The North Cycle Route

Cycled along the Cantabrian Sea in the North Way. A spectacular cycling route of 14 stages that combines cliffs, beaches and green mountains of northern Spain.

Organize your The North Cycle Route

Origin

Irún

Distance

814.7 km

Days

14

Difficulty

High

General Description of The North Cycle Route

The Camino del Norte by bike is a visually impressive experience that covers over 800 km along the coast. Over 14 stages, it passes through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, offering constant contrasts between sea and mountain. The "bicigrino" will enjoy coastal stretches with views of cliffs and wild beaches. The terrain is demanding and rugged, with frequent ups and downs, so a good physical preparation is recommended.

Connections of The North Cycle Route

North Coast Path
Distance: 855.4 km
Days: 38
Difficulty: High

The North Way is one of the longest and most beautiful Jacobean routes. It covers the entire Cantabrian coast of Spain from Irún (Basque Country) to Arzúa (Galicia), where it joins the French Way. With a distance of 855 km, it passes through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia.

It offers an incredible combination of coastal landscapes with impressive beaches and cliffs, and mountain trails with green valleys. It is an demanding but very rewarding route that passes by cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Santander. Its rich gastronomy and cultural heritage are among its greatest attractions.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Bayonne to Saint-Jean-de-Luz
28.30 km 7.00h Media
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Saint-Jean-de-Luz to San Sebastián
15.40 km 4.00h Baja
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Go to San Sebastian
24.70 km 6.00h Media
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Saint Sebastian to Zarautz
22.10 km 5.50h Media
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Zarautz to Deba
21.00 km 5.25h Media
(33) more
Lebanon Way
Distance: 72 km
Days: 3
Difficulty: Media

The Lebaniego Way leads to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, one of the five holy sites of Christendom with a Jubilee Year. This monastery safeguards the Holy Cross, the largest piece considered to be from the cross of Christ. The main route, approximately 72 km long, begins in San Vicente de la Barquera and traverses beautiful valleys and mountains, with the Picos de Europa as its backdrop.

Although it does not lead directly to Santiago, many pilgrims undertake it as a pilgrimage in itself or as a precursor, connecting afterwards with the French Way through the Vadiniense Route. It is a moderately difficult path with great spirituality.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: St. Vincent of the Harbour to Cades
23.70 km 5.93h Media
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Cades to Cabanes
30.53 km 8.50h Alta
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Cabanes near Santo Toribio de Liébana
13.70 km 4.00h Baja

Elevation Profile of The North Cycle Route

Visualize the ups and downs of the route.

Loading elevation profile...

Stages of The North Cycle Route

Etapa 1: Irún to Zarautz

20.00 km 6.67h Media 63m

Description:

Leaving behind the monumental Zamora, this stage enters into the Land of Bread. The route is a pleasant stroll through flat terrain, between fields of cereal. It's a day to enjoy the tranquility of th...

Origen: Irún

Destino: Zarautz

Etapa 2: Zarautz to Markina-Xemein

23.00 km 7.67h Alta 10m

Description:

This stage continues on the Land of Bread, along a flat and monotonous route. The arrival at Granja de Moreruela is a key moment, as it is here that the Madrid Road meets the Via Plata. It is a day to...

Origen: Zarautz

Destino: Markina-Xemein

Etapa 3: Markina-Xemein to Bilbao

27.00 km 9.00h Media 11m

Description:

This stage follows the course of the Esla River on a flat and pleasant route. It's a day to enjoy the riverine landscape and the tranquility of the road. The arrival in Benavente, a city with a rich h...

Origen: Markina-Xemein

Destino: Bilbao

Etapa 4: Bilbao to Castro Urdiales

25.00 km 8.33h Media 16m

Description:

Leaving behind the monumental Benavente, this stage enters into the valley of the River Tera. The route is an enjoyable stroll through flat terrain, between fields of cultivation. It's a day to enjoy ...

Origen: Bilbao

Destino: Castro Urdiales

Etapa 5: Castro Urdiales to Laredo

35.00 km 11.67h Media 120m

Description:

This long stage enters the Carballeda region. The route is a continuous rise and fall through a landscape of forests and hills. It's a day of great beauty and physical demand. Arrival in Mombuey, a vi...

Origen: Castro Urdiales

Destino: Laredo

Etapa 6: Laredo to Santander

30.00 km 10.00h Media 100m

Description:

This stage continues through the Carballeda region, on a route that combines sections of the ancient Roman road with trails between forests. It is a day of great beauty and solitude. The arrival at Pu...

Origen: Laredo

Destino: Santander

Featured Towns of The North Cycle Route

Explore the key towns and cities of this route.

Millenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution The North Cycle Route

Discover the origins and evolution of The North Cycle Route

The story of the North Way by bike is that of a modern conquest, adapting one of the oldest and most demanding Jacobean routes to the language of mountain biking and adventure. If the footpath is an intimate dialogue with the Cantabrian coast, the bicycle version is a loud conversation against the wind, a challenge of endurance that covers over 800 kilometers of a beautiful but unforgiving geography. Its history does not lie in ancient texts, but rather in the development of mountain biking in the 20th century and the search for new challenges by two-wheeled pilgrims.

The original North Way, one of the first and safest medieval routes, was always known for its difficulty. Its profile, a constant up and down to save rivers and valleys that plummet into the sea, made it a formidable challenge for walkers. This same characteristic kept it out of the Jacobean cycling route, which preferred the plains of the French Way. However, with improvements in mountain bikes and "touring" bicycles, and with an increasing number of cyclists seeking more authentic and scenic routes, the North Way became a coveted goal.

The adaptation of the itinerary for biking has been an organic process. The pedestrian path original, often narrow, technical and muddy, is not always suitable for two wheels. Therefore, the route for "bicigrinos" has consolidated variants that take advantage of local roads with little traffic, such as the N-634 which follows in parallel to the coast, and rural paths wider. The history of this adaptation is finding the perfect balance between cycleability, safety, and faithfulness to the historical route and the sea views.

Riding the North Way by bike is an experience of extraordinary visual intensity. The speed of the bicycle allows the pilgrim to cover in a single day the transition of landscapes, from green hills and cliffs in the Basque Country to Cantabrian beaches, coastal towns in Asturias and the entry into Galicia through the Lucense coast. It also allows for the freedom to make small detours to gaze at a spectacular viewpoint, descend into a hidden cove or visit a fishing port, greatly enriching the journey.

However, it is an error to underestimate its difficulty. It is one of the most challenging bike routes in Spain. The cyclist faces a cumulative brutal slope, with sections especially in Asturias known for their short but explosive slopes that test anyone's endurance. Requires excellent physical fitness, a robust bicycle and good logistical planning, as the distance between services can be greater than on the French Way.

The history of the North Way by bike is ultimately a story of overcoming. It is a modern tribute to the resistance of medieval pilgrims, translating their slow walking into a long-distance cycling effort of great endurance. This route has been chosen by those who not only want to reach Santiago but also immerse themselves in the full force and beauty of Green Spain, with the Cantabrian coast as an inseparable companion through fatigue and joy.

Ready for this adventure?

Request Information

Latest Blog Entries