One week Camino del norte - start from Bilbao or Santander?

[TineCens]

Hello ,

This year, I only have one week of vacation (6 to 7 walking days), but I still wanted to walk a bit of the camino. I'm flying to and from Santander. Now I'm hesitating between walking from Santander to Ribadesella (direction Gijón), on one hand, and walking from Bilbao to Santander, on the other. I was wondering if anyone has any experiences to share about these two stages, maybe any important points to consider in this decision? Or did you find one of the two perhaps more beautiful?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Lots of greetings.

 

[Pathfinder075]

Depends where you are coming from.

Santander is more forgiving and less hilly. From Bilbao is a lot harder walking.

If you want an interesting alternative of sorts, walk Santander to San Vicente de la Barquera and walk the Lebaniego to Potes and claim your certificate from the Santa Toribio Monastery. That would be a 6 day walk if you use the Gronze stages and include three days of walking in the mountains. The last day could be spent walking the hill trails above the Monastery if you wanted.

But overall I would say start from Santander, it's definitely nicer. If you want, you can shorten the first day by talking the train to the outskirts of Santander (saves an interesting walk through industrial areas) to the station at Barreda. After that you are out in the countryside away from the motorway and fumes.

 

[peregrina2000]

Now I'm hesitating between walking from Santander

If you walk from Santander, I would highly recommend the coastal alternative instead of the mostly asphalt official stage that goes alongside a long pipeline for kms and past some pretty heavy industry. It’s a beautiful walk and people have both walked it in one day (Santander to Boo) or broken it up by staying on the coast for the first night.

 

[Pathfinder075]

If you walk from Santander, I would highly recommend the coastal alternative over the mostly asphalt official stage that goes alongside a long pipeline for kms and past some pretty heavy industry. It’s a beautiful walk and people have both walked it in one day (Santander to Boo) or broken it up by staying on the coast for the first night.

I'd second that.

 

[miguel_gp]

I'm currently on the Norte on a 5 day Camino. Flew to Bilbao and then bus to Castro-Urdiales. Started there and where possible followed the Senda del Litoral through Laredo, Santona, Isla, Galizano, Somo and then ferry to Santander and bus on to Santillana del Mar. Last (5th) day walking into Comillas tomorrow but you could walk on to San Vicente de la Barquera and Llanes. The Senda Litoral has been wonderful, although tough in places, with amazing views of the coast and expansive beach fronts to dip your toes in.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

The walk out of Bilbao is harder but more beautifull ( for me anyway). If you start in Santander It will be rewarding to follow the advice of Peregrina and follow the coast out of Santander, it was a very beautiful stage

 

[JerryStroebele]

Bilbao is a beautiful city. To me, more enjoyable than Santander. Walking into Bilbao from the east is a tough downhill slog. Walking out of it, to the north, on either side of the river, is a mess. Take the metro about 10 km to Portugalete, cross over the iron bridge and walk from there. Buen Camino

 

[Chiquito]

Depends where you are coming from.

Santander is more forgiving and less hilly. From Bilbao is a lot harder walking.

If you want an interesting alternative of sorts, walk Santander to San Vicente de la Barquera and walk the Lebaniego to Potes and claim your certificate from the Santa Toribio Monastery. That would be a 6 day walk if you use the Gronze stages and include three days of walking in the mountains. The last day could be spent walking the hill trails above the Monastery if you wanted.

But overall I would say start from Santander, it's definitely nicer. If you want, you can shorten the first day by talking the train to the outskirts of Santander (saves an interesting walk through industrial areas) to the station at Barreda. After that you are out in the countryside away from the motorway and fumes.

Totally agree about taking either Bus or Train to avoid the industrial area on the outskirts of Santander, we walk to Ribadessala after that a very pleasant walk

 

[billC]

Just walked from Santander to Oviedo 2 weeks ago. Walked the coastal route out of Santander. Highly recommended. My stages below.
1. Santander
2. Liencres (~23km)
3. Santillana Del Mar (took train from Boo to Mar) ~22km.
4. Comillas (22km)
5. Unaquera (27km)
6. Llanes. (Coastal path ~27km)
7.Pineres de Pria (21 km).
8. La Isla (27km).