The Way of Saint James route starts in Cuerres, the first village on the eastern part of the district. To get there, you have to drive 6 km from Ribadesella to the east, along AS-263 road.

A medieval stone bridge above Guadamía stream is the starting point of this tour and, all along your way, ‘El Camino’ shellsigns will guide your walk. Strolling through Cuerres village you’ll find San Mamés church -a remodelled Renaissance construction- and the old pilgrims’ fountain. Next in your way to the west, you’ll get to Toriellu village, where an old hostel of pilgrims stood centuries ago. Past Toriellu, a long trail near the coastline will lead you to Ribadesella. Before getting there, a good idea is making a little stop at L’infiernu picnic area, with its dramatic cliffs, on your right.

The access to Ribadesella’s old village will take you through El Portiellu quarter, where an old group of houses and vegetable gardens show the rural origins of this area. Walking to the centre of Ribadesella, the old market square is the place where Santa María Magdalena parish church is, and where the modest San Roque pilgrims’ hospital stood for centuries. Continuing to the fishing harbour, you have to look for Santa Ana baroque chapel, the fishermen brotherhood’s old site. 

In the past, La Grúa fishing harbour’s promenade was the place where travellers took rowing boats to cross the Sella river. Today, you’ll have to walk along the bridge over the estuary to get to Ribadesella’s western side. Once there, a path through the peaceful wetland of El Malecón park will lead you to El Pilar bridge. Continuing to the west, by the course of the water, you’ll get to San Pedru village and next, to Abeu village junction. 

Abeu village is a good place to admire the wonderful panorama between the Cantabrian sea and mountains. It is also a spot for making a choice between two options of your tour: first, up on your left, you can get to the official pilgrims’ hostel, in San Esteban de Leces village, housed on a rural school beside a remodelled Romanesque parish church. And second, you can continue hiking to the west to Vega village, where you’ll be find a wonderful white sand beach with natural dune system. Got to a steep path at the end of Vega beach, you’ll head the way to Berbes: the last village on our western territory and the end of this route.