CAMINO DEL NORTE FROM RIBADEO ITINERARY
DAY 1: RIBADEO
Today you will make your way to Ribadeo town, in the North of Galicia, famously known for the Cathedrals Beach, located about 10 kms outside the town, which you will have a chance to visit tomorrow, before you start your journey.
Go for a stroll in the old town and down to the harbour to admire the local ‘Indiano’ architecture and the white balconies traditional in coastal towns across Galicia.
DAY 2: EXPLORING RIBADEO AND THE CATHEDRALS BEACH
We have scheduled a free day in Ribadeo so you can explore this lovely town and visit the famous Cathedrals Beach, 10kms outside the town.
You can either walk the coastal trail all the way to the beach or book a taxi to take you to this wonderful strand of arches carved by the sea over centuries.
DAY 3: WALKING FROM RIBADEO TO GONDAN – 22KMS
Today you set off on your Camino del Norte from Ribadeo in earnest, leaving the charm of the Old Town behind and taking small country roads and forest tracks to the small village of Gondan.
DAY 4: WALKING FROM GONDAN TO MONDONEDO – 15KMS
From Gondan it is only 15kms to enchanting Mondoñedo, one of the old capitals of the Kingdom of Galicia and where you will feel like you are stepping back in time.
Along the way today you will pass the village of Lourenza, where you should stop to visit the San Salvador Monastery.
In Mondoñedo, head to the Cathedral Square, the heart of the old town where you will find a statue of local writer Álvaro Cunqueiro admiring the Asunción Cathedral, a Romanesque building with Baroque and Gothic flourishes.
The Cathedral is home to the diocesan cathedral museum, one of the most important religious art museums in Spain. Wander its lovely cobbled streets, admire its architecture and try the local delicacy: Tarta de Mondoñedo.
Do not miss Barrio dos Muiños, the town’s artisan neighbourhood where you can see its system of canals and vernacular dwellings.
DAY 5: WALKING FROM MONDONEDO TO ABADIN – 17KMS
Today, we take the Rúa da Fonte and Rúa Rigueira to leave Mondoñedo. We will be walking on a quiet country road and climb up for approximately 8kms to the hamlet of Lousada.
From the Alto da Xesta you will enjoy fantastic views of the valley below before heading down towards Abadín, entering the region known as Terra Cha and where you will be stopping for the night.
DAY 6: WALKING FROM ABADIN TO VILALBA – 22KMS
From Abadin, you will walk 22kms across the Terra Cha, to the market town of Vilalba. This is a land of dairy and you will pass many meadows and pastures where cattle happily roam.
You will cross over a few medieval bridges and pass wayside crosses and tiny hamlets before you reach Vilalba. This market town is home to the 15th century Castelo dos Andrade, today a Parador hotel.
Sample some of the town’s famous cheeses such as San Simon, as well as other local produce.
DAY 7: WALKING FROM VILALBA TO BAAMONDE – 20KMS
From Vilalba, pilgrims on the Camino del Norte continue their journey enjoying the serene landscapes of rural Galicia, following rivers and through small villages.
Take time to visit the Romanesque church of St James in Baamonde.
You will be picked up and spend the night in Miraz. Don’t forget to get your pilgrim passport stamped along the way.
DAY 8: WALKING FROM BAAMONDE TO MIRAZ – 15KMS
Many pilgrims on the Camino del Norte tackle a very long stage from Baamonde to Sobrado dos Monxes, mainly due to the lack of services and accommodation along this stretch of the route.
We have organised two shorter and more manageable stages, spending a second night in Miraz.
The Camino trail continues along rural settings, passing tiny hamlets, farmland and more medieval bridges that have seen pilgrims pass on their way to Santiago for many centuries.
DAY 9: WALKING FROM MIRAZ TO SOBRADO DOS MONXES – 26KMS
From Miraz, the Camino de Santiago trail takes pilgrims through more little hamlets and farmland, as well as forest tracks dotted with horreos and wayside crosses.
Your destination for the day is Sobrado dos Monxes and the ancient monastery that gives the village its name.
It is a magnificent Renaissance and Baroque building but the origin of the monastery goes back to the 10th century. You will be picked up at the monastery for a third night in Miraz.
DAY 10: WALKING FROM SOBRADO DOS MONXES TO ARZUA – 22KMS
Today will be the last day enjoying the peace of the rural tracks of the Camino del Norte as the trail joins the Camino Frances in Arzua, the classic and busier Camino route.
Enjoy today’s walk again in the company of lush landscapes, with native oak trees and green pastures.
From Arzua, the dairy capital of the region, you will notice the number of pilgrims increases dramatically as the trail joins the Camino Frances, which you will be following for the next two days into Santiago.
DAY 11: WALKING FROM ARZUA TO PEDROUZO – 19KMS
From Arzua, the Camino de Santiago trail takes pilgrims again through more woodland and quiet little hamlets in rural Galicia but you will notice a big difference with your previous days, on the more quiet, off the beaten track Camino del Norte.
Stop at the Santa Irene Chapel with the figure of St James to stamp your pilgrim passport. The trail passes through the pretty hamlet of Rúa before reaching Pedrouzo, walking on a good mix of country roads and forest tracks.
DAY 12: WALKING FROM PEDROUZO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – 21KMS
Today is your last day walking the Camino de Santiago and the excitement is palpable among all pilgrims. Only 19kms to go. The terrain is quite easy, without major difficulties. From Monte do Gozo you will catch your first glimpse of Santiago Cathedral.
Walking down Rua de San Pedro and getting closer to the Old Town, the atmosphere is of vibrant jubilation. As you walk down the steps into Praza de Obradoiro this is the culmination of your Camino journey: you have arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Pilgrims congratulate and hug each other; there are smiles and tears of joy. This is a wonderful and emotional moment for pilgrims, a day to remember, enjoy it!
DAY 13: EXPLORING SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After your completing your walk on the Camino del Norte from Ribadeo, it is time to discover the wonderful city of Santiago de Compostela. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town can be easily explored on foot, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere.
After a visit to the Cathedral and its treasures, head to the Abastos Market where you will find all the Galician delicacies on display from seafood and fish to cheeses, meats, vegetables and sweet treats.
The market is the city’s second most visited attraction and there are lovely cafes and bars nearby, where you can enjoy a cafe con churros, a glass of wine or sit down for lunch.
Don’t forget to request your Compostela certificate at the Pilgrims Office.
Read our blog post: Things to do and see in Santiago de Compostela
DAY 14: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AIRPORT
The Camino del Norte from Ribadeo self guided tour can be tailored to suit your needs and preferences, talk to our travel experts for advice and to start planning your trip.
