Camino Finisterre

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  • Start Santiago de Compostela
  • End Fisterre or Muxia
  • DateApril to October
  • Duration 5 to 8 nights. Tailored to suit.
  • Distance90 or 120 km
  • GradeEasy/Moderate

Detail

The Quiet Camino to the End of the World

This Camino can be taken as a four or five-day walk, a total of 90 km from Santiago de Compostela, to the little fishing port of Fisterra on Cape Finisterre overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

The Camino Finisterre from Santiago passes through tiny, quiet villages, crossing open headland to arrive at the coast for a scenic coastal walk into Fisterra village on Cape Finisterre.

You could easily spend two or three nights here, exploring the paths of the Cape, enjoying the Atlantic sunsets and indulging in some lovely local food and wine.

A further two days walking takes you to Muxia, just 30km further round the Cape. This would give you an 8-night itinerary. Muxia is a charming little port, site of Christian and pagan legends – it’s history is fascinating.

The Camino Finisterre makes for a stand-alone journey for those that are looking for a short Camino experience or seeking a quieter and more contemplative route.

You can also add this as an extension from Sarria to Santigo on the Camino Frances, with perhaps a rest day in Santiago. Sarria to Finisterre / Muxia, would give you a two week Camino itinerary, earning you three certificates:- The Compostela, The Fisterrana, The Muxiana.

The Origins of “Finis-terre”

The Romans and Celts called the area Finis Terrae, thinking this the farthest edge of the northwesterly land mass. This coastline is called the Costa da Morte due to the dangers to shipping on these treacherous seas.

The origin of the pilgrimage to Cape Finisterre, on the Atlantic coast, is believed to date from pre-Christian times and was possibly associated with Finisterre’s status as the “End of the World”, according to its Latin name Finis Terrae.

The region is rich in heritage and folklore with many pre-Christian sacred locations. The best known are Monte Pindo, a pink granite mountain known as the Celtic Olympus of the Galicians; the small fishing town of Muxia, closely connected with the legend of St James, where one of Galicia’s most famous pilgrimages takes place in September.

We arrange your onward travel from either destination.

Price

Start A Coruna, Price from £425 for 5 nights
Start Ferrol, Price from £675 for 8 nights

Price Includes

  • Air fares
  • 3 Nights Hotel Accomodation
  • On Trip Transport
  • 2 Meals / day

Price Excludes

  • Driver Service Fee
  • Guide Service Fee
  • Room Service Fees

Single Supplement

£160

Highlights

A Peaceful Route to World’s End

This Camino is tranquil and feels very different from the crowded Way to Santiago.

The Camino Finisterre is a foray into the real Galicia, rural and far away from the big towns. The Atlantic coastline is beautiful and unspoilt, and the area is rich in heritage and folklore with many pre-Christian sacred locations.

Fisterra’s port side cafe bars serve wonderful fresh seafood. It’s a rare pleasure to sit with a plate of the freshest sardines, scallops or fried squid and gaze out to sea. To work off your extended lunchtime indulgence, you can climb up to the castle at top of the town for views out to sea and back into the Ria de Corcubion.

There are many paths to enjoy around Finisterre. A must do is the round trip of the Cape and its landmarks, ending at the famed lighthouse – recently refurbished as a boutique hotel with classy restaurant.

Muxia

A day’s walk away from Finisterre, the small fishing town of Muxia is also part of the Camino de Santiago experience. After walking to Finisterre, many pilgrims went on to Muxia to visit its 12th-century pilgrim church and Sanctuary of Virxe da Barca (Our Lady of the Boat) with its rocking stone.

At Muxia, tradition tells of a boat that came ashore bearing the Virgin Mary, to give encouragement to St James in his work preaching the Gospel throughout the Iberian peninsula.

There is a pilgrims’ office in the town where you can get the Muxiana – modelled on the Compostela pilgrim certificate you received in Santiago.

With 2 km of white sand, a walk on Finisterre’s Langosteira beach searching for your own scallop shell makes for the perfect ending to the Camino experience.

Food & Drink

For any traveller on the Camino, nourishment and refreshment is an important part of the daily routine. There are many places to enjoy good local dishes to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. We also aim to cater for those with particular dietary needs.

Breakfast

Where available we always order a full breakfast spread for our clients. But it does vary between establishments. Whether you have a light or substantial offering, you can always top up mid-morning at cafe bars along the route. The Spanish habit is to have breakfast between 10 and 11 when cafes and bars fill with locals having their desayuno.

Lunches

Lunches on the Camino are often taken as picnics, and most places have local shops selling items of fresh local produce to purchased each morning before you set out on the trail. Certain lodgings will offer pre-ordered packed lunches. Or check your guide and plan to stop off in a cafe-bar or restaurant on the Way.

Dinner

Spanish people tend to have dinner from 9 pm. But on the Camino, dinner is usually served from 8 pm — so do take advantage of the habitual afternoon “merienda” to keep you going, once you have arrived at your daily destination. That could be cold beer “cerveza” and tapas or coffee and cake.

Hydration

Hydration is essential — carry between 1.5 and 3l of drinking water, depending on the season, temperatures and distance you plan to cover. Keep a sugary and salty snack handy in your pocket or daypack – this will give you that little extra burst of energy to keep you going.

Merienda

Mid morning/afternoon snacks known as merienda are the perfect way to sustain yourself on the Way. Especially if you are not used to the later meal times which are the norm across Spain. It is customary for Spanish people to have a mid-morning stop for breakfast and late afternoon for a bite to keep them going until the traditional late dinner.

Itinerary

Day 1

Santiago

Day 2

Walk to Negreira – 23 km

Day 3

Walk to Maronas – 21 km

Day 4

Walk to Olveiroa – 11.5 km

Alternative Day 4 could take you to Cee if you can walk 30.5km in one day

Day 5

Walk to Cee – 19 km

Day 6

Walk to Fisterra – 16 km

Finisterre, or Fisterra as it is called locally, is a traditional working fishing village, with plenty small hotels and cafe bars where you can enjoy the freshest and most delicious fish and seafood. You can go to the local town pilgrims’ albergue and ask for the Fisterrana certificate when you show your credencial.

Then on to Muxia…

Day 7

Walk To Lires – 15km

Day 8

Walk to Muxia – 16.5km

Two days walk away from Finisterre, the small but lively fishing port town of Muxia has also historical connections to the Camino de Santiago. If you continue on to Muxia make sure to visit its 12th-century pilgrim church and Sanctuary of Virxe da Barca (Our Lady of the Boat) with its magical rocking stone. There is a pilgrims’ office in the town where you get the Muxiana – modelled on the Compostela pilgrim certificate you receive in Santiago.

We can arrange your private return transfer to Santiago or A Coruna.

Map

Accommodation

Quaint Galician Country Hotels
Baggage Transfers

Our Bed & Breakfast accommodation includes a variety of family run traditional two and three star hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities. You might like to upgrade in Fisterra and spend a night in the Lighthouse Hotel.

We quote all our journeys with bag transfers as standard. We heartily recommend that you book your main piece of luggage to be transferred between accommodations.

If you do wish to carry your own bag that is fine with us. And you can always call us and request to add on the service if you change your mind.

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Camino Finisterre
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