North Road along the coast

The Northern route starts in Irun and runs along the entire Cantabrian coast, crossing the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Following this route you will pass through fishing villages, cliffs, beaches and green mountains, in a constant up and down that puts you to the test … but also rewards you with some scandalous landscapes. It is a route mostly on asphalt, but that should not be an impediment but rather the opposite, the roads through which you will travel are small roads without much traffic linking the different populations of the route.

Unlike other Caminos, the Caminos del Norte is originally designed for walking. Therefore, the signage usually avoids roads without shoulder and takes pilgrims on paths, broken tracks, muddy areas, stairs … sections that with the bike, especially if you are loaded, can be a nightmare. Many of these routes are neither comfortable nor safe if you are pedaling.

So, if you go by bike, the most advisable is to follow the tracks of the Northern Cyclable Way that you have on our website. They are routes designed specifically for bicycles, combining roads, greenways and especially quiet roads, always seeking a balance between safety, scenery and enjoyment. It is not about “cheating” or distorting the Camino, but adapting it to the rhythm of the cyclist: pedaling smoothly, avoiding dangerous areas and finishing the stage with the desire for more.

Whether you come with a mountain bike, trekking, ebike or gravel, these tracks will help you to experience the Camino del Norte in a safer way and designed for cyclists. The pilgrim spirit is still there, the destination is still there… only the way to do it changes.