Coastal hiking in green Asturias

You arrive in Llanes, a historic port town on Spain's green coast. You can easily get here by public transport from the airports in Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao. During the afternoon there's time to stroll through the medieval town center, visit the church Santa María del Conceyu – one of the region's finest examples of Gothic architecture – or settle down at a cider house and try local cider. If the weather is nice, there are two beaches right in the town center.

After breakfast you'll be driven by taxi to your chosen starting point along the coastal trail E-9. You choose the length of today's walk yourself. The hike goes through green pastures, along limestone cliffs and past quiet coves. Here you share the trail with pilgrims on the Camino del Norte, one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. Opportunity for refreshing breaks in villages like Pendueles or Andrín.

You leave Llanes on foot and follow the Camino del Norte southward. Today's hike is long but easy to walk and very varied, with beaches and small villages as natural rest stops. A short detour leads to the famous inland beach Gulpiyuri, a unique natural phenomenon. If you want to shorten the day you can start in Póo de Llanes by taxi or bus. In Nueva a charming hotel awaits in a historic Casa de Indianos.

Today's round trip offers some of the journey's most spectacular nature experiences. In rough weather, the Bufones de Pría thunder when seawater is forced up through the cliffs like geysers. In calmer seas you hear a dull rumbling under your feet. The hike continues along fishing paths to the Guadamía river mouth and on to Playa Cuevas del Mar, known from many Spanish films. Possibility to take a taxi for the last part if you want to stay longer by the sea.

One of the journey's most talked-about stretches. You hike from the Guadamía river mouth towards Ribadesella through a coastal landscape filled with limestone formations, small islands and peninsulas. In worse weather you can choose a more sheltered inland route. The evening is spent in Ribadesella's historic center, with plenty of restaurants and cider bars.

The Camino del Norte today follows the coast close to the sea and passes no fewer than eight sandy beaches. Short sections go on quiet country roads, but are quickly rewarded with long beach walks at Arenal de Morís, Espasa and La Isla. Towards the end the trail turns inland towards Colunga, where you stay at a small, cozy hotel in the middle of the village. Possibility to shorten the stage by bus or taxi.

The week's final hike is a summary of everything you've experienced: trails, small roads, cobblestone paths and fishing trails. At La Griega beach you can see fossilized dinosaur tracks from the Jurassic period – an unexpected and fascinating feature. End the day with views over the coast at La Isla and let the impressions sink in.

After breakfast the journey ends. You walk to the nearest bus stop or take a pre-booked taxi back to Llanes or the airport.