From Castro Urdiales to Laredo

[Suzanne S.]

Has anyone simply walked highway 634 the whole way?

I know we all talk about coastal alternatives, but Gronze follows a lot of this highway, and Buen Camino sends bikers onto 634 out of Liendo.

Can anyone tell me what's its like to walk that route?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Suzanne,
I took the longer inland route after Castro because my guidebook suggested veering on the inland route as less road walking and had craggy hilltops and wide green valleys. We spent the night in the very nice and new albergue in Liendo, Albergue de Peregrinos. I enjoyed this route, of course have no idea what the shorter route is like.
Hope your walk is going well and you are enjoying it!

 

[Suzanne S.]

Thanks, CC! Since Gronze noted it as a major route, I think I'll try it. I'll let you know.

 

[Jan_D]

The N634 is the *old* highway. The fancy new A-8 is the new highway; it runs parallel to its predecessor and is favoured by motorists wanting to get from A to B as quickly as possible. The N634 is mostly used by locals travelling between the villages, so it's generally very quiet, but can be busy at certain times or on certain days of the week. (At some point the N634 and A8 merge so you'll be directed along other secondary roads.... and from Ribadesella you'll start becoming very familiar with the N634's cousin, the N632!)

 

[Suzanne S.]

The N634 is the *old* highway. The fancy new A-8 is the new highway; it runs parallel to its predecessor and is favoured by motorists wanting to get from A to B as quickly as possible. The N634 is mostly used by locals travelling between the villages, so it's generally very quiet, but can be busy at certain times or on certain days of the week. (At some point the N634 and A8 merge so you'll be directed along other secondary roads.... and from Ribadesella you'll start becoming very familiar with the N634's cousin, the N632!)

Thank you. That validates my thoughts. I did the coastal route from Onton to Castro Urdiales today. Already becoming familiar!!!

 

[Suzanne S.]

An update: I walked Hwy 634 today from (Castro Urdiales, but the 634 from) Islares to Laredo. Some cars, some pilgrims, nice level mountain route. Very little road shoulder, but respectful drivers...and careful walkers. It made the potential 22 mile day a +/-15 mile day.

For those who don't mind careful road walking, this works. It's also waymarked.

Also, depending on which guide one uses, there are about three different "original" or "main" Camino routes. This one shows up on Gronze as a main route, and on Buen Camino as an alternate one. I don't know if it shows up on Wise Pilgrim at all. It is definitely NOT a coastal variant in any case. FYI

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Glad to hear you made it to your destination without incident. Every day is special in its own way!

 

[lt56ny]

The N634 is the *old* highway. The fancy new A-8 is the new highway; it runs parallel to its predecessor and is favoured by motorists wanting to get from A to B as quickly as possible. The N634 is mostly used by locals travelling between the villages, so it's generally very quiet, but can be busy at certain times or on certain days of the week. (At some point the N634 and A8 merge so you'll be directed along other secondary roads.... and from Ribadesella you'll start becoming very familiar with the N634's cousin, the N632!)

You got that right!