CPeter
5
Aus-Walks were very helpful right through the booking process and the walk itself. Nothing was a problem.
Natasha and the team were fantastic!
The Camino del Norte, or as it is sometimes called, the Northern Camino, stretches 800km from Irun near the French Border to Santiago de Compostela. The last and final section starts in Ribadeo and ends at the Camino Way terminus, the cathedral in Santiago. The Camino del Norte is known for its scenic beauty, diverse terrain, and cultural richness. The final stage starts in Ribadeo, a charming coastal town known for its historic bridges and sea views, the route gradually moves inland, passing through lush forests, rolling hills, and traditional Galician villages.
Key highlights are Mondoñedo, with its impressive cathedral, and Vilalba, famous for its medieval tower. The final day of walking to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a moment of reflection and accomplishment and marks the end of a spiritually enriching journey through one of Spain’s most beautiful regions.
per person twin/double share
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of a room when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel
During this tour, you will stay in simple, small family-run hotels and guest houses that have been welcoming walkers of the Camino for many years. All rooms are ensuited and typically, in the style of the Camino, accommodations have a great atmosphere as the majority of other guests will be fellow walkers. As this walk is a very busy route it is usual for similar accommodations to be used other than that listed.
Single Rooms
If you are travelling with family and/or friends but would like single rooms, we would advise booking as soon as your plans are finalised to secure your rooming preferences. Single rooms incur an additional single occupancy fee.
Dining
You will be provided with breakfast each morning. If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please let us know at the time of booking so we can let your hosts know. Should you have severe food allergies, it’s always worth bringing a few of your snacks with you.
You will find many of the accommodations have their own restaurant which serves regional dishes, using local ingredients. Although dinners aren’t included in this tour, dinners can be included each evening as a supplement if you wish. Lunches can be purchased locally – a great part of the experience. You can either order lunch from your accommodation or buy local cheeses and meats along with a wide variety of different breads you will find along the Camino.
This tour is available from the start of January through to December. Regardless of when you travel, there are often celebrations along the Camino, specific to the individual towns or regions. From Asturias culture and festivals to the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa, walking the Camino is a colourful experience.
The Camino is a well-trodden route, so the trails are very well-defined for the most part. You will follow an ancient pilgrim trail and therefore, whilst sections of the walk will take you deep into the picturesque countryside, you will also walk through urban environments and alongside roads, as you follow the truest route possible.
You should be used to walking up to 24km with up to 300m of ascent and descent. On any typical day, you will hike on rocky trails, and farm and forest tracks and cover long sections in the open countryside. You will make sustained climbs to hilltop towns, and villages and across the rolling countryside. You will also walk on some roads, so please be mindful of road users at all times.
A moderately active lifestyle makes walking enjoyable: an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed, in addition to your usual walks. See the Fitness guide. The route is very well waymarked by the iconic scallop-shell markers and with the many other walkers on the trail, it’s very easy to find your way.
For each of the walks, you will be provided with daily walk notes, a map and the GPX tracks if you wish to use them for your device.
The route runs across northern Spain and through a variety of terrain. During the early and latter part of the season, conditions can be changeable from temperate warm days through to frosty mornings and very cool nights. From May to September, rainy days are less frequent and temperatures are steadily between 20-24 degrees, however, it is possible that you may experience a few cloudy days. See weather averages here.
The tour starts in Ribadeo. The best way to reach Ribadeo is by bus from Santiago, Gijon or Lugo. There are many train connections to these places from Madrid.
From Madrid, it is around a 3.5-hour journey from the main Chamartin train station to Santiago and another 3 hours on a bus. From Gijon, it is only a 2-hour bus ride. You could consider taking a taxi from Gijon, which will be half the time but will be expensive.
At the end of the trip, there are many options; flights to all over Europe. You can also catch the train back to Madrid or virtually anywhere in Europe.
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
Q: What happens if I don’t want to walk one of the days, can I travel with the luggage?
Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.
Q: Where would you suggest adding an extra night?
We can organbise this anywhere along the walk. However, we strongly recommend a rest day at the end of the walk in Santiago.
Q: We’re travelling as friends but would like single rooms?
Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.
Q: Can we extend the days walked?
Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs. If you feel you would prefer to stay an extra night or two in Santiago, we can help arrange this for you.
The Camino del Norte, or as it is sometimes called, the Northern Camino, stretches 800km from Irun near the French Border to Santiago de Compostela. The last and final section starts in Ribadeo and ends at the Camino Way terminus, the cathedral in Santiago. The Camino del Norte is known for its scenic beauty, diverse terrain, and cultural richness. The final stage starts in Ribadeo, a charming coastal town known for its historic bridges and sea views, the route gradually moves inland, passing through lush forests, rolling hills, and traditional Galician villages.
Key highlights are Mondoñedo, with its impressive cathedral, and Vilalba, famous for its medieval tower. The final day of walking to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a moment of reflection and accomplishment and marks the end of a spiritually enriching journey through one of Spain’s most beautiful regions.
per person twin/double share
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel
During this tour, you will stay in simple, small family-run hotels and guest houses that have been welcoming walkers of the Camino for many years. All rooms are ensuited and typically, in the style of the Camino, accommodations have a great atmosphere as the majority of other guests will be fellow walkers. As this walk is a very busy route it is usual for similar accommodations to be used other than that listed.
Single Rooms
If you are travelling with family and/or friends but would like single rooms, we would advise booking as soon as your plans are finalised to secure your rooming preferences. Single rooms incur an additional single occupancy fee.
Dining
You will be provided with breakfast each morning. If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please let us know at the time of booking so we can let your hosts know. Should you have severe food allergies, it’s always worth bringing a few of your snacks with you.
You will find many of the accommodations have their own restaurant which serves regional dishes, using local ingredients. Although dinners aren’t included in this tour, dinners can be included each evening as a supplement if you wish. Lunches can be purchased locally – a great part of the experience. You can either order lunch from your accommodation or buy local cheeses and meats along with a wide variety of different breads you will find along the Camino.
This tour is available from the start of January through to December. Regardless of when you travel, there are often celebrations along the Camino, specific to the individual towns or regions. From Asturias culture and festivals to the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa, walking the Camino is a colourful experience.
The Camino is a well-trodden route, so the trails are very well-defined for the most part. You will follow an ancient pilgrim trail and therefore, whilst sections of the walk will take you deep into the picturesque countryside, you will also walk through urban environments and alongside roads, as you follow the truest route possible.
You should be used to walking up to 24km with up to 300m of ascent and descent. On any typical day, you will hike on rocky trails, and farm and forest tracks and cover long sections in the open countryside. You will make sustained climbs to hilltop towns, and villages and across the rolling countryside. You will also walk on some roads, so please be mindful of road users at all times.
A moderately active lifestyle makes walking enjoyable: an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed, in addition to your usual walks. See the Fitness guide. The route is very well waymarked by the iconic scallop-shell markers and with the many other walkers on the trail, it’s very easy to find your way.
For each of the walks, you will be provided with daily walk notes, a map and the GPX tracks if you wish to use them for your device.
The route runs across northern Spain and through a variety of terrain. During the early and latter part of the season, conditions can be changeable from temperate warm days through to frosty mornings and very cool nights. From May to September, rainy days are less frequent and temperatures are steadily between 20-24 degrees, however, it is possible that you may experience a few cloudy days. See weather averages here.
The tour starts in Ribadeo. The best way to reach Ribadeo is by bus from Santiago, Gijon or Lugo. There are many train connections to these places from Madrid.
From Madrid, it is around a 3.5-hour journey from the main Chamartin train station to Santiago and another 3 hours on a bus. From Gijon, it is only a 2-hour bus ride. You could consider taking a taxi from Gijon, which will be half the time but will be expensive.
At the end of the trip, there are many options; flights to all over Europe. You can also catch the train back to Madrid or virtually anywhere in Europe.
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
Q: What happens if I don’t want to walk one of the days, can I travel with the luggage?
Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.
Q: Where would you suggest adding an extra night?
We can organbise this anywhere along the walk. However, we strongly recommend a rest day at the end of the walk in Santiago.
Q: We’re travelling as friends but would like single rooms?
Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.
Q: Can we extend the days walked?
Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs. If you feel you would prefer to stay an extra night or two in Santiago, we can help arrange this for you.
If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.
CPeter
Aus-Walks were very helpful right through the booking process and the walk itself. Nothing was a problem.
Natasha and the team were fantastic!