INFORMATION RIBADESELLA – SEBRAYO
If you began the Camino del Norte in the Basque Country and you yearn for those mountain ranges again, you are in luck because today the unevenness on the mountainous stretches will become evident again. If you join the pilgrim path from Ribadesella, the stage will serve as a test for your legs.
However, we would warn everyone that the slopes are back, but, luckily enough for our joints, are nothing like those that we faced during the first few stages.
Let’s continue on the Camino del Norte!
The beginning of today’s stage continues to border the Cantabrian coast, with interesting landscapes and good views. Then it moves away from the coast, entering a more mountainous terrain and with more slopes, to finish up in the tiny village of Sebrayo.
ITINERARY RIBADESELLA – SEBRAYO
Today, unevenness gains prominence and in some ways reminds us of those first days, although it is not quite the same.
The route of this stage runs along 31.3 kilometres, during the first sections along the coast, in the company of the N-632 road, and then through more mountainous terrain.
Ribadesella (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: By the promenade of the Santa Marina Beach we will find some arrows, do not pay any attention to them in this section. Buen Camino!
We start the day leaving the old town of Ribadesella in search of the bridge of the national road over the Sella Estuary. We cross it and approximately 150 metres later, we turn to the right, by Calle Avelina Cerra, to the Santa Marian Beach promenade, where we will find some arrows that we will ignore.
At the end of the walk, we turn left, along Calle Ramón y Cajal, to follow on the right the road to San Pedro, passing next to a roundabout with a fishing boat in its centre. We then continue along the road towards San Pedro de Leces (km. 3.8).
We cross the town, without changing direction, and follow the local road, uphill, during a long stretch. We continue the climb up the hillside of a lush valley until we reach a track, which we follow to the right.
First ascending, to a hilltop, and then downhill, to reach Vega de Ribadesella (km. 6.9).
Vega de Ribadesella (km. 6,9).
Practical tips for this section: La Vega Beach has no signs. Buen Camino!
At the entrance of the town we pass by the Chapel of Santa María Magdalena. We cross the village downhill, to reach La Vega Beach. On the left we take a path and then a track, which goes back up, away from the beach, until it flows onto the N-632 road.
At the edge of this road we take an asphalted lane, to the right, along which we go around the village of Berbes (km. 9.5). We cross the N-632 road, and then return to it and then turn left to take another shortcut, after which we return to the road, following it with caution.
On the right hand side, a stony path begins by which we leave the N-632, which soon after, transforms into a pleasant grassy track, with an excellent view over the coast. Further downhill, we return to a road and follow it for 250 metres, leaving the Arenal de Morís Beach on our right.
Just before the Arenal de Morís Campsite, we leave the road to take a path which starts on the right. For this reason, we enter a meadow overlooking the ocean, advancing parallel to the coast.
We cross a couple of wooden gates, leaving to our right the small La Hoya and La Beciella beaches. By a modest wooden bridge, we cross a stream and, without changing direction, we reach the beaches of Moracey and La Espasa (km. 14,7).
La Espasa (km. 14,7).
Practical tips for this section: Between La Espasa and La Isla you will find a detour to one of the churches with the greatest historical value on today’s stage. The Church of Santiago is located 1.4 kilometres from the pilgrim path, in the centre of Gobiendes. It’s up to you whether to divert to it or not. Buen Camino!
We cross La Espasa Beach along its promenade and before crossing the river of the same name we find the ruins of some stables. At the exit we start again on the N-632 road, saying goodbye to the Caravia Council and entering Colunga.
After following the national N-632 road for just over one kilometre, we arrive at the detour to La Isla. We continue straight up the road, for three and a half kilometres, and enter the centre of Colunga (km. 20,1).
We cross Colunga following the national road, which is the town’s main street, and at the exit we follow on the left the road that goes to Puente Agüera. 250 metres later we turn right, following a local road, the CL-1, which heads to Pernús, passing under the A-8 motorway.
Pernús (km. 25,3).
Practical tips for this section: Today’s stage doesn’t have too many places to visit, however, in this section you will find several churches that do deserve a visit, take advantage to stop because there is not much left to complete the route. Buen Camino!
In Pernús we pass next to the Church of San Pedro and we continue, ascending, the same CL-1 road on which we entered the town, passing through the tiny village of La Vega first, and later, by La Llera (km. 27,1), then with the Church of San Antolín.
At the exit of this last town, we arrive at a hill, from where we start the descent, by the same paved track, to Priesca (km. 28,4), where we will find the Church of San Salvador.
In the town, we follow a local road on the right for 50 metres, then divert along a dirt track, which is born on the right, advancing uphill.
The track returns us to the local road where we leave Priesca, through which we cross another tiny village that is also called La Vega.
By a dirt road that starts on the left and after crossing under a viaduct of the A-8 motorway, we arrive in Sebrayo (31,3), at the end of today’s stage.
Sebrayo (km. 31,3). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: One of the wonders of the Camino de Santiago is to enjoy nature and to have the opportunity to be on your own, and this town is perfect for it. See you tomorrow!
Sebrayo is a very small place, with few services and not much heritage to visit, but it has a wonderful natural environment that is worth enjoying.
Those who want to stay overnight in a bigger place can continue their route to Villaviciosa, where, in addition to finding more services you will find more heritage to visit.
We reserve this for tomorrow and today we will stay and relax in Sebrayo.
COMMENTS RIBADESELLA – SEBRAYO
Here are some suggestions for today’s stage.
How to get to Ribadesella
The town of Ribadesella is well connected by the A-8 motorway, which links it to Oviedo, Gijón and Santander. If you come to Ribadesella in your own vehicle you must leave the highway at exit 326 or 333. The town is also accessible via the N-634 and N-632 roads.
If you plan to arrive by public transport, you can use the bus service, which connects the town with Gijón, Santander, Oviedo, A Coruña and Madrid, among other Spanish cities, or the train, with regular lines to Oviedo.
If you come from abroad, it is best to fly to some of the Spanish cities with a bus connection
to the town. Anyway, remember that if you don’t want to worry about transportation or logistical details, you can contact us and we will take care of everything.
Precautions stage Ribadesella – Sebrayo
Throughout today’s stage, especially on the stretches that run along the beach, it is possible that the signage is lost in some points. Follow the description of the itinerary provided in this guide.
Moreover, despite a greater presence of slopes than during previous stages, the day does not involve added difficulties for cyclists or people with reduced mobility.
Food stage Ribadesella – Sebrayo
Today you can enjoy some of the regional foods that we propose below.
- >Fish and Stews
- >Smoked Asturian Black Pudding
- >Tuna and Eel with Peas
- >Black Pudding
- >Rice Pudding and Fried Milk cake
- >Any dish made with beans cultivated in Colunga
- >Colunga apples
WHAT TO DO RIBADESELLA – SEBRAYO
Today’s stage runs through a beautiful setting with frequent sea views, however, it does not have many historical and cultural attractions.
However, we have summarised the most interesting places for you, so you can visit them during your tour.
Iglesia de San Pedro de Pernús
The Church of St. Peter of Pernús was built in 1772 and is in a neoclassical style. Of its original structure, only the plan and a historical capital located on the outside of the chancel are preserved.
The current temple has a square chancel, covered with vaults, a belfry, a portico with a keystone door, the product of remodelling completed in the 18th century. The bell tower stands out on the main façade, ornate with vegetable motifs and a stone cross.
Iglesia de San Antolín de La Llera
The Church of San Antolín de La Llera dates back to the late 18th century and is in a neoclassical style. The construction of the temple was carried out on another Romanesque church. From this are preserved brackets, medallions and the pointed arch of access to the current temple.
In the church cemetery rest, since 1763, the remains of the French soldier Pedro Josef Brune, who arrived in the town very ill, on his way to Santiago de Compostela.
Another curiosity of this temple, is that the ownership of the church is shared between Colunga and Villaviciosa.
Iglesia San Salvador de Priesca
The Church of San Salvador de Priesca is a pre-Romanesque temple, built in 921. Its structure, a basilical plan, consists of three naves, with the central one being the highest and widest.
The naves are covered in wood and divided by pillars, made of masonry, with a square base. The capitals of these pillars support three half-point arches, made of brickwork. On the walls of the central nave are four rectangular openings on each side, with latticework.
The temple’s chancel consists of three chapels covered with barrel vaults. The central chapel is flanked by a set of half-point arches, which stand on attached columns. These columns feature leaf-ornate capitals.
Inside the church are remnants of paintings with plants, geometric and architectural elements.
Practical information:
Times: From 1st July to 31st August, it is closed on Mondays and is open from 17 to 19 hours. The rest of the year it is necessary to ask for the keys in order to visit.
Sebrayo
Sebrayo is a small hamlet, with less than 50 inhabitants, which stands out for its charm and its nature. The place has a strong relationship with the Camino de Santiago. Here, you can visit the Church of Santa Maria.
Iglesia de Santa María de Sebrayo
The Church of Santa Maria is located in the hamlet of Sebrayo. It is a temple of great proportions, of the 13th century, built in a Romanesque style.
Its structure stands on a rectangular floor plan formed by a single nave covered with gabled wood and topped with a chancel, under a barrel vault.
On the outside stands the large central arched window of half point, with plant motifs. In its interior the triumphal arch stands out, which divides the chancel in the nave, which rises on columns also decorated in plant motifs.
Services Ribadesella – Sebrayo
Services stage from Ribadesella to Sebrayo
Map Ribadesella – Sebrayo
Map stage from Ribadesella to Sebrayo
Profile Ribadesella – Sebrayo
Profile stage from Ribadesella to Sebrayo
