Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
Read more about the Active Range
Price (Includes taxes and fees)
from NZD 8599/per adult
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
On this 9-day hiking adventure, you'll hike some of the most breathtaking scenery and oldest trails of Spain as you explore the Camino de Santiago.
Each day brings new landscapes, from the architectural wonders of Bilbao, to the golden sand beaches, quaint villages and mountain trails of Asturias to the woodland paths, ancient ruins and rugged coastline of Galicia. The Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo are sure to impress. Yet, the journey holds so much more than scenery. Trek in the footsteps of pilgrims, who, for thousands of years, made their way along the same routes to the tomb of the apostle St. James. As you hike, you'll be met with rich traditions still very much alive today in these Celtic regions, and upon reaching Monte de Gozo, you'll feel firsthand the astonishing site of Santiago de Compostela.
When your Northern Spain hiking journey comes to a close at Cape Finisterre, there's no doubt the Camino de Santiago will leave a lasting impression in your heart.
Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFDay 1
Our adventure begins in the dynamic port city of Bilbao. Here, you'll meet your guides and fellow travelers at 5:30 pm at the joining hotel. After a short orientation, we'll head down to the Estuary of Bilbao and enjoy a pleasant stroll along the water and through the marvelous old city center packed with architectural wonders.
Tonight, you'll sample authentic Basque cuisine at a local eatery.
Accommodation: Hotel Barceló Nervión, Bilbao
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Today you get your first taste of the stunning Costa Verde. After departing Bilbao we’ll drive along the dramatic Atlantic coast, passing through Cantabria on our way to the Celtic region of Asturias for our first hike following the Camino del Norte. Our delightful coastal trail leads across gently undulating terrain, through oceanside meadows and forests scattered along the rugged coastline.
We'll continue on to our overnight base in the former whaling port of Llanes. A short walking tour through the town's labyrinth of streets brings us to the town's former fish auction house. Next door we'll enjoy lunch at a seafood and cider tavern with views over the marina. After lunch, we'll continue hiking along the Camino, a spectacular seaside route following scenic clifftop paths among green meadows, linking golden beaches and sandy coves.
Accommodation: Hotel Don Paco, Llanes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 11.2 miles (18 kilometers), 5 hours 15 minutes
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,033 feet (315 meters) ascent
Day 3
Today we continue our hike on the Camino, following coastal paths through elegant green meadows, alongside hidden coves and across stunning beaches. En-route we'll pass by Spanish civil war defensive structures and some surprising dinosaur footprints.
When hunger strikes, we'll stop for lunch at a lovely inlet then transfer to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. Here, we'll learn about the relics of the Kingdom of Asturias on a guided tour of San Salvador Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage complex. You'll even have the chance to see the Cloth of Oviedo, which is believed to have been wrapped around Jesus' head in the tomb.
Accommodation: NH Oviedo Principado, Oviedo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 7 miles (11.2 kilometers), 3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 755 feet (230 meters) ascent
Day 4
The scenery changes today as we begin our hike along the Camino Primitivo, the oldest of all the Camino pilgrimage routes. Trading in the beach for forest and sand for pastureland, we'll hike towards Tineo, set high in the hills above the Narcea River valley.
After a break for a well-deserved and picturesque lunch, we'll continue hiking through dense forest until we reach an abandoned 12th-century Benedictine Monastery that once played an important role in providing aid and support to pilgrims on their way to Santiago. We'll take time to explore the ruins before transferring to our hotel in Tineo.
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Meras, Tineo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 10.3-12.8 miles (16.6-20.6 kilometers ), 5-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,350 feet (400 meters) ascent, 1,590 feet (485 meters) descent
Day 5
Be sure to have your camera ready as today we embark on perhaps the most spectacular section of the entire Camino Primitivo. Our hike takes us uphill through one of Spain's most uninhabited regions until we reach an isolated pass showcasing 360-degree views of mountain forests and green hillsides. Be sure to keep your eye out for wild horses grazing nearby! After taking time to enjoy the views, we descend to a tiny ridgetop hamlet and medieval chapel.
At the hike’s end, we transfer to the tiny parish of Berducedo for a well-deserved lunch. We finally enter Galicia on our way to Lugo, whose 3rd-century Roman walls surrounding the old town are a UNESCO World Heritage site. On arrival, the rest of the day is free time for you to rest, relax, and explore the twisting streets of this fascinating city . Dinner is on your own tonight.
Accommodation: Gran Hotel de Lugo, Lugo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hiking: 6.9 miles (11.1 kilometers), 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,182 feet (665 meters) ascent, 1,689 feet (515 meters) descent
Day 6
This morning we’ll begin by touring Lugo’s historic walls and visiting its renowned cathedral before setting out on our final hike along the Camino Primitivo. Today, we meander through fairytale-like forest paths and into tiny hamlets scattered across the Galician countryside. We'll stop for lunch in Melide, a town where the Camino Primitivo and Camino Frances merge into a single Way.
If your stomach isn't already grumbling, hunger is sure to strike as soon as you smell the freshly baked pastries and almond cakes ever so apparent in Melide's historic centre. After, we'll continue along the Camino through grand oak forests before calling it a day.
Accommodation: Pazo de Sedor or De Rectoral Lestedo, Melide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6-7.9 miles (9.6-11.8 kilometers), 3-3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 755-935 feet (230-285 meters) ascent, 558-705 feet (170-215 meters) descent
Day 7
We start the day off right with our first hike on the Camino Frances. We'll see many more pilgrims this morning compared to the previous day's solitude. Afterward, we transfer to Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), located on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. Here, just like the pilgrims, you'll see your first glimpse of the city's famous cathedral spires. Our hike then continues to Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago's grandiose square. Take time this afternoon to explore the city and sit down for a relaxing lunch on your own.
If you'd like, you can rejoin the group for a tour with a local guide and attend a pilgrim's mass at the cathedral. You may even get to witness the swinging of the Botafumeiro, which is one of the largest incense censers in the world.
Dinner is on your own tonight, allowing you more time to explore the wonders of the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Monumento San Francisco, Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 5.9 miles (9.6 kilometers), 3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 730 feet (225 meters) ascent, 930 feet (385 meters) descent
Day 8
This morning we'll delight our senses with an early visit to Santiago's bustling market, where an incredible selection of seafood, meat, vegetables, and fruit await. We'll then 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. As we enjoy a hillside trail to the cape and lighthouse, take in the spectacular views of Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), so named for the innumerable shipwrecks over the centuries.
After a hearty seafood lunch, we return to Santiago. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to discover the sights of the city. This evening we meet for a celebratory dinner at one of the area's finest restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel Monumento San Francisco, Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 3.2 miles (5.2 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 705 feet (215 meters) ascent, 410 feet (125 meters) descent
Day 9
After a final breakfast, we'll say our goodbyes. You can choose to transfer on your own to Santiago's airport or continue your explorations of this fascinating region of Spain.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
This trip is operated by our sister brand Active Adventures
