Soto de Luiña

Adding my two cents to the discussion on the mountain route. Tried it today (Sept 11 2026) and the trail was in decent condition (only a few minutes of high grass). But about halfway through the hike a pair of large dogs (I think guard or shepherd dogs- but not leashed, or enclosed) came out of a field and jogged after me barking as I walked briskly back the way I came for a few hundred meters. After they stopped following me I took a side road down the mountain and rejoined the coastal route (the hike was very nice up until then).

So for those debating between mountain and coast, it is in principle possible to do 50:50. I did prefer the views of the coast from the mountain. But I don’t think I’d recommend it given the dogs.

Realize that with the level of lack of maintenance, no comments about the mountain path are going to be very accurate; the level of over growth is going to change month to month. That being said the current state of it is not worth it. Kilometers of uneven ground cover in 1-2 foot long wet grass; that's a recipe for rolled ankles. I've done 9000 kms of hiking since my last ankle sprain, 2500 of it on the Appalachian trail and today has been one of the sketchiest in recent memory. A rolled ankle can end your Camino. The view was ok but not worth that; you know what else is a nice view, views of beaches and water. The mountain path is the official yellow line; the Camino should be ashamed that they have decided the current level of maintenance is adequate.

See my post below on the mountain. Found a tick the next morning! Long pants advised.

We chose the mountains today and don’t regret it. The paths have been recently cleared and are easy going despite the heavy rain. The views and scenery were spectacular. One of my fav stages of the Norte so far.
Points to note. Mountain weather can turn, so be prepared for bad weather.
Dont attempt if you aren’t ready for some steep climbs. Its mostly gravel forest track with some grassy or narrow paths as you go up and come off the top.
Some of the waymarks are missing so make sure you follow the map in Wise pilgrim which easily shows the way.

Its a strenuous day but not technically difficult and very rewarding. Im a small 58 yr old woman with an 8k bag and managed ok.

No snakes or ticks but did see a pine martin.

Did the route today, clear skies, warm and breezy so good mountain conditions. Did not have much difficulty following the track but not cool so many people feel the need to nic the direction tiles from the marker posts. At the top I would suggest going all the way up to the tower, there is a track down the other side. When heading down (towards the west) approx 2km from the top, you will see a vehicle width track to the left and Wise Pilgrim maps show a to go straight and up a hill, this is incorrect, go left and on your right will see a track marker.

At the spot where the where the track crosses Carretera Cortina - Cadaveu the markers and arrows indicate to go up the hill for a bush track, this is not maintained and is very overgrown . Suggest following the road as indicated on Wise Pilgrim

The hosts at the albergue mentioned the mountain road is currently closed due to a landslide.
You have to take the coastal route at the moment.

After having read the other recent comments about the mountain path, I was hesitant to take it, but after having completed it, I can say that I believe it to be worth the trek.
Many people have described poor experiences with this section, but the only unpleasantness I experienced was something present in the rest of El Camino Del Norte, mud. Theres a decent bit of mud on the second half of this hike, but it's fine.
For the difficulty, I would compare it to many hikes I've done in the Appalachians of Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. If you like ridgeline hikes with great views, this is a hike for you. I would even mention that it is probably easier on your feet than the other paved sections have been. If your feet have been bothering you because of the pavement like mine have, this gives them a break and definitely works your upper legs more.
Overall, it's up to you, but if you use some common sense, it's not bad at all, and has given me some of my favorite pictures of the trip.

I took the mountain route. I am a solo hiker, very capable and confident. Today was a sunny day, no rain in the forecast. However, the mountain route climbed up and up and up. The higher I climbed, the more I went into the fog and grey skies, ultimately ending in rain when I reached the peak. Also, the farther I went into the route, the more signs were missing where the route splits up, so it was a guessing game if I was choosing the right path. I had my offline map, but it was STILL difficult to tell where to go. Absolutely TERRIFYING to be miles and miles from civilization, extremely unclear signage, overgrown paths covered in mud streams in the pouring rain on the side of a mountain with poor visibility. AND SNAKES. I saw 2. After weeks on the Norte, today was the first time I genuinely felt unsafe. I would never do this hike again. No to mountain route!

After a long stage on the way we saw the cat in the window, Limon guesthouse (Limon was one of theirs cats).
The town is small but you have everything you could need. Relaxing in the garden listening to the river is priceless. The owners helped us with everything and we were even able to make lemonade with the lemons from the garden. Outstanding price quality. Thank you Gonzalo and Iratxe for your hospitality

i just did the coastal route and it was a great experience with stunning views, beautiful nature paths in fairytale forests, pitoresque countrysides..very colorful mixed landscapesituations. it is often up and down a bit, but not steep and so very pleasant to walk. some parts are on serpentine roads, but there was not a lot (almost none) traffic the 2 days i was walking the coastal route.
i was happy that i had my walking sticks, cause in the forests were about 3 situations i had to balance over a small and not really dangerous river/trickle on stones.

i don't know about any pilgrim in my timeframe who did the mountain route. one elderly pilgrim started walking it by mistake but turned around after he felt like he's the only pilgrim and after a spanish passenger told him he shouldn't walk it, cause too dangerous.

Limón guest house gives you a room for yourself when the price is 25euros. And with a clean shared bathroom, kitchen, living room, it’s really cozy and highly recommend. Llater that night, grab some really good hamburger at the bar call La tasca de Rosa. Just so good.

Mountain route is extremely overgrown. You do have an option to go around the waist high grass. After rain the day before, the very narrow and poorly maintained path was a river. If there is any risk of rain, fog, or just clouds, there are no views. Not worth the extra time and slow going to navigate with the lack of markers and low trail visibility, only to have to walk on a highway at the end of it all.

It’s so worth it!! Only a few steeper hills, but not very long ones. Go for it, you are not gonna regret it. Just be aware there are quite a few ticks on the second half of the path, so stay away from higher grass maybe, and check your skin.

The coastal route is as described- MANY steep ups and downs, several sections of very dangerous road walking, and mud, rocky downhills and stream crossings. I didn’t do the mountain route, but I almost wonder if that would have been better because the coastal route was quite exhausting with the constant up and downs- longest 19km hike I’ve done so far. There are some stunning coastal views in the second half of the day, but it did feel like this section would never end, and I was glad when it did.

Beautiful space right on the Camino! Has 2 bedrooms, one with double bed and another with a pull out bed. Full shared kitchen, washing machine, garden with line for drying clothes. 35 euro for 2 people in double bed. Fast internet, good shower/hot water. Very nice hosts. Overall highly recommend staying here!

Beautiful views! A large number of the tiles have fallen off the way markers. However it is normally quite clear which way to go. Quite overgrown in places. Watch out for ticks - we were wearing shorts and had to remove several.

I choose the mountain route and didn't regret as I experienced the most stunning views on the Camino since Irun. Nice to be away from roads and houses. I managed to get a little lost at one point where there was a discrepancy between the waymarker and the route in the app. I followed the app over a steep hill.

We took the mountain route in June 2022 and it was fantastic. Very well marked and a relatively easy walk (whenever you look ahead and it seems as though you have a steep incline to a peak, the Camino goes around the mountain side - safely!!) Spectacular views of the sea and hills. There is a very short bit on the road during the route, during which a man in his car stopped and told us we should go down to the coastal path - nothing after this was particularly difficult, not sure why the encouragement of the road way when the mountain route is so beautiful and not too difficult!!

Its exxeptionally well marked! All markings are NEW! Mountain route is NOT difficult, almost no Steel sections. But its very Beautiful and relaxing. I highly suggest to take it!!

One of the best albergue to stay. Elena and her husband makes your day! Clean, very nice beds with linnen. Delicious food and wine. Nice showers. Call her in advance to check if there are places left for the night as she plans to reduce bed places. A bit of the toad, but it is worth it!