NORTHERN WAY: FROM BILBAO TO SANTANDER (120 KMS)
The Northern Way is considered by many pilgrims to be the jacobean route of greatest scenic and environmental beauty. In this itinerary, also known as the Coastal Route, you will cover the 120 kilometres that separate Bilbao from Santander. During your route you will be able to enjoy a landscape that alternates coastal areas with mountain areas. This itinerary is characterized by its exuberant landscapes and spectacular views that will accompany the pilgrim. Good way!
Arrival in Bilbao
Once you have arrived in Bilbao on your own and settled in the accommodation you will be able to enjoy the charms of this modern city. You can not miss the famous museum of contemporary art: the Guggenheim Museum as well as let yourself go through its cobbled streets enjoying the wide range of local cuisine, with its famous “pintxos” as a star dish. It is also a day to rest, get mentally prepared for an unforgettable experience.
Bilbao – Portugalete
Low
4h 45′
19,4 KmYou will dawn in Bilbao from where you will begin your stage. The beginning of the route will be marked by the peripheral industrial areas that you will have to cross until you meet nature again on your way to Portugalete. The high point of this stage will come when you have to cross the river Nervión by its famous Hanging Bridge also known as Puente Palacio.
Once in Portugalete we recommend visiting, among other tourist attractions, the Basilica of Santa Maria, the Tower of Salazar, the Iron Quay and the Old Town.
Portugalete – Castro Urdiales
Medium 7h27’6 KmThis stage alternates stretches along the coast with inland stretches in which the old routes used in the past for the extraction of iron from local mines will be traversed. For the first time, the path enters the province of Cantabria, where after several gentle ascents and descents, we end up at Castro Urdiales, leaving behind several villages, including Pobeña, a good place to stop and recharge your batteries.
Once in the coastal city of Castro Urdiales we recommend visiting the Castro Urdiales Castle Lighthouse, the Church of Santa María de la Asunción, the Santa Ana Castle Lighthouse, the Medieval Bridge, Ostende Beach and the Port.
Castro Urdiales – Laredo
Medium 6h 30′26,6 Km,As in the previous stage, we will find slight ascents and descents that at no time will exceed 200 metres above sea level. The highest point is in Lugarejos. During the way we will cross small population nuclei before arriving at our destiny.
Laredo stands out for being the place where the coniscos, an ancient Cantabrian tribe, lived. It is also worth a walk through its old town also known as Puebla Antigua de Laredo to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and gastronomy of this Cantabrian people.
Laredo – Noja
Medium 6h23’3 KmsLeaving Laredo behind, the stage crosses places of great natural beauty such as the Santoña marshes or the beach of Berría. For those who enjoy this route in summer you will have the chance to cross the estuary of Santoña by boat while if you choose to do so in winter you will have to take the interior variant or public transport. In any case, you must try their famous anchovies.
You will travel the last kilometres of this stage along the coast until finally the road will take you to the centre of Noja, a small coastal town where we recommend visiting the Torre de los Velasco, the Molino de Victoria and the Palacio Torre del Carmen.
Noja – Santander
Medium 5h 30′26 KmsWe leave Noja behind to begin a series of ascents and descents in the direction of the village of Somo. During the tour we will leave behind towns such as Arnuero and emblematic places such as the Bareyo mill. Once in Somo there are several options to cross the bay of Santander and get to the city. The most popular and recommended option, if the weather is good, would be to take a boat from the Pier of La Pedreña.
We will disembark next to the gardens of Pereda, in the heart of the town. In Santander you can not miss the famous beach of Sardinero, its cathedral or its historic center. On the other hand we recommend to take advantage of the afternoon to enjoy the local gastronomic offer that has as star dishes the cocido montañés and the rabas.
Santander
This is a day of farewells for many, the end of a road, and why not, the beginning of many. The last day you will dawn with a road more in your lives, but not a road of miles, but of experiences, emotions and new friendships, a journey that will be projected into your lives and help you to continue walking free towards your own goals. Congratulations pilgrims!
*After leaving the accommodation, end of service.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES
- 7 days / 6 nights of accommodation
- Backpack transfer service (1 package – máx. 20 kg.)
- Credencial (Pilgrim’s passport)
- Telephone assistance service 24/7
- Travel assistance insurance
- Single room supplement: 150 €/pax
- Extra night in Santiago: 60€/ind. // 40€pax/double
- Breakfast: 50 €/pax
- Half Board: 145 €/pax
PRICE
- 350 € pax double room
ACCOMMODATION:
The accommodation will be in hostels and/or guesthouses always in private room with its own bathroom.
Hostels and rural accommodation 350 €
Hostels and rural accommodation * All accommodations are of the best quality, carefully selected after years of experience and approved by our customers.
Alojamiento en Hostales, hoteles y alojamientos rurales
El alojamiento en Hostales o Pensiones cuenta con habitaciones dobles, triples o cuádruples, siempre con baño privado. Son habitaciones sencillas,confortables y sin grandes lujos, pero muy acogedoras, ideales para dormir y descansar.
*En el caso de una reserva individual tendría un suplemento.