El Camino del Norte – The Northern Way, begins in San Sebastian and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. Stage 2: Bilbao to Santander This second stage of the Camino del Norte links Bilbao, the cultural capital of the Basque Region to Santander, the capital of Cantabria. A wonderfully scenic walk along the Basque […]
El Camino del Norte – The Northern Way, Stage 2: Bilbao to Santander
This second stage of the Camino del Norte links Bilbao, the cultural capital of the Basque Region to Santander, the capital of Cantabria. A wonderfully scenic walk along the Basque coastline to the fantastic cliffs of Cantabria.
Price:
£725 per person, sharing a double/twin room
£195 supplement for a single room
Included:
6 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms
6 breakfasts
2 dinners
Luggage transport
Route notes & maps
Not Included:
Flights
Holiday Insurance – please ensure that you have adequate insurance
Drinks and picnics
Ferry boats
Trains
Transport to/from the start/end of the walk
Departure Dates:
April to October, according to accommodation availability
Stage 2 : Bilbao – Santander – 7 days/ 6 nights/ 5 days walk
DAY 1 : Arrival Bilbao
Arrival in Bilbao (Bilbo in Basque), home to the Guggenheim Museum along the River Nervión. Visit the museum, explore the old town and taste a few ‘pintxos’ in the small cosy taverns before you get on your way.
DAY 2: Transfer to Zierbana, walk to Castro Urdiales – 24km
Morning transfer to Zierbana avoiding the urban sprawl of Bilbao; before the Camino continues along the beautiful rocky coastline. At La Arena you will cross the wonderful beach of fine red sand. There are some steep little climbs as you hug the coast on your way to Castro Urdiales. Castro Urdiales is a mixture of modern and medieval architecture and as you enter the town you will pass the bullring and the beach.
DAY 3: Walk to Liendo – 26 km
Today’s walk is along the breathtaking coastal cliffs of the Cantabrian Sea, passing a medieval castle/lighthouse along the way. You will also pass the Chapel of Santa Isabel and the Church of La Magdalena on the way to Liendo. Follow the route across the valley through meadows interspersed with jutting outcrops of limestone, where goats and sheep graze, then through eucalyptus forest to Liendo.
DAY 4: Walk to Sontaña – 15km
Walk as far as Laredo; a popular town reputed for its beautiful beaches, mediaeval quarter (Puebla Vieja), and lively seaside atmosphere; you can walk along the beautiful, sandy 4km Salve beach. At the end of the beach you arrive at the Puntal de Laredo, from where you take a boat to reach Santoña. The journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes approximately, costing €2.
DAY 5: Walk to Guemes 18km
After leaving Santoña there is an approximate 3 km walk to the headland that rises steeply between two beaches. There is a very steep and rough path which is narrow and close to the edge, but you are rewarded with excellent views over the sands below. Heading inland you traverse rolling hills and countryside, before arriving in Guemes for your overnight stay.
DAY 6: Walk to Santander – 15.5 km
A long stage today, from Bareyo you will find the magnificent Romanesque Church of Santa María. From Galizano to Somo, you can either take a straight road into town (saving 5km) or follow the coastline which is a longer option but very scenic. To reach the final destination of Santander, you can take a traditional boat called ‘Pedreñera’ across the bay (saving you approximately 3.5km), from the village of Somo.
Day 7 : End of the trip
Accommodation:
Bilbao : Hotel Bilbao Plaza (https://www.hotelbilbaoplaza.com/en/nov-1906-blog)
Castro Urdiales (https://www.pensionardigales11.com/)
Liendo : Posada la torre de la quintana (https://www.posadatorredelaquintana.com/)
Santona : Hotel juan de la cosa (https://hoteljuandelacosa.com/)
Güemes : the guardian angel (https://www.posadaelangeldelaguarda.com/)
Santander : hotel chiqui (https://www.hotelchiqui.com/fr/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google_My_Business)
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
1/ Best Option: Bilbao airport (10km)
Bilbao is an international airport, connected with many cities all over Europe, e.g. London (Stansted, easyJet), Manchester (easyJet), Dublin (Aer Lingus), Paris (Orly, Vueling), Frankfurt (Lufthansa) or Lisbon (easyJet). See www.skyscanner.com.
2/ Other option: Santander airport (100km)
Carrier Ryanair operates in Santander and serves flights, e.g., from/ to London (Stansted), Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt (Hahn), Paris (Beauvais), Milan (Ciampino) and Dusseldorf (Weeze). See www.skyscanner.com.
How to get back from Santander:
1/ Best option: Santander airport (10km)
Carrier Ryanair operates in Santander and serves flights, e.g., from/ to London (Stansted), Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt (Hahn), Paris (Beauvais), Milan (Ciampino) and Dusseldorf (Weeze). See www.skyscanner.com.
2/ Other option: Bilbao airport (110km)
TRANSFERS TO & FROM AIRPORTS
How to get to Bilbao:
1/ Best Option: Bilbao airport (10km)
Shuttle bus (line A3247) from Bilbao airport from/to Bilbao bus station (stop name: Termibus, every 30min). See www.bizkaia.net.
2/ Other option: Santander airport (100km)
For the transport from/ to the airport, the easiest way is to choose the direct bus line (starting point: Termibus) from/ to the airport (6 times/ day, approx. 1h30). See www.movelia.es.
How to get back from Santander:
1/ Best option: Santander airport (10km)
In Santander, there is a bus line (every 30min), linking the bus station with the airport. See: www.movelia.es
2/ Other option: Bilbao airport (110km)
Shuttle bus (line A3247) from Bilbao airport from/to Bilbao bus station (stop name: Termibus, every 30min). See www.bizkaia.net.
