Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino del Norte app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appTomorrow from Ontón
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castro Urdiales | 7.1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| Santullán | 9.9 | ✓ Yes | — No | |
| Cerdigo | 13.9 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Islares | 17.1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| El Pontarrón de Guriezo | 21.4 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Rioseco | 23.3 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Hazas - Liendo | 32.5 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Ontón is a hamlet at the foot of the national road where the camino crosses from Bizkaia into Cantabria. The albergue that once operated here has permanently closed, leaving a service gap on this stretch. The camino climbs stairs back up to the N-634, where arrows point in two directions — one following the road through Mioño (shorter, now the preferred route), the other taking the old camino through Baltezana (longer, quieter).
In Ontón the camino climbs a set of stairs to bring you back up to the level of the N-634, at a point where the road curves sharply and arrows point in two distinct directions.Option 1: Along N-634 through Mioño & tunnel- 7.1To follow the new route, simply follow the bend in the road and keep on it as it twists and turns. It will cross under and over the A-8 several times before arriving in Mioño.Option 2: The Old Camino - 14.8The old camino route crossed over the N-634 at this bend, and followed the CA-523 in the direction of Baltezana. The way is still well marked but has been largely abandoned in favor of a newly marked route along the N-634.
3. May 2026 - 6:41
Pobeña albergue is old, cramped, and uncomfortable. No real common area since kitchen and “lounge” are in one of the dorm rooms so there’s nowhere to socialize or get ready in the morning without disturbing others, and forget about trying to cook any sort of meal. (Fortunately the restaurant and bar in town are excellent - there’s nowhere to buy groceries or even snacks though.) Bathroom situation is abysmal - just one toilet each for men and women in a place that sleeps 38 (do the math.) No soap or sanitizer in bathroom sinks, so overall hygiene situation is questionable. The woman who runs it is somewhat of a character and I liked her very much, although the checkin process is slow and laborious - not great when it’s raining and dozens of pilgrims have to wait outside to check in. All in all, it’s serviceable, but just barely.
30. April 2026 - 21:35
I would very strongly advice not taking the new ‘coastal’ shorter route. Its at least 3 miles along a horrible busy road that is very poorly marked. I tore up my leg on a wire fence trying to avoid the lorries thundering past. Really unpleasant couple of hours. I hope the longer inland route is nicer.
28. July 2025 - 12:38
It’s highway, it’s ugly, but it’s not that difficult. Stay facing traffic and there’s plenty of space to get out of the way if you need to. There are only a few dozen meters where the shoulder doesn’t exist and it’s fine. We saw maybe 8 cars our entire section. It’s fine, plus Miono is a VERY cute town with half a dozen cafes right on the Camino if you need a break.
Take the shortcut.
18. May 2025 - 21:28
Option 1 onton-miono via n634 is very dangerous. You walk 7km on the road with cars, no space for pedestrians. Dangerous, ugly and stressful. Should not be offered as option.
31. July 2024 - 21:48
You don't need to bother. The road is wide enough for you to be passed safely by cars. There were only few cars when I was walking, not stressful at all.
10. July 2024 - 3:25
I‘m walking with my 9 year old daughter and we came from Portugalete today. It was very scary to walk on the street with one curve after another and cars driving way to fast past us. There is no space for pedestrians and some cars even honked at us. So we we‘re pretty uncertain if this really is the right way to go.
21. June 2024 - 10:51
Tried booking today and they responded saying they are permanently closed.
8. June 2024 - 16:45
There were two big events in Bilbao and this was the closest albergue we could get into. The lovely couple who run it did there best to serve us a delicious dinner and breakfast and make sure everyone was comfortable.
17. May 2024 - 9:31
Donativo Albergue. You can wash and hung dry your clothes while you wait for pilgrim meal. Breakfast was also included in your Donativo. showers and bathrooms were fine, and since their is nothing close, host has drinks for sale during off hours. Good stop.
24. April 2024 - 20:26
We took the short route along the street and on a Sunday morning there were barley cars.
When in Mioño go to the beach and take coastal walk to Castro. It’s stunning.
You won’t pass miono on the longer route that’s why we took it.
22. April 2024 - 14:04
All the way from Onton to Mioño is on the car road. Hardly any camino signs either. I would have never chosen this route if I had known better.
7. April 2024 - 15:47
We went the shorter way from Onton. It was fine, but did not feel the safest. Having started in Portugalete that day, we did not have the time or energy for the longer route. The short was is along a big road that is fairly windy so it’s hard to see cars. Would probably go the other way next time!
29. March 2024 - 9:40
The shorter option here is on a road with no space for pedestrians. Unsafe and uninteresting too. Next time We sure take the old route.
14. July 2023 - 11:30
I am sooooo happy I chose the long route. It goes through the forrest with almost no cars. You walk in the shaddow of the trees and can enjoy the nature to the fullest. The elevation was not extreme. It was a little up and a little down. Very very nice.
I try to walk away from the big roads, so if you like me enjoy the nature, then you should definetely choose the long route.
I took a stop in Otañes for a coffee. The bar opened at 11.00 but other days maybe a little later, the owner told me.
31. May 2023 - 19:32
The “short route” is dangerous. I hitchhiked to Castro Urdiales because of the hills and sharp curves, with no space for pedestrians, just felt unwise. They should at least add a die walk for pilgrims.
1. May 2023 - 18:07
Albergue Tu Camino was great. Average facility, but the hosts were great and the spirit of the Camino was super. I have not really experienced that spirit on the Norte thus far.
19. September 2022 - 20:07
The new main camino route (N634, option 1) is dangerous. Poorly marked, no safe road shoulder to walk in many sections, multi highway intersections with no safe way to cross. The good...we survived and it is shorter than the original route.
13. August 2022 - 17:24
It's a nice walk, very few cars and people, with one long climb that's not steep though. Didn't see any bars or anything really (fountain, shop, etc) until santullán.
15. June 2022 - 21:54
Always on the road, often with no space for pedestrians, cars driving fast. I was scared most of the time. For me it was the worst part of el camino since Irun. I would definitely NOT recommand this option.
3. June 2022 - 21:41
Lovely albergue. Donativo dinner is one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Highly recommend staying here.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.