THE NORTH ROAD TO SANTIAGO

This is another pilgrimage route to Santiago of Compostela which follows the north coast of Spain. It begins in Irún (just in the border with France) and follows throught San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, Gijón, Ribadeo (where it leaves the coast), Villalba and Arzúa (where it meets the “french or classic” route to Santiago). It is 840 km long mainly by narrow and asphalted roads because it is not signposted (altought it is quite easy to follow it because you only need to have the Cantabric sea always at your right hand!).

Contxa, María and me we made this route in the summer of 1999 in 12 stages, sleeping in Irún, Zarauz, Arteaga, Castro Urdiales, Santander, San Vicente de la Barquera, Ribadesella, Gijón, Ballota, Ribadeo, Villalba, Arzúa and Santiago (see map below).

This is a very nice route with great green landscapes but you will have to be fit to cycle it because there are continuous uphills and downhills. Fortunately you will find a wonderful gastronomy to restore yourself!.

Cycling in Lugo	Santander
Oyambre (Cantabria)	Arriving to San Vicente de la Barquera (Cantabria)
Near Mondoñedo (Lugo)	Near Mondoñedo (Lugo)
The Cantabric Sea, our friend until Ribadeo	Santa Marina (Asturias)
San Sebastián	Casa Manolo, a typical pilgrims' restaurant in Santiago
El Cano in Getaria (Guipúzcoa)	Santoña (Cantabria)

Itinerary