Camino del Norte
~35 days · 522.9 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Camino del Norte is known for
The Camino del Norte follows the standard 34-stage itinerary from Irún to Santiago de Compostela. Gronze’s stage table totals 826.3 km; this OSM main-line geometry measures 841.5 km. It uses OpenStreetMap superroute 19001007 while dropping the unrole-tagged Oviedo branch and disconnected variant tails, then uses Camino Francés relation 2163573 from Arzúa; named camp markers are planning stops, not campsite assertions.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 33 ft to 7,093 ft over 522.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 100.8 mi · 19%
- Downhill 80.1 mi · 15%
- Flat 341.9 mi · 65%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Camino del Norte?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Camino del Norte scores 77/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Camino del Norte take?
Most backpackers hike the Camino del Norte in about 35 days (34 nights out) over its 522.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Camino del Norte?
The Camino del Norte climbs roughly 69,616 ft total — about 133 ft per mile, topping out near 2,326 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.