Berria

Camino del Norte

To end of camino
601.1
Altitude
10

Santoña

⇣

2.60

⇣

Berria

⇣

3.80

⇣

Helgueras

Berria on BOOKING.com
Services
Bar
Yes

Berria sits on an isthmus shaped by competing north winds, with a popular beach on its northern flank. The town marks a decision point: the official camino climbs 100 m up the steep, sandy El Brusco headland — excellent panoramic views from the top, but the terrain is loose and not for the faint of heart. The alternative follows the road to Noja, considerably easier on the legs.

The high-walled El Dueso prison is visible at the entrance to town — an unusual landmark but hard to miss.

Notice

At the end of Berria, the camino splits. This is one of the rare points where the official camino might not be the best option. Where the main road turns left at the end of town, the camino turns right onto a trail which climbs 100m up to the top of the El Brusco headland. Although this climb affords excellent panoramic views from the top, its steep sandy terrain is not for the faint of heart.

The alternative is to follow the road to Noja.

The Road

The official camino over the Alto de Brusco is straightforward. To follow the alternative along the road, turn left at the bend to follow a pedestrian path past the first roundabout. At the second roundabout bear right to follow the CA-141 in the direction of Somo. There exist several variants of the camino along this stretch, which may accidentally take you away from Noja and to San Miguel de Meruelo.

All of these options require you to turn left off of the CA-141 so if Noja is your destination, keep on the main road and ignore all left-hand turns. When you do leave the CA-141 it will be to the right and is marked Helgueras 2km.

If neither Helgueras, Noja, nor Castillo are on your agenda you can follow the left facing arrows and continue directly to San Miguel.

City Map
Accommodation in Berria.
Private
Albergue Playa de Berria
22€
22
Booking.com
Pension
Posada Las Garzas
Booking.com 		Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Posada Las Garzas
Hostal
Hostal de Berria ⭑⭑
Booking.com 		Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Hostal de Berria ⭑⭑
Hotel
Hotel Juan de la Cosa ⭑⭑⭑⭑
Booking.com 		Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Hotel Juan de la Cosa ⭑⭑⭑⭑

Comments

13. May 2025 - 18:27

All Caminos App User (not verified)

We did the trail over the bluff today. It had rained a bit in the last 24 hours and there was a light rain when we did the trail. Then trail is steep both up and down, narrow, and in parts overgrown. It was slippery in places and there are sections where a fall would result in a dangerous tumble downhill. The views were nice, but we felt the trail not really worth the effort in cloudy conditions. If it is a dry and sunny day, the trail would be okay to do. If wet, for safety use hiking poles. Also, allow twice the time you would allow for the same distance on level ground.

17. September 2024 - 21:28

All Caminos App User (not verified)

I did the climb over the mountain from Berria Yesterday and it wasnt too hard. In sunny and dry weather this route is fine with a great view. But it looked too dangerous if rainy or wet at all

1. September 2024 - 13:55

All Caminos App User (not verified)

ein pilger hat sich heute auf dem berg den arm gebrochen, der weg ist wirklich sehr steil, schmal, gefährlich!! man kann sich nirgends richtig festhalten, die vegetation an den seiten besteht aus dornbüschen. wenn man keine lust auf gefährliches klettern hat oder es geregnet hat, dann besser die 2. variante der straße entlang nehmen!

21. June 2024 - 12:23

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The walk from Sotaña to Guermes is a hot mess of variants. Because of rain, we used google maps that routed us in a manner that did not follow to trails as outlined here but we were on roads marked with arrows the entire time. Our route ended up being 18 km total.

12. June 2024 - 19:52

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Climbed the headland after light rain and confirm it is difficult and best avoided when wet. Slippery sloped path, narrow in places.

5. April 2024 - 17:01

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Not the easiest trail, more so on the downhill than the climb. We did it on a very dry, warm day. I would avoid if wet, as it’s so rocky. There were lots of locals on the trail when we did it though. Well marked.

17. July 2023 - 13:00

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

As others write, this is not an easy trail.
The weather was fine today but I still had to walk slow and was sometimes unsure where to step.
If the weather is just a little rainy or have been the day before I will not recommend the trail.

9. October 2022 - 12:34

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

I failed to read comment above. This trail is not safe in or after a rainy day. Once you pass the sand, it turns muddy, slippery, and rocky. At points, is so narrow, that as you negotiate the muddy/slippery terrain you get stock by the thorny plants and vines. Poles are a most if it rain or is raining.

6. October 2022 - 17:11

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Completed the walk around the headland today. Perfectly acceptable on a dry day and if you’ve come this far already you should be fit enough easily. Poles help. There is clay in the soil so I expect that it could get slippery when wet. There are no exposed parts. The consequence of a slip or trip might be a bruise but not a fall. The headland suddenly rewards you with a view of both bays simultaneously. Well worth it. @caminobertie

15. September 2021 - 17:20

Camino de Sant…

I stayed in Watsay surf house hostal, which is on the Main Street and minutes from the beach. Plane was very clean with nice staff and big rooms. If you book through booking.com then they charge you for a blanket and towel so better to contact them directly. Dining options limited in Berria, but was recommended to visit “Cacao” in nearby Arganos which did amazing burgers. Ferry from Laredo doesn’t go till 9am so staying here lets you have an early start.