Camino De Santiago: English Way

Ferrol is an important coastal city of Galicia, the reason is for its port. Its military location has become the city at the center of countless battles for centuries. Ferrol has a pleasant and lively city center with good restaurants and bars.

Long but uncomplicated stage.

This first stage is generally very pleasant with good views of the sea, despite the urban and industrial environment in the surrounding area. The exception is the industrial zone of A Gándara.

There are no long stretches on this day without services (bars or restaurants), although in a couple of spots they are slightly out of the way.

Regarding the beautiful town of Pontedeume the long bridge on the Eume river stand out giving the locality its name.

This stage is relatively long, but can be shortened by 10 km by crossing the river shortly after Ferrol instead of bypassing it.

Distance: 29 Km

Today offers a short and pleasant stage, which basically runs through a rural setting. It is not at all flat, but doesn't present any special difficulties. There are some inclines to consider, however, with an accumulated ascent of elevation of 450 meters.

This Stage has few services.

In a cultural sense, the main interest today centers on the historic city of Betanzos, one of the most interesting towns in Galicia, with its splendid medieval center. Betanzos, capital of one of the seven provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia, has a thousand and one monuments and places to visit.

Distance: 20 Km

Today we face the most important stage of the English Way: We will walk through a solitary and pleasant environment - think rural, agriculture and livestock - away from the coast and its services. Difficulty is medium to high at this stage, although feasible for any seasoned traveler accostomed to walking. Thus, the Camino Inglés leaves the maritime landscape and penetrates the interior, visiting like on previous days, a multitude of enchanting places and small villages where special attention must be paid to detours.

Distance: 29 Km

For the most part this stage is along good sections of asphalt and land, which can be traveled without any difficulty. It crosses through diverse rural villages with a few insignificant slopes. Unlike yesterday's stage, today's topography allows a rapid advance.

Distance: 24 Km

The stage is short and without any special difficulties. Although it's not flat, the unevenness of the path is moderate.

The first two-thirds of the stage pass through pleasant rural and wooded areas. The last third goes through an industrial and urban area.

Of course, the cultural interest of today's stage is centered on the monumental city of Santiago de Compostela, declared a World Heritage Site, with its wonderful emblematic cathedral.

Distance: 16 Km

A true pilgrimage ends in Finisterre and we will take you there on a tour.

The coast of Galicia is spectacularly beautiful and in particular this part which is called "Costa de la Muerte" (the Coast of Death). The coast derived its name due to the multitude of historical and legendary wrecks that have occurred there. Finisterre, on the coast's westernmost point is called the "End of the World" because for the Romans it was literally the end of the known world. Hence, it's a symbolic place for many pilgrims to complete their pilgrimage.

You may want to go down the high cliffs and look for a shell on the beach that will serve as a perfect reminder of your pilgrimage.