The trips to Northern Spain are always associated with the walking pilgrimage on the Camino Santiago road, which is among the most famous pilgrimage routes in the world. It is an interesting fact that pilgrims have been walking the road towards the small town of Santiago, which is placed in Galicia province for more than a thousand years now, in order to worship the tomb of Saint James the Apostle. There are several routes that go through the countryside of Spain and some of its major cities.
The most difficult of the Camino routes is the route Camino Frances, which is the most popular one and it begins in southern France, in the city of Saint Jean Pied-de-Port. In the very first day, the route crosses the Pyrenees Mountains and also the border with Spain, making a very nice journey through Northern Spain. Usually, most of the pilgrims are making the trip during the months June to September, so in case that you want a more intimate experience, better make the route in another period of time.
This photo of Saint Jean Pied de Port
The entire trip of Camino Frances route covers 800 kilometers. This is a kind of a straight route across Northern Spain into the town of Santiago. Usually, the pilgrims make the route for four or five weeks. There are also people who make the trip into several annual events, and they complete certain stretches during their holiday until they reach the final point. The cities in Northern Spain, which are covered during that route include Leon and Pamplona, Burgos and Ponferrada, though most of the road leads into the open countryside, many small villages and farms, as well as vineyards. There are many accommodation places along the road, like hostels, pensiones and dorms, as well as rural houses. The route is worth to me taken due to its historical importance, the many cathedrals and abbeys and all the nice people, who are so accustomed to the pilgrims.
There is yet another route to Camino Santiago and this is the road Camino del Norte or the coastal route, which goes along the coastline of Northern Spain. This route is longer with 25 km from the Camino Frances route or it is 825 km. It starts at the French border in the town of Irun and covers the Spanish cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao, and also Santander before it joins the Camino Frances route in the town of Arzua. This route is more for pilgrims in search of solitude. There are not many accommodation places here, though there are some. This route however is very beautiful. Among the loveliest scenes here are the views over the Biscay Bay, many historic churches and monuments. This route is also good if you want to spend some more time at the Basque region, which has an interesting and vibrant culture. Even if the terrain here is a bit difficult with many descents and ascents, the route is worth the try.
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