Avilés to Muros de Nalón
Local roads, tracks and small woodlands through inland Castrillón, ending at San Martín Castle by the Nalón estuary.
Best season: Spring to autumn
Map
- Avilés
- Muros de Nalón
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Avilés to Muros de Nalón is 21.2 km along the Camino del Norte. It's stage 21, with 549 m of ascent and 419 m of descent, completed in about 5 h 15 min. Difficulty: Moderate.
Frequent elevation changes down to the Nalón estuary
Gronze.com describes this stage as "short, mostly on paved tracks, with frequent though generally moderate elevation changes." The Camino leaves Avilés via San Cristóbal and enters the municipality of Castrillón, combining short hill sections with pastoral landscapes before descending toward the Nalón valley.
The official route passes through La Plata (with an information point), Piedras Blancas (the stage's main service hub), La Lloba and Santiagu'l Monte, though a coastal variant via Salinas and San Martín de Laspra offers "more contact with the sea." The day's great cultural landmark is San Martín Castle, on a promontory overlooking the Nalón estuary — not open to visitors inside, but of great scenic value.
What the terrain is like, kilometre by kilometre
Terrain
A short stage with frequent but moderate elevation changes, mostly on inland paved tracks.
Scenery
Pastures and small woodlands in the municipality of Castrillón, ending with the Nalón estuary and San Martín Castle.
Path type
Mostly paved local roads, with some rural track and path sections.
Villages
San Cristóbal, La Plata, Piedras Blancas, La Lloba, Santiagu'l Monte and Soto del Barco.
Water points
Good in Piedras Blancas, the stage's main service hub.
Shade
Moderate, somewhat better in the small inland woodland stretches.
Traffic
Present on the paved local roads, generally low volume.
Key tip
A coastal variant via Salinas offers more contact with the sea: consider it against the official inland route.
Accommodation in Muros de Nalón
Muros de Nalón offers a couple of small, charming albergues.
La Naranja Peregrina
A 10-bed albergue open March to October, under new management since 2025. It offers communal dinners and breakfasts, with service in Spanish and English.
Casa Carmina
A tourist albergue with 10 beds plus 5 rooms, open April 1 to October 15.
Piedras Blancas, the stage's service hub
Piedras Blancas offers the best selection of bars and shops before reaching Muros de Nalón.
Local bars and shops
The stage's main supply point, roughly at the midpoint of the day.
Stops with history on this stage
San Martín Castle
On a promontory overlooking the Nalón estuary; not open to visitors inside, but its surroundings are one of the day's great scenic attractions.
Salinas and San Martín de Laspra
An alternative to the official route with more contact with the sea, for those who prefer the coast to the interior.
Piedras Blancas
The day's main service hub, after a historic diversion that stopped routing through Salinas.
If you have time and want more coastline, the Salinas variant is an attractive option against the official inland route.
Getting here and getting back
Starting here: Avilés has train (Renfe and FEVE) and bus connections to Gijón, Oviedo and the rest of Asturias.
Heading back from Muros de Nalón: there is a bus connection to Avilés and the rest of the region.
Worth knowing before this stage
It's a short, accessible stage
At 21.2 km with moderate elevation change, it's a good chance to give your legs a rest.
Consider the coastal variant
If you prefer more contact with the sea, the Salinas variant is a genuine alternative to the official route.
Stock up in Piedras Blancas
It's the main service hub before reaching the small town of Muros de Nalón.
Book ahead in Muros de Nalón
Both available albergues are small (10 beds each).
Don't ruin this stage
Not booking ahead in Muros de Nalón
With only 10 beds per albergue, it's worth securing a bed in advance, especially in high season.
Dismissing the coastal variant without considering it
If you like the coast, it's worth comparing the Salinas variant with the official inland route before deciding.
Skipping Piedras Blancas
It's the best point to stock up before the small final town.
Expecting to visit San Martín Castle
It's not open inside: enjoy it as part of the scenery, not as a guided visit.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you wonder before this stage
How many kilometres is it from Avilés to Muros de Nalón?
Is this stage hard?
Is there a coastal variant?
Where can you sleep in Muros de Nalón?
What can you see on this stage?
Where is the main service point?
Browse the stages
Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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