Bike Tour: Camino del Norte cycling from Bilbao to Oviedo - 10 days

As you arrive in the modern and vibrant city of Bilbao you can sample the renowned Basque cuisine. If you arrive early it's worth visiting the Guggenheim Museum, walk through the old town and along the river at the center of the city as you prepare for your Camino.

Today you start cycling in Bilbao towards Portugalete on urban areas. From there a long cycle path leads you to the beach of La Arena, where you will meet the Cantabrian Sea, you then follow a path along the cliffs, a very beautiful stretch where you leave the Basque Country to enter Cantabria. The coastal trail leads you to Castro Urdiales, a town with a beautiful harbor and a rich history. Take some time to explore its historic streets and taste the local seafood.

Challenge: 41 km / 25.5 mi, 750 m ascent

Your journey continues along the northern coast, with the beauty of the Bay of Biscay as your backdrop. An interesting stage with beautiful scenery, with several beaches, cliffs and stretches through forest, alternating with green inland valleys. Its profile is a continuous up and down, but with moderate gradients. Laredo, your destination for the day, is known for its golden sandy beaches. This is a great place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.

Challenge: 33 km / 20.5 mi, 825 m ascent

The trail winds through lush countryside and charming villages, crossing three long beaches: Salvé (in Laredo), Berria (after Santoña) and Helgueras-Trengadín (Noja). From the Puntal de Laredo to Santoña you will take short sail. You will then turn inland to Güemes, before going back to the coast in an area with cliffs and some beautiful scenery. Once in Somo, you take a second passenger boat across the bay, leaving you right in the centre of the city. Santander offers a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect ending point for your pilgrimage.

Challenge: 56 km / 35 mi, 850 m ascent

Leaving behind the urban environment of Santander, your path guides you towards Santillana del Mar. This long route unfolds through serene countryside, and you'll feel transported back in time when you arrive at this enchanting medieval town, one of the prettiest in Cantabria.

Challenge: 47 km / 29 mi, 725 m ascent

Today's route is long and interesting and alternates inland landscapes with some brief incursions by the sea. The route meanders through rolling green hills, offering captivating views of the Cantabrian coast. In Comillas, you'll be captivated by the buildings in the modernist style - our art nouveau - such as El Capricho, one of Antoni Gaudí's first works. Continuing your route toward Colombres you will cross several bridges over marshes and estuaries, with steep inclines between the successive valleys. Although the gradients are moderate, you get the feeling that the mountains are very close. After visiting San Vicente de la Barquera, an interesting fishing village, you will leave Cantabria to enter Asturias and finish the day in Colombres, where the houses built by indianos, emigrants who returned from their stay in America with a wealthy lifestyle, are outstanding. 

Challenge: 50 km / 31 mi, 960 m ascent

This is a peaceful but long route full of beautiful scenery. As you leave Colombres, the gentle sound of the ocean accompanies your journey as you pass through idyllic fishing villages, immersing yourself in the culture of Asturias. After Andrín you will have a notable slope and after the descent you will reach Llanes, a town with a historic quarter with lively terraces in summer, as well as the fishermen's port and its artistic breakwater. When leaving Llanes you will cross some beaches such as Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín, all of which are beautiful and quite busy in summer. The route then turns inland once again, through rural areas with less tourist pressure. After crossing a number of level crossings, you will end the day in Ribadesella, a coastal town famous for its prehistoric caves among other things. 

Today’s route is scenically very interesting, with mountains and good views of the coast, and passing by several beaches: Santa Marina (in Ribadesella), La Vega, Arenal de Morís (somewhat remote), La Espasa and La Isla. Then you will leave the coast as you arrive to Colunga, after that small town the route takes you through orchards and farmland as you will enter into the agricultural heartland of Asturias, through more mountainous terrain than on previous days and past tiny rural hamlets. Your route takes you to Villaviciosa, the Apple Capital, famous for its cider production.

Challenge: 19 km / 12 mi, 1200 m ascent

Today you turn towards the interior of Asturias, away from the coast. Leaving Villaviciosa behind, you traverse the rolling hills of Asturias, arriving in Pola de Siero, a bustling market town. The transition from peaceful countryside to a lively urban atmosphere provides a unique and enriching experience, ultimately bringing you to the capital of Asturias, where you can delve into the rich history and culture of the region. Visit the magnificent Oviedo Cathedral and savor the local cuisine at one of the city's many restaurants or sidrerías (cider bars). 

Challenge: 43 km / 27 mi, 900 m ascent

After breakfast your journey comes to an end.

You can also combine this trip with the next stage of the Camino