Camino to Finisterre and Muxia

→ → Santiago de Compostela to F & M → 1.40km → Ponte Sarela

Location
Altitude
250
To Finisterre
89.60
To Muxía
87.50
Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Bus Terminal
Yes
Correos
Rua do Franco 4, 15702, Mon-Fri: 0830-0230 & Sat: 0930-1300, 981 581 252
Grocery
Yes
Hospital
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Public Pool
Yes
Train
Yes

The camino to Finisterre and Muxía is often called the epilogue to the longer trails leading into Santiago. It is a fitting description for the 3-5 day journey; many pilgrims are moved to find an ending to the ending of their camino.

Finisterre as a destination for pilgrim actually predates the Christian world and the pagan temple of Ara Solis was the goal for many who followed the stars west. It persisted even after the camino to Santiago took root, with several ‘hospitals’ having been built along the way. 

These days the route is more of a choose your own adventure kind of affair; with both Finisterre and Muxía being popular destinations. Finisterre remains the more popular choice and it is true that walking out to the lighthouse does leave you feeling like you have walked to the end of the road. The town itself is a sleepy fishing village. Muxía, on the other hand, has legend on its side. It is there, near the seaside Santuario da Virxe da Barca, that the Virgin Mary arrived by boat to lend a hand in bringing Christianity to this part of the world. 

Both towns form part of Galicia’s infamous Costa da Morte. It may seem like an exaggeration to give such a beautiful place such a morbid name but the waters here have earned the distinction; most recently in 2002 when high seas caused the Prestige oil tanker to run aground.

In planning your itinerary you have the option to go first to Finisterre or Muxía, and then to walk the 29km between them. If you are crunched for time keep in mind that there are many more buses departing for Santiago from Finisterre than there are from Muxía. 

Traditionally the walk was divided into 3 long days, but there are now many more options to divide the 90km into 4 or 5 days.

Fiesta

The Feast day of Saint James is celebrated with a full week of music and dance, with a fireworks display in the Plaza Obradoiro on the evening of the 24th of July. The best views can be had from Obradoiro, or from Alameda park.

The Road

The start of the camino to Finisterre is poorly marked, and the fading yellow arrows are hard to find. Fortunately, the way is easy to describe and is very brief; you will be in the forest in less than 1km. 

Facing the Parador (with the Cathedral to your right) exit the square along the road to your left. It goes downhill along the Rúa da Hortas (named for the gardens which are behind the homes that line this road). The cobbled road ends at an intersection, and here there are several crosswalks, you want the one that takes you over the larger of the roads. The camino follows along the Rúa da Poza de Bar, you can recognize this street for the popular Café Tertulia (perfect for breakfast). It continues straight down this road to a small park at the end, and here the first official marker of the way can be found.

It directs you through the park and towards your right, and eventually downhill to cross the river at Ponte Sarela.