Camino del Norte, Ribadeo to Santiago

soak in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy the unhurried pace of life of Ribadeo. The picturesque harbor, with colorful fishing boats, and the salty sea breeze make it a dreamy place - A perfect place to get ready for the Camino de Santiago.

Your camino begins: move away from the coast towards the interior, direction to Compostela. The scenery transforms from a coastal path into a mountainous route, entering a sparsely populated rural territory. An exhilarating first climbs awaits, a great way to test your legs right from the first day of the trip, before arriving to Gondán.

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +600/-450 m

A quiet day full of highlights, with just a couple of steep climbs along the way: you will cross the town of Vilanova de Lourenzá, where the church of the old monastery stands out, and then to Mondoñedo, a town of historical significance, capital of the region of A Mariña Central. Mondoñedo’s cathedral and the old quarter, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, are the cultural highlights of the day. 

Distance: 16 Km

Elevation Gain: +450/-510 m

An interesting route in which you leave the region of A Mariña and ascend to Terra Chá, the inland plateau of Lugo, passing from 140 to 560 metres above sea level. The route passes through rolling hills and rural landscapes through the valley of Valiñadares and Lousada, giving you a sense of the region's rural beauty, as you make your way to Abadín. 

Distance: 17 Km

Elevation Gain: +630/-250 m

Today a very pleasant day waits -  with a serene, beautiful scenery and few climbs. You will walk along comfortable dirt or tarmac tracks between green meadows and groves of native trees at the region of A Terra Chá, As your pilgrimage progresses, you'll arrive in the beautiful Medieval town of Vilalba.

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +250/-270 m

A varied and peaceful day with different sceneries and with hardly any climbs  in a pleasant rural environment. Your path takes you to Baamonde, a small village surrounded by lush nature - the whole day perfect to spend time immersed in nature. 

Distance: 19 Km

Elevation Gain: +210/-270 m

Today, you will have the option to choose between two different routes depending on the distance you want to cover - based on your training and energy for the day.

Whichever destination you choose for today, a transfer will be arranged to take you to your hotel located in Friol.

Distance: 19,2 /20,2 Km

Elevation Gain:+400/+600; -200/-400 m

A challenging, beautiful day awaits: you can decide to being transfered to two different locations, based on how much you want to walk, and start the beautiful hike of the day: at some point during the day, you'll be at the highest point of the entire Northern Way.

Distance: 23,8 /15,6 Km

Elevation Gain:+400 or +600/-200 or -400 m

You are getting closer to Santiago - meaning that the landscape slowly changes, getting more and more urban compared to the previous day of the trip, in which you were travelling in the countryside dotted with small villages. In Arzùa, the itinerary converges with the French Way.  

Distance: 18 Km

Ascent/Descent: +200/-230 m

At first glance, this stage seems to provide little interest - and Yet today ends up being one of the most exciting of the whole week as you feel the collective energy grow, joining hordes of fellow pilgrims all excited to be nearly there! It’s a relatively short day, leaving time to relax at your hotel and meld with the peaceful surroundings. 

Distance: 18 Km

Elevation Gain: +200/-230 m

Burst back into modern life as you rush in an urban environment towards the much coveted arrival point of the route: Plaza Obradoiro. The urban hustle and bustle will not deter you and it’s still easy to imagine ancient pilgrims weeping with joy as they glimpsed the Cathedral. Historically, pilgrims pause at Monte do Gozo to set their sights then make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to cleanse their face and feet before meeting their beloved saint. 

Distance: 21 Km

Elevation Gain: +350/-370 m

Your arrangement comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Option of booking an extra night in Santiago de Compostela. 

Accommodation on Our Trips

Our adventures feature a variety of accommodations, depending on the location and the type of trip you choose. We carefully select each property, ensuring it is well situated along the route and locally run, so that you receive a warm welcome and enjoy a comfortable, authentic experience.

Your comfort is a priority throughout your travels. Most of our trips include stays in friendly, independent, or family-run hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs. Each accommodation is chosen for its charm, cleanliness, and those personal touches that make you feel at home. Some trips offer more elevated stays that feel like a special treat, while others may include simpler options, such as mountain refuges, particularly in remote areas.

Classic Hotels – Comfort with Character

Most of our trips combine a variety of accommodation styles to suit the route and location. You will typically stay in charming, locally owned B&Bs, guest houses, inns, and small hotels that offer a warm welcome and comfortable surroundings. These properties often feature extra touches such as distinctive regional character, leisure facilities, or renowned local cuisine.

All accommodations feature private ensuite bathrooms unless otherwise specifically noted for mountain huts, refuges, and pilgrim hostels.

On some mountain adventures and selected pilgrimage routes, the experience may also include more basic accommodation, such as mountain huts, refuges, or pilgrim hostels, where ensuite rooms are not always available and shared bathrooms or dormitory-style accommodation may be part of the experience.

While simpler in style, these accommodations are often rich in atmosphere and camaraderie, providing an authentic connection with fellow travellers and the places you visit.

A beautiful alternative to the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, with which the path connects towards the end of the route. It is highly suggested that you choose this trip with previous experience of walking a camino, for the long daily distances and the steep ascents.