Coming del norte

[Patricia Bell]

I am starting my walk from Santander on 15 May. I would like to use the del Norte route. I am concerned the route is not well marked and there are not so many pilgrim hostels. Would I be ill advised to do this route as a first time pilgrim? Is there a recent guide for accommodation? Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I am starting my walk from Santander on 15 May. I would like to use the del Norte route. I am concerned the route is not well marked and there are not so many pilgrim hostels. Would I be ill advised to do this route as a first time pilgrim? Is there a recent guide for accommodation? Thank you in advance for any advice.

This sounds just right. The route from Santander is well marked and there should be no problem with the accommodation in May. For guides there are the CSJ Ruta de la Costa (you need both 1 and 2 to cover the full route). Also check out Gronze - Camino del Norte - which gives advice re albergue opening times etc. it is in Spanish but easy to follow the basic information. It is split into stages, but you can adapt them to make your own.
Buen Camino

 

[Tia Valeria]

@TerryB tried to add a post too. He suggests doing what we did in 2015, to avoid the very industrialised area near Torrelavega and the detour to avoid the railway bridge at Mogro. There are half hourly 'cercania' trains to Barreda from the FEVE station in Santander and it is about a 20-30 minute ride. The Camino passes through Barreda - turn right out of the station and right again down to the main road picking up the signs as you go. You have about 7kms from Barreda to Santillana del Mar and a much better start to your Camino.

 

[grayland]

The Norte is now a very popular route.
The way marking is very good.
Albergues and other accommodation are more than adequate.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@TerryB tried to add a post too. He suggests doing what we did in 2015, to avoid the very industrialised area near Torrelavega and the detour to avoid the railway bridge at Mogro. There are half hourly 'cercania' trains to Barreda from the FEVE station in Santander and it is about a 20-30 minute ride. The Camino passes through Barreda - turn right out of the station and right again down to the main road picking up the signs as you go. You have about 7kms from Barreda to Santillana del Mar and a much better start to your Camino.

I stayed at the municipal in Santander. It looked kind of bad on the outside, but the rooms were nice inside. Then took the bus from Santander all the way to Santillana based on forum advise. Never regretted it. Then walked to Comillas and beyond, eventually turning onto the Primitivo.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I stayed at the municipal in Santander. It looked kind of bad on the outside, but the rooms were nice inside. Then took the bus from Santander all the way to Santillana based on forum advise. Never regretted it. Then walked to Comillas and beyond, eventually turning onto the Primitivo.

We chose the FEVE for its timing and also to give us a short first day. If the UK ferry is on time on the Monday arrival it is possible to set off after a quick meal and reach Santillana that afternoon. We preferred to stay overnight in Santander and start next morning, choosing apre-booked) hotel near the bus and train stations. A little expensive but it gave us a good start to our Camino. We spent our last night there too.
We did not check the bus times but it would be good to know them and what bus line runs them. Is it 'Cantabria'?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

We chose the FEVE for its timing and also to give us a short first day. If the UK ferry is on time on the Monday arrival it is possible to set off after a quick meal and reach Santillana that afternoon. We preferred to stay overnight in Santander and start next morning, choosing apre-booked) hotel near the bus and train stations. A little expensive but it gave us a good start to our Camino. We spent our last night there too.
We did not check the bus times but it would be good to know them and what bus line runs them. Is it 'Cantabria'?

Hi Tia,
We took the Alsa bus as it had quite a few daily time options for travel, making it a convenient choice. I do believe there is a Cantabria bus, too.

We started our Norte Camino in San Sabastian and when we walked into Santander after a short ferry ride, it worked well to stay in the muni albergue. It sounds like your plans worked out perfect for your needs.

 

[HighlandsHiker]

Are people choosing to skip this 30K out of Santander due to industrial/unpleasant hiking? This is great information, so thanks, Chris and Valeria! I'm thinking of starting in Bilbao this time, in case anyone has tips.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Are people choosing to skip this 30K out of Santander due to industrial/unpleasant hiking? This is great information, so thanks, Chris and Valeria! I'm thinking of starting in Bilbao this time, in case anyone has tips.

Hi HighlandsHiker,
Yes, one of the reasons was due to an industrial, unpleasant area, but also for me was a time constraint so I had to choose an area to skip and this stretch seemed good to me.

 

[Tia Valeria]

A similar reason - time and choosing to start with a short day and the best scenery rather than the industrial zone. We started at Barreda having landed in Santander.