Your progress on the Camino del Norte
Stage 9 of 32 · Portugalete → Castro Urdiales · ~6 h 54 min walking
195 km / 52 h done · 571 km / 141 h 22 min to go
- 1↑ 700 m~6 h 30 minChallenging
- 2↑ 580 m~5 h 51 minChallenging
- 3↑ 750 m~6 h 8 minChallenging
- 4↑ 880 m~6 h 48 minChallenging
- 5↑ 750 m~6 h 48 minModerate
- 6↑ 670 m~5 h 47 minModerate
- 7↑ 240 m~2 h 51 minEasy
- 8↑ 100 m~4 h 23 minEasy
- 9↑ 540 m~6 h 54 minModerate
- 10↑ 500 m~7 h 3 minModerate
- 11↑ 350 m~6 h 48 minModerate
- 12↑ 130 m~3 h 20 minEasy
- 13↑ 320 m~8 h 45 minChallenging
- 14↑ 320 m~5 h 25 minModerate
- 15↑ 380 m~6 h 51 minModerate
- 16↑ 350 m~5 h 55 minModerate
- 17↑ 530 m~7 h 46 minChallenging
- 18↑ 580 m~8 h 18 minChallenging
- 19↑ 540 m~7 h 34 minChallenging
- 20↑ 240 m~5 h 57 minModerate
- 21↑ 480 m~6 h 8 minModerate
- 22↑ 530 m~4 h 53 minModerate
- 23↑ 280 m~4 h 1 minEasy
- 24↑ 540 m~7 h 34 minChallenging
- 25↑ 230 m~5 h 16 minEasy
- 26↑ 530 m~7 h 20 minModerate
- 27↑ 130 m~2 h 13 minEasy
- 28↑ 690 m~5 h 49 minChallenging
- 29↑ 220 m~4 h 49 minEasy
- 30↑ 130 m~4 h 26 minEasy
- 31↑ 470 m~9 h 54 minChallenging
- 32↑ 240 m~5 h 17 minModerate
Walking times assume a steady ~4.5 km/h pace plus 10 min per 100 m of ascent. They cover moving time only — add breaks, photo stops and coffee.
Highlights
- Pobeña beach
- Cliff path along the disused railway
- Castro Urdiales' Gothic church and Templar castle by the sea
Elevation
540 m of cumulative climb. A detailed elevation profile chart will appear here once the CMS is wired up.
Reading list for this stage
The best posts, sights, food, and tips we have for Portugalete → Castro Urdiales.
Churches & sights
Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción (Gothic)
Castro Urdiales ↗
Restaurants
La Marina (chipirones)
Castro Urdiales ↗Mesón El Marinero
Castro Urdiales ↗
Related reading
Blog posts about this stage
Articles that mention Portugalete, Castro Urdiales, or one of this stage's highlights — pulled from across the site.
Practical
The Honest Packing List: 7 Things Every Pilgrim Forgets
After three Caminos, here is the gear I would never leave home without — and the things I now refuse to carry.
11 min read
Practical
Best Time of Year to Walk the Camino de Santiago
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, albergue availability, and what to expect when on the Francés, Portugués, and Norte.
8 min read
Practical
How Long Does It Take to Walk the Camino? (Route Breakdown)
Realistic timelines for every major Camino route, with daily distance averages and tips for fitting it into a working life.
7 min read
Practical
What It Costs to Walk the Camino de Santiago (Full Budget Guide)
A real, line-by-line budget for the Camino — from albergue beds to pilgrim menus, gear, transport, and the things that surprise people.
9 min read
Gear
Ultimate Camino Packing List (What I Brought vs What I Needed)
An honest, weighed-out packing list from someone who has walked three Caminos — what made the cut, what got mailed home, and what I'll never carry again.
12 min read
Gear
Best Shoes for Walking the Camino de Santiago (2026 Guide)
Trail runners, hiking shoes, or boots? An honest review of the most common Camino footwear, with picks for wide feet, hot weather, and the rainy Norte.
11 min read
Gear
Backpacking the Camino with No Gear: What I Learned the Hard Way
When my luggage didn't arrive in Bilbao, I started the Camino del Norte with the clothes on my back. Here's what I bought, what I borrowed, and what I'd do differently.
8 min read
Gear
Top 10 Must-Have Items for the Camino (And What to Skip)
The ten things I'd never walk a Camino without — and the popular gear I now leave at home.
7 min read
Practical
How to Prevent Blisters on the Camino (Real Tips from the Trail)
Blisters end more Caminos than weather, illness, or homesickness combined. Here's how to keep your feet on the trail.
9 min read