Northern Way by bike
The route along the Cantabrian coast, from Irún to Santiago: spectacular, wild and demanding. Cliffs, beaches and a leg-breaking profile for those after a Camino with more challenge and fewer people.
Route: Irún (frontera con Francia) → Santiago de Compostela
About this route
The Northern Way runs along the entire Cantabrian coast from Irún to Santiago, passing through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. It is one of the most beautiful Caminos —cliffs, beaches, estuaries and fishing villages— but also one of the most demanding by bike: although it has no major mountain passes, it strings together a constant up and down that makes it a clearly leg-breaking route. In return, it is far less crowded than the French Way.
A demanding Camino
The difficulty of the Northern Way lies not in one big specific climb, but in the sum of them: days with 800 to 1,200 metres of positive elevation gain and continuous short slopes. You need to arrive physically well prepared.
In addition, the official route hugging the coast includes many paths with steps, mud or narrow passes that are not cyclable with a loaded bike. The cycle-touring version alternates those sections with secondary roads; when you see a yellow arrow pointing towards a difficult track, assess it before following it.
Which bike to use
An MTB or a sturdy gravel bike are the most advisable. It is best to avoid the original walking route on the technical sections if you are carrying panniers, and to use the secondary-road alternatives, which are plentiful and usually have little traffic.
How many days
It is usually completed in about 12 to 16 days from Irún, with a daily average of 45 to 55 km given the elevation. Thanks to the good infrastructure you can adjust the stages to your level. In its final stretch, the Northern Way joins the French Way in Arzúa.
Weather and best time
It is an Atlantic Camino: frequent rain and high humidity. It can be done from April to October; summer is a good time because, even with hot days, the nights are cool and an early start makes for very pleasant riding. Always carry light rain gear.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Northern Way?
Around 815 km from Irún to Santiago. Depending on the source and the variants, the figure is usually between 800 and 822 km.
How many days does it take by bike?
Usually between 12 and 16 days from Irún, with an average of 45–55 km per day because of the accumulated elevation.
Is it hard by bike?
Yes, its difficulty is moderate to hard. It has no major passes, but its leg-breaking profile and the accumulated elevation make it harder than the French Way. It requires good fitness.
Can the whole thing be done by bike?
Yes, but alternating the route with secondary roads: many coastal paths have steps, mud or narrow passes that are not cyclable with a loaded bike.
Which bike is best?
An MTB or a sturdy gravel bike. They let you tackle both the tracks and the road alternatives.
What is the best time to go?
From April to October. Summer works well because of the cool nights, but you have to reckon with the rain and humidity typical of the Atlantic climate.
Where does it start and where does it pass?
It starts in Irún, on the border with France, and runs along the coast of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, joining the French Way in Arzúa.