Portugalete to Castro-Urdiales
Stage 9 · Camino del Norte
Portugalete → Castro-Urdiales
About this stage
Portugalete to Castro-Urdiales · 25.5 km · up 790 m, down 770 m
A long, demanding stage returning to coastal walking after Bilbao. The route follows the Cantabrian coast through a mix of clifftop paths, industrial zones, and beach sections. Over 1,400 metres of climbing makes this a tough day.
The first section passes through the industrial outskirts of Bilbao's port area before the landscape opens up to coastal scenery. The clifftop walking returns with dramatic views of the Cantabrian Sea. The route crosses from the Basque Country into Cantabria.
Castro-Urdiales is a beautiful fishing town with a stunning Gothic church (Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Asuncion), a medieval bridge, and a ruined Templar castle. The harbour area with its seafood restaurants is one of the most picturesque stops on the Norte. Good services available.
Terrain: Coastal paths, steep cliff climbs, industrial areas, beach sections, urban streets
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Portugalete
townAn industrial town on the Nervion estuary south of Bilbao, connected to Getxo by the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge, the world's oldest transporter bridge (1893).
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
- 5.4km
- 11.8km
- 17.6km
- 21.9km
- 25.6km
Castro-Urdiales
townA pleasant Cantabrian fishing town with a dramatic Gothic church perched on a headland above the harbour, a ruined Templar castle, and a lively seafood dining scene.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
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Planning the Camino del Norte?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Portugalete. Choosing is never booking.