Local Life. Remarkable Landscapes. History. Culture. Wine & Cuisine.
EXCLUSIVE! Jo Ann Taylor, founder of The Walking Connection, hosts this Walking Connection experience.
September 16 - 27, 2025
12- Days, 11- Nights
This trip begins in Bilbao, Spain (BIO) on September 16, 2025
This trip ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain (SCQ) after breakfast on September 27, 2025.
Priced from:
$6898USD
per person, double occupancy
We're Happy To Answer Your Questions.
Contact Us Via Website Form or Email.
$1000 USD Deposit Due With Registration
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION FEATURE: Our private minibus means that there is flexibility to shorten walks, skip some entirely, or be picked up at midpoints along the way.
IT'S A WALKING...
Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have trekked to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Many routes have been traveled over the centuries, and on this unique itinerary, you can walk the most beautiful and historical paths.
Now, in modern times and our fast-paced world, whether walking this trail for a spiritual quest, a personal challenge, or just to slow down and take in the experience, the Camino with fellow members of the Walking Connection will be an extraordinary journey...
Each day's break is full of promise to connect with new people and the local culture. Enjoy the simplicity of walking from here to there and having a real sense of place. Step by step, day by day, life slows down.
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...CONNECTION
Our selection of walks and visits balance the beauty of the natural landscape with the most interesting historical sites and charming, comfortable accommodations. What makes this journey so special is the people you meet along the way, from your guides and hosts to shepherds, villagers, pilgrims, and your fellow Desert Mountain members and friends.
Hiking the Camino with Walking Connection means your journey was crafted in concert with local experts and curated by Jo Ann Taylor. With over 30 years of experience, Jo Ann is a pioneer in adventure travel and a leader in creating unique walking travel experiences in more than 30 countries around the world.
Two knowledgeable local hiking guides will lead our journey in Spain and will provide optional shorter hike distances to accommodate hikers of most abilities. To enjoy the most scenic portions of the Camino, there will be transfers each day to the start of our walks and, at the end of the day, to our next charming hotel.
Camino Highlights
Set out on an unparalleled journey through the breathtaking landscapes of northern Spain. Our meticulously curated adventure showcases the finest and most captivating stretches of two iconic routes: the renowned 'Camino Frances' and the hidden gem, 'Camino del Norte'.
ONE IS GOOD. TWO IS BETTER
MAKING THE CONNECTION
You'll be led by two local expert hiking guides, each deeply versed in centuries of pilgrimage history. As you embark on this journey, one guide will lead the way while the other graciously trails behind, affording you the freedom to set your own pace and immerse yourself in the culture.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Your authentic experience will be enriched by delightful overnight stays in enchanting accommodations which have welcomed pilgrims for centuries. Coupled with savoring the finest local gastronomy and interesting wines your adventure will embrace the intersection of culture, nature and history.
Your Experience
Level of Activity
You walk seven stages over the course of this trip, each varies somewhat in length, from 6 - 10 miles (10 - 16 km) with an average of 7 miles a day. Shorter walks are also available on most days from 2 - 5 miles.
The nature of the walking depends on the region you traverse, but by and large, it is on well-maintained, wide paths and tracks. On one of the days, the walk is almost entirely uphill as you transition into Galicia but the gradient is steady with an optional pickup point along the way.
PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION ALWAYS READY!
Our privately available minibus means that there is flexibility to shorten the walk, skip some of the walks or be picked up at middle points.
Level Of Comfort
Your accommodations have been chosen with the utmost care, each possessing a distinct allure that resonates with the heart of its locale. As you step into these charming accommodations, you'll find yourself immersed in a narrative that seamlessly weaves the past and present into an unforgettable tapestry.
Ensconced within quaint villages that pulsate with the authenticity of local life, your stay promises an intimate connection with the very soul of Spain. These small towns have been thoughtfully selected to mirror the nuances of their region, offering you a genuine glimpse into the customs, traditions, and rhythms that define the local culture. From cobbled streets to bustling markets, each corner tells a story that you'll be invited to explore and embrace.
Elevating your journey to the extraordinary are the Stays of Distinction – a collection of nights you'll treasure. As you cross the threshold into these remarkable Paradors, a harmonious fusion of antiquity and modern luxury greets you. These historical gems, once monasteries, castles, or convents, now stand as testaments to the passage of time, meticulously restored to their former glory. The architectural significance of these edifices serves as a bridge between eras, allowing you to traverse history with every step.
Level Of Culture
Unveil a mesmerizing journey through Spain's soul as you traverse the Camino's carefully selected highlights. Experience seamless shifts in both landscapes and cultures, painting a vivid picture of Spain's rich diversity.
Beyond a journey, this is an immersion into Spain's essence. The Best of the Camino unveils the diverse culture at every step with a fusion of landscapes, history, flavors, and wines.
Indulge in a gastronomic adventure that mirrors Spain's vibrant traditions. From Navarra's succulent beef to Galicia's coastal seafood treasures, relish every flavor and texture that define each region's intense culinary pride.
With the changes in food, so too the wines vary by region. Navigate through exclusive D.O. wine realms, sampling Spain's best-kept vinicultural secrets. Sip on flavors evoking the essence of the land in every exquisite sip.
Day-By-Day
Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
YOUR COMFORT IS DEFINED BY CHOICE
Local, experienced English-speaking guides and a driver will lead our small private group. Along with your Walking Connection host and escort, there will be options most days for a long hike, a shorter distance or the choice to take the day off. Your choice!
DAY 1
Welcome to Your Camino, Bilbao
Arrive at your convenience in Bilbao, (BIO)
Optional Pre-night Stay Available.
Accommodation: Hotel Carlton
No activities are planned so guests can arrive at their convenience.
DAY 2
And So It Begins...
Walk Options: For your first day's walk on the Camino, enjoy an introduction to the week ahead. With very little elevation change, you can start with an easy warm up for just a few miles or trek up to 7 miles (11.5 km). Your choice! With our own expert hiking guides leading the way, we will have access to our private vehicle and a driver guide for flexibility.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Gran Hotel La Perla
Starting in Bilbao, we take a drive up into the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, the traditional start point of the Camino in Spain. The landscape is one of lovely small villages set in the rolling pastures and forests of the Basque Pyrenees. Over the course of the day, you gradually descend through villages and woodland towards the village of Zubiri where you end today's walk.
At the end of your walk, you are picked up for the short drive to your hotel in the heart of the old city of Pamplona. Take time this evening to stroll around the heart of the city with your guides, following the route of the encierro, also known as the running of the bulls, made so famous by Hemingway. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 3
La Rioja
Walk Options: Passing through various villages along the way, there will be several points at which you will have the option to finish your walk and enjoy the local life. For those that would like to walk the full distance, your total for the day will be 9.25 miles (14.8 km).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine Tasting, Dinner
Accommodation: Parador de Santo Domingo.
A short transfer from Pamplona brings you to the start point of today's walk. As you are now moving away from the mountains, the terrain changes to open, rolling landscapes punctuated by villages rich in history, including Puente de la Reina, one of the prettiest villages along the entire Camino. Cross Medieval and Roman bridges, passing olive groves and small vineyards as you continue your journey along the Camino towards the hill top village of Cirauqui.
At the end of today's walk, you transfer around an hour to the Rioja area where we visit one of the famous wineries before settling in the Parador of the historical town of Santo Domingo do la Calzada.
DAY 4
Burgos
Walk Options: Walk through varied terrain from bird-filled forests to more barren landscapes for a maximum distance of 6.2 miles (10 km). If you prefer a shorter walk, you have the option to go directly to Burgos after the hikers are taken to the start of their walk and explore the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Palacio de los Blasones
Start the day with a one-hour transfer to the start point of today's walk in the Montes de Oca. In the olden days, the traverse of the Montes de Oca was one of the most feared pilgrimage stretches due to bandits. Follow a wide track through the forest until you reach the beautiful monastery built by San Juan de Ortega to offer support to pilgrims.
Today's route finishes near Atapuerca, arguably the most important archaeological site on Earth. At the site, 1 million years of human presence are being excavated, the oldest evidence of humans in Western Europe. Stay in the heart of Burgos, famous for its enormous Gothic cathedral and excellent food. Enjoy an early evening cathedral and city tour with our local guide before dinner. There is also a fantastic museum in Burgos which contains the world's most extensive hominid collection and an exhibit on Human Evolution.
DAY 5
Leon
Walk Options: With endless grain filled hills stretching out before you, set out across the vast plains for a 7 mile (11 km) walk. A shorter 3 mile walk is available for those that choose, or enjoy free time in nearby San Martin de Fromista, a village with a number of interesting churches.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parador de León
From the old town of Castrojeriz, set off across the Tierra de Campos with its huge grain fields and enormous skies. The landscape is dotted with small villages and impressive churches with nesting storks. This is deep Spain and leaves you with a fantastic sense of the vast emptiness of central Spain.
Spend the night in the town of Leon, where you can enjoy the famous stained glass windows of its gothic Cathedral and the lively bars and restaurants of El Humedo quarter.
DAY 6
Picos de Europa
Walk Options: Walk 7.15 miles (11.5 km) along the Camino Vadiniense into the Picos de Europa National Park. For anyone that prefers not to walk today, you will be transferred by our driver to the next hotel and enjoy an optional free day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Del Oso
From Leon, transfer north into the Cantabrian range to hike down into the Liebana valley, admiring the high vertical peaks of the Picos de Europa as you follow the Camino Vadiniense. This route was historically used to visit the important relics that were hidden in the Liebana Valley in the 8th century, to keep them from the Muslims conquering the Peninsula from the South.
The Picos de Europa is the first National Park established in Spain in 1918 and a unique reserve of wildlife and traditional farming culture. Walk past mountain pastures and beech forests to arrive in Fuente De,a remote setting deep in the mountains. From here, a short transfer will deliver you to your cozy, family-run hotel.
DAY 7
Three Caminos To Llanes
Walk Options: Our hike will take us along the Deva Valley and past Santo Toribio Monastery on your way to Potes. If you opt for the full distance, you will cover 7 miles (11 km) or for a shorter walk of several miles, you will be picked up along the way. Enjoy the walk your way!
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Don Paco
Walk on three different Caminos in one day. Start the day walking along the Camino Vadiniense, traversing forests, pastures and villages under the towering Picos de Europa. Close to the town of Potes, you reach the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, where the famous relics of the Lignum Crucis have been kept since the 8th century. From this point you join the Camino Lebaniego to finish your walk in the historic town of Potes.
Enjoy a walk around its cobbled streets and bridges and refresh yourself before your transfer to the Cantabrian Coast. Settle for the night in the picturesque fishing town of Llanes, one of the loveliest villages along the Camino del Norte and an excellent place to dine on seafood at one of numerous restaurants.
DAY 8
LLanes
Walk Options: We will be staying in Llanes for two nights so you have several options. Walk along the Camino del Norte and the rugged Cantabrian coast for a complete day's walk of 10 miles (16 km) or after lunch transfer back to Llanes making it a 6 mile day. Prefer to have a free day? You can also stay back and enjoy Llanes on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Don Paco
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Llanes with time for an early morning stroll along the Medieval town and port before taking the local narrow gauge train for 10 km to the village of Pendueles. From here, walk back to Llanes along the Northern Camino de Santiago, past small villages and enjoying great views of the roughed Cantabrian coastline, following the path along high cliffs and past coves of white sand ideal for a quick dip! In the evening, explore the great dining options in town, ranging from local fish and seafood places to Michelin-starred restaurants.
DAY 9
Astorga
Walk Options: Walking the Camino Frances, we will follow the way to the old Roman town of Astorga with a choice of a 3.7 mile (6 km) OR a 6.2 mile (10 km) walk.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Via de la Plata
Today we travel south across the Cantabrian range towards Leon to start hiking to the town of Astorga. Your starting point is the village of Orbigo, you traverse holm oak forests and open fields.
In Astorga, you meet another historic path of Iberia as you reach the Via de la Plata, a branch of the pilgrimage which comes up from Seville following an old Roman road. In Roman times, Astorga was the administrative center of a region rich with gold deposits. As early as the 3rd century, the town was a bishopric and this rich history is evidenced today by the sheer number of important religious buildings built here through the ages. Of particular note is the Episcopal Palace, designed by Anton Gaudi.
DAY 10
Galicia
Walk Options: The scenery changes completely as you walk into Galicia -- Spain's greenest corner. This rewarding hike is an uphill climb with a total gain of 700 meters. Walk halfway for a village pickup at 2.5 miles (4 km) or climb the rest of the way to complete the ascent with 5.25 miles (8.5 km).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Monumento Pazo de Orban
Prepare yourself for a big change in scenery as you cross into the lush greenery of Galicia, home to the city of Santiago. The walk today is relatively short, but all uphill, as you walk out of the region of Leon. At the top of the hill is the village of O'Cebreiro, rich in Camino history and site of one of the oldest inns on the walk. It's been serving meals to pilgrims since the 9th century, so how could we pass up a warm lunch?
After lunch, we travel to the next hotel in the town of Lugo. An important stop on the Northern Camino, Lugo is famous for its fully preserved Roman wall circling the city center.
DAY 11
Santiago de Compostela
Walk Options: Walk one of the prettiest stretches of the Camino, following ancient paths through the forests. Depending on time, there will be several options for short walks or a longer trek up to 8.14 miles (13.1 km). For our final stage, we will walk together into Santiago de Compostela.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Compostela
It is a short drive to the town of Sarria, where you will begin your walk. In this town many pilgrims gather, as this is the start point for those completing a shorter version of the Camino. The path follows ancient trails passing small hamlets and magic "corredoiras", the traditional Galician pathways lined with oak and chestnut trees. You also enjoy views of the wide open countryside.
At the end of your morning walk, you travel by road to Santiago to stop at the Monte do Gozo and hike into town to reach the Cathedral. Take in the atmosphere in the Plaza del Obradoiro, watching as pilgrims finish their long journey, and celebrate yours. Settle into your prestigious Parador and get ready for a very special farewell dinner.
DAY 12
Home & Points Beyond
We can't say enough about this place, other than if you have the time to stay one more day after the Camino, it is the perfect way to celebrate the end of your journey. We are happy to make your arrangements.
If you must go, a transfer to the airport or train station can be made after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Santiago is a very special city. Resolutely and obviously Spanish, it has also welcomed visitors for millennia, so has a relaxed cosmopolitan feel, which is otherwise difficult to come by in Spain. The city is always full of pilgrims who are delighted to have just arrived, so it is hard not to be infected by their positive energy.
Today you'll receive your
Walking Connection - Camino de Santiago Completion Certificate
signed by your guides and host, and witnessed by your fellow walkers.
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Come Walk With Us
Inclusions
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Unique itinerary designed by Walking Connection co-founder, Jo Ann Taylor in partnership with our local team in Spain.
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Adventure is hosted and led by Jo Ann Taylor.*
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Two professional local hiking guides and a transport driver for flexibility in the distance of daily walks.
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Eleven nights lodging at Paradors and boutique hotels as indicated in the itinerary.
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Daily meals, as indicated in the itinerary.
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Complimentary local wines with some meals.
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Wine tasting at a local Rioja Winery.
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Guest and luggage transfers throughout.
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All activities and tours as detailed in the itinerary.
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Walking Connection Certificate of Completion.
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Detailed Know Before You Go information, including recommended websites, reading lists, packing list, and weather forecasts.
Items Not Included
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Local guide and driver gratuities.
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All international and domestic airfares with tax.
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Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip.
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All items of a personal nature, including beverages and shopping.
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All passport and visa application fees, vaccination, and medical consulting fees.
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Health testing if required for entry into Spain or returning to country of origin.
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All international departure taxes collected at airport of departure.
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Additional hotel stay pre- or post-scheduled itinerary.
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Early check-in or late check-out of rooms.
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Optional tours.
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Photographs or phone calls.
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Discounts/Refunds on any unused portion of the tour.
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Travel Insurance. (LINK - Walking Connection Preferred Vendor.)
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Certificate of Compostela.
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Anything that is not expressly stated in the itinerary or on the inclusion list above.
*JoAnn Taylor is scheduled to lead this trip, with the understanding that in case of emergency other leaders may be substitued.
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$1000 Deposit Due On Sign Up.
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