Camino del Norte: Bilbao to Santander
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Camino holiday on Mooch, route by route.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
From Bilbao to Santander
This second section of the route links two major cities in the north of Spain, and takes you out of the Basque region into Cantabria. Bilbao combines Basque traditions with contemporary architecture. It sits right on the coast, surrounded by green hills, and there is plenty to see and do nearby.
The first day of walking is mostly through urban and industrial areas before you climb to Portugalete. The route then goes through a forest and brings you back to the coast at Castro Urdiales. From there, a cliff walk leads to the popular beach town of Laredo. A short, flat walk through marshland takes you to Escalante, your last stop before Santander. The final day follows the beaches, and at the end you can take a traditional boat across the bay to Santander's city centre.
Towns and beaches along the coast
Castro Urdiales grew from a small fishing village into the tourist hub it is today. The town centre has traditional medieval houses with wooden balconies, and you can walk by the harbour for the sea air. The Gothic Church of Santa María de la Asunción dates from the 13th century, and its flying buttresses and pinnacles give the outside a French Gothic look. Next to the church are Santa Ana Castle, a medieval castle that is also a lighthouse, and the town's medieval bridge.
Another of the main tourist towns on this stretch grew up around the Monastery of San Martin. It has a long beach, an old medieval quarter and newer suburbs with views of the sea.
Many people choose the Camino del Norte because it follows the coast, and the beaches are one of the best parts of this section. Surfers like Playa de la Arena. Playa de Ostende in Castro Urdiales is a good place to relax in the sun, and Playa de la Salve in Laredo is a long beach. At Playa do Somo you can take your shoes off and walk barefoot at the water's edge.
Walking conditions and what's included
Facilities along the way are adequate, but there are some noticeable gaps. Carry two or three snacks, or a light lunch, to cover the longer stretches, and drink plenty of water. Waymarking is present but not consistent across the whole section, so bring the notes and map you are given and use the operator's mobile app, which has a navigation feature.
The holiday includes bed and breakfast in hand-picked accommodation, a holiday or pilgrim pack, 24/7 on-call support and a virtual pre-departure briefing held face to face. Luggage transfers between hotels are an optional extra and are not included in the starting price.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Camino. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
