This historic route was followed by pilgrims from across northern Spain and beyond — including travellers from England, Flanders, Germany, and Scandinavia who arrived by land or sea. After the Primitive Way, the Camino del Norte gained importance during the late Middle Ages as it traced the rugged Asturian coast and entered Galicia via the Ribadeo estuary.
Its prominence grew at a time when maritime pilgrimages were thriving and the Jubilee of the Holy Cross began to be celebrated in Oviedo. Many pilgrims were drawn to the relics of the Sanctuary of San Salvador de Oviedo as well as the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. The route remained vital until the 18th century.
This Camino has attracted notable pilgrims throughout the centuries. According to tradition, Saint Francis of Assisi journeyed to Oviedo and Santiago in 1214. In the late 15th century, the Armenian bishop Martyr of Azerbaijan completed both the outward and return pilgrimage. Jacob Sobieski, father of Polish King John III, followed in the 16th century, and in the 18th, the Frenchman Jean Pierre Racq left a written record of his travels.
After Castropol, the last town in Asturias, the Camino enters Galicia via the scenic Ribadeo estuary. Some pilgrims historically avoided crossing the river Eo by skirting around it to reach the bridge at Santiago de Abres. Today, the modern Ponte dos Santos unites the regions and marks Ribadeo, in the province of Lugo, as the starting point in Galicia. From there, it is 189 km to the cathedral in Santiago.
The Camino del Norte is marked with ceramic scallop plaques and yellow arrows — a welcome guide for walkers. In 2015, the route was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Along the way, pilgrims are treated to the beauty of landscapes designated as Biosphere Reserves, including the Eo River estuary and the Terras do Miño.
A route of wild coastlines, deep heritage, and quiet devotion, the Camino del Norte offers a less crowded but richly rewarding path to Santiago.
In the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela drew people from across Europe — even from what was then considered “distant Europe.” Pilgrims came from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland) and above all from the British Isles and Flanders. The English, Scots, Irish, and Flemish all contributed to what we now call the English Way.
These pilgrims arrived by sea, disembarking at Galician ports such as Ferrol, A Coruña, Viveiro, or Ribadeo. The strategic location of A Coruña and Ferrol in particular helped to establish and sustain this route. Once ashore, they continued their journey on foot toward Santiago.
Today, the English Way has two recognised starting points in Galicia. The route from A Coruña is shorter — 73 km — while the one from Ferrol measures 112.5 km. Both are rich in heritage and natural beauty, converging in the village of Bruma to share the final 40 km into Santiago.
Historical records show that pilgrims were walking this route as early as the 12th century. In 1147, a crusading fleet of English, Germans, and Flemish pilgrims visited the tomb of Saint James en route to the Holy Land. Part of this expedition also helped the first King of Portugal in the conquest of Lisbon.
Evidence of the English Way’s deep historical roots comes from a range of sources: a written account by the Icelandic monk Nicholas Bergsson; coins and pottery from England found in cathedral excavations; and documented offerings made by pilgrims to the Apostle.
During the Hundred Years’ War, when land routes were unsafe, many British pilgrims resumed sea travel to reach Santiago. The legacy of these travellers is still felt today in the towns along the route. Ferrol and A Coruña remain the gateway cities, while Pontedeume and Betanzos are key stops for anyone seeking to understand the cultural tapestry of the English Way.
Follow in the footsteps of the Dominican monk through O Salnés (Pontevedra), along a route shaped by curiosity, culture, and coastlines. Fr Martín Sarmiento, an Enlightenment-era scholar and passionate defender of Galician identity, created this coastal variant of the Portuguese Camino. Returning from Madrid in 1745, he made a heartfelt pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and meticulously recorded his 190-kilometre journey in his work Viaje a Galicia (Journey to Galicia).
The route named in his honour hugs the Atlantic between the estuaries of Pontevedra and Arousa. It begins at the historic bridge of O Burgo and threads its way through sunlit fishing villages, vineyards, and seaside towns: Poio, Sanxenxo, O Grove, Meaño, Cambados, A Illa de Arousa, Vilanova de Arousa, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Catoira, Valga, and Pontecesures. From there, it merges with the Portuguese Way and continues towards the towers of Santiago Cathedral.
What makes this Camino special is not only the scenery — the estuaries, the granite shores, the scent of salt and pine — but the spirit of discovery Sarmiento carried with him. Walkers today retrace the steps of a man who saw pilgrimage as a path to knowledge as much as devotion.
Fr Sarmiento’s Camino is a walk of quiet beauty and cultural depth — a road less travelled that rewards those who choose it with stories, sea breezes, and something close to wonder.
The Compostela is the official document that certifies the completion of your pilgrimage. It is not necessary to walk the entire Camino in one go — the key requirement is to follow the route continuously in geographical terms. For example, you may complete the Camino over multiple weekends, but each stage must begin where the previous one ended. Skipping a section will invalidate the certification.
Pilgrims who choose to continue their journey to Fisterra or Muxía can continue stamping their credential (if space allows) or request a new one. These final certificates can be obtained at the Pilgrim Information Office or at the town halls in Fisterra and Muxía, which issue their own official documents recognising the extended pilgrimage.
Accommodation: You will stay in carefully selected hotels, hostels, rural houses, or guesthouses, all offering private bathrooms. If the lodging is located outside the town centre, a complimentary private transfer is included.
Meals: A reinforced breakfast is provided daily. Dinner reservations can be arranged upon request.
Backpack Transport: Your backpack will be transferred between accommodations so you can walk comfortably without carrying it.
Maps of the Caminos: Detailed route maps for your chosen Camino will be provided upon arrival at your first accommodation.
24h Emergency Phone: A 24-hour emergency contact number is available should you need assistance at any point along the way.
Pilgrim’s Scallop: You’ll receive the traditional pilgrim’s scallop — a symbol of the Camino — to carry with you on your journey.
Pilgrim’s Credential: Your pilgrim passport, ready for stamping along the route, will be waiting at your first accommodation.
Assistance Insurance: All trips include basic assistance insurance (see page 54 of the catalogue for coverage details).
Visit to Santiago: Includes a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela led by a local expert.
Transfers: Optional private transfers are available to and from your starting or ending points.
Support Car: A support vehicle can be hired to accompany you along the Camino. Ideal for additional safety and flexibility.
The retail price is per person, per package, with VAT included.
A non-refundable administration fee of €20 per person applies to any cancellation or modification of a reservation.
To confirm a booking, a deposit of €100 per booking is required. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
In certain regions, a tourist tax is levied on overnight stays in tourist accommodation. This local tax is not included in the package price and must be paid by the client upon arrival at the hotel.
01 | BASIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Before undertaking the Camino de Santiago, it’s important to prepare in advance with exercises that strengthen and stretch your muscles — particularly in the legs, back and neck.
02 | RECOMMENDED ROUTINES & EXERCISES
Begin with short walks on flat ground, gradually walking longer distances and introducing varied terrain to help your body adjust to the demands of the Camino.
03 | WALKING: LEVEL OF EFFORT
Begin each walk gently and with a steady rhythm. Increase intensity only after your body has warmed up. When you’ve found your ideal pace, maintain a steady, consistent rhythm.
04 | PREPARING KNEES, TENDONS & FEET
To minimise the risk of Achilles tendon injuries in preparation for the Camino, include exercises that stretch it — gradually increasing the intensity over time.
05 | CYCLING THE CAMINO
If you’re not used to cycling, you should train in advance — ideally for around two months, depending on the planned distance for each stage.
06 | BACKPACK WEIGHT
Ideally, your backpack should weigh no more than 10 kg. When choosing a backpack, look for one with padded or anti-chafing straps for added comfort.
07 | THINGS YOU CAN’T LEAVE AT HOME
Essential items include a sleeping bag, a water bottle, high-SPF sunscreen, a small first aid kit, a mobile phone with charger, comfortable shoes for relaxing, and your ID or passport.
Don’t overpack clothing — focus on lightweight, insulating layers that protect against changing temperatures.
08 | FOOTWEAR & THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCKS
Footwear should be comfortable and well broken in — new, stiff shoes can cause blisters or discomfort.
Trekking or mountain boots with ankle support are recommended, but depending on the weather, other walking-specific footwear may also be suitable.
09 | RECOVERING BETWEEN STAGES
Be sure to hydrate and eat small, energy-boosting snacks during your breaks to help replenish your strength.
10 | MENTAL STRENGTH
Taking time to appreciate the scenery, monuments and cultural surroundings can clear your mind and help you reset before continuing the next leg of your journey.
PLAN THE TRIP
It is useful to get information about the route to be followed and draw up a prior calendar, to know in advance the towns to be visited, their traditions, the regions and the landscape; it is rewarding and will make the trip more beneficial. It is highly recommendable to contact an Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago, in Spain there are more than 50 distributed in almost all the provinces, whose members selflessly provide information and advice. In order to do the Camino de Santiago you do not need to be an athlete, but it is recommendable to have a certain amount of preparation. That is why we advise you to train before the Camino so you get used to walking, at a slow pace, but for many hours because in practice you will be walking all day long.
Take the essentials in addition to the clothes you wear. This could be your summer luggage:
– A one-litre water bottle or a camelback of the same capacity.
– A pair of trekking poles, if you are used to carrying them, or the classic walking stick.
– Two or three changes of clothes.
– Two pairs of short hiking socks made of polyester.
– A pair of polyester T-shirts, one short-sleeved and one long-sleeved (never cotton, as they are not breathable and take a long time to dry).
– Hiking shorts.
– A sweatshirt and a light waterproof jacket.
– A poncho with a backpack cover that is breathable. The disadvantage is that they usually weigh about 400 grams.
– A visor or hat.
– A microfibre towel. These are made of polyester and polyamide and dry quickly. They can be found in sports shops.
– Flip-flops.
– A small first aid kit with aspirin or ibuprofen, high SPF sun cream, plasters, iodine and sterile needles for pricking blisters. Anti-chafing creams for the feet and body are highly recommended. If you do the Camino in company, the most sensible thing to do is to take a joint first-aid kit and share the weight.
– Sunglasses.
– A head torch.
– Identity card, health card, credit card.
– A pocket knife.
– A mobile phone, a camera and its chargers.
For the colder months:
– Winter socks, T-shirts and trousers.
– Hat, a hat and gloves.
– Replace the light jacket with a waterproof windbreaker. This is the most expensive part of the kit but it is worth investing the money in quality clothing.
– Fleece tights or leggings to wear under your trousers.
– In winter you should adopt the layering system: a highly breathable thermal vest as a first layer, a long-sleeved technical T-shirt as a second layer, and a windbreaker as a last layer. Backpack on your back, poles in hand and off you go.
The pilgrim’s foot walks on all possible surfaces: asphalt, concrete, gravel, earthy, clay or limestone soils, etc. This gives rise to serious doubts about the choice of footwear that is best suited to each and every surface. You need footwear that is neither too light nor too heavy, flexible and that provides good stability. These characteristics are found in trekking shoes and trail running shoes used by mountain runners. Both are lighter than hiking boots and provide greater flexibility and cushioning. The sole is tougher and better able to withstand impact and the weight of the backpack than a conventional running shoe. The waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabric will prevent the foot from getting wet and wick sweat away. Hiking boots protect your ankles and possible impacts from stones better, but they are heavier, overheat the foot more and are very uncomfortable on asphalt. Experience suggests trying trekking or trail running shoes first.
It is worth spending money on a good backpack. It is the pilgrim’s shell. It should hold between 40 and 50 litres. Once full it should not exceed 10% of the weight of the walker carrying it. Any weight that exceeds this figure will take its toll in the form of overloading or muscle contractions. It should have strong stitching, padded shoulder straps, lumbar reinforcement and adjustable waist and chest straps. It must have a system that allows it to be adjusted according to the height of each user. It is essential to adjust the straps so that the weight rests on the back and does not pull on the shoulders. A waterproof cover is essential to cover it on rainy days. Many come with a waterproof cover, but some of them don’t do their job well and get soaked quickly, so it is sometimes a good idea to buy a separate, more resistant one.
Plan the stages according to your physical abilities, dosing the effort and taking breaks. Remember the importance of stopping every hour, hour and a half to rest and air your feet, it will do you good. Simply take off your trainers and socks and apply Vaseline to the areas of possible chafing to ensure you don’t get blisters.
To avoid sunburn or dehydration due to excessive sweating, it is advisable to avoid walking or cycling during the hours of maximum sunlight intensity, and to use sunscreen and moisturising creams, as well as sunglasses with protection against ultraviolet radiation. Wear helmets and waistcoats for pilgrims travelling by bicycle. Drink bottled water or drinking water from a public water supply; do not drink water from streams, rivers, springs or sources of unknown purity.
Travel is a core part of who I am. I’m here to help make your travel dreams a reality. The world is full of amazing destinations—let’s find the perfect one for you!
© 2025 | All Rights Reserved | Alan Egan (AlanSpeak.com) | Developed with the assistance of Eledesigns.com products