Camino del Norte, Ribadeo to Santiago

Level
3
Distance
198 km
Duration
12 days | 11 nights
period
May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
price from
€ 1.074
CO2 footprint
251 Kg/person
  1. Spain
  2.  | 
  3. Solo Holidays
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode ESSWSL29

The final section of the Camino del Norte starts from the coast and moves inland, heading towards the Cathedral of Santiago. Towards the end of the route, it merges with the Camino Francés, creating a special moment as many pilgrims join together to walk the last kilometers to the long-awaited destination. This itinerary is set in the Spanish countryside, passing through peaceful villages, monasteries, medieval towns, and much more. It's particularly fascinating to watch the landscape change from coastal to mountainous, becoming more urbanized as you approach Santiago.

Highlights

  • Visit numerous historic villages, such as Mondoñedo, whith its historic old town
  • You will walk through green meadows and forests of native trees in the A Terra Chá region
  • Join pilgrims from all over the world in some parts of the journey
  • Arrive at the spectacular Obradoiro Square after a rewarding pilgrimage

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Ribadeo

Arrival in Ribadeo

soak in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy the unhurried pace of life of Ribadeo. The picturesque harbor, with colorful fishing boats, and the salty sea breeze make it a dreamy place - A perfect place to get ready for the Camino de Santiago.

Day 2

Ribadeo – Gondán, 21 km

Ribadeo – Gondán, 21 km

Your camino begins: move away from the coast towards the interior, direction to Compostela. The scenery transforms from a coastal path into a mountainous route, entering a sparsely populated rural territory. An exhilarating first climbs awaits, a great way to test your legs right from the first day of the trip, before arriving to Gondán.

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +600/-450 m

Day 3

Gondán - Mondoñedo, 16 km

Gondán - Mondoñedo, 16 km

A quiet day full of highlights, with just a couple of steep climbs along the way: you will cross the town of Vilanova de Lourenzá, where the church of the old monastery stands out, and then to Mondoñedo, a town of historical significance, capital of the region of A Mariña Central. Mondoñedo’s cathedral and the old quarter, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, are the cultural highlights of the day. 

Distance: 16 Km

Elevation Gain: +450/-510 m

Day 4

Mondoñedo – Abadín, 17 km

Mondoñedo – Abadín, 17 km

An interesting route in which you leave the region of A Mariña and ascend to Terra Chá, the inland plateau of Lugo, passing from 140 to 560 metres above sea level. The route passes through rolling hills and rural landscapes through the valley of Valiñadares and Lousada, giving you a sense of the region's rural beauty, as you make your way to Abadín. 

Distance: 17 Km

Elevation Gain: +630/-250 m

Day 5

Abadín – Vilalba, 21 km

Abadín – Vilalba, 21 km

Today a very pleasant day waits -  with a serene, beautiful scenery and few climbs. You will walk along comfortable dirt or tarmac tracks between green meadows and groves of native trees at the region of A Terra Chá, As your pilgrimage progresses, you'll arrive in the beautiful Medieval town of Vilalba.

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +250/-270 m

Day 6

Vilalba – Baamonde, 19 km

Vilalba – Baamonde, 19 km

A varied and peaceful day with different sceneries and with hardly any climbs  in a pleasant rural environment. Your path takes you to Baamonde, a small village surrounded by lush nature - the whole day perfect to spend time immersed in nature. 

Distance: 19 Km

Elevation Gain: +210/-270 m

Day 7

Baamonde - Alto Mamoa/A Roxico ,19,2km/20,2 km

Baamonde - Alto Mamoa/A Roxico ,19,2km/20,2 km

Today, you will have the option to choose between two different routes depending on the distance you want to cover - based on your training and energy for the day.

Whichever destination you choose for today, a transfer will be arranged to take you to your hotel located in Regüelas.

Distance: 19,2 /20,2 Km

Elevation Gain:+400/+600; -200/-400 m

Day 8

Alto de Mamoa/A Roxico - Sobrado dos Monxes, 23,8km/15,6 km

Alto de Mamoa/A Roxico - Sobrado dos Monxes, 23,8km/15,6 km

A challenging, beautiful day awaits: you can decide to being transfered to two different locations, based on how much you want to walk, and start the beautiful hike of the day: at some point during the day, you'll be at the highest point of the entire Northern Way.

Distance: 23,8 /15,6 Km

Elevation Gain:+400 or +600/-200 or -400 m

Day 9

Sobrado dos Monxes – Arzúa, 22 km

Sobrado dos Monxes – Arzúa, 22 km

You are getting closer to Santiago - meaning that the landscape slowly changes, getting more and more urban compared to the previous day of the trip, in which you were travelling in the countryside dotted with small villages. In Arzùa, the itinerary converges with the French Way.  

Distance: 18 Km

Ascent/Descent: +200/-230 m

Day 10

Arzúa – A Rúa, 18 km

Arzúa – A Rúa, 18 km

At first glance, this stage seems to provide little interest - and Yet today ends up being one of the most exciting of the whole week as you feel the collective energy grow, joining hordes of fellow pilgrims all excited to be nearly there! It’s a relatively short day, leaving time to relax at your hotel and meld with the peaceful surroundings. 

Distance: 18 Km

Elevation Gain: +200/-230 m

Day 11

A Rúa - Santiago de Compostela, 21 km

A Rúa - Santiago de Compostela, 21 km

Burst back into modern life as you rush in an urban environment towards the much coveted arrival point of the route: Plaza Obradoiro. The urban hustle and bustle will not deter you and it’s still easy to imagine ancient pilgrims weeping with joy as they glimpsed the Cathedral. Historically, pilgrims pause at Monte do Gozo to set their sights then make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to cleanse their face and feet before meeting their beloved saint. 

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +350/-370 m

Day 12

Arrivederci, Santiago de Compostela

Arrivederci, Santiago de Compostela

Your arrangement comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Option of booking an extra night in Santiago de Compostela. 

Details

Is this for me?


A beautiful alternative to the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, with which the path connects towards the end of the route. It is highly suggested that you choose this trip with previous experience of walking a camino, for the long daily distances and the steep ascents. 

Included


What is included

  • 11 Nights in double room in *** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
  • Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
  • Transfers as described in the program
  • Maps and detailed description of the itinerary in digital form, app
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance
  • Pilgrim Passport

What is not included

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • Lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
  • Visits and entrance fees - tips
  • Personal expense
  • Possible sojourn taxes

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Single room supplement
  • Extra nights
  • Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Accommodation


For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.

When to travel


The best time to take this trip is definitely in spring or early autumn, as the summer months can be particularly hot. If summer is your only option, you’ll need to be mindful of when you start your walk, carry plenty of water, and be cautious of the high temperatures. Keep in mind that this part of Spain is also one of the rainiest, so even if you go in summer, pack a rain jacket—you might run into a brief downpour.

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


On arrival:

The closest airport is in Oviedo
From Oviedo train station take the Train to Ribadeo. Check timetable here.

On departure:

The closest airport is in Santiago de Compostela.

 

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
Accurate GPS tracks
Autorotation of the maps
Daily route summary and elevation chart
Panorama of the track and at street level
Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
Hotel information
Points of interest along the way
Historical background


Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
© 2024 SloWays. All rights reserved.
Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486
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