Of the many routes used by pilgrims to the reputed burial-place of St James at Santiago de Compostela, the Camino del Norte is one of the less heavily-populated but arguably, at least in its western reaches, the most beautiful.
Stunning coastal and mountain scenery carry this route some 825km along Spains north coast, starting at Irun, near the French border and passing through the western Basque, Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes, skirting the foothills of one of Europes great mountain wildernesses, the heavily-protected Picos de Europa and on along the coast before it swings inland through the hills of Galicia.
This is definitely a route for the more hardy walker, being both prone to rain, fog and generally harsh weather conditions dictated by its situation on the Bay of Biscay, and involving some steep climbs. It rewards with breathtaking vistas and uncrowded architectural gems at pretty much every corner, while on many stretches one can go the best part of a day without being troubled by other people.
All of Andrea’s articles concerning his past walks along the Camino Santiago can be seen here
Ventottesimo giorno e ottava tappa del Primitivo da Fonsagrada a O Cádavo 25km, siamo ufficialmente in Galizia, il paesaggio è inconfondibile, molto umido e nebbia fino a tarda mattinata, siamo fra i 700 e i 900m di altitudine a volte sembra di essere in aereo, si cammina su colline dalle quali si vedono le valli affogate nella nebbia ed a tratti vi si cammina dentro.
A domani e Buen Camino.
#andreaguzzolettisantiago #caminoprimitivo