km 2/5
  • DAY 5: Stage 4, Vilalba, Baamonde  18,5 km 1/5
  • DAY 6: Stage 5, Baamonde, Miraz  14,9 km 3/5
  • DAY 7: Stage 6, Miraz, Sobrado Dos Monxes  24,9 km 4/5
  • DAY 8: Stage 7, Sobrado Dos Monxes, Arzúa  22 km 2/5
  • DAY 9: Stage 8, Arzúa, Rúa  77,7 km 2/5
  • DAY 10: Stage 9, Rúa, Santiago De Compostela  21 km 2/5
  • DAY 11: Return
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Travel itinerary (Detailed)

  • 1

    Arrival to Ribadeo


    190 km/ 119 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
    Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and explore this town, which is famous for its beach, known as the Playa de las Catedrales (a short taxi ride away).
    The Cathedrals Beach is Galicia’s second most visited site after the Cathedral in Santiago.

  • 2

    Stage 1, from Ribadeo to Lourenzá


    Distance : 27,5 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. The Camino today takes you inland from Ribadeo to the country town of Lourenza, famous for its local beans.
    You will follow rural paths, climbing slightly as the terrain becomes gradually more mountainous.
    There are some small villages and hamlets en route but not many shops or services so make sure you pack snacks and water.

  • 3

    Stage 2, from Lourenzá to Abadín


    Distance : 25,6 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Today, you will be climbing from Lourenza towards Mondoñedo, which used to be one of the seven capitals of the Kingdom of Galicia and has amazing views of the surrounding countryside.
    Make sure you explore Mondoñedo before you continue on towards Abadín.

  • 4

    Stage 3, from Abadín to Vilalba


    Distance : 20,8 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Today, the Camino del Norte meanders among the forests, farmland and green pastures of the Terra Chá (Flat lands) leading you to the market town of Vilalba, the local area’s capital.

  • 5

    Stage 4, from Vilalba to Baamonde


    Distance : 18,5 km Difficulty : 1/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. From Vilalba, the Camino del Norte takes walkers through the heart of the Terra Chá region of Galicia.
    Forest paths, small farming villages and lush countryside make up most of today’s peaceful walk.
    At the end of the stage, you will be transferred to Miraz, staying overnight in a cottage.

  • 6

    Stage 5, from Baamonde to Miraz


    Distance : 14,9 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Baamonde to begin today’s stage.
    Check out the Medieval St James Church (Igrexa de Santiago) in Baamonde before you continue your journey across rural Galicia, following the Camino del Norte.
    Today is quite an easy walking day.

  • 7

    Stage 6, from Miraz to Sobrado Dos Monxes


    Distance : 24,9 km Difficulty : 4/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. From Miraz, the journey across rural Galicia continues. The highest point of the route is at Marcela, where you should take time to enjoy the views.
    Your destination is Sobrado dos Monxes, home to an impressive monastery. The monastery dates back to the 10th century originally, although the current facade is from the Baroque period.
    At the end of the stage, you will be transferred to Miraz, staying overnight in a cottage rural property.

  • 8

    Stage 7, from Sobrado Dos Monxes to Arzúa


    Distance : 22 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Sobrado to begin today’s stage.
    This is the last stretch of the Camino del Norte before it joins the popular French Route in Arzua. Remember that Arzua leads to the designation of origin of its famous cheese.

  • 9

    Stage 8, from Arzúa to Rúa


    Distance : 77,7 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Today’s route is a nice and easy walk over gentle slopes through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road, we have to go through sometimes areas, ending in Rua (500 m before the village of Pedrouzo).
    Don't miss the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name in Boente.

  • 10

    Stage 9, from Rúa to Santiago De Compostela


    Distance : 21 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. The last stage on your Camino de Santiago. The proximity of your goal will bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be eager to reach the desired end of the journey, yet on the downside, the feeling that comes to every pilgrim is that the journey is over.
    A stage of anxiety and joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”.
    The route today is flat, except for the climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo and down to Santiago de Compostela.
    The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is magical, but especially its Cathedral, which deserves a special visit.

  • 11

    Return


    After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it.
    Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.
    Free afternoon to return.

Included

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel: 1 bag max. 20kg per person.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
  • Maps and tracks of the stages.
  • Telephone assistance (English-speaking)

    • Not included

    • Lunches.
    • Flights or trains.
    • Single room supplement: € 800
    • Dinner supplement: ask us
    • Tourist taxes.

      • Accommodations

      All accommodations have rooms with en-suite facilities.

      Conditions


      Price per person based on double room

      Daily departures form April to October

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