Camino Norte - Bilbao to Santiago

Bilbao is a wonderful city filled with art, history and flavour of Northern Spain. Spend time walking the old city exploring the cobbled streets filled with fashion, food and charming shops. For art lovers a visit to the Guggenheim Museum is not to be missed.

This morning you take the Metro from Bilbao to Portugalete (travel time approx 35-50 minutes, 20km) to leave the city. The walk from Portugalete will take you towards the Cantabrian coast and out of the Basque region. From La Arena there are two options to Onton and Castro Urdiales. Following the coast line is a stunning walk. Part of the route also follows the track-bed of the former railroad that carried iron ore to waiting ships. Castro Urdiales is a long-inhabited town, with human remains dating back to 12000 BCE. Be sure to visit the Gothic church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion with its strange iconography on the main entrance's frieze, which dates from Templar times. Distance: 27km/16.7mi, highest point approx 180m Option: It's possible to walk Bilbao to Portugalete - this must be requested at time of booking as an extra night is required in Portugalete. Distance approx 19km/12mi, highest point approx 200m, undulating terrain.

From seaside Castro Urdiales the trail takes you on winding paths between cliffs and sandy beaches. You'll pass through small fishing villages including Islares, were you can see the ruins of the 16th century Hospital de la Vera Cruz. Head inland to La Magdelena and follow a beautiful dirt path to Liendo, a quiet rural village surrounded by nature in the heart of the Valle de Liendo. Distance: 24km/14.9mi, highest point approx 230m

This morning you will head to Laredo, which was an important Roman site known as Portus Luliobrigensium. Today it is Cantabria’s largest resort town - its beach is around 5km long at low tide. Continue walking to the end of Laredo's peninsula, at El Puntal, following the signs to the Santona ferry (payable locally, approx EUR3 per person. If you prefer to walk, its an extra 10km/6mi via the Colindres bridge). Continue north to the coast and the Playa de Berria, before ascending to the Punta del Brusco for impressive coastal views. Continue to the modern coastal resort town of Noja. Distance: 23km/14.5mi, highest point approx 200m

This stage takes you from the Cantabrian Sea to the Güemes Valley. There are two walking options - one via Isla and Ajo nearer the coast, the other via San Miguel de Meruelo and Güemes, leading gradually towards the Cantabrian Sea once again. Overnight in the town of Galizano. Distance: 19km/11.8mi, highest point approx 120m

From Galizano you head to the coast, where the route is along beautiful cliffs and beaches. At Somo you take the ferry to Santander. (It runs every half hour on weekdays and hourly on weekends - payable locally, approx EUR4 per person). Santander is the capital of Cantabria and a major city on the Camino del Norte. Whilst the harbour area is modern, as a result of a disaster explosion in 1893 and a fire in 1941 which destroyed much of the historical heart, the town has a lovely vibe and the beaches are a great place to relax after the camino walk. Distance: 15km/9.4mi, highest point approx 50m

Today starts with a taxi transfer to Mogro-Ermita Virgen del Monte to shorten this otherwise long stage. From here you walk to Santillana, passing through Miengo, Cudón, Requejada, Viveda and Camplengo. Santillana is one of the most picturesque towns along the Camino Norte. Take some time this afternoon to explore the well-preserved medieval towers, Renaissance palaces and the Romanesque Santa Juliana Collegiate Church. Distance: 21km/13mi, highest point approx 120m