Llanes to Ribadesella
A long stage past Asturian beaches very busy in summer, with a final inland stretch into the Sella estuary.
Best season: Spring to autumn
Map
- Llanes
- Ribadesella
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 Llanes to Ribadesella is 30 km along the Camino del Norte. It's stage 17, with 333 m of ascent and 340 m of descent, completed in about 7 h 45 min. Difficulty: Hard.
30 km is the editorial distance, the one guidebooks use for planning. The IGN GPX track below the map measures 32.1 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.
From beach to beach, into the Sella estuary
Gronze.com describes this stage as "somewhat long, though with moderate elevation changes." The route passes beautiful beaches "quite busy in summer," including Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín, before turning inland through rural areas with much less tourist activity.
The Camino crosses Poo, Celorio, Barro, Niembro, Naves, Villahormes, Nueva, Piñeres de Pría, Cuerres and Camango before reaching Ribadesella, described as "a welcoming maritime village located in the Sella river estuary." Note that the pilgrim albergue is actually in San Esteban de Leces, not in central Ribadesella.
What the terrain is like, kilometre by kilometre
Terrain
A long stage with moderate elevation change, alternating coastal stretches past beaches with a final rural inland section.
Scenery
Very busy beaches in summer (Palombina, Torimbia, San Antolín) followed by much quieter inland countryside.
Path type
Coastal trails past the beaches and rural inland paths in the second half of the stage.
Villages
Poo, Celorio, Barro, Niembro, Naves, Villahormes, Nueva, Piñeres de Pría, Cuerres and Camango.
Water points
Available in the numerous villages passed through along this long stage.
Shade
Limited on the beach stretches, somewhat better on the rural inland section of the second half.
Traffic
Variable, with more tourist activity in summer near the beaches.
Key tip
The pilgrim albergue is in San Esteban de Leces, not central Ribadesella: keep this in mind when planning your arrival.
Accommodation in Ribadesella
Ribadesella is a very popular tourist destination with high demand for beds.
Albergue Roberto Frasinelli
A public albergue run by the Principality of Asturias, at the exit of Ribadesella, 100 m from the Camino's route. There's also the Albergue de peregrinos de San Esteban de Leces (municipal) and Albergue Tu Casa in Vega de Ribadesella. If relying on public albergues without reservations, arrive early: tourist demand in the area is very high.
Refuelling on this stage
As an established tourist destination, Ribadesella offers a wide culinary scene along the estuary.
Asturian seafaring cuisine
The promenade along the Sella estuary concentrates numerous restaurants and cider houses, ideal for refuelling.
Historic stops on this stage
Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín beaches
Three of the prettiest and busiest beaches on the eastern Asturian coast, especially in summer.
Sella estuary
The town's great natural attraction, its mouth marking the end of this stage.
Tito Bustillo Cave
Very close to the centre, one of Spain's major Paleolithic cave art sites, a World Heritage Site.
Maritime old town
Streets and seafront promenade of this welcoming village, with a lively atmosphere in summer.
The Tito Bustillo Cave, with limited visitor reservations, is well worth it if you have time: one of Asturias' great archaeological treasures.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Llanes has a train (FEVE) and bus connection to Santander, Oviedo and Gijón.
If you need to head back from Ribadesella: there's a train (FEVE) and bus connection to Oviedo and Gijón.
What to know before this stage
Take your time on the beaches
Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín are among the prettiest on the route, though very busy in summer.
Note the albergue's location
The pilgrim albergue is in San Esteban de Leces, not central Ribadesella.
Arrive early in high season
Ribadesella has heavy tourist demand; without a reservation, get to the public albergues early.
Consider visiting Tito Bustillo
It requires advance booking due to the limited number of daily visits to the cave.
Don't ruin this stage
Thinking the albergue is in central Ribadesella
It's actually in San Esteban de Leces: plan the last stretch with this in mind.
Not booking a bed in high season
Ribadesella has very high tourist demand; without a reservation, arrive with time to spare.
Rushing through the beaches at the start
Palombina, Torimbia and San Antolín deserve an unhurried stop if time allows.
Not checking on the Tito Bustillo Cave
If you're interested in visiting, you'll need to book ahead due to limited capacity.
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 Llanes to Ribadesella?
What beaches does this stage pass?
Where is the pilgrim albergue in Ribadesella?
What can you see in Ribadesella?
Is this stage difficult?
Is it hard to find accommodation in Ribadesella?
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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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