Camino de Santiago – Spain Hiking

Camino de Santiago – Spain Hiking

The Path Less Traveled

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  • Activity Level: 3
  • Days: 9
  • Group Size: 4-14
  • Member price: from $4,199
  • Non-member price: from $4,599

The Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo bring spectacular ocean views and scenic inland trails, but the journey holds so much more than scenery. For thousands of years, pilgrims have made their way to the tomb of the apostle St. James. It is a chance to journey within while journeying forward, a retreat for spiritual growth. We trek in their footsteps, traversing breathtaking coastal cliffs in search of this holy city and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hike along the northern coast of Spain into Asturias, where traditional lifestyles and fierce Celtic legacy prevail. Entering the Galicia region, travel over rolling hills into Lugo to see third-century Roman walls that surround the city’s old town. Having finally made our way to Monte del Gozo —known as Mount of Joy for the emotion felt by pilgrims upon their first sight of the city—we, too, are filled with the joy of the journey. We complete our sojourn at Cape Finisterre, taking in epic views of ocean, beaches and sky.

Trip highlights

  • Hike the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo—the oldest and least traveled routes
  • Discover Northern Spain’s hidden coves and charming fishing villages
  • Explore one of Spain’s most uninhabited regions and home to wild horses
  • Enjoy a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela and its famous cathedral
  • Dine on fresh seafood, tapas, and Jamón ibérico (ham)

Activities

  • Hiking

Accommodations

Hotels, 8 nights

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Our trip begins in Bilbao, Spain with a 5:30pm group rendezvous at our hotel. Following introductions and an orientation, we stroll through the old city center to a local tavern. Tonight we dine on Basque pintxos, small plates of traditional foods made with local, fresh ingredients. Dinner included.

Departing Bilbao, we drive westward along the rugged Atlantic coast and cross into the province of Asturias. Enroute to Llanes, we visit a cave with prehistoric art; it's part of the UNESCO World Heritage collection of cave sites throughout this region of Spain. In Llanes, we have lunch by a seaside market. This afternoon's hike begins our journey along the Camino del Norte. We follow scenic clifftop paths over rolling hills to stretch our legs and become acquainted with the terrain. All meals included.

Driving: 3 hours; Cave visit: 1 hour; Hiking: 5 miles, 2.5 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,444’.

Note: Approximate total vehicle transfer times are listed for each day; these drives are typically broken up with a morning transfer, hiking and lunch, and an afternoon transfer.

This morning we explore the twisting streets of Llanes. A historic and traditional fishing port, Llanes had an economy based on whaling for eight centuries. A short transfer brings us to the start of today's hike on the Camino. We walk along coastal paths and gently rolling hills that link hidden coves, rocky bays and sandy beaches, on our way to our lunch spot overlooking a pretty inlet. After lunch we transfer to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. We meet a local guide to tour Oviedo’s impressive San Salvador Cathedral. This UNESCO World Heritage complex is home to several revered relics of the Kingdom of Asturias, including the Cloth of Oviedo (also called the Sudarium). The cloth is believed to have been wrapped around Jesus’ head in the tomb. We overnight in Oviedo. Breakfast and lunch included.

Driving: 2 hours; Hiking: 6.6 miles, 3 hours; Walking/sightseeing: 1.5 miles, 1.25 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,739’.

We begin our hike along the Camino Primitivo, the oldest of all the Camino pilgrimage routes. The landscape becomes increasing hilly and forested, with country lanes creating patterns through the pastureland. Our hike takes us towards Tineo (5,025’), one of the highest towns in Asturias, situated on a small tributary of the Narcea River. Following a picnic lunch, we resume our hike uphill through dense, mixed forest. We pause to visit an abandoned 12th-century Benedictine Monastery that once played an important role in providing aid and support to pilgrims on their way to Santiago. After exploring the ruins we transfer to our hotel in Tineo. All meals included.

Driving: 1.25 hours; Hiking: 10 miles, 4.5 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,315’/1,590’.

Today's trail is perhaps the most spectacular of the entire Camino Primitivo. Our hike takes us uphill through one of Spain's most uninhabited regions. Heather and gorse bracket the trail, which passes abandoned medieval pilgrim's hostels. We may see wild horses grazing on the grassy hillsides. We hike to a mountain pass (3,760'), then transfer to the tiny parish of Berducedo for lunch. Our next stop is Lugo, a 3rd century town surrounded by Roman walls that are a UNESCO World Heritage site. We tour the historic walls and take in the panoramic views of the city before visiting the cathedral. A mix of Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Neoclassic styles, the basilica is an outstanding example of the architectural influences that shaped the buildings of Galicia. Overnight in Lugo. All meals included.

Driving: 3 hours; Hiking: 4 miles, 2.5 hours, elevation gain: 1640'; City tour: 1 mile, 1.5 hours.

We begin our day with a visit to a museum and the aging ruins of a Celtic-Roman hillfort settlement. Our last hike on the Camino Primitivo follows forest paths though tiny hamlets that are scattered about the Galician countryside. We have lunch in Melinde, a village where the Camino Primitivo merges with the Camino Frances. In Melide's historic center, we are often greeted by the aroma of fresh-baked melindres (sugar-topped pastries), and amendoados (almond cakes). Our afternoon hike begins on the Camino Frances and takes us through eucalyptus and oak forests, and past small churches and tiny villages. This section of the Camino highlights the difference in the numbers of pilgrims compared with the two northern Caminos we've experienced so far. All meals included.

Driving: 2.25 hours; Hiking: 5.9 miles, 3 hours; elevation gain/loss: 344'/262'.

After a morning hike on the Camino, we transfer to Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy). Located on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, this hilltop viewpoint provides pilgrims with their first glimpse of the city’s famous cathedral spires. Our hike continues to Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago's grandiose square. The afternoon is free for lunch and exploration. We regroup later in the day to tour the area surrounding the cathedral with a local guide. And this evening, we attend the pilgrim’s mass at the cathedral, and perhaps witness the swinging of the Botafumeiro. At just over five feet in height and 180 pounds, this incense censer is one of the largest in the world. Dinner is on your own tonight, allowing more time to explore the wonders of the city. Breakfast included.

Driving: 1 hour; Hiking: 7.8 miles, 3.25 hours; elevation gain/loss: 230’/361’.

An early visit to Santiago’s bustling market allows us to see, smell and taste fresh produce of every imaginable variety. There is an incredible selection of seafood, meat, poultry, vegetables and fruit. We drive to Cape Finisterre, the final destination for many pilgrims who walked the Way of St. James. The Cape is also the historical “Land’s End” reached by pagan pilgrimages predating Christianity. Hillside trails lead out to the cape and lighthouse. We marvel at the spectacular views of the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), so named for the innumerable shipwrecks over the centuries. After a hearty seafood lunch we return to Santiago, and the afternoon is free to discover the sights of the city. This evening we meet for a celebratory dinner at one of the area’s finest restaurants. All meals included.

Driving: 3 hours; Hiking: 4 miles (2 hours); elevation gain/loss: 492’/328’.

Our tour concludes with breakfast. Transfer on your own to Santiago’s airport, or continue your explorations of this marvelous region of Spain. Breakfast included.

Note on Itinerary

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone

Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time

Price Includes

Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy for eight nights; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; wine with included dinners; guide/leadership; luggage transportation; all transportation as noted in the itinerary.

Not Included

Transportation to Bilbao and from Santiago de Compostela, Spain; airport transfers; 1 lunch and 2 dinners; optional guide gratuities; alcoholic beverages except wine with included dinners; items of a personal nature.

Consider as you sign up

Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details.

REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits.

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Additional Information

Cancellation and Transfer Policy

A refundable deposit of $400 is required at time of booking to secure space. Full payment is required 60 days before departure date.

If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
91+ days prior to departure = $0
61 to 90 days = $400
31 to 60 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request:
61+ days prior to departure = $0
31 to 60 days = $400
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

Single Accommodations

There is no single supplement fee for those willing to share accommodations with a same-gender roommate. If you are willing to share but we are unable to pair you with a same-gender roommate, you will not be charged the single supplement fee. If you do not wish to share and request single accommodations, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available. For more details about traveling solo, see our Solo Travelers page.

  • Single supplement 2018 - $799
  • Single supplement 2019 - $899

Weather

Spain’s northern coast (the Costa Verde) has a maritime climate with generally mild summer temperatures and frequent cloud cover. Springtime temperatures average in the mid- to high-60s during the day, dropping into the 40s and 50s at night. In summer and early fall, temperatures average 72°F, but ocean breezes can make temperatures feel cooler. As we head further inland, expect temperatures in the 60s during the day, with nights cooling into the 50s. Santiago de Compostela has a mild but humid climate with daytime temperatures in the 70s and evening in the 50s. Rainfall is a strong possibility at any time of year, making quality rain gear an essential item on the gear list.

General Information

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. Additional trip information will be provided upon sign up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Adventure Expert

Janel

I wanted our members to experience the best of the Camino without having to hike some of the boring sections that other itineraries follow. The Northern route is the best way to reach the magnificent Santiago de Compostela.

Fatima HE

Best parts of Camino de Santiago

We saw REI's itinerary and loved it. You get to see the best parts of 3 Caminos (Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Camino Frances). We wanted to join a group that had all the details already arranged for us.

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The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Required

Recommended

Optional

Travel Documents

  • Airline Tickets (Confirmation and Itinerary)
  • Final Bulletin (Emailed Prior to Departure Date)
  • Passport

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (1-800-426-4840) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out www.rei.com/learn. The Expert Advice section on our "Learn" page has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

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