How To Plan & Walk The Special Camino Lebaniego To The Foothills Of The Picos De Europa – Page 9

Always walk your own Camino, on this journey, and in your life.

My Personal Camino Lebaniego Route

*The pilgrim statue between Potes and the the Santo Toribio Monastery*

I decided to walk the Camino Lebaniego by following the typical 3-day route. A majority of the day is spent walking. Once in the small villages, there are not a whole lot of things to see. The only exception to this would be Potes. If you have the time, it would be nice to sleep an extra night in Potes as there are numerous things to see and do here.

After my arrival in Potes, I continued to walk the Camino Vadiniense, which heads deeper into the Picos de Europa National Park and then leaves the mountains towards the Camino Frances. From here, accommodation is even more limited so you must book in advance or you may be scrambling for a room (like I did a few times).

Day 1 | San Vicente de la Barquera – Cades (Albergue El Carabo)

16.5 Miles / 26.5 KM | + / – 7.5 Hours
Accommodation: Albergue El Cárabo (Puente el Arroyo) | 19€ for bed and breakfast
Contact Information: +34 613 144 466

*Leaving San Vicente de la Barquera on the Camino del Norte to connect with the Lebaniego Camino route*

To reach the Camino Lebaniego you will need to follow the Camino del Norte. Make sure to hit the ATM and stock up on supplies before departing San Vicente de la Barquera.

The route follows the Camino del Norte mostly on pavement, but you will start to notice the iconic red markers of the Camino Lebaniego. A stop in the village Serdio on the Camino del Norte is a must for the tortilla con patas (omelette with potato) from La Gloria. I got mine to-go since I was so full from the free breakfast included at Nomada Hostel in San Vicente de la Barquera.

There is an option to switch to a dirt path before Muñorrodero which I took. That makes the first 7 miles or so are mostly on pavement and even more if you stay on the road. Once in Muñorrodero the Camino route splits. There are arrows in the direction to stay on the Camino del Norte or to take the Camino Leganiego.

Muñorrodero is a cute village with lots of stone paintings and full little sculptures. This is the last bar before Cades, so make sure to have food, and snacks, and are ready to continue into Cades.

🥾 San Vicente de la Barquera – Muñorrodero | 7.25 Miles / KM | + / – 3 Hours

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