Complete Guide to the Camino del Norte 2026
The Camino del Norte covers 822 km in 36 stages from Irún to Santiago de Compostela, following much of Spain’s Cantabrian coast. It is a demanding route, with rolling terrain and frequent ascents and descents, ideal for anyone seeking coastal scenery, excellent food and fewer crowds than on the Camino Francés.
At a glance
- Distance and stages: 822 km over 36 stages.
- Difficulty: challenging, with more than 15,000 m of cumulative elevation gain.
- Best time to go: June to September, always with waterproofs.
- Estimated budget: €1,800 to €2,800 for 34 days.
How long is the Camino del Norte?
The full route covers 822 km over 36 stages. It begins in Irún, beside the French border, and ends in Santiago de Compostela after crossing the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia.
This is a long-distance journey. It helps to think of it as a series of walking days rather than a single figure: the terrain demands careful effort management, and a distance that feels manageable on the flat can be very different when one climb follows another.
Before choosing where to end each stage, check the map of routes, stages and albergues. It will help you see the entire route at a glance and understand where the towns and services that shape each day are located.
Where does the Camino del Norte go?
The route begins in Irún and follows the Basque coast towards San Sebastián and Bilbao. It continues through Cantabria, passing key landmarks such as Santander and Santillana del Mar, before entering Asturias, where the route takes in Gijón, Ribadesella and Villaviciosa.
Its appeal lies in the constant interplay between sea and hills. There are cliffs, beaches, urban stretches and lush green landscapes, but this is no flat walk along the water. The Cantabrian coast involves frequent climbs and descents, even when two towns appear close together on the map.
San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Gijón bring an urban character to some walking days, while Santillana del Mar, Ribadesella and Villaviciosa offer a change of pace in more intimate surroundings. This variety keeps the route interesting and gives each section a distinct personality.
Why choose the Camino del Norte?
Choose it if your priorities are coastal scenery, Basque, Cantabrian and Asturian cuisine, and fewer pilgrims than on the Camino Francés. It is not the right option if you want the easiest terrain or hope to keep the physical demands to a minimum.
Its greatest reward and biggest challenge come from the same source: the terrain. Changes in elevation open up spectacular coastal views, but they also cause fatigue to build. Consistency matters here just as much as distance.
If you are still deciding between routes, compare these features with the Camino Francés, a moderately difficult route covering 772 km in 33 stages. The Camino del Norte is challenging, with 822 km and 36 stages: the difference lies not only in the distance, but also in the elevation profile.
How difficult is the Camino del Norte?
The route is challenging. Its profile is relentlessly undulating, with steep climbs and descents, and the full route involves more than 15,000 m of cumulative elevation gain.
Daily distance alone does not tell the whole story. Two days of a similar length can demand very different levels of effort depending on their elevation gain, and several tough stages in succession take a greater toll than a single climb. Plan with the following day in mind too.
You need a good level of fitness for this route. If you are still preparing for your trip, follow an eight-week Camino training plan to build consistency before you leave and find out how your body responds to consecutive days of walking.
Which stages stand out along the route?
Among the 36 stages, four sections capture the variety of the Camino del Norte particularly well:
- Irún → San Sebastián: a spectacular start along the Basque coast and an immediate introduction to the route’s demanding character.
- Bilbao → Portugalete: a stage shaped by its urban surroundings and the crossing of the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge.
- Santander → Santillana del Mar: linking two of the best-known places on the Cantabrian section.
- Ribadesella → Villaviciosa: a showcase for the Asturian coast and the rolling terrain that defines the route.
Do not treat these standout stages as a rigid itinerary. They are useful reference points for picturing the journey, but the way you divide your days should reflect your fitness, accumulated fatigue and the places where you want to stop.
How much does the Camino del Norte cost?
The Camino del Norte is slightly more expensive than the Camino Francés because of the region it crosses. As a guide, albergues cost between €8 and €15 per night, while food costs between €12 and €18 per day.
For a 34-day trip, allow a total budget of between €1,800 and €2,800. This range gives you some flexibility in your choice of accommodation and meals, but it is wise to build in a buffer before setting out so you do not have to make every decision while tired after a stage.
Check the breakdown of Camino costs and separate accommodation, food and other expenses. This will let you adjust the figure to suit your travel style instead of working from a single total.
Where can you stay along the route?
The most practical resource for planning each day is the list of albergues on the Camino del Norte. Use it alongside the route map to balance the expected effort with where you want to finish.
Accommodation directly affects your budget: the estimate of €8 to €15 per night applies to albergues. If you choose another type of accommodation, review your overall budget before finalising the itinerary.
Avoid planning all 36 stages around an average daily distance alone. On a challenging route, the location of your accommodation and the day’s elevation profile are part of the planning, not details to resolve at the end.
When is the best time to walk it?
The best window is from June to September. Temperatures are usually mild even in summer, ranging from 18 to 25°C, although the weather along the Cantabrian coast is unpredictable.
Always carry waterproofs. A mild day does not rule out rain, and on a route this long you will encounter changing conditions as you make your way along the coast.
Choosing the right month is no substitute for preparation. June, July, August and September offer the recommended window, but the terrain remains demanding and your gear needs to cope with both rain and several consecutive days of walking.
What should you pack?
The one item that is especially essential on this route is a waterproof jacket. Beyond that, your pack should help you tackle 36 stages without adding unnecessary weight on the constant climbs and descents.
Pack according to the actual length of your trip and the Cantabrian climate. Use the ultralight Camino packing list as a final check to spot anything you have missed and remove anything you do not need.
Do this before you set off, not during the first climb. On a route with more than 15,000 m of cumulative elevation gain, every decision about pack weight follows you all the way.
How do you plan the Camino del Norte step by step?
- Decide how much time you have: the official route is divided into 36 stages, although the estimated budget for the full journey is based on 34 days.
- Check your fitness: be honest about whether you can manage consecutive days over undulating, challenging terrain.
- Choose your stage stops: cross-reference the route with available albergues before planning each day.
- Work out your budget: start with €8-15 per night and €12-18 per day for food, then adjust the total to match your choices.
- Prepare for the weather: temperatures are mild between June and September, but you should always expect rain.
- Review your pack: prioritise the essentials to avoid carrying unnecessary weight over 822 km.
Let your plan give the journey structure, but do not turn every day into an unchangeable obligation. Accumulated fatigue is part of walking the Camino del Norte and should inform your decisions each day.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Camino del Norte?
The complete route covers 822 km from Irún to Santiago de Compostela. It is divided into 36 stages.
Is it harder than the Camino Francés?
Yes. The Camino del Norte is rated challenging and involves more than 15,000 m of cumulative elevation gain, while the Camino Francés is rated moderately difficult. The frequent climbs and descents account for much of the difference.
When should you walk the Camino del Norte?
The recommended season runs from June to September. Summer temperatures are usually between 18 and 25°C, but you should carry waterproofs because the weather along the Cantabrian coast is unpredictable.
How much money do you need to complete the route?
The estimate is €1,800 to €2,800 for 34 days. As a daily guide, allow €8-15 for an albergue and €12-18 for food.
Is the Camino del Norte suitable for beginners?
It can be if you arrive with a good level of fitness and have prepared for sustained effort, but this is not an easy route. Its challenging terrain and rolling profile demand more than simply watching the kilometres.
What is the next step in planning your route?
First decide how many days you have, choose where each stage will end, and check accommodation, budget and gear. If you would like to share some or all of the journey, visit the Camino travel companions board and look for people whose dates and pace are compatible with yours.