"The journey begins at your doorstep."

Northern Way from Santander to Ribadeo: 16 stages

Information about the trip: Northern Way from Santander to Ribadeo: 16 stages

Central Part of This Ancestral Route

This section belongs to the historic path that began welcoming pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela from the ancient Kingdom of Asturias in the 9th century. Also known as the Coastal Way, the route starts in Cantabria, in the city of Santander, continues through Asturias, and enters Galicia via the picturesque town of Ribadeo.

Some stretches run along the coast, offering stunning views of beaches and cliffs. Others take an inland course, blending mountains, valleys, and forests. The itinerary stays close to towns, medium-sized villages, and cities, providing the necessary services for the journey.

 

Travel itinerary (Summary)

  • DAY 1: Arrival to Santander
  • DAY 2: Stage 1, Santander, Arce  17 km 3/5
  • DAY 3: Stage 2, Arce, Santillana Del Mar  19,3 km 3/5
  • DAY 4: Stage 3, Santillana Del Mar, Comillas  22,2 km 2/5
  • DAY 5: Stage 4, Comillas, Unquera  26,2 km 3/5
  • DAY 6: Stage 5, Unquera, Llanes  24,7 km 2/5
  • DAY 7: Stage 6, Llanes, Cuerres  23,3 km 3/5
  • DAY 8: Stage 7, Cuerres, Colunga  26,8 km 2/5
  • DAY 9: Stage 8, Colunga, Villaviciosa  17,7 km 2/5
  • DAY 10: Stage 9, Villaviciosa, Gijón  29,8 km 4/5
  • DAY 11: Stage 10, Gijón, Avilés  25,4 km 2/5
  • DAY 12: Stage 11, Avilés, Muros De Nalón  23,2 km 2/5
  • DAY 13: Stage 12, Muros De Nalón, Novellana  20,4 km 2/5
  • DAY 14: Stage 13, Novellana, Canero  21,1 km 3/5
  • DAY 15: Stage 14, Canero, Otur  19 km 2/5
  • DAY 16: Stage 15, Otur, La Caridad  25 km 3/5
  • DAY 17: Stage 16, La Caridad, Ribadeo  22,4 km 2/5
  • DAY 18: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

  • 1

    Arrival in Santander


    360 km/ 223 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Ribadeo, the final destination.
    We arrive at Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria. It is a fantastic city for relaxing and exploring: beaches, parks, nature, impressive architecture, and delicious food.
    What more could we ask for?

  • 2

    Stage 1, from Santander to Arce


    Distance : 17 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This stage involves a significant amount of asphalt. We will start at Santander's Town Hall square and head toward the Cuatro Caminos roundabout. We will continue straight until leaving the city via a road that, after 2 km, reaches Peñacastillo.
    We will follow the railway tracks and pass through underpasses until we reach Santa Cruz de Bezana and then Boo de Piélagos by road.
    There is a deviation where the official path continues to the left.

  • 3

    Stage 2, from Arce to Santillana del Mar


    Distance : 19,3 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Similar to the previous stage, this one involves a lot of asphalt. After crossing the Soja River, the stage continues toward Sauces and Camplengo, where a turn to the right takes us to Santillana del Mar.
    This beautiful historic town is nicknamed “the town of three lies” because it is neither "holy" (santa), flat (llana), nor by the sea (mar). However, it boasts numerous attractions that make it one of the most iconic spots along the Cantabrian coast. Walking through its streets feels like traveling back in time, with its Romanesque church and medieval coats of arms.
    **Just 1 km from Santillana del Mar are the famous Altamira Caves, home to the world's most significant Paleolithic paintings. Visits to the original caves are not allowed, but the Altamira Museum offers a reproduction of the cave and its paintings.

  • 4

    Stage 3, from Santillana del Mar to Comillas


    Distance : 22,2 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a pleasant and interesting stage, away from the sea and involves much asphalt. The route alternates between inland landscapes and two brief stretches along the coast, mostly following local roads.
    After entering the forest, we will head toward La Iglesia and Pando until reaching Comillas.
    This charming coastal town is home to several modernist landmarks, such as Gaudí's "El Capricho," the spectacular facade of the local cemetery, and the Pontifical University. The town flourished in the late 19th century, becoming a summer retreat for royalty and high society. It was also the first place in Spain to have electric street lighting.

  • 5

    Stage 4, from Comillas to Unquera


    Distance : 26,2 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This stage has a distinctly rural character, with moderate but more noticeable ups and downs. From Marqués de Comillas Street, we will reach the regional road CA-131, which crosses the La Rabia estuary.
    We will pass the Santa María de El Tejo chapel and the Oyambre Natural Park, offering stunning views of the Picos de Europa and the estuary itself. This park spans 6,000 hectares of dunes, forests, and diverse flora and fauna.
    We will arrive at San Vicente de la Barquera, the last major town on the Northern Way in Cantabria, where the close relationship with the sea, a historic source of resources, becomes evident.
    Notable landmarks include the castle and the church of Santa María de los Ángeles. From the Calzadas path, we will head to La Acebosa and then past the medieval Estrada Tower to Serdio.
    We will descend through the Nansa River valley, continuing to the town of Unquera, the end of this stage.

  • 6

    Stage 5, from Unquera to Llanes


    Distance : 24,7 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a peaceful stage with beautiful landscapes. To travel from Unquera to Colombres, a town notable for its "indiano" architecture and the Quinta Guadalupe palace, we will cross the Deva River.
    This marks the end of the stages in Cantabria and the beginning of those in Asturias. From the post office in Colombres, at the town hall square, we will take Pío Noriega Street to exit the town, continuing on a dirt road that connects to the N-634 national road.
    We can take the coastal path, which leads to Vidiago beach, crosses the Novales River, and passes the Arenillas Blowholes—rocky chimneys where the sea rushes in under pressure.
    The route continues through Andrín to Llanes, either via the road or by taking a 1 km detour on the track to the left.
    Llanes, a town with Paleolithic origins, also reflects the influence of emigrants to the Americas, with "indiano" houses scattered throughout the area. This 13th-century medieval village has a charming old quarter and highlights such as the Paseo de San Pedro, offering stunning views of the town, its coast, and the mountains, as well as the lighthouse and Toró beach with its rocky pinnacles.

  • 7

    Stage 6, from Llanes to Cuerres


    Distance : 23,3 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a long stage that we’ve shortened to make it more manageable, with moderate inclines.
    In the first half, we pass by beautiful, often crowded, beaches such as Torimbia. Afterward, the route veers inland through rural areas with less tourist pressure.

  • 8

    Stage 7, from Cuerres to Colunga


    Distance : 26,8 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a scenically interesting stage, featuring forests and good views of the coast, passing several beaches: Santa Marina (in Ribadesella), La Vega, Arenal de Morís, La Espasa, and La Isla.

  • 9

    Stage 8, from Colunga to Villaviciosa


    Distance : 17,7 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. A short stage; we travel inland, far from the coast, through more mountainous terrain than in previous stages.
    Today we’ll pass through small rural towns, with no bars or restaurants, though two of them have albergues.
    We’ll arrive in Villaviciosa, the “Capital of Apples,” a pleasant town with all services. The main landmark is the Romanesque Church of San Juan de Amandi, located 1.3 km from the city center, which we’ll visit tomorrow.

  • 10

    Stage 9, from Villaviciosa to Gijón


    Distance : 29,8 km Difficulty : 4/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. At km 3.7 of this stage, in the small village of Casquita, we encounter a significant fork in the Northern Way: straight ahead leads to Gijón, continuing along the Northern route; to the left, toward Oviedo, to continue on the Primitive Way.
    Both paths, the Northern and Primitive, have strong arguments in their favor. As for this stage, it is one of the toughest on the route, with two challenging ascents of 340 meters and 200 meters respectively, followed by a long entry into Gijón.

  • 11

    Stage 10, from Gijón to Avilés


    Distance : 25,4 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Today we connect the two major poles of what was once Asturias' powerful steel industry, which now survives in a diminished form due to globalization.
    We depart from Gijón via the long avenues of Galicia and Argentina and enter Avilés, passing through urban and industrial suburbs. However, the central part of the stage takes us through a peaceful, rural environment.
    The beautifully restored old town of Avilés is the cultural highlight of the day.

  • 12

    Stage 11, from Avilés to Muros de Nalón


    Distance : 23,2 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a short stage, which we’ve slightly extended to balance out the distances. Today we’ll walk mostly on asphalt paths, with frequent but moderate inclines.
    The route takes us inland, though we’ll approach the coast in the town of Salinas.
    A cultural gem along the way is the Castle of San Martín, perched on a promontory at the edge of the Nalón River, though it is not open to visitors.

  • 13

    Stage 12, from Muros de Nalón to Novellana


    Distance : 20,4 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. A short stage, slightly extended to create a balanced route. We’ll encounter frequent but moderate inclines; the path mostly runs inland, away from the coast.
    The route has been modified multiple times in recent years due to the construction of the A-8 highway, but we can expect good signage, although some sections may be temporary.

  • 14

    Stage 13, from Novellana to Canero


    Distance : 21,1 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. The choice is between two routes: the Camí Real de las Ballotas (coastal route) or the Sierra de Las Palancas (mountain route). The fork appears a few kilometers into the stage.
    The mountain path was restored in 2016 after many years of neglect, and it is now the official route. It passes through the mountains and has steeper inclines than the coastal route, with no services along the way.
    Both routes are great options, but we suggest taking the coastal route due to our preference for the sea.

  • 15

    Stage 14, from Canero to Otur


    Distance : 19 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. A peaceful, short stage; the only challenge is a short but steep ascent from Canero, where we climb 140 meters in 1.5 km.
    Upon reaching Luarca, we are rewarded with beautiful views of the picturesque town and its port.

  • 16

    Stage 15, from Otur to La Caridad


    Distance : 25 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This is a slightly long stage with moderate inclines, which we’ve shortened a bit to keep the distances balanced.
    Today we will walk away from the coast, following the N-634 national road, which we will cross several times (with caution).
    We’ll pass through the industrial city of Navia, which has nearly 10,000 inhabitants, marking the theme of the day. Most of the towns along the route are located near the national road and offer services.

  • 17

    Stage 16, from La Caridad to Ribadeo


    Distance : 22,4 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Once again, we must choose between two very different routes: the official inland path through Tol or the coastal path through Tapia de Casariego, which is 2.1 km longer.
    Both routes are flat, but we find the coastal path more interesting because it allows us to visit the charming town of Tapia and enjoy the final views of beaches and cliffs. At the end of the stage, we’ll enter Ribadeo, now in Galicia, via the pedestrian lane of the Puente de los Santos, over the Eo estuary.

  • 18

    Return


    The first Galician town (in the province of Lugo) on the Northern Way, Ribadeo has just over 6,000 inhabitants and is located on the Eo estuary.
    It has a major fishing and commercial port. Key monuments are located in the Plaza de España, including the Torre de los Moreno (1905), a "Indian" house in a dominant modernist style, and the Town Hall, a neoclassical palace that once belonged to the Marquis of Sargadelos.

Included

  • 17 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