To Finisterre
89.60
To Muxía
87.50
Altitude
250
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.

→ 1.4km.
To Finisterre
88.20
To Muxía
86.10
Altitude
195

The remains of an old watermill sit aside the Río Sarela on the outskirts of Santiago.

Photo of Ponte Sarela on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.7km.
To Finisterre
87.50
To Muxía
85.10
Altitude
235
Notice

Look back towards Santiago for a pleasant view of the Cathedral.

The Road

The camino turns left where it meets the mountain road and follows it for 100m before turning to the right.

Photo of Sarela de Abaixo on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.5km.
To Finisterre
86.00
To Muxía
83.90
Altitude
160
The Road

The forest meets the road again in Moas, and when it does turn right to follow newly installed arrows.

Photo of Moas de Baixo on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.9km.
To Finisterre
85.10
To Muxía
83.00
Altitude
150

Heavy traffic here. 

Notice

Pay attention here. Although the route is well marked, it is still quite common for pilgrims to keep on following the road. If that happens to you, there is no need to retrace your steps. Keep on going to the next road (recognizable for the large stone wall) and turn right, followed by the next left and just like that you are back on the camino.

The Road

Turn right at the bus stop / Hórreo.

Photo of O Carballal on the Camino de Santiago
To Finisterre
82.40
To Muxía
80.30
Altitude
166

When you arrive at the main road of Quintáns, the camino turns left and then immediately right again... watch out for the arrows.

→ 1.9km.
To Finisterre
80.70
To Muxía
78.60
Altitude
100

There is a bar where the camino emerges into town. The albergue is about half way through town and a bit (400-500m) off the camino.

The Road: The camino crisscrosses the main road and follows safer side streets. Keep an eye out for yellow arrows near a small bus stop that takes you to the right. If you miss it and walk too far, stay on the road and keep an eye out for a yellow arrow that will take you left. If you miss that one, just stay on the road, and the camino will rejoin is very soon.

The Road

The camino crisscrosses the main road and follows safer side streets. Keep an eye out for yellow arrows near a small bus stop that takes you to the right. If you miss it and walk too far, stay on the road and keep an eye out for a yellow arrow that will take you left. If you miss that one, just stay on the road, and the camino will rejoin it very soon.

Photo of Alto do Vento on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.0km.
To Finisterre
79.70
To Muxía
77.60
Altitude
95
→ 1.3km.
To Finisterre
78.40
To Muxía
76.30
Altitude
55

Pharmacy on your right.  Check out the vines above the bar patio, they are a combination of grapes and kiwi.

The Road

The road from Ventosa to Aguapesada is straight and along the road. Beyond Aguapesada, it follows a quiet track and road up and into the forest. The climb here is fairly steep. The towns between here and Ponte Maceira are of little note, and there is only one bar directly along this stretch. You will pass Carballo along the way to Trasmonte.

Photo of Aguapesada on the Camino de Santiago
→ 2.9km.
To Finisterre
75.50
To Muxía
73.40
Altitude
255
Photo of Carballo on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.9km.
To Finisterre
74.60
To Muxía
72.50
Altitude
220
The Road

Keep on the road through Trasmonte.

Photo of Trasmonte on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.6km.
To Finisterre
74.00
To Muxía
71.90
Altitude
200

There is a bar in O Reino, which technically is a bit off of the camino to your left. Useful if the bar in Trasmonte was closed or if you prefer taking the path less traveled.

The Road

Keep on the road through O Reino, and again in 500m through the village of Burgueiros.

→ 0.5km.
To Finisterre
73.50
To Muxía
71.40
Altitude
185
→ 0.8km.
To Finisterre
72.70
To Muxía
70.60
Altitude
145

The highlight of Ponte Maceira is the bridge over the río Tambre and the rio itself. In Summer it fills with locals and pilgrims alike, both taking advantage of the cold water to keep cool. If you would rather just dip your feet in there are ample places to do so.

The Road:  Cross over the bridge and follow the road out of town.  As is common in these parts, the camino will continue to parallel the main road, often crossing and then crossing back, it feels un-necessary but it keeps you away from the traffic.  Negreira is the next city of note, and has all of the services you could need.

Note:  If you intend to stay in the Logrosa albergue, watch out for signs before entering Negreira.  They will take you to the left.

Notice

The one bar/restaurant in town is closed every Wednesday.

History

The heavily disputed legend of the translatio tells us that it was here that the disciples of Santiago, fleeing their Roman captors, were aided by divine intervention. Upon crossing the bridge the center span gave away, stranding the Romans on the other side. This legend, which some will tell you actually took place upstream or downstream from Ponte Maceira, is none-the-less recounted on the Negreira coat-of-arms.

The Road

Cross over the bridge and follow the road out of town. As is common in these parts, the camino will continue to parallel the main road, crossing and then crossing back through the village of Barca. It feels un-necessary but it keeps you away from the traffic. Negreira is the next city of note and has all of the services you could need.

NOTE: If you intend to stay in the Logrosa Albergue, watch out for signs before entering Negreira. They will take you to the left.

Photo of Ponte Maceira on the Camino de Santiago
Photo of Ponte Maceira on the Camino de Santiago
Photo of Ponte Maceira on the Camino de Santiago
→ 2.1km.
To Finisterre
70.60
To Muxía
68.50
Altitude
150
Photo of Barca on the Camino de Santiago
To Finisterre
68.90
To Muxía
66.90
Altitude
145
Photo of Chancela on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.9km.
To Finisterre
68.70
To Muxía
66.60
Altitude
165

The Xunta albergue is on the far end of town, be sure to pick up supplies if you are not keen on walking back.  All services are available in town.

History

“Because I am not inscribed from Noya but from Negreira, where I was born. And from Negreira, which is up the river Tambre, they take you for the army.” - a soldier to his corporal, excerpt from ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway lived for a short time in Santiago de Compostela and the impression that Galicia made upon him is hard to overstate. He made reference to it in many of his novels, here with the birthplace of an unamed character and later by naming the protagonist of Old Man and the Sea after the city he called home in 1929.

The Road

The camino leaves Negreira near the municipal albergue on the West side of town. If you stayed in that albergue, go back towards town a short distance and follow the signs to the church. If you are an early morning (in the dark) walker, do yourself a favor and scout the route the night before. It passes into the dark forest fairly quickly and does not emerge until just before Zas.

Photo of Negreira on the Camino de Santiago
Photo of Negreira on the Camino de Santiago
Photo of Negreira on the Camino de Santiago
→ 3.3km.

Zas

To Finisterre
65.40
To Muxía
63.30
Altitude
265

There may or may not be a bar open in Zas, it is also a shop for basic necessities but does not do much to advertise.  It is on your left and there are stacks of empty bottles to give it away.

The Road: You enter Zas along the road, but leave it at the bar mentioned above.  The town is small and you will very quickly find that the camino follows a nice country trail all the way to O Rapote.

The Road

You enter Zas along the road, but leave it at the bar mentioned above. The town is small, and you will very quickly find that the camino follows a nice country trail all the way to O Rapote.

Photo of Zas on the Camino de Santiago
→ 4.1km.
To Finisterre
61.30
To Muxía
59.20
Altitude
525

Small farming village with a picnic table and fountain at the entrance.

Photo of O Rapote (Galicia) on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.3km.
To Finisterre
60.00
To Muxía
57.90
Altitude
345

An albergue and town bar are up a flight of steps on your left as you get to the village.

Photo of A Peña and Piaxe on the Camino de Santiago
To Finisterre
59.50
To Muxía
57.40
Altitude
378

The Road: Much of the camino between here and Vilaserío is along the road.  Only at the very end do you turn left into the forest. A short distance on and you will have arrived in Vilaserío.  Turn right to the bar, the albergues, and the camino.

→ 3.8km.
To Finisterre
55.60
To Muxía
53.50
Altitude
350

Be sure to turn right if you got here along the camino through the woods.  If you missed that part and stayed on the road, turn left and head into town a very short distance to the bar.

The bar here is open every day and provides excellent service to pilgrims.  There is WiFi there and nice, clean, bathrooms.  Recommended.

The municipal albergue is outside of town on the main road.

The Road

The camino leaves town along the road. If you stopped at the bar, take the steps down and behind it and turn right then left on the road. You will follow that road all the way to Cornado.

Accommodation in Vilaserío.
Municipal
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Municipal Albergue
Private
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Albergue O Rueiro
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Albergue Casa Vella
Photo of Vilaserío on the Camino de Santiago
→ 2.1km.
To Finisterre
53.50
To Muxía
51.40
Altitude
335

There is a fountain in Cornado

The Road

The camino leaves the road in Cornado and stays off of it nearly the whole way to Maroñas.

Photo of Cornado on the Camino de Santiago
→ 4.7km.
To Finisterre
48.80
To Muxía
46.70
Altitude
325
Photo of Maroñas on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.2km.
To Finisterre
47.60
To Muxía
45.50
Altitude
335

The bar and albergue are one and the same.  To get there turn left at the 'rollo'.  Otherwise continue to the right past a small picnic area.

The Road

You will walk along the road here for a short but potentially dangerous stretch. Pay close attention to traffic when crossing.

Accommodation in Santa Mariña.
Private
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Albergue Casa Pepa
Photo of Santa Mariña on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.6km.
To Finisterre
47.00
To Muxía
44.90
Altitude
330

Just a few buildings along the roadside, but with a pair of bars.

The Road

The camino leaves the road quickly and follows along smaller country lanes all the way to Ponte Olveiroa. It is a particularly scenic stretch which passes first through the villages of Bo Xesus and A Gueima.

Note:  There will come a junction near Porteliñas which is confusing and poorly marked.  Some arrows keep you on the road, another set indicates a left turn along a gravel road.  Both will get you where you want to go, but the road is half the distance.

Accommodation in Lamelas.
Private
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Albergue Santa Mariña
Photo of Lamelas on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.8km.
To Finisterre
45.20
To Muxía
43.10
Altitude
370
→ 2.2km.
To Finisterre
44.80
To Muxía
42.70
Altitude
380
Photo of A Gueima on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.6km.
To Finisterre
44.20
To Muxía
42.10
Altitude
420
Notice

If you are interested in the alternate route via A Picota, turn left at the KM 45,146 marker in Vilar do Castro.

Altitude
310

The local pool is free for pilgrims. There is now signage to take you along this optional detour, and it rejoins the official camino in Ponte Olveira.

→ 3.0km.
To Finisterre
41.20
To Muxía
39.10
Altitude
340

In 2018 a bar and an albergue opened their doors to pilgrims, allowing pilgrims to divide the route into four days of walking no more than 26km a day with a short last day..

The Road

The camino passes quickly through the twin hamlets of As Porteliñas and As Abeleiroas on the way to the church and hamlet of Corzón.

Accommodation in Lago.
Photo of Lago on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.5km.
To Finisterre
40.70
To Muxía
38.60
Altitude
315
Photo of As Porteliñas on the Camino de Santiago
→ 0.5km.
To Finisterre
40.20
To Muxía
38.10
Altitude
327
Photo of As Abeleiroas on the Camino de Santiago
→ 2.1km.
To Finisterre
38.10
To Muxía
36.00
Altitude
285

In 2018 a bar and an albergue opened their doors to pilgrims.

Photo of Corzón on the Camino de Santiago
→ 1.5km.
To Finisterre
36.60
To Muxía
34.50
Altitude
270

The bar, restaurant, and albergue are all part of the same operation.  On your right after crossing the bridge.  It is worth mentioning that it is under new ownership since 2014.

The Road

Again along the road all the way to Olveiroa.

Accommodation in Ponte Olveira.
Private
→ 1.7km.
To Finisterre
34.90
To Muxía
32.80
Altitude
270

Hundreds of Horreos and two bar/restaurants.  Of the two, As Pias is the recommended choice.

The Road

The camino cuts a straight line through town but NOTE: at the edge of town the camino turns left BEFORE ever getting to the road. This is an easy turn to miss.

It is mostly uphill from here all the way to Hospital and beyond, leveling out only a bit when you get to The Great Divide.

Photo of Olveiroa on the Camino de Santiago
→ 3.7km.
To Finisterre
31.20
To Muxía
29.10
Altitude
295
Recently revived by a bar and albergue, Logoso is now a popular spot for those wishing to add or reduce a day of walking to Finisterre.
Accommodation in Logoso.
Private
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: O Logoso
→ 1.5km.
To Finisterre
29.70
To Muxía
27.60
Altitude
330

Note: If you are continuing to Finisterre then the bar here is the last place to stock up on food and water for some distance. There is a fountain between here and Cee but very little else.

Notice

If you are continuing to Finisterre then the bar here is the last place to stock up on water or grab a sandwich. There is a fountain between here and Cee but very little else.

Accommodation in Hospital.
Private
Camino de Santiago Accommodation: Albergue O Casteliño
→ 0.9km.
To Finisterre
28.80
To Muxía
26.70

Shortly after the roadside bar beyond Hospital, in the middle of a large roundabout, is a double mojón indicating the choice between Finsterre and Muxía.

The Road

From the roundabout with the twin markers, take the paved road to the left and alongside the massive factory. The camino follows the road for 300m before leaving it to join a trail on your right. 

IF you are headed to Finisterra from this point, all the way to the first building in Cee, the camino remains well isolated from the road and any form of development beyond the two chapels mentioned below.

Photo of The Great Divide on the Camino de Santiago