Question- The FEVE route along the the Camino Del Norte

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi all, I have walked the full Norte; first in 2016 to the Primitivo, and then the remainder last year.
For some background, I walked the Via Podiensis with two friends in 2018. They have not walked a Camino since then, but are eager to embrace one as a threesome again in June 2025. They both have occasional feet, back, or hip issues, so are hoping for a route with shorter stages this time, or the ability to rest if an injury occurs.

I remember reading on the forum that some members have ridden the slow FEVE train between many of the stages on the Norte and enjoyed the experience. Before I put too much research into this idea of hopping on and off the FEVE to accommodate my aging friends and I, I thought I would first ask those of you who have skipped around on this Camino. This would not be a typical, normal Camino (thus no Compostelas), but more a combo of walking and trains as we go along. Is this possible? Would we need to purchase a train package ahead of time on all of the stops we would want to plan? Would we need to "figure it out" and book everything ahead, or can we wing it as we go? I have no idea how often the train runs in June as I am "picking your brains" first. We would choose a combination of albergues and pensions that work best and are all fine options.

I am thinking of about two to three weeks away from home. No need to end somewhere specifically as both friends have walked to Santiago in the past.
Thanks ahead for any comments or ideas from those of you who have done something similar.

 

[caminka]

I have not done a hop-on-hop-off route but I did ride the feve train in one day from Oviedo to Irun in 2022. It took me from about 6am till 21h45. I think I changed in Santander, San Sebastian and Bilbao (which is the end of the feve).

A few notes:

The feve train stations were not always at the same spot as the renfe train stations.

There was only one toilet on the ~5h ride from Oviedo and it was broken.

I had Interrail but I still needed to obtain free passes to let me through the stile gates. Those ticket booths were not the same as the renfe ticket booths, even at the same train station.

I think that schedules for feve trains are under the 'cercanias' schedules on the renfe site.

Count on delays of about 15min.

I greatly enjoyed the ride.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks for replying, @caminka. It sounds a bit of a hassle, but doable. Thanks for the tip about the cercanious schedules, and it was good to hear you "greatly enjoyed the ride"!

 

[Bedspring]

Hi all, I have walked the full Norte; first in 2016 to the Primitivo, and then the remainder last year.
For some background, I walked the Via Podiensis with two friends in 2018. They have not walked a Camino since then, but are eager to embrace one as a threesome again in June 2025. They both have occasional feet, back, or hip issues, so are hoping for a route with shorter stages this time, or the ability to rest if an injury occurs.

I remember reading on the forum that some members have ridden the slow FEVE train between many of the stages on the Norte and enjoyed the experience. Before I put too much research into this idea of hopping on and off the FEVE to accommodate my aging friends and I, I thought I would first ask those of you who have skipped around on this Camino. This would not be a typical, normal Camino (thus no Compostelas), but more a combo of walking and trains as we go along. Is this possible? Would we need to purchase a train package ahead of time on all of the stops we would want to plan? Would we need to "figure it out" and book everything ahead, or can we wing it as we go? I have no idea how often the train runs in June as I am "picking your brains" first. We would choose a combination of albergues and pensions that work best and are all fine options.

I am thinking of about two to three weeks away from home. No need to end somewhere specifically as both friends have walked to Santiago in the past.
Thanks ahead for any comments or ideas from those of you who have done something similar.

I took the FEVE from Ferrol to Oviedo in early June this year, and spent much of the time on a Bus. I was inspired to use it after reading Tom Chesshyres book, Slow Trains Around Spain, but TBH I am not sure why I was inspired, as he spent much of his time on buses as well.
So, I would say as a rail experience, very poor.
If you decide to use trains, and are over 60, its worth getting a Targeta Dorada, for discounted fares.

 

[Tincatinker]

Apart from the major towns and termini most of the FEVE is hop-on hop-off. You flag down the train as it approaches the station, buy a ticket from the Guard and tell them which station you want to alight at.

I’ve never found a rail-pass that would work on the FEVE without a remarkable amount of hassle so I just do what the locals do.

All the various timetables are available online but as you’ll be using the RENFE website have a soothing drink to hand and no other commitments that day.

FEVE tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. Don’t even try.

It’s a lovely way to travel through a beautiful part of Spain

 

[SabsP]

Apart from the major towns and termini most of the FEVE is hop-on hop-off. You flag down the train as it approaches the station, buy a ticket from the Guard and tell them which station you want to alight at.

I’ve never found a rail-pass that would work on the FEVE without a remarkable amount of hassle so I just do what the locals do.

All the various timetables are available online but as you’ll be using the RENFE website have a soothing drink to hand and no other commitments that day.

FEVE tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. Don’t even try.

It’s a lovely way to travel through a beautiful part of Spain

Ah the memories.
I just searched randomly for Luarca to Ferrol.
I stopped counting the stations .

Renfe - Inicio Compra

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, COMPRA, VENTA, BILLETES,

venta.renfe.com

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I took the FEVE from Ferrol to Oviedo in early June this year, and spent much of the time on a Bus.

Hmmm, I was hoping we could start in San Sebastian and head west and only use the FEVE for small stages at a time

Apart from the major towns and termini most of the FEVE is hop-on hop-off. You flag down the train as it approaches the station, buy a ticket from the Guard and tell them which station you want to alight at.

I’ve never found a rail-pass that would work on the FEVE without a remarkable amount of hassle so I just do what the locals do.

All the various timetables are available online but as you’ll be using the RENFE website have a soothing drink to hand and no other commitments that day.

FEVE tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. Don’t even try.

It’s a lovely way to travel through a beautiful part of Spain

Your reply sounds very interesting, @Tincatinker, but you are an interesting man. I do not have your Spanish skills and my choice of a soothing drink will prob be different than yours, but I'll do my best when I start researching. I hope the trains pass by the Norte route more than once a day.
.

 

[OzAnnie]

FEVE tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. Don’t even try.

It’s a lovely way to travel through a beautiful part of Spain

Hi Chrissy
I also wanted to just meander slowly (after a hospi time in 2017 ) from Grado to Ferrol / to walk the Camino Inglés. Advice was to have snacks etc as no food car on train.

Reading the stories about the terrain I was looking forward to a beautiful trip.
I’m not sure how far the train was toward Ferrol that day (less than halfway ), but the train could not continue for some reason or other. No problem for those travelling …. as Renfe sent a number of taxis to pick up the passengers and took all of us to our destinations. All the way to Ferrol train station for me.

Good luck Chrissy., I’m sure you’ll work something out that suits the 3 of you if you need it. Sounds like fun
Buen camino

Edit : Chrissy - do a quick rome2rio / to
Match or look up stops (there are many on the FEVE) heading west. Google says it runs across the top of spain.
Lots of places I’d never heard of.. maybe there could also be local buses in between some areas you may be walking. I didn’t try those.

 

[Bedspring]

You should be OK then, if the Train runs, it runs, if it doesn't, a Bus will be provided, so nothing to lose really. As a form of transport it works.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmmm, I was hoping we could start in San Sebastian and head west and only use the FEVE for small stages at a time

Your reply sounds very interesting, @Tincatinker, but you are an interesting man. I do not have your Spanish skills and my choice of a soothing drink will prob be different than yours, but I'll do my best when I start researching. I hope the trains pass by the Norte route more than once a day.
.

They are regular commuting routes for local workers and school children. There are plenty, just not many long distance services like say Bilbao to Santander in one hop. FEVE starts in Bilbao not Donostia (use Euskotren for that bit).

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hi all, I have walked the full Norte; first in 2016 to the Primitivo, and then the remainder last year.
For some background, I walked the Via Podiensis with two friends in 2018. They have not walked a Camino since then, but are eager to embrace one as a threesome again in June 2025. They both have occasional feet, back, or hip issues, so are hoping for a route with shorter stages this time, or the ability to rest if an injury occurs.

I remember reading on the forum that some members have ridden the slow FEVE train between many of the stages on the Norte and enjoyed the experience. Before I put too much research into this idea of hopping on and off the FEVE to accommodate my aging friends and I, I thought I would first ask those of you who have skipped around on this Camino. This would not be a typical, normal Camino (thus no Compostelas), but more a combo of walking and trains as we go along. Is this possible? Would we need to purchase a train package ahead of time on all of the stops we would want to plan? Would we need to "figure it out" and book everything ahead, or can we wing it as we go? I have no idea how often the train runs in June as I am "picking your brains" first. We would choose a combination of albergues and pensions that work best and are all fine options.

I am thinking of about two to three weeks away from home. No need to end somewhere specifically as both friends have walked to Santiago in the past.
Thanks ahead for any comments or ideas from those of you who have done something similar.

I am planning a big FEVE trip soon. Maybe next summer.

I did Ferrol to Ribadeo a couple of months back. It was a 3 hr journey and costs €11. You could actually book online (this trip anyway, which I think may be a recent development) but there is no need too. It is a very much a ‘hop on hop off’ proposition. I really enjoyed it, and it felt pretty unique, hence desire to do a longer trip from Ferrol to Oviedo/Gijon and beyond soon.

We returned Ribadeo to Ferrol following day, abeit it turned out to be a taxi/train combo due train unservicebility.

 

[Martyduc]

Hi,,, this app will give you all you need,, timetables,, map,, open up the menu bottom right hand, and select Feve!!
And from San Sebastián to Bilbao is a local train, Euskotren,, that also parallels a lot of the Norte!
Buy the tickets on the train,, some stations have automatic ticket machines!!
Both trains are great!

 

[dick bird]

And when you are in Bilbao, take some a few minutes to look at the outside of Concordia Station - it's an Art Nouveau gem.

 

[Flog]

As others have said, don't expect any kind of seamless journey. It's a series of connecting links that don't always work time wise. Probably best to take it as you find it and make an adventure of it. Wonderful way to see Northern Spain with plenty of pilgrims to be seen out of the window..

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hi all, I have walked the full Norte; first in 2016 to the Primitivo, and then the remainder last year.
For some background, I walked the Via Podiensis with two friends in 2018. They have not walked a Camino since then, but are eager to embrace one as a threesome again in June 2025. They both have occasional feet, back, or hip issues, so are hoping for a route with shorter stages this time, or the ability to rest if an injury occurs.

I remember reading on the forum that some members have ridden the slow FEVE train between many of the stages on the Norte and enjoyed the experience. Before I put too much research into this idea of hopping on and off the FEVE to accommodate my aging friends and I, I thought I would first ask those of you who have skipped around on this Camino. This would not be a typical, normal Camino (thus no Compostelas), but more a combo of walking and trains as we go along. Is this possible? Would we need to purchase a train package ahead of time on all of the stops we would want to plan? Would we need to "figure it out" and book everything ahead, or can we wing it as we go? I have no idea how often the train runs in June as I am "picking your brains" first. We would choose a combination of albergues and pensions that work best and are all fine options.

I am thinking of about two to three weeks away from home. No need to end somewhere specifically as both friends have walked to Santiago in the past.
Thanks ahead for any comments or ideas from those of you who have done something similar.

I think as long as you give yourself some time it looks great and straightforward. It’s very cheap too! Ferrol to Oviedo is only €24 and it’s only one price (there is no early / late or supply/demand pricing). We never had more than a few folks onboard. A lovely way to see northern Spain.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

As others have said, don't expect any kind of seamless journey. It's a series of connecting links that don't always work time wise. Probably best to take it as you find it and make an adventure of it. Wonderful way to see Northern Spain with plenty of pilgrims to be seen out of the window..

I would like to make it a partial adventure, but would like to do a fair amount of walking, too, not only looking out the windows at other pilgrims. We would also want to be those pilgrims some of the time. I'm not sure if it is possible to book lodgings on some of the Norte stages ahead of time. It looks like it may be rather confusing to coordinate it, but I have not begun to scratch the surface yet.

 

[Flog]

It follows the Northern route for much of the way. Last year we stayed a few days in Aviles and got out walking daily with trains back and forth. And this year the same, based in Gijon..

Yes, it's quite doable. I dont remember which stops, but there were bus connections between some links too.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I would like to make it a partial adventure, but would like to do a fair amount of walking, too, not only looking out the windows at other pilgrims. We would also want to be those pilgrims some of the time. I'm not sure if it is possible to book lodgings on some of the Norte stages ahead of time. It looks like it may be rather confusing to coordinate it, but I have not begun to scratch the surface yet.

If you google there is a Norte map overlaid with the FEVE map and it’s displayed at many stations such as Ribadeo.

 

[caminka]

Thanks for replying, @caminka. It sounds a bit of a hassle, but doable. Thanks for the tip about the cercanious schedules, and it was good to hear you "greatly enjoyed the ride"!

Of course.

I was limited in the number of days I could take the train due to Interrail and didn't get any beds in Bilbao or San Sebastian (€50+ for a bunk?? no thank you) so I opted for this crazy day. When I was closing on Irun, I phoned the albergue for vacancies and they said "Corre, corre!" (they close at ten).

Taking shorter rides without much time limit shouldn't be that problematic.

 

[grayland]

As others have said, don't expect any kind of seamless journey. It's a series of connecting links that don't always work time wise. Probably best to take it as you find it and make an adventure of it. Wonderful way to see Northern Spain with plenty of pilgrims to be seen out of the window..

Chris
I have had the occasion to use the FEVE in both directions from time to time.
I have to agree with @Flog that it could be a great "adventure" walking some days and riding others...searching out thinks off from the actual Norte route without the pressure of keeping up with a Camino schedule.
You would be somewhat obligated to walk some portions in order to move forward reasonably...it would not be seamless (as @Flog points out) but I suggest it would be great under the conditions you propose.

Actually, you could start another thread and have folks here help plan it based on their experience and research.

Go for it and give us a daily report.
Ed

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Actually, you could start another thread and have folks here help plan it based on their experience and research.

That sounds like a good idea, Ed, and once I get familiar with a few things, I will do that!

 

[Pilgrim9]

I remember reading on the forum that some members have ridden the slow FEVE train between many of the stages on the Norte and enjoyed the experience. Before I put too much research into this idea of hopping on and off the FEVE to accommodate my aging friends and I, I thought I would first ask those of you who have skipped around on this Camino. This would not be a typical, normal Camino (thus no Compostelas), but more a combo of walking and trains as we go along. Is this possible? Would we need to purchase a train package ahead of time on all of the stops we would want to plan? Would we need to "figure it out" and book everything ahead, or can we wing it as we go? I have no idea how often the train runs in June as I am "picking your brains" first. We would choose a combination of albergues and pensions that work best and are all fine options.

The FEVE route across northern Spain is a secret treasure. I rode it in summer of 2022, from Ferrol to San Sebastian, with an unexpected small gap of about 70 km in the middle due to a route section being out of service that day (FEVE provided a bus to close the gap).

The scenery was absolutely stunning. Well worth the ride.

The line itself is a fully modernized smooth-riding narrow gauge railway with up-to-date colour-light signalling for traffic control. The carriages were self-powered, clean, and pleasant to ride in.

The trains stopped at virtually every small town and village en route. There are lots of villages I would like to stay at overnight next time.

I was unable to figure out how to reserve tickets in advance so just showed up at each station about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. No problem getting a seat.

There were lots of local (I think) people with day packs and some with bikes, riding a few stations up the line, then detraining, presumably for day walks / day bike rides.

I saw in numerous scenic areas a great many well-groomed walking paths beside the tracks, with lots of people walking on them. They looked like sections of long-distance walking routes. It might be well worthwhile to obtain and study a detailed map of Spains's long-distance trails to see how to link them up with the train route. Regrettably I do not have such a map.

I stopped for several nights in Oviedo (well worth a multi-night stopover), Santander (two nights would have sufficed), about a full week in Bilbao (so much to explore, more nights would have been better), a day trip to San Sebastian, and a day trip to Plentzia. All these trip legs were by narrow gauge railway. The railway west of Bilbao and the one east of Bilbao to San Sebastian are owned by different companies but are of similar quality and ticket prices.

My route omitted Gijón. Next time!

After Bilbao I took the standard gauge railway to Vitoria-Gasteiz, stayed about 4 nights, then high-speed train back to Madrid.

I had reserved all my nights in advance, staying in private rooms in Hostels or in Hotels. Everything was fine - tho room prices were a bit high in Bilbao.

The various narrow gauge train tickets I just bought at each station about 30 minutes before departure. I don't think it is even possible to reserve them ahead.

The ticket for the high-speed train back to Madrid I booked weeks in advance.

It was hugely-enjoyable and I hope some day to do it again in opposite direction, staying at different towns.

By the way, in 2022, the narrow-gauge lines also included an inland route from Bilbao (I think) to León. There are various potentially-interesting overnight stops along that route. My route omitted the entire León leg (not enough time). You might want to look into that route too.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@Pilgrim9, I appreciate all the extra details in your reply. It lt sounds like your trip was amazing!

 

[Bartman]

In late August of 2024 I took the narrow gauge train (due to an injury) from Santander to Ferrol. As I recall it was about an 8-hour trip. There were two or three times where we stopped at a station & had to get off the train we were on and get on another train. Other than that it was an uneventful trip. Well I didn't get to Camino I had planned I had a fantastic time meeting new friends on the train. Would highly recommend it.

Below are two Relive videos that I took of my journey. Couple of notes about that you'll notice that there's a straight line of the train. That is an artifact because I had not turned on the tracking part of the program. The other artifact is it looks like a orange fire ring or volcano. It's actually a reflection of my phone case.

Santander to Oviedo: https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4dVr3P3v

Oviedo to Ferrol: https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjYd4p1Yq

Enjoy,
Bartman

 

[grayland]

We need a name for this great idea, Chrissy....you should name it with suggestions here.
Maybe something like..the FEVE/NORTE or something more catchy. Why not?
I certainly has an appeal to me to experience the Norte once again but in a more casual and leisurely way.

It would be a great way to share the camino adventure with someone who is challenged by the walking distances.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am willing to do that, Ed, but I need to gather a few more facts first. After spending a half hour+ this morning trying to research, I am confused. It seems the Feve has a new name and it apparently has over 80 stops, yet I find no list of those individual stops. Although I know it will stop at the major cities along the Norte, I see no time schedules and it supposedly only runs once (possibly twice) a day. I assumed probably falsely that "hop on, hop off" meant numerous times a day. The purpose of wanting to use the small gauge train for my friends and I is to shorten walking stages of over 10ish km and hopefully book lodging ahead of time to mesh with that. If the train only passes by the whole route only once a day, does a person need to guess when it happens and waste time waiting in uncertainty. I see no current schedules nor times listed.

I have been given some good information here, but am not finding a way to coordinate anything, unless we only visit the more popular cities and forego most of the walking.
It seems this train is more suited to mostly having a nice, relaxing long ride in a beautiful part of Spain, but our goal is still to do some walking in the countryside from point A to B, etc.

 

[Tincatinker]

I am willing to do that, Ed, but I need to gather a few more facts first. After spending a half hour+ this morning trying to research, I am confused. It seems the Feve has a new name and it apparently has over 80 stops, yet I find no list of those individual stops. Although I know it will stop at the major cities along the Norte, I see no time schedules and it supposedly only runs once (possibly twice) a day. I assumed probably falsely that "hop on, hop off" meant numerous times a day. The purpose of wanting to use the small gauge train for my friends and I is to shorten walking stages of over 10ish km and hopefully book lodging ahead of time to mesh with that. If the train only passes by the whole route only once a day, does a person need to guess when it happens and waste time waiting in uncertainty. I see no current schedules nor times listed.

I have been given some good information here, but am not finding a way to coordinate anything, unless we only visit the more popular cities and forego most of the walking.
It seems this train is more suited to mostly having a nice, relaxing long ride in a beautiful part of Spain, but our goal is still to do some walking in the countryside from point A to B, etc.

Chrissy, try starting here: https://www.renfe.com/es/es/cercanias/cercanias-asturias/mapas and in the otherlinks from these pages. i appreciate that it looks difficult but it isn't. if you go searching for trains between the major stations you'll mainly get. "nada". use the maps to sort out possible useful stations and then check the timetables not the specific date ticket availability garbage. the timetables are all published. They just take a little finding. If I ever get home and on my PC today I’ll try and find the links for you and post them

 

[sinein]

Here are a couple of links you may find useful in planning your trip:

1. https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm
This provides general information about train travel in Spain - quite well known in the Uk but perhaps less so elsewhere.


2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renfe_Feve

Good old Wikipedia entry on the Feve - note the map of stations on the right which may be particularly useful.

My impression has always been that it is an everyday service for everyone so it is very much a hop on, hop off service which is not expensive.

If you really want to travel in style then there is the El Transcantabrico should you have a few thousand euros each to spare ...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thank you, I will take a look at the links.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Chrissy, try starting here: https://www.renfe.com/es/es/cercanias/cercanias-asturias/mapas and in the otherlinks from these pages. i appreciate that it looks difficult but it isn't. if you go searching for trains between the major stations you'll mainly get. "nada". use the maps to sort out possible useful stations and then check the timetables not the specific date ticket availability garbage. the timetables are all published. They just take a little finding. If I ever get home and on my PC today I’ll try and find the links for you and post them

I just looked at the map, and the C-4 looks helpful. I love Cudillero and it would be nice to be stay there with my friends. I can check out lodging eventually at some of the smaller stops and try to coordinate it together checking distances.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Here are a couple of links you may find useful in planning your trip:

1. https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm
This provides general information about train travel in Spain - quite well known in the Uk but perhaps less so elsewhere.


2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renfe_Feve

Thank you. I had heard of Seat61 before, but never looked at it until now. It certainly has a wealth of information that can be helpful.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Sounds like a fantastic idea! I hope you can figure it out and keep us in the loop @Camino Chrissy