Camino del Norte: Stage 2 - Bilbao to Santander - 8 Days
The Camino del Norte from Bilbao to Santander is a 154-kilometre coastal walk, offering one of Spain's most beautiful and culturally rich routes. Beginning in the vibrant Basque city of Bilbao, famed for its modern architecture and the iconic Guggenheim Museum, the path follows the northern coastline along the Bay of Biscay. The route takes in a mix of industrial heritage and scenic beauty, threading through small fishing towns and lush coastal landscapes.
This Camino de Santiago segment rewards pilgrims with spectacular landscapes at every turn. The region uniquely balances ancient traditions with contemporary life, creating an atmosphere distinctly its own within Spain. On the way you encounter religious sites, chapels, and medieval structures as you walk. The path leads through the noteworthy towns of Portugalete, Castro Urdiales, Laredo, and Noja, culminating in Santander, a seaside city celebrated for its stunning vistas and laid-back coastal ambience.
The final leg into Santander features more coastal paths and rural scenery, with panoramic views of the city welcoming walkers as they conclude their pilgrimage at the impressive Cathedral of Santander. The Bilbao to Santander section of the Camino combines physical challenge, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes, making it a memorable experience for any pilgrim.
Highlights
Day 1
Your adventure starts in Bilbao, a picturesque city tucked between the sea and the mountains, offering a breathtaking setting for the beginning of your pilgrimage. Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. Walk along the Estuary, or wander through the Casco Viejo (Old Town). There is so much to do here, it may be worth an extra pre-tour night.
Hotel in Bilbao
Hotel (7 nights)
7 breakfasts
Auswalk Walking Grade
Moderate to Challenging
Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.
Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.
View Fitness Guide6
Days on the trail
19-29 km
Daily distance range
105-441 m
Daily ascent range
5/10
Trail difficulty
Throughout this stage, you will stay in intimate, family-run hotels and guesthouses that have been receiving walkers for generations, true to the spirit of the Camino. All rooms are en-suite, and with most guests sharing the same journey, the atmosphere here is unlike a standard hotel stay. On occasion, alternative properties of equivalent quality may be substituted for those listed.
Single Rooms
Those preferring a single room should book as early as possible. Availability can be limited on this popular stage and a single occupancy fee applies.
Seven breakfasts are included throughout the trip, helping set you up for the day’s walking ahead. Many of the properties along the route feature their own restaurants serving regional dishes, with dinners available to add as a supplement each evening if you wish. Lunches are best approached as part of the Camino experience, gathered from local shops and markets along the way, where excellent cheeses, cured meats, and freshly baked breads are easy to find.
Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the route.
The walk starts in Bilbao and finishes in Santander, both on Spain's northern coast. Bilbao's international airport has frequent connections across Europe, with a bus linking the airport to the city centre in around 20 minutes. From Madrid, high-speed trains from Chamartín station reach Bilbao in around four to five hours.
Santander has its own international airport with flights to a range of European destinations, making it a convenient place to end the walk and continue your journey. Trains from Santander to Madrid take around four hours. Book Spanish rail tickets in advance through Renfe.
This walk is available from the start of March to 31 October, with no fixed start days.
March and April bring fresh, green landscapes along the Cantabrian coast and fewer fellow walkers on the trail, though some showery days are to be expected. From May onwards, temperatures settle into a comfortable range for walking, and rainy days become less frequent, though the coastal nature of this route means the odd wet day is always possible. July and August are the liveliest months, with a sociable atmosphere in the beach towns along the way. September is one of the most popular times to walk this stage, with warm, stable conditions well-suited to the coastal terrain. Throughout the season, local festivals punctuate the route, from Cantabrian village celebrations to the nationwide observances of Semana Santa. Whatever month you travel, pack waterproofs and expect the weather to keep you on your toes.
Trails are well-defined throughout, following an ancient pilgrim route across varied terrain. Expect rocky paths, farm and forest tracks, and long open stretches of countryside, with sustained climbs to hilltop towns and villages. Some sections run alongside roads, so walkers should remain mindful of traffic at all times. Good walking boots are essential.
Daily walks cover up to 27 kilometres with up to 500 metres of ascent and descent. This is a demanding daily mileage and walkers should be comfortable with distances of this length before setting out. Training three to four times per week in the months before departure is advisable.
The route is waymarked throughout by the iconic scallop-shell markers, and with fellow pilgrims on the trail, navigation is straightforward. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.
You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.
A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.
Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.
Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule
Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.
When you’re already on the ground you don’t even need the trail notes/ walking routes. You just get on with the flow. You will never get lost. If you plan to do the Camino de Santiago, look no further than Auswalk. Seamless and you are in good hands.
One of best experiences of our lives, and made so much easier and stressless adventure.
Well organised and helpful staff made our first Camino walk very enjoyable.
I have recently completed the Camino Walk. Having the Notes and App provided by Auswalk was a great help in both my preparation for the walk and to follow during the walk itself. The accommodation was very good and well located and the luggage delivery service worked perfectly. I had great weather and shared the walk with many other helpful and friendly people from many different countries. Great.
I found Auswalk to be fully supportive and helpful in arranging my Camino. Everything went well. Pickups, hotel bookings, luggage transfers- all went perfectly. I couldn’t have expected any more - it was great
Well organised and a ln outstanding guide made our walk unforgettable
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