Camino del Norte

Navia to Ribadeo

June 19, 2026Posted in El camino de Santiago, El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Saint James wayLeave a comment

Today’s walk from Navia to Ribadeo covered 21.16 miles (34 kilometers), making it our longest stage so far on the Camino del Norte. It was also our final day hiking along the ocean before crossing from Asturias into Galicia.

When we arrived in Ribadeo, we saw a group of pilgrims near the estuary cooling off in the water. After so many miles in the heat, it felt like one of those small Camino rewards that appears at just the right time.

Entering Galicia, the final region of the Camino del Norte, made the day feel even more memorable.

By the time we reached town, we were tired but proud. The stage challenged us, yet it gave us a moment we will remember: leaving the ocean behind and realizing just how far we had walked.

Santa Marina to Luarca

June 17, 2026Posted in El camino de Santiago, El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buen Camino, Camino del NorteLeave a comment

Day 27: Santa Marina to Luarca – 16.79 miles (27.02 km)

On the route from Santa Marina to Luarca, we shared part of the day with a young Hungarian pilgrim who was traveling simply, camping when he could and staying in hostels when needed. Later, we stepped into the parroquia católica de San Sebastián, one of those quiet moments on the Camino that invites you to pause, look around, and take in the spiritual and cultural depth of the journey.

Muros de Nalón to Santa Marina

June 15, 2026Posted in El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Hiking, Saint James way, SantiagodecompostelaLeave a comment

Muros de Nalón to Santa Marina — 16.01 miles (25.75 km)

It was one of the hardest days of the journey, with constant climbs and descents. The elevation changes made the stage feel longer and more demanding than the distance alone suggests, but the scenery made the effort worthwhile.

We walked through rural villages and along dramatic cliffs, with a mix of quiet roads, forest paths, and beautiful views of the Asturian coastline. We stayed at Pensión Prada, a charming pilgrim-friendly place in Santa Marina. The owner was very kind, and the warm welcome felt like an example of Asturian hospitality.

Avilés to Muros de Nalón

June 15, 2026Posted in El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buen Camino, camino de santiago, Camino del NorteLeave a comment

Day 25: Avilés to Muros de Nalón — 14.14 miles (22.75 km) A pleasant walk through the forest. We passed El Castillo de San Martín near Soto del Barco and saw more people walking along this stage. This evening, we had dinner at the local bar in Muros de Nalón.

Gijón to Avilés

June 12, 2026Posted in El camino de Santiago, El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged adventure, Buencamino, camino de santiago, Camino del NorteLeave a comment

Day 24: Gijón to Avilés 18. 47 miles (29.47 km)

We had a rest day in Gijón. Leaving the city was interesting: Gijón is modern, with a well‑preserved old town, but it is also an industrial city. Its main industries are steel production and metalworking. As we left the city, we had to pass through the industrial area. It is not pretty at all, but it is part of el Camino, and we decided to walk this section between Gijón and Avilés. Many pilgrims prefer to take the bus or train to avoid this stretch, and I don’t blame them—it is noisy and unattractive.

Colunga to Villaviciosa

June 9, 2026Posted in El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Saint James way, SantiagodecompostelaLeave a comment

Day 22: Colunga to Villaviciosa – 11 miles (18 km)

Today was a short, mostly flat walk. We saw the French pilgrims group, the English women, and new faces along the way. Interestingly, we recognize each other, have small talk,and do not know their names. Everybody is friendly, but no one asks for names.

We arrived at Villavisiosa, the Cider Capital.

Ribadesella to Colunga

June 8, 2026Posted in El Camino del Norte, Hike, HikesTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Hike, Hiking, Saint James wayLeave a comment

Day 21: Ribadesella to Colunga – 12 miles (19 km) Today, along the way, we met a group of five French pilgrims who, like us, started walking El Camino del Norte last year and are planning to arrive in Santiago in a few weeks.

The journey today took us through valleys and cliffs. There were more cyclists on the trail, and this year it is common to see them on electric bikes.

We spent the night in a small hotel that was once the home of an Indiano. In this region, the legacy of the Indianos still lingers in street names, restaurant names, and in the mansions that appear unexpectedly in small towns. The Indianos were the Spanish who made their fortunes in the Americas and later returned to Spain, especially between the 17th and 18th centuries. With their wealth, many built striking mansions and helped reshape the local economy. Today, some of those mansions are hotels, schools, or even museums.

A local guide explained that many Indianos supported the construction of churches, monasteries, and convents to obtain pardon from the Church for sins committed in the Americas. It was one of those details that made you want to look more closely into the history behind these buildings.

Llanes to Ribadesella

June 5, 2026Posted in El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Hike, Hiking, Santiagodecompostela1 Comment

Day 20 (2026), we walked from Llanes to Ribadesella, 20 miles (32 km). The hike was easy but long; there was some confusion with the itinerary and Google Maps. We thought the hike was only 23 km today, but it ended up being 9 km more, taking two extra hours. At least the weather was pleasant. We walked alongside the Picos de Europa mountain range, which we didn’t have to climb today, and we admired the breathtaking views of the cliffs and the ocean.

We had an interesting dinner at a local bar whose owners are Mexican descendants and whose menu is a fusion of Spanish and Mexican cuisines.

Unquera to Llanes.

July 1, 2025Posted in El Camino del Norte, HikeTagged Buencamino, Camino del Norte, El camino de Santiago, Saint James wayLeave a comment

Day 19: Unquera to Llanes – 16.86 miles (27.13 km)

Today, we crossed the border from Cantabria into Asturias, a symbolic milestone on our journey. The weather has started to cool, with temperatures in the high 70s and a soft fog hanging in the air, giving the morning a quiet, reflective mood.

Along the way, we met a young woman from Budapest. We shared stories about our Camino experiences, exchanged tips, and talked about life, one of those meaningful, spontaneous connections that make this journey so special.

Today, Monday, is our last day of hiking. Reaching Asturias brought a sense of accomplishment but also a bittersweet feeling. We’re not yet halfway to Santiago, and this journey remains unfinished…