La Caridad to Ribadeo
A flat, quiet stage ending with the crossing into Galicia via the demanding pedestrian lane of the Puente de los Santos, over the Eo estuary.
Best season: Spring to autumn
Map
- La Caridad
- Ribadeo
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 La Caridad to Ribadeo is 21.3 km along the Camino del Norte. It's stage 26, with 206 m of ascent and 227 m of descent, completed in about 5 h 15 min. Difficulty: Easy.
Welcome to Galicia!
Gronze.com describes this stage as "flat, away from the coast," running along "comfortable dirt paths and local roads" without major scenic surprises. The route passes through San Pelayo (in the municipality of El Franco), Valdepares, Porcía, Brul, Tol, Barres and Figueras before reaching the day's big moment.
The stage culminates as pilgrims "enter Ribadeo, now in Galicia, via the demanding pedestrian lane of the Puente de los Santos," which crosses the Eo estuary. It's one of the great symbolic milestones of the entire Camino del Norte: leaving Asturias behind after nearly 200 km and setting foot in Galicia.
What the terrain is like, kilometre by kilometre
Terrain
A flat, easy stage away from the coast, on comfortable dirt paths and local roads.
Scenery
Quiet inland countryside without major surprises, until the spectacular arrival at the Eo estuary.
Path type
Comfortable dirt tracks and lightly-trafficked local roads for almost the entire route.
Villages
San Pelayo, Valdepares, Porcía, Brul, Tol, Barres and Figueras.
Water points
Good, thanks to the many villages passed along the stage.
Shade
Variable, typical of a quiet inland route.
Traffic
Generally low, except on the demanding pedestrian lane of the Puente de los Santos at the end.
Key tip
The pedestrian lane on the Puente de los Santos is narrow and shares space with traffic: cross with care.
Accommodation in Ribadeo, now in Galicia
Ribadeo, the Camino del Norte's first Galician stop, offers good albergue options.
Albergue de peregrinos de Ribadeo
A public albergue run by the Xunta de Galicia, with 10 beds plus 1 adapted bed across 2 dormitories. Individual lighting and USB chargers on each bunk, terraces with estuary views, a common room and bike storage. Open year-round, credential required.
Good food options in Ribadeo
Ribadeo, a regional hub and the Camino's first major Galician town, offers a wide variety of bars and restaurants.
Galician cooking by the estuary
Ribadeo's town centre, with views over the Eo estuary, concentrates the best food options of the stage.
Stops with history on this stage
Puente de los Santos
The bridge over the Eo estuary marking the border between Asturias and Galicia: crossing it on foot is one of the most moving moments of the Camino del Norte.
Historic old town
A fishing town with "indiano" mansions, a regional hub and the first major Galician town on the Camino.
Eo estuary
One of the great natural spaces on the Cantabrian coast, the natural border between two autonomous communities.
Pause for a moment on the Puente de los Santos to take in the milestone: you've walked nearly 200 km from Irún and just entered Galicia.
Getting here and getting back
Starting here: La Caridad has a bus connection to Navia and the rest of the Asturian region.
Heading back from Ribadeo: there is a bus connection to Oviedo, Lugo and the rest of Galicia and Asturias.
Worth knowing before this stage
Prepare for a special moment
Crossing the Puente de los Santos on foot into Galicia is one of the most memorable symbolic milestones of the Camino del Norte.
Be careful on the bridge
The pedestrian lane is demanding and shares space with road traffic: cross with attention.
It's an accessible stage
With gentle elevation change and flat terrain, it's among the simplest of the final Asturian stretch.
Carry your pilgrim credential
It's needed to access the public albergue in Ribadeo, run by the Xunta de Galicia.
Don't ruin this stage
Crossing the Puente de los Santos carelessly
The pedestrian lane is narrow: pay attention to traffic during the crossing.
Not pausing to take in the change of region
Leaving Asturias behind after nearly 200 km is a symbolic moment worth a brief pause.
Underestimating the distance to the albergue
The albergue is at the entrance to Ribadeo (Estrada do Faro): plan the final stretch after crossing the bridge accordingly.
Forgetting your pilgrim credential
The Xunta de Galicia albergue in Ribadeo requires it for access.
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 La Caridad to Ribadeo?
Is this stage hard?
Where do you cross into Galicia?
Where is the pilgrim albergue in Ribadeo?
What can you see in Ribadeo?
Are there route alternatives on this stage?
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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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