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Explore the magnificent Cantabrian coast, ideal for coastal cycling fans. For an unforgettable Spanish journey, pedal the Northern Way by bike from Irún. Immerse yourself in a blend of rural and mountain views, complemented by stunning beaches and cliffs. Discover vibrant cities like San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijon, as well as charming fishing villages. As you cycle, you’ll be following in the footsteps of pilgrims on the historic Saint James’s Way, also known as the Camino de Santiago. Get ready to set off on this thrilling adventure along the Northern Way and experience the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Spain!

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Map of the Camino

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Stages of the Northern Way by bike from Irun

Welcome to Irun! After settling into your accommodation we recommend that you spend the afternoon visiting some of its museums such as the Oiasso Roman museum or other tourist attractions such as the island of the pheasants. All this makes Irun a perfect place to rest, get ready to live an unforgettable experience cycling the Camino del Norte from Irun.

First day on the Camino del Norte by bike from Irun! You will start pedalling leaving Irún in the direction of Hondarribia to warm up by climbing the southern slope of Mount Jaizkibel. On the way up you can see the ancient towers of Erramuz and Santa Bárbara, until you reach the summit. You will continue down to the beautiful town of Pasaia, where you will have to take a small boat to cross the estuary.

After a few kilometres you will arrive in San Sebastian, a city that you will cross along a comfortable bike lane, enjoying the Concha Beach. A great place to stop and relax with a swim or enjoy some pintxos.

After the stop, you will continue to Zarautz on a stretch that is a bit tough, especially if you are carrying a saddlebag. You can also continue by road. Once in Zarautz, it’s time to relax and enjoy a good meal in one of its restaurants. This town is also known as the “queen of beaches”, as it has one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Cantabrian coast. So don’t forget your swimsuit.

This second stage of the Camino del Norte by bike has two distinct parts. The first section is mainly coastal and follows the coast road. You will pass through very interesting towns such as Zumaia, Deba, Mutriku or Ondarroa, where the route turns inland. The second part of the stage you will say goodbye to the sea and the road to enter a much more rural and mountainous area, which runs between farmhouses and some small stretches of ascent.

This stage is especially hard if you decide to follow the original route of the road, however it can also be done by alternative roads that have little traffic.

The Camino heads towards Bolivar and Munitibar until it reaches Gernika, where you can make the first stop of the day. After having a drink and a walk around the Tree of Gernika, you will continue on a very tough ascent to Larrabetzu. You will leave the town by a good road to Zamudio. After crossing the motorway, you will go down a steeper and steeper road that will make you take your foot off the ground at some points. Once in Bilbao, you can breathe, look for a terrace and enjoy a nice afternoon tasting its wonderful pintxos.

You will start the day cycling towards the coast along the alternative route to the Camino, on the right bank of the Bilbao Estuary, a much more touristy area. To cross the estuary you will have to use the Vizcaya Bridge ferry, which will take you to Portugalete. After reaching the upper part of the village, you will head back towards the coast along a comfortable bike path. Once on the coast, you will face a quite hard stretch along the coast until you reach Castro Urdiales, a town that will appear as an oasis in the middle of the desert and where you can make the long-awaited stop.

After leaving Castro Urdiales, the route becomes slightly smoother. You will continue along the coast passing through the villages of Cérdigo and Islares. From here, you will fly the last 20 kilometres to the end of the stage, Laredo. It is worth taking a stroll through the old town, also known as Puebla antigua de Laredo, to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and gastronomy of this coastal town.

Cycling through Cantabria, you will say goodbye to Laredo and take a boat to Santoña. The other alternative is to go to Colindres, but it is not worth it as the route lacks charm due to the presence of industrial areas.

After passing Santoña, not before tasting its famous anchovies in a second breakfast, you will continue on to the towns of Güemes and Somo. From the Somo jetty you can decide whether to take another boat and cross the estuary to Santander or go around the estuary for another 20 kilometres.

Like all departures from big cities, the exit from Santander is a bit long and tedious. We call this stage “leg-breaker”, as it is a continuous roller coaster of ups and downs, despite having quite a few stretches by road. You will ride towards Bezana on an asphalted stretch that will make the kilometres fly by. And before you know it, you’ll be in Santillana del Mar, a beautiful and touristy town, perfect for letting your bike loose and enjoying the lively atmosphere of its streets.

You will leave Santillana del Mar in the direction of Comillas, a historic tourist town that has become the main beach destination in the area.

You will continue your route to the beautiful beach of Oyambre, very close to San Vicente de la Barquera. After leaving this town, you will pass through Torre de Estrada and a fun way down from Pesués to Unquera, where you cannot leave without tasting the famous ties of the Royal III, you will go blind with chocolate. You will say goodbye to Unquera crossing the border of Cantabria with Asturias, a community that will welcome you with a hard climb to Colombres.

This is undoubtedly the most beautiful stage of the entire Northern Way by bike from Irún. Today it’s time to enjoy!

After leaving Colombres, you will take a beautiful coastal path, the most beautiful stretch of the stage. You will pass through spectacular scenery such as the beach of Vidiago, Bufones de Arenillas and the viewpoint of Ballota. From the viewpoint you can go down to Llanes by road or take the path along the golf course, a longer and harder option.

After the obligatory stop in Llanes for lunch, you will return to the coastal path passing by the beaches of Poo and Celorio, and the spectacular church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. You can visit the famous beach of Gulpiyuri, which only appears at high tide, the beach of Huelga, the paradisiacal beach of Cuevas de Mar and the hidden beach of Villanueva. It will be beaches! After a salty bath, you will pedal with a new joy until you reach Ribadesella, your end of the stage.

Despite not being a very long stage, it is one of the hardest of the Northern Way by bike from Irún, especially the climb from Villaviciosa to Gijón. The main attractions are to be found on the coastal paths at the beginning of the stage.

You will leave Ribadesella by roads towards the beautiful Playa de la Vega, always full of surfers. You will continue along the coast passing the Arenal de Morís beach and the Espasa beach, from where you will take the road inland. On arriving in Colunga, it is worth taking a detour to Lastres and visiting the village. Once in Villaviciosa, you can make the first stop of the day before tackling the big climb. You will leave behind the detour to Oviedo and you will begin to ascend by secondary road. Once the summit is crowned, it is time to descend towards Deva and savour the remaining kilometres towards the beautiful city of Gijón.

The first kilometres of the day are spent leaving the city of Gijón, a not very nice route. You will cycle parallel to the industrial estate arriving quickly to Avilés. From here you will head to Salinas beach, where you can enjoy the views at the Philippe Cousteau viewpoint and have a drink. From here the hard part of the day begins. The slopes can be hellish and will cause you to not progress as quickly. The remaining kilometres take you to Muros de Nalón, your stage finish.

You will go out on tracks and secondary roads until you reach Cudillero, where it will be worthwhile to go down to the port and take a walk through the village. It is one of the most typical postcards of Asturias.

You will continue your route passing by the beautiful beach of La Concha de Artedo and by secondary roads to Soto de Luiña. From here you will take the national road to Castañeras, where you will have to turn off to see the impressive Playa del Silencio. You will return to the national road until you reach Cadavedo, a perfect place to stop.

Back on the bike, you will cross the river Canero and after passing the beach of La Cueva, you will continue along a secondary road passing by the Muslim cemetery of Barcia until you reach the beautiful village of Luarca. End of stage.

Today you will say goodbye to the beautiful Asturias to enter Galician lands. Santiago de Compostela is getting closer and closer. After leaving Luarca, there are about 20 kilometres of roads and highways until you reach the beautiful village of Navia, where you can have the second breakfast of the day. You will continue along paths and secondary roads until you reach La Caridad.

From here you should take a coastal path that will take you to Tapia de Casariego; you can take a detour to see the lagoons of Salave and Punta Mirabellos. After stopping in Tapia de Casariego and visiting the beach of Santa Gadea, you will continue cycling along the coast until you cross the Bridge of the Saints and arrive in Ribadeo.

Today you will move away from the coast to immerse yourself in the interior of Galicia. This is a short stage, but with an important climb from Mondoñedo to Abadín. The itinerary goes through secondary roads and local roads with breathtaking landscapes.

You will leave Ribadeo along paths and roads through a succession of tiny villages. The first stop will be in Gondán, where you can stop for a drink. The kilometres bring you closer to Lourenzá, capital of the “fabas” in Galicia. Here you can also go sightseeing by visiting its impressive monastery. From Lourenzá to Mondoñedo you can ride on roads avoiding the national road. We recommend you to have lunch in Mondoñedo and visit its Cathedral before starting the steep climb that awaits you.

Now comes the hard part of the day, 20 kilometres of ascent almost without respite in which you will overcome 400 metres of difference in altitude. The good thing is that it is almost all by local road, except for a couple of kilometers that follow the national road. Once in Abadín, it’s time to recover and rest.

You will leave Abadín along beautiful roads until you reach Vilalba, where you will find the Parador Nacional and the Torre del Homenaje. From Vilalba, you will continue along the Magdalena river promenade, crossing the motorway and crossing woods, following the same dynamic until you reach Baamonde.

From Baamonde, you will start the journey along the old N-VI road until you turn off at the bridge and the chapel of San Alberte, after a beautiful stretch of roads and forests you will arrive by secondary road at Sobrado dos Monxes, where you can visit its impressive monastery.

You will leave sobrado by roads, crossing pine forests until you reach Boimorto, from where you will continue along paths and secondary roads to Arzúa, where the Northern Way meets the French Way.

Last stage of your Camino del Norte by bike from Irún. Today you will have to be especially careful with the pilgrims on foot, especially in high season you will find numerous groups that occupy the entire trail.

Today the rural landscape will disappear, becoming much more urbanized as you get closer to the Galician capital. After riding around the vicinity of Santiago airport, the last climb of the route will be in San Marcos, the broadcasting centre of the Galician television. When you arrive at Monte do Gozo, we invite you to stop and contemplate the views, we assure you that you will understand the reason for the name of this place.

You are in Santiago! Feel happy and proud to have completed your Camino del Norte by bike. Now we just need to pick up the Compostela certificate and enjoy an incredible day getting to know the Galician capital.

Congratulations! You have completed your Camino del Norte by bike from Irún. This last day you are in charge, you can go back home or enjoy one more day in Santiago resting your legs after so much pedaling. And how beautiful is Compostela.

Did you know that all roads end in Finisterre? If you have been left with the desire to give the pedal and you have a few more days, we encourage you to complete the 90 kilometres that separate Santiago from Finisterre. The most magical and spiritual route that hides real treasures such as Ponte Maceira, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain or the extraordinary sunset of the Finisterre lighthouse.

Northern Way by bike from Irun, Accommodation prices

Types of accommodations

Dormitorio del Albergue municipal El Corro
Dormitorio del Albergue municipal El Corro
La Taberna de Agés
Sala común del Albergue municipal El Corro

In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún

Due to the fact that some towns along this route have little variety of accommodation, we have selected the best establishments available for you to have an incredible experience on your Camino de Santiago. You will combine the rest in small and cosy pensions with rural houses and lodgings of superior category, always looking for the best quality and location.

Details of the Northern Way by bike from Irun

Services included

18 days / 17 nights accommodation18 days / 17 nights accommodation
Luggage transfer during the stagesLuggage transfer during the stages
Complete documentationComplete documentation
Pilgrim’s CredentialPilgrim’s Credential
On-the-road emergency telephone assistanceOn-the-road emergency telephone assistance
Travel insuranceTravel insurance

Optional Services

ServiceIn hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún
BreakfastBreakfast145€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)425€ per person
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single room475€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de CompostelaExtra night in Santiago de Compostela95€ (sing. room) / 145€ (doub. room)
Electric bike rentalElectric bike rental705€ per bicycle
Breakfast Breakfast
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún 145€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún 425€ per person
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún 475€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de Compostela Extra night in Santiago de Compostela
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún 95€ (sing. room) / 145€ (doub. room)
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún
Electric bike rental Electric bike rental
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Irún 705€ per bicycle

Photos

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Camino de Santiago by bike includes the following services:
  • Accommodation
  • Luggage transport
  • Dossier with information about the stages
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • On-the-road helpline
  • Travel insurance
In addition, you can customize your trip by adding the following optional services:
  • Breakfast or half board
  • Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage
  • Bicycle rental

Yes, you will have total freedom to choose your departure date. However, if you want to do your Camino de Santiago in the months of December, January and February, we recommend that you check availability before making your reservation. At this time of year most accommodation is closed and many services may not be available.

In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location.   As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns.   For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning.   In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking.

Luggage transport service by default is included in all our trips and it is not necessary to request it. You can enjoy the Camino de Santiago without the burden of carrying your luggage on your back, knowing that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your next accommodation upon your arrival. Along with your credential, you'll also receive stickers. Cover these stickers with the requested information and stick them in a visible place on your suitcase. Upon arrival at your accommodation, we suggest asking at the reception where you can leave your luggage. You'll need to leave your luggage at the designated spot early in the morning for our carrier to pick it up. This ensures that when you arrive at your next accommodation, your luggage will already be waiting for you.

Yes, we make sure that all assigned accommodations have a place where you can leave your bike safe and sound.

We have high quality mountain bikes and electric bikes that you can rent during the whole Camino. Check the details here.

It is the guarantee that you can enjoy your Camino in a safe way. In our trips you already have an insurance included with your trip to be protected during the Camino de Santiago. We will send you the insurance policy along with all the documentation of your trip, so you will have everything you need to enjoy the Camino with peace of mind. Walk without worries!

The basic travel insurance included in our packages offers extensive coverage against unforeseen events, ensuring you'll receive guaranteed medical assistance and numerous benefits. You can review the specifics in the General Conditions of Travel Insurance.

In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.

To make a reservation, you can follow these steps:
  • Through our website: Select the route you want and follow the steps indicated in the form. Provide your personal information and that of your companions, choose the type of accommodation, room distribution, meals, transfers, bike rental, etc.
  • By email: If you prefer to make the reservation by email or need a personalized trip, you can send us an email to [email protected]. We will provide you with the necessary information to complete the reservation via email.
IMPORTANT: If the routes or services on the website do not meet your specific needs, you can request a personalized quote tailored to what you are looking for by sending an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions or issues when making your reservation, please contact us at (0034) 981 96 68 46, and we will be happy to assist you.
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