Santiago de Compostela to F & M

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.