Camino del Norte 2027

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:   We begin our tour on June 10, 2027, with a two-night stay in San Sebastian (also known by its Basque name “Donostia”). San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain with more Michelin-starred restaurants per meter than any other city in the world. It has stunning city beaches, grand architecture, and rich cultural events. On Saturday, June 26, our last riding day, we reach Santiago de Compostela and stay two nights.  Our tour will end on Monday, June 28 after breakfast.  This tour adds two nights--one each at the beginning and end to the highly successful tour led by Karen Hass in 2025.  

The tour route follows the northern coast of Spain across the autonomous communities of País Vasco (Basque Country), Cantabria, and Asturias, and then turns inland through Galicia, finishing in Santiago de Compostela. Along the Camino del Norte, we’ll enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Basque and Cantabrian coastlines with their fine beaches, lush forests, fishing villages, and stunning cliffs, and sample the delicious food and beverages of the region. Just beyond Ribadeo in Asturias, we turn inland to arrive at our final destination, Santiago de Compostela. You may wish to plan an extra day or two in this UNESCO World Heritage city, with its stunning architecture and historical landmarks. 

At the start of the tour, you will be given a Camino “passport” to have stamped along the way as proof of completing this iconic adventure. At the end of our tour, present your Camino passport at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office in Santiago de Compostela to receive your official certification that you’ve completed the pilgrimage. 

The tour company Iberocycle specializes in tours throughout Spain. Iberocycle is owned by Simon Proffitt, British born, who has lived in Spain for over thirty years and is fluent in Spanish. By the end of 2026, Iberocycle will have supported over 30 tours for BAC.  

ITINERARY 

Day 1: June 10- Meet in San Sebastian for the first BAC happy hour and first group meal of the tour. Arrive early in the afternoon if you’re renting a bike for a fitting. Our hotel for the next two nights, the four star Hotel Barcelona Costa Vasca, has 203 rooms, a large swimming pool, and is located about 550 meters from the beach. It was totally renovated in 2020.

Day 2: June 11- Hendaye to San Sebastián. 23.6 miles, 2,128' climbing. We take a train to Hendaye in France, and cycle back to San Sebastián along the coast.  

Day 3: June 12 -San Sebastian to Lekeitio, 44 miles, 4,494' climbing. We leave San Sebastián along the picturesque Basque Country coast with vineyards descending towards the sea, producing grapes for the famous Basque wine txakolí. The coast has unique geological formations known as “flysch” created over the last 60 million years by multiple sedimentary deposits. We arrive in Lekeitio with its beautiful beaches and long fishing tradition.  

Day 4: June 13- Lekeitio to Portugalete, 43 miles, 4988’ climbing. The short route Is In three stages: (1) A ride to Elantrobe; (2) a short five mile boat ride to Bermeo and (3) A ride to Portugalete.  The boat ride by cutting across the estuary reduces the distance by about 30 miles. However, the long route of 62 miles goes to the town of Guernica, a town reduced to ashes by the Nazis during the Spanish Civil War, and a town Immortalized by Piccaso in his painting Guernica.  After Guernica, if you do not wish to continue the ride, you may take a train to Bilbao, and take the short ride to our hotel.

Before entering Portugalete, you cross the river on the Vizcaya Bridge, the world's first transporter bridge, now a World Heritage Site.

Day 5: June 14– A rest day and a chance to visit Bilbao, the artistic and cultural hub of the Basque Country. Once a grimy, industrial city, Bilbao has undergone an extensive revitalization in the last half century to become one of Spain’s most modern cities. You must visit Bilbao’s world-famous Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, whose avant-garde architecture contrasts with the traditional old town and its charming streets and pintxos/tapas bars. Although Bilbao is only a short six-mile ride from our hotel, we recommend you take public transportation to free you from securing your bike while you enjoy the sites. 

Day 6: June 15 – Portugalete to Santoña, 49.6 miles, 4529' climbing. From Portugalete we continue our ride along the coastline into Cantabria, traveling through pretty little villages including the one-time Roman port of Castro Urdiales, and Laredo. We will spend the night in the fishing village of Santoña, famous for its anchovies and tuna. 

Day 7: June 16– Santoña to Santander, 39 miles, 2344' climbing. A bike and boat ride takes us to the Bay of Santander and Santander city, capital of Cantabria. We arrive in time to spend the afternoon enjoying this elegant city with its beaches and incomparable bay. 

Day 8: June 17 – Santander to Comillas, 47 miles, 3966' climbing. Leaving Santander, we reach the beautiful medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the nearby Altamira Museum, dedicated to the Cave of Altamira (named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985) with its examples of cave paintings from the Upper Paleolithic period (35,000 to 11,000 BC). We continue on to spend the night in Comillas, a charming town of art nouveau architecture, and the location of “El Capricho” by Catalán architect Antoni Gaudí. 

Day 9: June 18 – Comillas to Ribadesella, 48.7 miles, 3055’ climbing. From Comillas we ride into the province of Asturias past more delightful beaches, through small villages such as Llanes, and arrive for the night in Ribadesella. 

Day 10: June 19 – Ribadesella to Gijón, 42 miles, 3800' climbing. We continue along a section of the coast where dinosaur footprints have been seen on the beaches. From the municipality of Colunga you can take a side trip to visit the Jurassic Museum with its collection of fossilized dinosaurs.  From the museum grounds there are also great views of the Bay of Biscay, the Sierra del Sueve, and the Picos de Europa. Beyond Colunga we enjoy more beautiful tiny coastal villages such as Lastres and Tazones. Our destination for the night is the elegant city of Gijón. 

Day 11: June 20– Gijón rest day. A guided tour of Gijón is planned for this rest day where we’ll visit a number of interesting museums and historical sites. Or if you prefer, you can relax on the beach, sample “sidra,” the traditional drink of Asturias, or do a loop ride. 

Day 12: June 21 – Gijón to Cudillero, 31.5 miles, 2358’ climbing. We continue along Spain’s beautiful northern coastal area to arrive in Cudillero, the most picturesque fishing village on the Asturian coast. The houses, painted in a rainbow of pastels, cascade down to the tiny port on a narrow inlet. 

Day 13: June 22 – Cudillero to Navia, 46 miles, 3860’ climbing. From Cudillero we ride on through the lush countryside to the charming coastal town of Navia, one of Asturias’ most dynamic towns with several small beaches and the Navia River running gracefully through its center. Navia is known for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval architecture, including Navia Castle. 

Day 14: June 23 – Navia to Mondoñedo, 42 miles, 2928 climbing. About halfway into today’s ride, we cross the estuary of the River Eo which marks the border between Asturias and Galicia. A short way on, we pass the famous Beach of the Cathedrals with its unusual rock formations, before turning south and inland, to ride to the pretty little village of Mondoñedo, home to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. The cathedral is a Spanish National Monument, and contains examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Rococo architecture. 

Day 15: June 24 – Mondoñedo to Lugo, 40.9 miles, 3057' climbing. We continue south to the city of Lugo with its ancient intact Roman wall, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. Take a walk atop the wall which surrounds the village at the end of our ride before enjoying the excellent and free tapas served in the local bars. 

Day 16: June 25– Lugo to Arzúa, 43 miles, 3584' climbing. Our ride from Lugo is to the charming town of Arzúa where the Camino del Norte and French Camino paths converge. For many Camino pilgrims traveling either of these routes, this is their last stop before reaching Santiago de Compostela. 

Day 17: June 26 –Arzua to Santiago de Compostela, 29.7 miles, 2239' climbing. This is a short, easy ride to give you time to explore the city's impressive historical and artistic wealth. Santiago’s old town was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. 

Day 18: June 27-A day to continue to explore Santiago de Compostela. Our hotel for tonight is the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, a luxurious hotel next to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. The hotel has the largest collection of Madrid School paintings with more than 150 works.  

Day 19: June 28 – Camino del Norte ends following breakfast. 

Consult with your favorite guidebook about arriving early in San Sebastian to view the city before the tour or staying in Santiago de Compostela after the tour. Both cities are well-worth a visit of a day or two. If you’re a purist who wishes to ride “EFI” (every fun inch) of the Camino del Norte route, before the tour starts on June 10, 2027, you can take a Euskotren train (with your bike) from San Sebastian to Irun on the French border, and ride back to San Sebastian. 

RIDE RATING: 4B The average of the shorter routes Is 44 miles and 3336 of climbing.  The average of 44 miles categorizes the distance as a B. Although the 3336' average elevation gain would categorize this as technically a "3," we gave it a "4," with the many climbs over 4000 feet.  Furthermore, the average feet/mile for the entire tour is 75 for the shorter routes. There will be longer rides available for several days, and riding options for rest days. Routes are on paved roads in good condition, and most will be quiet with little traffic. There will be occasional short busier stretches, particularly as we enter or leave cities and larger towns. As we’ll ride in both cities and remote areas, you should be comfortable riding in both. All required routes on this tour are the same as the routes used on the 2025 BAC tour.  

LODGING AND MEALS: Included in the tour cost are 18 nights lodging in 3-star or 4-star hotels and nine group dinners. Many of the lodgings are either on or have views of the beach, giving you a chance for a serene evening. Many will have exercise facilities, should you find you find the need to exercise after the day's ride.  

The tour cost also includes a hot European-style breakfast each morning (18 breakfasts), 9 group dinners, and a happy hour on all required riding days with snacks, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. You will be on your own for all lunches, and all dinners other than the group dinners. For those who haven’t been to Spain before, dinner time is much later than in the US, typically around 8 pm. Many of the towns and villages where we’ll overnight have restaurants that are open until mid-afternoon, providing a chance for a late hearty lunch after your ride in lieu of dinner. Most towns will also have grocery stores. 

LOGISTICS: We’ll have our initial BAC happy hour at Barceló Costa Vasca on Monday, June 10 at 6 pm. Anyone renting a bike must plan to arrive no later than noon on the 10th to allow adequate time for fitting your bike. Our first day of riding will be Friday, June 11th. 

You can fly directly into San Sebastian (EAS), Madrid (MAD), or Bilbao (BIO). From Madrid or Bilbao, you can continue on to San Sebastian by plane, bus, or train. Another choice is Biarritz Airport (LFBZ) which has shuttle service from the airport to San Sebastian. 

Our last day of riding will be Saturday, June 26, 2027. The tour ends on Monday, June 28, 2027, after breakfast. Fly from the Santiago de Compostela airport (SCQ), or travel to Bilbao or Madrid via bus or train. 

ETIAS Travel Authorization: ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a visa waiver for short-term stays in Europe and has been in the works for almost a decade. ETIAS is not a visa, but it will be required for some travelers to the EU, including Americans and Canadians. The roll-out is currently expected to begin at some point in 2026. More information on the requirement will be provided to tour participants by January 2027. More information can be found here: https://etias.com. 

RIDER INDEPENDENCE: Riders ride at their own pace, not as a stay-together group, and must be able to navigate from a navigation device (e.g., Garmin, Wahoo, smartphone with RWGPS, etc.), or plan to navigate by cue sheet and map. Excellent gps routes will be provided. Riders must be able to handle minor mechanical mishaps (e.g., flat tires, minor bike mechanical adjustments) and carry anything they’ll need during the day such as sufficient water, tool kit, spare tube, pump, lunch/snacks, rain jacket, etc. You should be comfortable riding hills, and in cities and remote areas. The luggage transport van does not support riders on the road except riders who, due to illness, injury, or a major mechanical failure, are unable to ride. 

BIKES: If you bring your own bike, be sure it is in good mechanical condition, and has the proper gearing to enable you to climb the maximum elevation gain of 4800’.  

Iberocycle will transport bike boxes from the start of the tour in San Sebastian to the end of the tour in Santiago de Compostela for a cost of 85€ per box payable directly to Iberocycle. 

If you wish to rent a bike for this trip (at your own expense), contact Iberocycle directly to make arrangements. Iberocycle has carbon fiber road bikes, hybrids, and both road and hybrid e-bikes available to rent. Tandems will be allowed on this tour. If you plan to ride an e-bike or a tandem, contact the Ride Leader before you sign up. 

WEATHER: You can expect very pleasant weather in June, with an average high temperature in the 70s F and lows in the upper 50s F.  Average rainfall for the duration of our tour is around 2.4 inches, and the average number of days with some rain is 9 days. Come prepared for rain, and for chilly temperatures in the early morning and evening. 

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The tour’s estimated cost is $5900, plus the $150 BAC fee.  The cost is based on an exchange rate of $1.28 = €1. The final payment may be adjusted depending on whether the exchange rate is more or less favorable to the dollar. 

The deposit of $3000, plus the $150 BAC fee, is due when signing up for the tour. The second and final payment of $2900 is due on December 31, 2026, The payments are made on-line on the BAC web site by credit card.  The tour cost includes 18 hotel nights 18 breakfasts, 9 group dinners, and 15 happy hours including snack and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); luggage transfer; two short boat trips, emergency sag service; Ride with GPS (RWGPS) tcx/gpx files, and a gratuity for the guide. 

The tour cost does not include: 

Transportation to/from the start/end of the tour. 

All meals other than daily breakfasts and 9 group dinners. 

Transfer bike boxes from the start to the end of the tour.  For those who bring their own bikes, Iberocycle can arrange bike box transfer for 85€ per bike box. 

Bicycle rentals. Bicycles can be rented directly from Iberocycle: Cube carbon with disc brakes, 265€; Cube carbon with rim brakes 230€; hybrid E-bike 300€; road E-bike 350€, Trek hybrid bike-140€.

As always, any funds not used will be refunded to participants after the conclusion of the tour. 

HEALTH & SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised, and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leaders and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness to ensure the tour can continue as planned. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: Singles (riders sharing a room with a roommate) and Solos (riders occupying a room by themselves) are both welcome.  If a single can find their own roommate, that is preferable, but the Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. After the receipt of the initial deposit, a single roommate will be placed on the tour and given until December 31, 2026 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and credit card processing fees) or pay the $1600 solo supplement and stay on the tour.  If a single pays the solo supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  If they find a roommate, the solo supplement will be refunded. Due to lodging limitations, this tour can accept a maximum of 6 solo participants. 

Solo supplement payments for this tour are due December 31, 2026, and may be made in one of two ways: 

By check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. Checks should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193. 

By Zelle. This is how to use Zelle for a solo supplement payment: 

In your online bank account, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org 

Initiate a payment 

In the Message block enter the name of your ride 

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett (nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org ) or Ernie Coose (erniecoose.bac@gmail.com ). 

NOTE: Only solo supplement payments may be paid via Zelle. All other tour payments must be made by credit card through the BAC website. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time, minus the BAC fee and payment processing fees.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC strongly encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. 

INSURANCE STATEMENT: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website. 

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). 

While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. 

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up "links" just above this Ride Description.  After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved from the Waitlist to the Pending List and receive an email requesting you go back to the BAC website to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and Tour Deposit of $3000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions can contact the Ride Coordinator by “clicking” the name at the top of the Ride Description