Laredo, Güemes, Santander, Santillana del Mar

Castro Urdiales - Laredo

This route was probably the most challenging so far, we were able to shorten the 30km to about 25km, but it was constantly up and down. Conversations with Isabel kept me entertained at the beginning, but after a lunch break, I fell behind a little. Especially towards the end when it was all downhill, I felt the weight of the backpack more and more, and my knees and feet started to hurt significantly. The accommodation, a women's monastery right next to the church entrance, made the journey worthwhile. Although it didn't have much to offer, the experience was still special.

Laredo - Güemes

The route today was initially very pleasant along the beach and connected by a short boat ride. However, then we had to climb a pretty steep hill, but the view was breathtaking. Coming down, though, was a bit too much. The ground was very muddy and slippery due to the rain from the previous days, which made it quite unpredictable with the extra weight. So Edwin and I stopped in Noja and took a taxi for the remaining kilometers. Isabel continued the entire route with an unintentional extension. The hostel (La Cabaña del Abuelo Peuto) that awaited us here was incredible, the greeting made us feel at home. Everything is connected to nature, a huge garden invites you to linger. And I think everyone feels welcome here. The speech of "Grandfather Eduardo" was a bit tedious due to the translator's limited English skills, but still interesting and thought-provoking. The shared dinner was very cozy. But after being able to admire the beautiful starry sky, I finally went to bed.

Güemes - Santander

Fortunately, this route was much shorter. There were hardly any differences in elevation and it followed along the Atlantic, which offered a beautiful view. After walking along the beautiful beach, we were able to take a boat to Santander, where we treated ourselves to a huge portion of fries. The hostel was sparsely furnished, so we spent the evening in the beautiful city of Santander. And then we went to bed again.

Santander - Santillana del Mar

After a beautiful sunrise and breakfast, Isabel and I treated ourselves to the bus for the 36km route today, which allowed us to relax a bit and give our feet some rest. The accommodation today, a former monastery converted into a beautiful hostel, also gives us the opportunity to enjoy some privacy in a double room.