Camino dos Faros: Malpica to Finisterre

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Day 1: Arrival in Malpica

Malpica is located 52km from the provincial capital of A Coruña. In front of Malpica are the Islas Sisargas, a small archipelago used as shelter by numerous marine birds. Main sights include the Church of Santiago de Mens, in Romanesque style (12th century) and the dolmen of Pedra da Arca.

• Overnight in a family-run hotel in Malpica

Day 2: Malpica – Niñons | 22km

During the first walk, you get directly into the mood of the Camiño dos Faros as you follow gravel roads and small, sometimes uneven and exposed footpaths along the coast, passing a beach, a chapel and the Sisargas islands. Continue hiking towards Seiruga. After a few ascents and descents, you reach the lighthouse of Punta Nariga. End of the stage and short car transfer back to Malpica. 

• Walking for the day: 22km, 5-6h
• Overnight in a family-run hotel in Malpica

Day 3: Niñons – Ponteceso | 26km

Short car transfer from Malpica to Niñons. The second stage takes you through an infinitely diverse landscape from Niñóns to Ponteceso. In the beginning, secluded bays lead us to the cliffs of Cabo Roncudo and Corme with their prehistoric cave paintings. After the ascent, you can relax for a while on the Valarés beach and then continue towards Ponteceso. 

• Walking for the day: 26km, 6-7h
• Overnight in a family-run hotel in Pontecesco

Day 4: Ponteceso – Laxe | 25km

This stage begins at the mouth of the Anllóns River. Today you will see the fascinating Borneiro Castle, the ancient village of Castro a Cibda and the impressive megalithic tomb, Dolmen Dombate, which dates to the 3rd Century BC, before you reach Monte Castelo. Via the mouth of the Anllón, you reach Laxe via Punta Cabalo, where you cross the beach and end today’s stage. 

• Walking for the day: 25km, 6h
• Overnight at Hotel Vida Mar de Laxe, Playa De Laxe or similar

Day 5: Laxe – Arou | 18km

This is the shortest and easiest stage. After visiting Monte da Insua and the Laxe lighthouse, you go to Soesto, where we can admire the magnificent beach. You continue walking towards Praia de Traba with its beautiful lagoon. The last part of this stage takes you over a spectacular route from Felsen to Camelle, home to the fascinating open-air sculpture museum, Museo de Man, which tells the story of the intriguing German sculptor who once lived here as a hermit, and then to Arou. Short car transfer from Arou to Camariñas. 

• Walking for the day: 18km, 4-5h
• Overnight at Hotel Puerto Arnela (or similar) in Camariñas

Day 6: Arou – Camariñas | 23km

Short car transfer from Camariñas back to Arou. Our route for today starts at the village of Arou and takes you first along two tiny harbours before you climb up Europe’s highest dune. Then a truly wild scenery awaits as you descend and cross a chain of small beaches called Praias de Trece. You finally reach the English Cemetry, a symbolic burial place to honour the lives of sailors and passengers that died in three shipwrecks that happened on this coast between 1883 and 1893. Passing Cape Vilán lighthouse, you reach the port of Camariñas. We recommend visiting the small museum dedicated to the typical handcrafted lace of Camariñas.

• Walking for the day: 23km, 5-6h
• Overnight at Hotel Puerto Arnela (or similar) in Camariñas

Day 7: Camariñas – Muxia | 32km

This is the longest stage of the Camiño dos Faros. However, it is a relatively flat stretch. You cross the Camarinas estuary, then follow the river mouth of Ria do Porto, where large groups of marisqueiras can be seen (and heard) in the morning. The mini lighthouse of Lago tells you that you’re back to the Atlantic coast and close to Lago. The second part of today’s walk starts with a steep uphill section to the village of Mereixo. Here you join the Camino Finisterre for a while, but soon take a beautiful path back to the coast before you finally come to Muxia via the beach. Check out A Virxen da Barca sancturay for sunset.

• Walking for the day: 32km, 8h
• Overnight at Hostal La Cruz, Hotel de Encanto A de Lolo or similar in Muxia

Day 8: Muxia – Nemiña | 24km

You walk to the beach and join a section of the Camiño dos Faros along a barren coastline with similarities to Scottish or Nordic landscapes. Today’s lighthouse is again small but located at the Westernmost edge of Europe: Cabo Touriñan. From there, you turn south to the surfers’ beach of Nemiña. Short car transfer to Lires.

• Walking for the day: 24km, 6h
• Overnight at Hotel Rural As Eiras (or similar) in Lires

Day 9: Nemiña – Finisterre (Fisterra)| 26km

The last stage is again a fascinating one, especially between Praia Arnela and Finisterre, where you walk very close to the cliffs and appreciate once more the skill and bravery of fishermen that stand on exposed corners to get the best catch. You can shorten the walk by skipping the loop to Cabo Finisterre and doing it on next day.

• Walking for the day: 26km, 6-7h
• Overnight at Hotel Vida Finisterre Centro (or similar)

Day 10: Departure

Before you depart,  you should not miss the walk the most symbolic part of the Camiño dos Faros (approx. 7.5km, 330m in ascent and descent) – the loop-walk to the Cabo Finisterre (if you have not done it on the previous day). Cape Finisterre commonly referred to as the “end of the world”, is the final destination for many Camino pilgrims who, on reaching Santiago, continue to walk until they can walk no further – at the Lighthouse Finisterre.

Click to view default hotels

• Hotel Vida Mar de Laxe, Playa De Laxe (Laxe)
• Hotel Puerto Arnela (Camariñas)
• Hostal La Cruz, Hotel de Encanto A de Lolo (Muxia)
• Hotel Rural As Eiras (Lires)
• Hotel Vida Finisterre Centro (Fisterra/Finisterre)

*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.