Pilgrim walks in Colunga

The Camino del Norte (also called the Coastal Route) leads us westward along the Spanish northern coast from the French/Spanish border at the Bay of Biscay and then joins the Camino Francés shortly before Santiago.

21st of 30 stages on the coastal path, the Way of St. James from Irún along the coast to Ribadeo Part 186 of my Way of St. James from St. Petersburg to Santiago de Compostela My neighboring routes: before: Western Pyrenees / GR10 after: Camino del Norte

20th of 30 stages on the Coastal Way, the Way of St. James from Irún along the coast to Ribadeo Part 185 of my Way of St. James from Saint Petersburg to Santiago de Compostela My adjacent routes: before: Western Pyrenees / GR10 after: Camino del Norte

This stage is short and runs inland, with some slopes. The Way passes through Pernús and Sebrayo, whose 13th-century church embodies the type of rural temples typical of this area. From Sebrayo to Villaviciosa, half of the route follows paths and trails along the hillside. Finally, it returns to the sea, entering what is considered “the cider capital” — not a minor title in Asturias.

After leaving Ribadesella, one of the most beautiful stretches of this Northern Way to Santiago awaits you, between Berbes and La Isla, where you will find two very interesting churches: Santiago de Gobiendes, a jewel of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture from the 10th century, and Santa María de La Isla, much more recent and located right on the beach. From here, only a few kilometres remain to your stage’s end: Colunga.

Northern Way 2022 - Santa Cruz de Bezana - Muros de Nalón

Irun-Bilbao-Santander-Gijon-SDC-Muxia-Fisterra My Way of St. James 2016 via SDC to Fisterra Walked in 37 days A few very small sections are missing in the GPX. This happened when I forgot to record. I followed the route according to the Outdoor hiking guide. I chose many alternatives that were well described in the guide.

For more information, see Angus&Sue's website. Through inland hills to an ancient town grown rich in the 19th century, now famous for apples and cider.

Searching for dinosaur tracks on the Playa de Vega, walking on Roman roads and drinking rough cider poured in the traditional way.

La Isla - Villaviciosa