Isla signposting

[Harmino]

I want to stay in the Albergue in Isla, just after Noja. I think Isla used to be on a stage route. It isn't any longer. Does anyone know if it is signposted to and from Isla??

 

[KiwiJohn]

Pilgrims' Albergue of Isla (Cantabria) · Isla, Cantabria

maps.app.goo.gl

Thus albergue is a couple of kms from Isla.
Buen Camino.

 

[Harmino]

Great. Is it signposted to get there? Do you have to come back to Noja to continue on the route or is there another route back to the Norte? Thanks

 

[KiwiJohn]

Google review of Pilgrims' Albergue of Isla (Cantabria) by Anika Brunk

âââââ "Tolle Herberge! Bequeme Betten und man gute sanitäre Einrichtungen. Das Essen wurde vom Hospitalero selbst zubereitet und bei uns gab es Gemüsesuppe, Schnitzel und Salat. War sehr gut."

goo.gl

 

[KiwiJohn]

New item by John Nicholson

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Tortilla]

Camino del Norte via Isla - Google My Maps

Camino del Norte via Isla

www.google.com

I just made this map for you and for anyone who wants to follow the traditional, historic Camino del Norte (not via Güemes). The distance from Noja to the Albergue in Isla is 4.8 km, and the distance from the Albergue in Isla to Galizano is 12.8 km. From Galizano to Somo (the ferry to Santander), if you choose the shorter, official version (bicycle track along CA-141) it is 6.7 km. Although in Galizano many pilgrims will choose a variant along the coast which is longer, but it is still a pleasant walking distance to the Santander ferry in Somo.

The Camino via Isla is well signposted. Sometimes you can find old markers from the time before the route was diverted to Güemes.
It is not necessary to return to Noja.
There are bars in Ajo and Galizano.
Pay attention when walking along the CA-141 towards Galizano, because there may be arrows trying to take you to Bareyo/Güemes. Ignore them. You are on the historic Camino del Norte.

 

[KiwiJohn]

Thank you @Tortilla .That map will be invaluable on my next year's Camino beginning in late August.

 

[Tortilla]

Thank you @Tortilla .That map will be invaluable on my next year's Camino beginning in late August.

The section between Noja and Galizano is based on my GPS log.
Before Noja, From El Brusco hill to Noja I walked along the beach so I'm not sure where the official Camino was. Similarly, from Galizano to Somo I improvised a lot to be near the coast. But the official, marked Camino from Galizano to Somo follows the road (it's a bicycle track).

 

[peregrina2000]

@Dave, who is the author of a guidebook to the Norte, took the alternative via Isla, and also suggests a slight alternative to the alternative. See his recommendation here.

When I stayed in Güemes years ago, we were all given a hand-drawn map showing us how to take the coast rather than the bicycle track. Gronze shows that route as the official one now, see here.

And now for an unsolicited recommendation — however you get to Santander, there is a coastal option from Santander that is just beautiful, while the official inland route is tedious and on pavement and treats you to a long stroll along a pipeline of some sort. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t rave about that coastal option. And I’ve never met anyone with very good things to say about the walking between Santander and Santillana on the official route. Lots of info here here, and here.

Buen camino, Laurie