Hikes in Laredo

A varied stage between long beaches, green fields and small villages.

Waves, cliffs and seaside resorts - one of the most beautiful coastal stages.

​The ferry from Laredo to Santoña, which is necessary for this stage, operates only between April and November (3 euros, about a 5-minute ride). For winter hikers, Stage 10B offers an alternative route. With the exception of the Brusco, this is a very easy stage that runs mainly on paved roads. We avoid major thoroughfares, so we hike exclusively along beaches, through small idyllic villages, and across meadows and pastures. In wet conditions, the route via Playa de Berria and then over the Brusco is absolutely not recommended; instead, we’d rather go left around the mountain through Agroños. Then we turn right toward Helgueras, from where we rejoin the trail to Noja. The hostel in Güemes is a real gem. There are no shopping options there, but dinner and breakfast are available on a donation basis.▶ We leave the triangular square in Laredo 01 straight ahead and cross the street twice. We turn onto Calle de López Seña and walk a good 5 km toward the ferry terminal. From the terminal in Santoña 02, the signs point diagonally to the right, but we continue straight ahead into the “Centro Urbano,” or downtown. Once we’ve passed the first shops, we walk past a fountain and cross Calle Cervantes. Leaving the city center, we keep to the right at the second roundabout onto Calle La Alameda (signposts also point back, but that’s not our direction). We pass a beautiful lake biotope (Marisma de Santoña) and the walls of the Centro Penitenciario El Dueso; what looks like a huge prison complex—is exactly that. Behind the dunes, we take the path to Beach 03 via Playa de Berria and the Brusco headland on our left. Even from a distance, we can clearly see the path leading up. What awaits us now is a rocky, loamy, and at times steep adventure trail—but a wonderful one—that requires surefootedness on the uneven, unsecured terrain. Due to the clayey, sandy soil, crossing is not recommended when wet, which is especially true for the bumpy descent, where we must exercise even greater caution! Afterward, we can either walk along the beach or take the path to the left of it and continue past Helgueras 04. Either way, our next destination is the church of Noja 05 and the inviting town center. Behind the tourist information office, we turn right at the roundabout and then go straight ahead at the next roundabout. At the next fork in the trail 06, we again take the path toward Castillo. As we leave the town, the surroundings open up again, and reliable signposts guide us through a maze of streets and trails. We cross under the CA-147 highway via a final gravel road. Then turn right, and at the next major intersection by the house “La Tablona,” turn left. Turn briefly right at the purple house, then left along the pastures, and we’ll quickly reach Castillo 07. Continuing along that road (irregularly marked), we’ll find mainly pastures to our right and residential houses to our left.A side road to the right takes us to the tranquil and peaceful church of Castillo 08. We pass it on the right, then turn left and continue straight for 1.5 km. The arrows end when the gravel path ends. We simply walk straight across the meadow; if the path is blocked, go up to the right and then follow the path to the left. At the main road, right at the “San Miguel de Meruelo” town sign, we leave the road to the right and walk along the elevated edge of town, which offers wonderful views. The last places to shop are in the village itself. As soon as we start heading downhill, we reach the church of San Miguel; we pass it on the right, turn left, and then right again down toward the road. Then turn right, pass the Adis Sport Center, and turn left at the next curve. Crossing the river bridge to the right, the hostel—which has been advertised for the past 3 to 4 km—seems to be just around the corner. We head up a hill on the right, while the Camino runs along the left side of it on our way to Bareyo 09. Back on the outskirts of town on the CA-447—once again offering fantastic panoramic views—we follow it to the next major Camino junction. Although there’s no pedestrian zone and traffic is light, we’re still being careful! At that very junction, we can see Güemes straight ahead, but we decide to take the left fork and follow the arrows and signs to the Ermita de San Julián 10, near the forest.From there, we follow the signs straight ahead to the main path, keeping to the left on the road until it winds up a hill in a tight curve. The road ends there, and we’ve reached Father Ernesto’s magnificent hostel at number 11.

Sonabia - Antonio Ruiz Viewpoint - Liendo Arboretum - Mollaneda - Iseca Vieja - Laredo - Alto de Laredo Viewpoint - Puebla Vieja - Church of San Francisco - Constitution Square - Miramar Alameda - Fishermen's District - Three Fishermen's Park - Three Laredos Park - Promenade - Cenón Park - Treto Estuary - Santoña - Juan de la Cosa Monument - Concordia Square - San Antonio Square - Manzanedo Park - Berria - Piedrahíta - La Soledad Hermitage - Argoños - San Roque Hermitage - San Roque Park - Cerecedas - Venero Tower - Church of San Miguel - Campiazo River - Bareyo

After Liendo, we have two options: either take the original route, which is very busy and noisy, or follow a beautiful, quiet path along the breathtaking cliffs.▶ From Hostel 01, we turn away from the coast and walk up the road. After the underpass, we stay on the paved path for the time being until it gives way to a sand and gravel trail behind the entrance to Camping Castro. Passing by and walking along rocky pastures, we quickly reach and cross Allendelagua 02. Back on the path toward the highway, we don’t take the underpass but instead walk 1.3 km to the left along it before crossing to the other side. At the playground, we immediately turn left and head uphill (the arrows fade) and find ourselves in front of the church in Cerdigo 03. We continue straight ahead downhill along the N-634 toward the Atlantic. Just past the church, we veer right off the paved road leading to the cemetery onto a stony, rocky path. We now walk through pastures along the cliffs. The hilly mountain in the background is Monte Buceiro near Santoña (Laredo). The terrain, which is still rocky at first, gradually becomes gentler. Our path leads us straight to Islares 04 and the church. Following the arrows, we walk to the edge of town and from there continue on the N-634, which, thanks to the highway, has very little traffic. Tip: Instead of walking on the shoulder, we can walk along the right side of the guardrail. Passing a rest area with a fountain (on the left), we soon reach the highway bridge, where the Camino climbs to the left, making a half-circle toward Nocina 05 before rejoining the road.Following a pedestrian path, we arrive in Rioseco 06 (bar, DIA, water fountain). One kilometer further on, at the large roundabout, the CA-510 turns right toward La Magdalena 07. In front of the church of the same name, we turn right, walk past the school, and follow the path to its end, always heading up the mountainside. Due to clear-cutting, the Camino here is very muddy, slippery, and steep for the foreseeable future. When wet, the path is a complete disaster. Initially passing through a remaining eucalyptus forest, the trail veers right at a fork and climbs up along the edge of the clear-cut area. Heavy machinery may have further softened the ground. There are signs of further deforestation, which will make the trail even muddier (in some places more than ankle-deep). Where the forest is still intact, the hike is comparatively very pleasant, at least in good weather. Since new paths can constantly emerge due to logging operations, or the route may change as a result, it’s difficult to provide a reliable description of the trail in advance. Staying on the main path as we ascend, we soon turn right onto a pasture. After passing the farm associated with it, the path becomes much more pleasant, as it has been reinforced with gravel and crushed stone. Passing more pastures, we head back into the forest, staying on the main path—except when it leads to a farm, in which case we take asharp left turn, as the sign is very well hidden!Shortly after the ascent, the trail forks; we stay on the wide lower path, which also marks the highest point (224 m) of the hike. Soon the valley opens up with wonderful views of idyllic farmland, and the path turns into a well-maintained gravel road. 2 km further on, we enjoy our first views of the basin ahead of us—a flat valley surrounded by mountains on all sides that we’ll need to cross. Passing under the highway again, we first walk along its right side and then follow the arrows on the main road straight ahead, past a distinctive playground through Saboña and on to the church in Liendo 09 (bar, shop). Here we must now make a decision. If our shadows are already getting longer and/or the weather is turning, we should either stay in Liendo or take the shorter, official route (6 km to the destination) along the national highway and the highway (to the left of the church). The much more scenic, albeit longer, alternative route takes us over the cliffs and from the east into the old town of our destination. This route is recommended only in good weather conditions. We therefore follow the numerous markers to the right of the church. Staying on the road, we soon cross the N-634, pass through Iseca Vieja 10, and finally reach the last house right on the hillside. To its right, a forest trail winds its way past holm oaks (8.1 km to Laredo). The ascents are quite easy; following the slope upward over rocky but easily walkable terrain, we reach the ruins of the Ermita de San Julián 11. From there on, walking along gravel paths, we can already hear the roaring surf. At the pass 12, we can see the peninsula around Monte Buceiro. For a short stretch, a steep, rocky path leads up to the left, branching off to the right further up. Exercise caution on the unsecured path ahead, which runs quite close to the cliffs. Continuing through a gate and through broom, there is also a serious risk of mud and slipping here, but the path veers far enough away from the cliffs. The trail, which undulates gently up and down, leads us to a better vantage point to take in the view of Laredo itself and ultimately to a small parking lot ( 13), where we head down to the right. On the trail, which is a bit rough at first, we pass by farmsteads. The final stretch downhill is steep again (be careful when wet—slippery in places!).We reach the old town under an archway, pass by the Septa Maria, turn left at the second street (bar/restaurant), and arrive at a triangular square just before the traffic junction at Laredo 14. 30 m further on, turn left up the street and take the first right onto Calle Fuente Fresnedo, where one of the two hostels is located.

​Diese Ausweichetappe ist in der ersten Hälfte noch sehr laut und straßenlastig. Spätestens ab Cicero wird es allgemein landschaftlich reizvoller, bis wir in Castillo auf den 10A-Weg treffen und deutlich ruhigere und schönere Landstraßen gehen.▶ Wir beginnen die Etappe am dreieckigen Platz in Laredo 01 vom Vortag, gehen rechts über die Straße und noch einmal links. An der Straßenecke finden wir einen Wegweiser, wobei es rechts nach Santoña (10A-Route) geht und geradeaus der N-634 Richtung Colindres und anschließend weiter über Gama nach Güemes geht. Wir bleiben demnach auf der Nationalstraße und erreichen nach etwa 3,5 km einige große Supermärkte.Von dort ist es nicht mehr weit bis wir nach Colindres 02 kommen, wo der Camino auch hier, entlang des Hafens und über die Flussbrücke, weiter der N-634 folgt. Hinter der Brücke laufen wir ein Stück aufwärts und kurz darauf auf Höhe der Bahnschienen unscheinbar links ab. Vorerst über ein etwas ruhigeres Wohngebiet und an einem kleinen Park vorbei erblicken wir im Hintergrund die hiesige Kirche. An der nächsten Kreuzung geht es nicht mehr geradeaus zu ihr, sondern links, am Ortsrand entlang. Der nächste Pfeil findet sich an einer Koppel und schickt uns geradewegs zur Autobahnunterführung. Auf der anderen Seite gehen wir bis zur nächsten Unterquerung direkt an der Schnellstraße entlang. Anschließend links hinauf in die nächste Gemeinde erreichen wir wiederum die Kirche von Cicero 03. Links um jene herum und danach rechts erreichen wir einen gemütlichen Rastplatz mit Brunnen. Wieder rechts, dann links und mit sehr schönen Ausblicken über die Bucht von Laredo geht es auf und ab. Wir kommen erneut zur Autobahn und genießen Blicke ins grüne Hinterland. Wieder im Tal angekommen gehen wir dort auf der Hauptstraße Richtung Kirche von Gama 04 und weiter über die Bahnschienen.Gleich dahinter zeigt uns ein Wegweiser, dass es links ab noch 2,1 km nach Escalante sind. Wir erreichen einen Bolz- und Spielplatz. Eine kleine Herberge findet sich geradeaus hinter der Bar (wo es den Schlüssel gibt). Der Weg geht vom Spielplatz zur Straße hinauf und darüber hinweg. Für einige Zeit laufen wir auf der CA-148 Richtung Escalante 05 und biegen entgegen der Wegmarkierung am Kreisel links ab (andernfalls großer Umweg über Santoña). Auf nun ruhigeren Land- und Nebenstraßen treffen wir auf die CA-460, biegen links, Richtung Castillo ein und kommen dabei rechts an der Ermita San Roque vorbei. Dabei ignorieren wir die Pfeile, die uns im Anschluss rechts zur größeren Ermita de San Román leiten wollen. Die Straße selbst hat keinen Fußgängerbereich, ist aber auch nur recht mäßig befahren. Vorsicht, wenn wir den bewaldeten Hügel und den Alto del Portillo 06 überqueren! Rund 800 m weiter weisen uns deutliche Pfeile links nach Castillo 07. Biegen wir vom Hauptweg rechts ab, kommen wir an einem großen Kuhstall vorbei und folgen dem Schotterweg bis hinan zur CA-147 (Ein Pfeil an der Wand eines Hauses zeigt in die falsche Richtung beim Shop die Straße hinab).Geradeaus erreichen wir dann die Kirche von Castillo 08, wo wir auf den 10A-Weg treffen. An dieser geht es rechts vorbei, dann links und für 1,5 km geradeaus. Mit Ende des Schotterweges enden auch die Pfeile. Wir gehen einfach geradewegs über die Wiese, falls der Weg versperrt sein sollte, gehen wir rechts hoch und dann links entlang. An der Hauptstraße müssen wir schon wieder direkt am Ortseingangsschild von San Miguel de Meruelo die Straße rechts ab verlassen und laufen nun erhöht am Ortsrand entlang, der wunderbare Ausblicke mit sich bringt. Letzte Einkaufsmöglichkeiten gibt es im Ort selbst. Sobald wir abwärts gehen, erreichen wir die Kirche von San Miguel, gehen rechts an ihr vorbei, links und wieder rechts zur Straße hinab.Wir treffen auf eine weitere Straße, gehen rechts am Adis Sport Center vorbei und biegen direkt in der nächsten Kurve links ab. Über die kommende Flussbrücke rechts müssen wir wieder nach rechts einen Hügel hinauf und links an ihm entlang. Wir erreichen schnell Bareyo 09 und durchqueren den Ort, bis wir am Ortsrand auf der CA-447 unterwegs sind. Erneut fantastische Weitblicke begleiten unseren Weg. Bis zur nächsten großen Camino-Abzweigung verbleiben wir auf der Straße, gehen auf ihr bergab durch Wiesen und Wälder hindurch. An eben jener Abzweigung erblicken wir geradeaus Güemes, wir entscheiden uns aber für den linken Abzweig und folgen den Pfeilen und den Hinweisschildern zur Ermita de San Julián 10 nahe des Waldes.Weiter auf der Straße, biegen wir an der nächst größeren links ab und schreiten immer weiter auf ihr entlang, bis sie die letzten Häuser hinter sich lässt und eine enge Kurve auf einen Hügel hinaufnimmt. Dort endet die Straße, und wir haben die prachtvolle Her-berge von Pater Ernesto 11 links im Blick.

Panoramic hike over wild shoresThis impressive stretch of coast is quiet and somewhat hidden, but can still be reached from the highway in just a few minutes. If the hike to Solpico and Candina (tour "Solpico, 486 m, and Candina, 489 m") is too high and around Monte Buciero (tour "Around the Monte Buciero peninsula") too long, you can also enjoy the spectacular views over the cliffs between Laredo and Castro Urdiales in a more comfortable way. The whole thing can be combined with a visit to the beach at Playa de San Julián for a swim.

Ruta Laredo Sonabia bordeando el monte Candina Esta ruta se ha generado con un trayecto realizado en la fecha indicada. Solo sirve a modo orientativo y bajo la responsabilidad de quien la descargue

Monte Candina desde Laredo volviendo por Liendo. Esta ruta se ha generado a partir de un trayecto realizado en la fecha indicada. Solo sirve a modo orientativo y bajo la responsabilidad de quien la descargue.