Overview
A 10 day cycling holiday covering a large proportion of the Camino del Norte, from Oviedo to Santiago. Although it’s known as the coastal camino, this section starts inland at the Asturian capital of Oviedo, but hits the coast soon after that at Avilés. From here, cycle through traditional fishing villages and alongside beaches before entering Galicia. At Ribadeo you head inland to take on Galician hills, Terra Chá (flatlands) and eucalyptus groves that line the way to Santiago. Staying in mostly small, locally-owned hotels or guesthouses, you can rent both traditional and e-bikes for this tour.
- Oviedo
- Avilés
- Terra Chá flatlands
- Ribadeo
- Santiago de Compostela
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Oviedo
This section of the Camino del Norte starts in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. If you arrive early, we recommend visiting San Salvador Cathedral and savouring the local cuisine at one of the city’s many restaurants or sidrerías (cider bars).
- Accommodation: Hotel Fruela or similar in Oviedo
Day 2: Oviedo – Avilés | 30km
From Oviedo, the route continues to the coastal city of Avilés. Leaving the capital of Asturias behind, cycle through the hills of Mount Naranco with a mix of urban and rural landscapes. End the day in Avilés, an industrial city with an interesting Old Town. We recommend visiting Plaza de España with the town hall and Palace of the Marquis of Ferrera (currently a hotel), Church of San Nicolás de Bari and the Palace of García Pumarino.
- Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro or similar in Avilés
- Cycling for the day: 30km, ↑400m
Day 3: Avilés – Cudillero | 32km
Cycle along the coastline to arrive at the banks of the Nalón River, where San Martín Castle overlooks the camino. After an ascent to Muros de Nalón, cycle a bit further before descending to Cudillero, a traditional fishing village.
- Accommodation: Casona De La Paca or similar in Cudillero
- Cycling for the day: 32km, ↑575m
Day 4: Cudillero – Luarca | 55km
Leaving Cudillero, cycle through Asturian countryside, crossing Soto de Luiña and then taking the Camíno Real de Las Ballotas. This coastal route has views of beaches and towering cliffs as far as Cadavevo. There is one last climb from Canero and, once that climb is over, it’s only a few kilometres to the end of the day’s trail at the small fishing village of Luarca.
- Accommodation: Hotel Báltico or similar in Luarca
- Cycling for the day: 55km, ↑680m
Day 5: Luarca – Ribadeo | 55km
Continue away from the coast along comfortable tracks and roads, with moderate gradients, cyling through numerous towns and woodlands before arriving to the coastal town of Navia. From here, the trail provides views of the sea towards Tapia, a coastal village known for its fishing traditions. Following the coast, you come to Penarronda beach, then cross the Eo River to leave Asturias and enter Galicia. Ribadeo is famous for its Playa de Las Catedrales (a short taxi ride away), Galicia’s second most visited sight after Santiago’s cathedral.
- Accommodation: Hotel La Casona de Lazúrtegui or similar in Ribadeo
- Cycling for the day: 55km, ↑325m
Day 6: Ribadeo – Mondoñedo | 38km
From Ribadeo, the landscape transforms from a coastal path into a mountainous route, entering a sparsely populated rural area. The toughest climb of the day is at the exit of A Ponte de Arante: 260m of ascent in 5km before arriving at Gondán, then heading on to the town of Vilanova de Lourenzá. The trail then takes you to Mondoñedo, where we recommend visiting the Sanctuary of Remedios and the cathedral.
- Accommodation: Montero or similar in Mondoñedo
- Cycling for the day: 38km, ↑975m
Day 7: Mondoñedo – Vilalba | 33km
Today’s stage takes you through the inner plateau of Lugo, known as Terra Chá (flatlands). It is a moderate climb from 140m to over 500m through small villages like O Vilar or Lousada before arriving in Abadín. Follow the hilly terrain as far as the market town Villalba, the capital of Terra Chá flatlands, an area famous for its local cheeses and other tasty delicacies.
- Accommodation: Parador de Vilalba or similar Vilalba
- Cycling for the day: 33km, ↑600m
Day 8: Vilalba – Sobrado dos Monxes | 52km
The route today is a mix of tracks, dirt roads, paths and muddy corredoiras (tractor ruts) but with no gradients. Cycle to the rural village of Baamonde, then continue through Galician countryside to As Cruces, very close to Sobrado dos Monxes.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Marcus or similar Sobrado dos Monxes
- Cycling for the day: 52km, ↑635m
Day 9: Sobrado dos Monxes – Santiago de Compostela | 56km
In contrast to the previous routes, in which you cycle along rural trails between small villages, today the route becomes much more urban, as you approach Santiago. The route converges in Arzúa with pilgrims on the Camino Frances. Continue to O Pedrouzo and bring the day, and your pilgrimage, to a close by entering the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela.
- Accommodation: Hotel Alda Bonoval or similar in Santiago de Compostela
- Cycling for the day: 56km, ↑625m
Day 10: Departure
We can arrange extra nights in Santiago for you, or enjoy a well-deserved long breakfast before departure.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their proximity to the camino, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Fruela (Oviedo)
- Hotel Don Pedro (Avilés)
- Casona De La Paca (Cudillero)
- Hotel Báltico (Luarca)
- Hotel La Casona de Lazúrtegui (Ribadeo)
- Montero (Mondoñedo)
- Parador de Vilalba (Vilalba)
- Hotel San Marcus (Sobrado dos Monxes)
- Hotel Alda Bonoval (Santiago de Compostela)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included (usually a simple buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant) on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Where no dinner is included, most places serve hearty pilgrim menus – you can get a three course dinner including wine for about €14-18 per person.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is graded moderate, including cycling distances of up to 56km per day on a mixture of asphalt and dirt roads, with a maximum daily elevation gain of 975m. To enjoy cycling, it is recommended that you have some previous experience and are in very good physical shape (read more about difficulty grades). You can also rent an e-bike, which makes the trip accessible practically to everybody. The routes are well waymarked, and the itinerary is very easy to follow. We will also provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from mid-March till mid-October, which are also the best months to visit.
The weather in northern Spain is very varied. Generally, pleasant temperatures between 19C and up to about 26C in the summer months are expected. However, as you will be cycling near the coast for much of this tour, prepare for some rainy days, particularly in spring and autumn.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. For more information, see our blog the Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Asturias Airport (OVD). The recommended departure airport is Roaslía de Castro-Santiago Airport (SCQ).
By train or bus
Arrive in Oviedo
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above
- From Asturias Airport, there are regular buses to Oviedo. For more information and tickets, visit Alsa or use the Omio planner above
- There are also regular bus services from many destinations in Spain. For more information and tickets, visit Alsa or use the Omio planner above
Departure from Santiago de Compostela
- There is a shuttle bus to the airport of Santiago from the centre of Santiago with different stops in the city
- From Santiago, there are regular train services to many destinations in Spain. For more information and tickets, visit Renfe or use the Omio planner above
- Alternatively, there are also regular bus services to many destinations in Spain. For more information and tickets, visit Alsa or use the Omio planner above
- You can also book private transfers with us
Inclusions
Included
- 9 overnights in rooms with private bathrooms
- 9 breakfasts
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you before departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all cycling days (one piece up to 15kg per person)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- All lunches and dinners
- Bicycle hire
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights bookable upon request
- Transfers to Santiago Airport
- Bike/ e-bike rental
Bike rental
We offer the following types of bicycle for rental: carbon road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes and e-bikes. All bikes come with a repair kit, pump, lock and helmet. Depending on the type of bicycle you can add (for free, but on request): map holder, one front pannier or one rear pannier.
Sample bikes models: Cube Aim Race Allroad, MMR Kuma, MMR Kore.
Sample e-bike model: Kalkhoff Endeavour MOVE B9 Trapez
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
Compostela/Pilgrim’s Passport
You can get a pilgrim passport in Oviedo (available at many places). You need to get your passports stamped in churches, restaurants or hotels along the way. At the end of the camino, in Santiago de Compostela, you can obtain your Compostela Certificate (only if you have cycled the last 200km finishing in Santiago). A minimum of two stamps per day is required to obtain the certificate. For avid stamp hunters, visit Los sellos del Camino.
Important: Due to the large influx of pilgrims during summer, and to avoid long waiting times, the Pilgrim Office in Santiago has installed a numbered ticket system for issuing pilgrim certificates. This new system allows pilgrims to collect their tickets and, using a QR Code, to check the status of the queue and estimated waiting time to obtain the Compostela. However, the number of tickets per day is limited so on days with high numbers of pilgrims arriving, there is a possibility that not all pilgrims will be able to collect their certificate on the day of arrival and will have to return for it on the following morning.
