CONTENTS
Map key
Overview map
Route summary tables
Introduction
The story of Saint James
The Northern Caminos: yesterday and today
Along the routes: different cultures
Choosing your camino
When to go
Preparation and planning
Being a pilgrim
Getting there and back
Equipment
Accommodation
Food
Postal services
Telephones and internet
Other local facilities
Waymarking, route-planning, and maps
Using this guide
The Camino del Norte
Prologue: The Voie Littorale Bayonne to Irún/Hondarribia
Stage 1 Irún to San Sebastián
Stage 2 San Sebastián to Zarautz
Stage 3 Zarautz to Deba
Stage 4 Deba to Markina-Xemein
Stage 5 Markina-Xemein to Gernika-Lumo
Stage 6 Gernika-Lumo to Bilbao
Stage 7 Bilbao to Pobeña
Stage 8 Pobeña to Castro-Urdiales
Stage 9 Castro-Urdiales to Laredo
Stage 10 Laredo to Güemes
Stage 11 Güemes to Santander
Stage 12 Santander to Santillana del Mar
Stage 13 Santillana del Mar to Comillas
Stage 14 Comillas to Colombres
Detour: The Camino Lebaniego Muñorrodero to Santo Toribio de Liébana
Stage 15 Colombres to Llanes
Stage 16 Llanes to Piñeres de Pría
Stage 17 Piñeres de Pría to La Isla
Stage 18 La Isla to Villaviciosa
Detour: The Camino Covadonga Amandi (Villaviciosa) to Covadonga
Stage 19 Villaviciosa to Gijón
Stage 20 Gijón to Avilés
Stage 21 Avilés to Muros de Nalón
Stage 22 Muros de Nalón to Cadavedo
Stage 23 Cadavedo to Luarca
Stage 24 Luarca to La Caridad
Stage 25 La Caridad to Ribadeo
Stage 26 Ribadeo to Lourenzá
Stage 27 Lourenzá to Gontán/Abadín
Stage 28 Gontán/Abadín to Vilalba
Stage 29 Vilalba to Miraz
Stage 30 Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes
Stage 31 Sobrado dos Monxes to Arzúa
Stage 32 Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela
The Camino Primitivo
Stage 1 Villaviciosa to Pola de Siero
Stage 2 Pola de Siero to Oviedo
Stage 3 Oviedo to Grado
Stage 4 Grado to Salas
Stage 5 Salas to Campiello
Stage 6 Campiello to Berducedo
Stage 7 Berducedo to Grandas de Salime
Stage 8 Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada
Stage 9 A Fonsagrada to Castroverde
Stage 10 Castroverde to Lugo
Stage 11 Lugo to As Seixas
Stage 12 As Seixas to Arzúa
Primitivo–Norte Link via Oviedo Oviedo to Avilés
Primitivo–Norte Link via Friol Lugo to Sobrado dos Monxes
The Camino Finisterre
Stage 1 Santiago de Compostela to Negreira
Stage 2 Negreira to Olveiroa
Stage 3 Olveiroa to Finisterre
Appendix A Useful sources of information
Appendix B English–Spanish–Euskera glossary
Appendix C Suggestions for further reading
Waymarking, route-planning, and maps
A selection of camino waymarks
With occasional exceptions, waymarking on the Northern Caminos is reliable. Trusty yellow arrows (flechas amarillas) painted on trees, signs, rocks, and other physical landmarks guide you through the countryside and most towns. In cities, the arrows are often replaced with scallop-shell markers embedded in the sidewalk. In Galicia, concrete markers complement the arrows, appearing at least every 500 meters. With this reassurance, you should not have to clutch this book tightly each step of the way, nor should you count on it for turn-by-turn directions.
Nonetheless, it is advisable to review each day’s route before starting. Look in particular for several potential complications. First, there are multiple stretches where the camino splits, especially along the Norte, with two (or three) possible options available. In some cases, only one of these options is clearly marked. In others, the yellow arrows steer walkers towards the most direct route, while the red/white stripes associated with the European GR footpaths offer a more scenic alternative. You will want to anticipate these crossroads to ensure that you follow your desired course. Second, there are some relatively long stretches without food or water. Plan your day to avoid unnecessary difficulties. Finally, be advised that the Northern Caminos continue to be refined, as efforts are made to move more of the walk from pavement and onto footpaths. You may encounter waymarks that lead you in an unexpected direction. Study them carefully, evaluate your options, and make an informed choice. It is always wise to seek updated information from albergue hosts (hospitaleros).
The most useful single overview map of the Northern Caminos is the Northern Spain Adventure Map (#3306) published by National Geographic and available from most online bookstores. The Caminos del Norte and Primitivo routes are highlighted (as is the Camino Francés). Scaled to 1:350,000, this is helpful for seeing the big picture, but not for turn-by-turn navigation.
The Spanish Mapas Militares (Serie L) are the best bet for more detailed route-finding assistance, designed on a 1:50,000 scale. The downside is that this is a much more expensive option, requiring you to purchase many individual map sheets to fully cover your route. In the authors’ experience, these are not necessary. The Mapas Militares are available from The Map Shop in the UK and can be ordered online.
Scallop shell adornment
GPX
GPX tracks for the routes in this guidebook are available to download free at www.cicerone.co.uk/1014/GPX. A GPS device is an excellent aid to navigation, but you should also carry a map and compass and know how to use them. GPX files are provided in good faith, but neither the author nor the publisher accept responsibility for their accuracy.