Cammino del Nord

From Irún to Santiago de Compostela. 35 sections. 820 kilometres.

This ancestral route started attracting pilgrims coming to Santiago de Compostela from the ancient Kingdom of Asturias in the 9th century. Many of them arrived by sea from France, Britain, Flanders and the Scandinavian countries. When the Spanish Reconquista succeeded, the French Way became more relevant and other routes like this one were slowly forgotten.

In recent decades, the Camino del Norte or Northern Way started attracting pilgrims and is nowadays one of the preferred routes due to the beauty of the landscape and the overwhelming presence of the Bay of Biscay. This route is also called the Camino de la Costa or Coastal Way and departs from Irún, goes through the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias to enter Galicia through the beautiful town of Ribadeo.

Some sections take you literally along the coast with amazing views over beaches and cliffs. Other sections go inland, with an array of mountains, valleys and forests. The route is always close to villages, towns and cities where you can find any necessary services.

In Arzúa, you will have covered over 780 kilometres from Irún and joined those coming from the French Way to reach Santiago de Compostela. This is the second longest route to the Galician capital after the Vía de la Plata or Southern Route, a very intensive and attractive choice. Pilgrims have several options in many of the sections so that they can choose which places to visit.


How to get to the starting point?

How to get to Irún:

How to get to Irún by train: There are long-distance trains to Irún from Madrid and Barcelona with a stopover in Saragossa and connections to other Spanish cities such as Pamplona, Segovia, Burgos, Valladolid or Lleida, for example. You can check the timetables at Renfe (+34 934 61 67 08). Besides, there are non-stop trains from Donostia-San Sebastián at Euskotren (+34 943 450 131). To check the trains from France to Irún, go to SNCF (+33 0892 353 535).

How to get to Irún by bus: Alsa connects Irún with Madrid, and also other cities in Spain such as Oviedo, Santander, Burgos or Vitoria. Those who want to come from Valencia, Murcia or Teruel have bus lines with Bilmanbus. From Barcelona, you can come with Vibasa -Monbús.

How to get to Irún by car: There are some 470 kilometres from Madrid to Irún, it takes at least 4 and a half hours to get there using the toll-free motorway A-1 (autovía) and then the toll highway AP1 (autopista), which you can avoid using toll-free alternatives such as other autovías or regular roads, but they increase the distance and duration of the drive.

How to get to Irún by plane: The nearest airport to Irún is that of San Sebastian (+34 943 668 500). It does not offer many destinations but it has daily flights to Madrid and Barcelona, as well as an interesting list of city buses that take passengers to Irún for an affordable price.
Confraternity Sites

Mundo Nuevo. Departamento "Camino de Santiago” (M.N.C.S.)
Delegación Comarca Txingudi - C/ Fueros, 2 - 1ºD - Apto. de Correos, 555
Irún - San Sebastián 555

Asociación de los Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Vizcaya
Grupo Sto. Domingo de Guzmán, 14 - Lonja frente a Calzadas de Mallona
Bilbao, 48006

Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Astillero y Cantabria
C/ Fernandez Escarzada, s/n
Guarnizo (Astillero), 39611

Asociación Cultural Amigos de Ribadesella "Camino de Santiago"
Plaza de Abastos, s/n - Apto. de Correos, 51
Ribadesella/ Ribeseya, 33560

Asociación Astur - Galaico de Amigos del Camino de Santiago
Barrio A Ponte, 2
Abres (Vegadeo/ A Veiga), 33007

Asociación Astur-Galaica de Santiago Apóstol
c/ Severo Ochoa, 3 - 1ºD
Avilés, 33404

Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Siero, Noreña y Sariego
Párroco José García Galán, 1
La Pola de Siero, 33510

Asociación Abrindo Camiño de Amigos do Camiño Norte de Santiago
C/ Ferrería, 11
Mondoñedo, 27747