Connecting from the Frances to the Norte @ Santillana del Mar

[Cmeckley]

We hope to reunite with our 2011 Camino family on the Norte this summer. The plan is to meet in Comillas, continue on the Norte and head to the Primitivo.

I will be starting in SJPP and walking the Frances, as two of my daughters have not done that section and they would like to experience a more "traditional" Camino with regard to the social aspect and infrastructure. Having already done the Frances from SJPP, I think it is a better choice for them than walking the entire Norte from Irun. So...... at some point (I am guessing before Leon?), we need to get off the Frances and head north. I read a very brief mention in a Norte guide that there is a route that connects people from the Frances to Santillana del Mar, on the Norte:

"At Santillana del Mar, the Way joins up with the route that connects with the French Way, through the valleys of Besaya, Camesa and Pisuerga, making this town a hub of pilgrim communications."

This would be perfect, as Santillana is one day shy of our meeting point in Comillas. Has anyone done this, and can you tell me exactly where we get off the Frances? What is the name of this route? How long? Is it way marked? etc. Many thanks!

 

[whariwharangi]

Camino del Salvador connects Leon to Oviedo.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/

Otherwise its route bashing.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

What you are refering to is the Ruta del Besaya, 222 km from Carrion de los Condes to Santillana.

Here is some info, including its 9 stages:

http://www.rayyrosa.com/rutadelbesaya/etapas


Take the bus from Burgos to Santander, from the bus depot take the bus to Santiallana.

 

[Ramblanista]

Another option would be to walk the Camino Vadiniense (Mansilla to Potes/Monastery of Santo Toribio) and Camino Lebaniego (to San Vicente de la Barquera) on the Norte) in reverse. Should take about about a week, and San Vicente is only 11km from Comillas.