Walking the northern coast of Spain

[karen cafmeyer]

I have walked the Camino del Norte (completely in 2017, partially in 2022) and have heard that there are trails that follow the shoreline in places off the Camino. I'd like to find out more information. Last summer I walked past Zumaia completely unaware that I was missing the spectacular flysch. I'm not sure if seashore routes are mentioned in guidebooks or if I have to grab maps and track them down on my own. Thanks!

 

[trecile]

Here's an entire thread about coastal alternatives on the Camino del Norte.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/coastal-alternatives-to-the-nortes-asphalt.49578/

 

[karen cafmeyer]

Thanks so much! Super details and description.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Some of the most spectacular views and experiences are off the traditional path on the Norte. That one out of Zumaia is a bit hilly but worth it. Highly recommend all the little "sort of secret" paths.

 

[Ali@59]

The amount of places and other interesting things I've only found out about after returning from the caminos I've walked including the topic above makes me want to return and walk again

 

[WayWalker]

The alternative route from Castro Uridales to Laredo over the headlands is spectacular but not for the faint of heart. Also you should be very fit before attempting it..

 

[david marquez]

I walked the del Norte in 2018 and I used the information from Peregrina2000 in the thread posted above extensively. In particular I found the costal alternative from Santander to Boo to be really worthwhile
good luck!
i am planning to rewalk the del Norte from Playa la Arena to Ribadeo next April. Good luck to you. The coastline of Northern Spain is really lovely

 

[karen cafmeyer]

Does anyone know if there is more trail northwest of Ribadeo to continue along the coastline all the way to Ferol? It would be sweet to link the Norte with the Camino Inglés. I hiked the Inglés in 2019 and met the best folks ever. We started a Whatsapp group that is still posting!!!!

 

[trecile]

Does anyone know if there is more trail northwest of Ribadeo to continue along the coastline all the way to Ferol?

Yes, the Ruta do Mar - there's even a subforum for it here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/ruta-del-mar-ribadeo-ferrol.112/

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks so much! Super details and description.

I think the Wise Pilgrim app has incorporated all of the alternatives on that earlier thread I wrote up as well as some new ones. If you scroll down (it’s a LONG thread), you will see some great additions from @Kosmos, which I would love to walk!

@Luka lives in the vicinity and has also posted some additional options, all of which look lovely too.

 

[filly]

If I recall correctly Margaret Woodward walked round to Ferrol from Ribadeo. Check it out at Magwood.me

Caminos del Norte / Ruta do Mar / Ingles

Click on the links below to read the post…. 2016…the next camino Ten days and counting Everything but the kitchen sink Last day of near normality Day 1, Irun to San Sebastián 26.5 km Da…

magwood.me

I loved the part about the most beautiful bench view in the world and the coastline ‘cathedral’.

It’s on my to-do list too...

 

[pilgrimjim]

Does anyone know if there is more trail northwest of Ribadeo to continue along the coastline all the way to Ferol? It would be sweet to link the Norte with the Camino Inglés. I hiked the Inglés in 2019 and met the best folks ever. We started a Whatsapp group that is still posting!!!!

Yes to the Camino Del Mar. combined with the Ruta de Cantabrico along the coast is spectacular. Check out FB group as well and follow Oliva Lopez Hermida who has lots of ideas, information and passion for promoting this newly sanctioned Camino.

 

[An Tincéir]

I have walked the Camino del Norte (completely in 2017, partially in 2022) and have heard that there are trails that follow the shoreline in places off the Camino. I'd like to find out more information. Last summer I walked past Zumaia completely unaware that I was missing the spectacular flysch. I'm not sure if seashore routes are mentioned in guidebooks or if I have to grab maps and track them down on my own. Thanks!

Check out Magwood.me. She has walked and blogged these routes. Very informative and entertaining

 

[Donny Camino]

If you stay in El Pito along the way, after you rested up head out in the evening for a 45 min walk down to Cudillero...it is off the trail and we found it by accident. It's a cool, tourist little place on the ocean...several restaurants...go have dinner there and breathe in the ocean air.

 

[karen cafmeyer]

Thanks to everybody for these wonderful replies! I'm a teacher in Alaska and we just had 3 snow days in a row (unheard of!) and another storm headed our way (11-16 more inches tomorrow). Kids and teachers are freaking out - final exams, end of the semester coming up fast. Eeeek! Sunny, warm Spain seems very distant right now, both in mileage and months. Thanks Camino community for helping me power through!

 

[filly]

Dear Karen,

It’s thanks to queries like yours that some of us get fired up with opinions and wonderful memories and recalls that we long to share with like-minded enthusiasts!

London Town,GB is on weather watch for snow tomorrow!

Ultreia,.. Abraxos!

 

[BrianLCrabtree]

I think the Wise Pilgrim app has incorporated all of the alternatives on that earlier thread I wrote up as well as some new ones. If you scroll down (it’s a LONG thread), you will see some great additions from @Kosmos, which I would love to walk!

@Luka lives in the vicinity and has also posted some additional options, all of which look lovely too.

Did the coastal variants on the del Norte significantly reduce the amount of paved road walking?

 

[peregrina2000]

Did the coastal variants on the del Norte significantly reduce the amount of paved road walking?

Yes, very much so, because none of them were on paved roads. All were dirt trails.

 

[BrianLCrabtree]

Thanks. Saw your post re the Olvidado. Even considering the coastal variants on the del Norte, would you say the Olvidado and Invierno have less paved walking?