Hi,
We plan to cycle from Bilbao to Santiago visiting the following: Laredo, Santander, Santillana del Mar, Colombres, Ribadella, Villaviciosa, Gijon, El Pito, Luarca, Ribadeo, Mondonedo, Vilalba, Sobrado dos Monxes and Rua. Has anyone cycled the Northern Route and if so, can you advise on any tips with regard to the terrain and roads? We have cycled CTC tours at 2+ in Northern Ireland 'The Atlantic Way', Croatia, and also over Ronda, we are hoping this will be within our remit. We are planning to do this over 19 days with maybe a stay in two of the resorts for two nights to break up the cycling. Any responses would be appreciated.
Choccymolly
The Camino - The North Route
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granville2
- Posts: 19
- Joined: 25 Jun 2009, 7:37pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
I cycled from Somerset to Santiago and then to Santander for the ferry home this summer. I travelled out on the French route from Saint Jean Pied de Port but returned on the northern route, I had not set out to do the northern route but judging by number of the sign I saw I was following it pretty closely. There are walking guides in English that cover the northern and primativo routes that might be useful but I don't think there is anything for cyclists in English.
You have not said what accommodation you plan to use or how much kit you expect to carry. The footpath route of the northern route does seem to have a few cyclist on mountain bikes but it is comparatively more difficult than following the footpath route of the French route. My route to Santander was mainly on the old N-634 and N -632, N for national (equivalent to A road in England) but there is new motorway nearly the whole way and the N roads mostly only have local traffic and also have have a shoulder that you can ride on.
I was using a Thorn Nomad which is 17 Kg before loading and the luggage was another 25 kg, with this kit the height ascended often more important than distance. I found the northern route is much harder than the French route, the coastal sections are rarely higher than 150 metres but it is never flat. Santiago to Santander was 350 mile I had to reduce my daily distance because on some days there would be far too much ascent. I did manage to do it in eight days.
I was in Galicia and on the north coast in late June and early July, this year was lot of misty mornings with the sun often not showing until midday or even mid afternoon. Last year I was also on the north coast for about couple of weeks but the weather was a lot better.
I really like Santander and this year I thought Gijon rivalled it, both cities have very good beaches in town. East Gijon is beautiful , but the western side is heavily industrial and care is needed in select the route between Gijon and Aviles, I was warned off the AS-19 (regional roads have the province initials As = Asturias) by another cyclist, and used AS-238 and AS-118 which were not too bad but had about three 500 metre long tunnels (well lit and not much traffic).
I could not find a campsite between Cabo Vido and Luarca about 30 mile when I was planning, when I cycled it I realised why, the villages are small and that part of the coast is undeveloped, other accomodation may also be difficult on this section. In comparison to the French Camino there are few walkers or cyclists and not the same infrastructure of bars with pilgrims' menu or accommodation.
Hope that helps, I use a Garmin Oregon and have gpx files of the route I follow that you could have if you wanted.
You have not said what accommodation you plan to use or how much kit you expect to carry. The footpath route of the northern route does seem to have a few cyclist on mountain bikes but it is comparatively more difficult than following the footpath route of the French route. My route to Santander was mainly on the old N-634 and N -632, N for national (equivalent to A road in England) but there is new motorway nearly the whole way and the N roads mostly only have local traffic and also have have a shoulder that you can ride on.
I was using a Thorn Nomad which is 17 Kg before loading and the luggage was another 25 kg, with this kit the height ascended often more important than distance. I found the northern route is much harder than the French route, the coastal sections are rarely higher than 150 metres but it is never flat. Santiago to Santander was 350 mile I had to reduce my daily distance because on some days there would be far too much ascent. I did manage to do it in eight days.
I was in Galicia and on the north coast in late June and early July, this year was lot of misty mornings with the sun often not showing until midday or even mid afternoon. Last year I was also on the north coast for about couple of weeks but the weather was a lot better.
I really like Santander and this year I thought Gijon rivalled it, both cities have very good beaches in town. East Gijon is beautiful , but the western side is heavily industrial and care is needed in select the route between Gijon and Aviles, I was warned off the AS-19 (regional roads have the province initials As = Asturias) by another cyclist, and used AS-238 and AS-118 which were not too bad but had about three 500 metre long tunnels (well lit and not much traffic).
I could not find a campsite between Cabo Vido and Luarca about 30 mile when I was planning, when I cycled it I realised why, the villages are small and that part of the coast is undeveloped, other accomodation may also be difficult on this section. In comparison to the French Camino there are few walkers or cyclists and not the same infrastructure of bars with pilgrims' menu or accommodation.
Hope that helps, I use a Garmin Oregon and have gpx files of the route I follow that you could have if you wanted.
Re: The Camino - The North Route
I did the via de la plata best part of 10 years ago which was good. It was pretty empty when I did it. I bought the cicerone walking guide which was meticulous and had details of places to stay and eat. I see that they now do one for the northern caminos. If its as comprehensive as the one I had I'd recommend it. I stayed in a mixture of refugios and hotels. Many hotels along the route will do special pilgrim deals and a cheap meal. The refugios were quite diverse, one I stayed in was just a 3 bedroom house that I had all to myself, one was a converted village hall with basic bunks and another was quite an organised youth hostel type thing. Some are privately owned and some are run by a religious organisation or a town/village council. If you are planning on staying in refugios then take some earplugs as it can sometimes feel like the european snoring championships. The walkers tend to leave very early in the morning ie before dawn. The refugios also tend to close their doors at 10pm and so getting a meal in Spain can be tricky. I know that some of the camino frances runs along what are now main roads, so be prepared to deviate from the route if the northern route is the same. The route was very well waymarked.
I didn't book any accom in Santiago which was a mistake as it was difficult to find something when I arrived. I would book something there for when you finish and if funds allow eat in the parador as a treat. Its amazing.
Also remember that that part of Spain can be cold and wet at anytime of the year, so be prepared. I think 2016 is a holy year so it could be busy, certainly will be on the camino frances and during peak times.
I didn't book any accom in Santiago which was a mistake as it was difficult to find something when I arrived. I would book something there for when you finish and if funds allow eat in the parador as a treat. Its amazing.
Also remember that that part of Spain can be cold and wet at anytime of the year, so be prepared. I think 2016 is a holy year so it could be busy, certainly will be on the camino frances and during peak times.
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choccymolly
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Sep 2015, 7:49pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
Thank you both for the responses, I will take your points on board. I welcome any help and advice that is available.
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granville2
- Posts: 19
- Joined: 25 Jun 2009, 7:37pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
One thing I forgot yesterday was that there a few options for getting back from Santiago if you do not have time to cycle the return trip. The general consensus is that long distance train travel with a bike is difficult in Spain. I lost a few days due to sickness just before I got to Santiago and did some research whilst I was laid up, fortunately I recovery soon enough not to have to put any of the options to the test. As there are so many bike pouring into Santiago every day in the summer there are quite a few services developed to handle getting your bike back to where they came from. Several bike shops run packing and dispatch services, the Correos (Spanish Post office) have services for cyclists on the camino, see http://www.eurovelo.com/en/news-items/the-spanish-post-correos-helps-cyclists-along-the-camino. Also the Alsa coachs takes boxed or packed bikes on some of its services from Santiago.
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francovendee
- Posts: 3409
- Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am
Re: The Camino - The North Route
You may get more help if you post it in Touring and Expedition section.
Good luck with your trip.
Good luck with your trip.
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choccymolly
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Sep 2015, 7:49pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
Thank you both.
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tempsperdu
- Posts: 131
- Joined: 9 Jan 2014, 8:31pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
Camino de Santiago forum has a bike section with lots of information, routes, profiles, etc.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/
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choccymolly
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Sep 2015, 7:49pm
Re: The Camino - The North Route
Thanks tempsperdu, great webiste 
Re: The Camino - The North Route
These guys recently did approximately your intended route on a tandem: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=tS&doc_id=15914&v=230#430440. Might be some useful tips in there, and you may be able to contact them via their guestbook.