Castro Urdiales to Laredo
Beautiful scenery of beaches, cliffs and forest, alternating with green inland valleys, all the way to Laredo's long Salvé beach.
Best season: Spring to autumn
Map
- Castro Urdiales
- Laredo
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 Castro Urdiales to Laredo is 30.5 km along the Camino del Norte. It's stage 10, with 712 m of ascent and 709 m of descent, completed in about 7 h 45 min. Difficulty: Hard.
30.5 km is the editorial distance, the one guidebooks use for planning. The IGN GPX track below the map measures 33.8 km: it can differ because of route variants, the exact start and end points, and the access paths into villages, which it leaves out. Neither figure is the road distance between the two towns.
Beaches, cliffs and green valleys of Cantabria
Gronze.com describes this stage for its "beautiful scenery, with several beaches, cliffs and forested sections, alternating with green inland valleys." The elevation change is continuous throughout, with no long flat stretches, making it one of the most demanding stages of the Camino del Norte up to this point.
Near El Pontarrón de Guriezo, some pilgrims choose to follow the N-634 highway to save 5.6 km, although the guidebook does not recommend this alternative. The main route continues on to Laredo, known for its long Salvé beach, one of the longest in Cantabria.
What the terrain is like, kilometre by kilometre
Terrain
Continuous elevation change throughout, with no long flat stretches, alternating beaches, cliffs, forest and inland valleys.
Scenery
One of the most varied stages of the Camino del Norte, with beaches, cliffs, forested sections and green inland valleys.
Path type
A mix of coastal trails, forest stretches and inland rural paths, with a possible N-634 variant near El Pontarrón de Guriezo.
Villages
El Pontarrón de Guriezo, the point where you decide between the main route or the road variant.
Water points
Available in the villages passed through; it's worth stocking up well given the stage's continuous elevation change.
Shade
Good coverage on the forested stretches, more exposed on the beach and cliff sections.
Traffic
Low on the recommended main route; higher on the non-recommended N-634 variant.
Key tip
Avoid the N-634 variant near El Pontarrón de Guriezo unless necessary: the guide doesn't recommend it for safety reasons.
Accommodation in Laredo
Laredo has more services and accommodation options than other towns on the Camino del Norte.
Albergue Casa de la Trinidad
Run by the Trinitarian Mothers, with 45 beds. No reservations accepted and a pilgrim credential is required. As an alternative, Albergue Bajamar, opened in 2025 in a renovated historic building, does accept reservations and doesn't require a credential (year-round).
Refuelling on this stage
Laredo, with its long tourist and fishing tradition, offers a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Coastal Cantabrian cuisine
The old town and seafront promenade concentrate numerous bars and restaurants, ideal for refuelling.
Historic stops on this stage
Beaches and cliffs of Cantabria
A succession of beaches and clifftop stretches alternating with forest and green inland valleys.
Route decision point
The point where some pilgrims choose the N-634 highway to save distance, though it's not the recommended option.
Salvé beach
One of the longest beaches in Cantabria, with over 4 km of sand, and the town's great attraction.
Historic old town
Medieval streets and the Church of the Asunción, witnesses to Laredo's seafaring and trading past.
Laredo offers more services and accommodation than other stops on the Camino del Norte: a good place to rest properly after a demanding stage.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Castro Urdiales has a bus connection to Bilbao and Santander.
If you need to head back from Laredo: there's a direct bus connection to Santander and Bilbao.
What to know before this stage
Prepare for continuous elevation change
There are no long flat stretches: pace yourself throughout the whole stage.
Avoid the N-634 variant if you can
The guide doesn't recommend it; the main route through El Pontarrón de Guriezo is the safer option.
Have a backup accommodation plan
Laredo has several albergues; if Casa de la Trinidad is full, Albergue Bajamar accepts reservations.
Enjoy Salvé beach
It's worth spending some time strolling one of Cantabria's longest beaches before continuing on.
Don't ruin this stage
Underestimating the total elevation gain
With 712 m of ascent and continuous elevation change, it's not as easy a stage as its distance might suggest.
Taking the N-634 variant without needing to
The guide doesn't recommend it: the main route, though somewhat longer, is the safer option.
Not booking Albergue Bajamar if Casa de la Trinidad is full
Casa de la Trinidad doesn't accept reservations, so it's worth having Bajamar as a bookable backup.
Walking past Salvé beach
It's one of Laredo's great attractions: worth enjoying at a relaxed pace.
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're wondering before this stage
How many kilometres from Castro Urdiales to Laredo?
What variant exists at El Pontarrón de Guriezo?
Where can I sleep in Laredo?
What can you see in Laredo?
Is this stage difficult?
Is it worth spending the night in Laredo?
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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