This stage of the Northern Way of St. James connects Llanes with Ribadesella along a route that blends seascapes and inland landscapes, villages with traditional architecture, and moments of serenity among green meadows and gentle hills.
El Way of Santiago del Norte, also known as the Coastal Way, offers one of its most beautiful and varied stages between the Asturian towns of Llanes y RibadesellaThis section, of approximately 30 kilometers, combines the green and marine landscapes of the eastern coast of Asturias with the charm of small villages, historical vestiges, Indian architecture, sea blowholes and estuaries that are intertwined with the Jacobean tradition.
This stage is challenging due to its length, but not particularly difficult in terms of elevation gains, allowing hikers to enjoy a route that alternates between rural roads, coastal paths, riverside forests, hidden beaches, and numerous villages that dot the landscape with their culture and hospitality.
Start: Llanes, coastal jewel of eastern Asturias
The stage begins in the town of Llanes, a place with a strong maritime and medieval identity. The walled historic center, its Basilica of Santa María del Concejo, the port with the famous Cubes of Memory and its lively streets are the ideal starting point. From here, you leave the town heading west, following the yellow Camino signs, crossing the small town of The Portilla and heading out towards the first towns on the route.
From Poo to Niembro: charming beaches, cliffs and estuaries
In a few kilometers you reach Poo, and shortly after Celorio, both small coastal towns with a great tourist tradition and many nearby beaches (Poo, Palombina, Borizu…). Celorio, highlights the old San Salvador Monastery, founded in the 11th century.
The road continues towards Clay y Niembro, where you will cross one of the most emblematic landscapes of the entire route: the Niembro estuary, crowned by the church and cemetery of Our Lady of Sorrows. This spot, nestled in the marshland, offers an unforgettable panorama that blends spirituality, nature, and traditional architecture.
San Antolín and the Llanes interior
After skirting the coastline, the path crosses the San Antolin beach, the largest in the municipality of Llanes. There is the mouth of the Bedón River, and the ruins of the old Monastery of San Antolín de Bedón, one of the most unique heritage assets in eastern Asturias.
From here, the route heads inland, moving away from the coast to pass through towns such as Naves, Villahormes, New y Piñeres de Pría, surrounded by pastures, small farms, and Indian-style houses. This is a quieter stretch where hikers can recharge their batteries and enjoy the rural silence.
Cuerres, jesters and transition to Ribadesella
From Llamago y Cuerres, the landscape begins to change. The path becomes more undulating and approaches the coast again. From Cuerres you can take a detour to visit the Bufones de Pría, one of the most spectacular geological phenomena on the Cantabrian coast, where the sea “breathes” through natural chimneys in the cliffs.
The path then crosses the Guadamía River, a natural border between the municipalities of Llanes and Ribadesella, entering the final stretch of the stage.
Final: arrival in Ribadesella
arrival at Ribadesella It is done bordering the Arra beach and accessing the Santa Marina beach, with its promenade lined with Indian mansions. Finally, you cross the emblematic bridge over the Sella River, entering the urban center of the town of Ribadesella, where the pilgrim can stamp his credential and rest.
Ribadesella offers multiple attractions to close the stage: the Tito Bustillo cave, with prehistoric cave paintings; the old town, full of life; and an excellent culinary offering specializing in fish, seafood, and cider.
