Camino de Santiago to the Sea

Destination: Santiago de Compostela, Spain

| Activities: Hiking and Culture

The official Camino ends at Santiago Cathedral but other traditions tell of a pre-Christian route to Finisterre, once considered the westernmost point in Europe. Pilgrims then may have travelled just for the adventure or in search of wise teachers of hidden knowledge who had a school at the "End of the Earth". Nowadays walkers have re-discovered the route to Finisterre and Muxia, either to continue their Camino journey or wanting to experience the stunning Atlantic coast of Galicia.

Nowadays walkers have re-discovered the route to Finisterre and Muxia. Some people have never done the classic Camino. Some pilgrims need time to think about their Camino journey. Other pilgrims just can’t stop walking and yet others return years after their pilgrimage, wanting to complete their experience by walking from Santiago to the coast.

After Santiago the feeling of the trail changes. There are fewer pilgrims, less infrastructure, smaller villages. And with Santiago de Compostela behind instead of ahead, pilgrims walk not focused on reaching the big destination, but on the joy of walking. If that might be you, come join us to walk Santiago to the Sea! This trip can also serve as an extension of our traditional Camino de Santiago trip.

Highlights

  • Hike the Camino to Finisterre, once believed to be the 'Edge of the World'
  • Walk through hamlets, quiet villages, remote farmland and along seaside bluffs
  • Enjoy a swim or walk on the Atlantic beach coast of Galicia
  • Hike to the fishing village of Muxia, known for its 'magic' stones
  • Enjoy local food and wine
  • Earn a 'Muxiana' certificate

Departures and Prices

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Inclusions

  • A local English-speaking guide and an Adventures in Good Company guide (If there are fewer than 8 on the trip, there will not be an AGC guide)
  • Eight nights lodging in twin/double rooms with private toilet and shower (2 triples one night at a boutique hotel)
  • All dinners and breakfasts from dinner on the first night to breakfast on last day
  • Your 'Camino de Finisterre'/ Muxiana' passport and Camino shell
  • Luggage transfer during the walk
  • Private bus from Muxia back to Santiago

Not included: Travel to and from Santiago, guide gratuities, beverages, lunches and travel insurance. Some lunches will be at cafes where you can order an empanada/sandwich, other lunches may be picnics purchased at the hotels or with food from stores.

Trip Documents

Trip Intro

This trip is designed for women who are interested in traveling a traditional pilgrimage route on foot, who are able to enjoy walking four to six hours each day on consecutive days and want to experience the community of the Camino de Santiago beyond Santiago and hike to the sea. The trip is rated 3. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5.

This is not a typical hiking trip, although we are hiking every day. We are following an historic pilgrimage route and will be observing some of the pilgrimage traditions that have grown up along the Road over the years. The route includes a mixture of dirt roads, some paved roads, and some trail. In addition to hiking 4 to 6 hours a day, we will feast on local foods, chat with pilgrims from all over the world, and learn the lore and legends of the Road.

We will be staying in double occupancy rooms with ensuite bathrooms in different types of accommodation, typically mid-range family-run hotels that are chosen for their hospitality or proximity to the path. On one night there will be triple occupancy rooms at a boutique hotel. Due to the nature of the small family owned lodgings, there are no single supplements available on this trip.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1
Meet in Santiago in the afternoon at the hotel by 4pm. After our get-to-know you meeting, dinner at a restaurant near the hotel (D)
DAY 2
Santiago – Negreira. We leave Santiago from the Cathedral square, taking small streets to a park on the edge of the city. An easy ascent takes us to our last view of the Santiago Cathedral, before heading west on small roads through forests and villages, up a long rolling hill and down at last to lovely Maceiras bridge and village. A trail along the river and a paved road take us to Negreira. (B, D) Walking: 20.6kms / 12.8 miles.
DAY 3
Negreira – Santa Marina/Maroñas. A maze of lovely forested roads takes us to a second breakfast, almost at our day’s high point. After that we walk on mostly asphalt through pastures and cultivated fields to lunch and beyond to the van pickup point; there are no hotels here so we’ll transfer forward, driving around the area we will traverse the next day. (B, D) Walking: 20kms / 12 miles.
DAY 4
Santa Marina/ Maroñas – Olveiroa. This morning we will transfer back to where we ended the day before and walk forward to Olveiroa, climbing up Monte Aro (Gold Hill) along the way, with very nice views on the way up and down. Since it is a short day, we’ll be back in Olveiroa in time for lunch, relaxing, washing socks, journaling or taking photos of the many stone “horreos” (structures serving for corn cribs or animal feed storage) in the village. Walking: 13.20kms / 8.2 miles.
DAY 5
Olveiroa – Cee. We start with a climb, almost to the windmills then have downs and ups before final ascent to Hospital crossroads, where some pilgrims turn off towards Muxia and others (like us) head for Finisterre. After Hospital crossroads we cross open fields – if the day is clear, we get our first view of the sea! Then fields and forests take us past a traditional stone cross to the Virgin of the Snow chapel. After a rest at the chapel, a relatively gentle climb with glimpses of the sea takes us up to San Pedro chapel. Just after this chapel we have a splendid view of the coast, with our day’s destination and part of our route for the next day clearly visible, then a steep descent takes us to seaside Cee. Walking: 20 kms / 12.03 miles.
DAY 6
Cee – Finisterre. A shorter day, partly along the coast and partly just back from the coast, again through villages and forests. A last short descent with a pretty view takes us to the road into Finisterre where there is a great photo op with the trail leading right towards the sea. At Finisterre most pilgrims walk out to the lighthouse to see the view and the “0” kilometer marker. This rocky cape was considered the “End of the Earth” in medieval times; pilgrims traditionally burned their clothes and threw their shoes into the sea, symbolizing the end of the journey and the beginning of a new life. (Today this is not allowed due to environmental and safety concerns) Walking: 12kms / 7.46 miles. Finisterre to lighthouse and back, about 7.00kms / 4.34miles
DAY 7
Finisterre – Lires. Today we’ll take roads less travelled to stay along the coast. Shortly after Finisterre we leave the marked path to walk a quiet paved road behind Rostro beach – if weather and tides permit, we can walk part of the distance on the beach. Then after a gentle hill and a bit of forest, again we leave the marked trail to do a pretty loop through a pine forest with views of seaside bluffs and a lovely, almost deserted beach before reaching Lires. Walking: 13kms / 8.02 miles.
DAY 8
Lires – Muxia. Our last day on the trail starts with a bit of forest and a bridge that’s almost too big for the road – with the stepping stones of the old ford visible just downstream. Today’s route is mostly inland: a gentle ascent takes us through tiny villages, with the last, somewhat steeper part traveling almost to the ridgetop windmills. A long gentle down through the forest takes us to a beach a few kilometers from Muxia. From here it is a pleasant stroll along the access road to reach our pretty destination. Muxia is known for handmade lace and for the Virgin of the Boat chapel, out on a rocky point. It is believed that the stones here are the remnants of the stone boat the Virgin Mary arrived in. For locals this is one of the most beloved shrines in all of northwest Spain, and even for non-locals, it’s the perfect setting for the end of a journey. Walking: 14.6kms / 9.07 miles.
DAY 9
Sadly, today we bid “adios” to this delightful region of Spain. Breakfast and transfer back to Santiago on our private bus, arriving in Santiago around 11:30AM. AGC pilgrims and participants will be dropped off at the bus station and airport and can plan your flights home for leaving anytime after 3pm. (B)

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  1. Where do we eat?

    Your breakfasts will be buffets at the hotels where you're staying. Dinner is in restaurants and are either served family style or you will have a choice of a couple of differnt entrees. You will stop at differnt bars (small restaurants) where you can purchase your lunch. You will also have the opportunity to stop at a market to purchase lunch for yourself.
  2. What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?

    Vegetarian options for this trip are available but will be limited. If you are concerned about having enough protein during your trip, plan to bring some plant-based protein sources such as nut butter, instant dried hummus, or high-protein energy bars. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions i.e. vegan, you will need to bring some supplemental food with you.
  3. I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?

    You do not need to pay a supplement if you are traveling by yourself. We will pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging. Due to the nature of the small family owned hotels, there are no single supplements available on this trip.
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