Overview
Finisterre translates as “the end of the world”, and for many pilgrims the Camino journey is complete when they can walk no more, reaching Cape Finisterre on the Costa da Morte (“Coast of Death”), located in the westernmost part of Galicia and looking out onto the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here pilgrims have been known to throw their shoes into the sea to symbolise their new beginning in life after completing the Camino. The Camino Finisterre is a great way to finish the Camino de Santiago, continuing from Santiago de Compostela to the coast.
Starting from the magnificent cathedral in Santiago, walk through the beautiful Galician countryside. The Camino Finisterre passes remote medieval villages and reaches the steep cliffs of Spain’s westernmost point, Cape Finisterre. After Fisterra, you continue your journey along the craggy coastline of Atlantic Galicia to the fishing village of Muxía, famed for its sanctuary by the ocean and ‘magic’ stones. This stunning region of Galicia is famous for its wild beauty and seafood.
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago de Compostela
If you arrive early, we strongly recommend taking the time to explore this great city – or book an extra night before the holiday.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Santiago de Compostela (Hotel Lux Santiago or similar)
Day 2: Santiago – Negreira | 21km
Head along the route through the Lost Pilgrims’ gateway, downhill through eucalyptus and pine forests to the river Sar. Continue through the parish of Figueiras, then Villestro, Roxos and Alto do Vento. When you reach Augapesada climb up to the top of Mar de Ovellas, with magnificent views over the valley of Amaía. Go through Carballo, Trasmonte, Reino and Burgueiros, and arrive at the River Tambre over the Ponte Maceira bridge. Then take a wooded footpath next to the river, go up to Chancela and reach Negreira.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 5h, ↑475m ↓545m
- Accommodation: country hotel (Hospedaje La Mezquita or similar)
Day 3: Negreira – Olveiroa | 34km/23km
Leave Negreira by crossing the Barcala River. The native vegetation and the beauty of the landscape preside over these first kilometres: cornfields, pine trees and eucalyptus, together with a genuine popular architecture evident in granaries like As Maroñas, and Romanesque churches such as Santa Mariña. Leave Santa Mariña heading to the Mount Aro (556m). From here part of the region of Terra de Xallas can be seen. This territory is well-known for its basketry craft and its original women’s hats made of straw. After Aro, you will pass by Campo Valado, Porteliñas, Abeleiroas and the viewpoint of Corzón. After Mallón, you will reach Ponte Olveira and then the centre of Olveiroa.
- Walking for the day: 34km, 8h, ↑535m ↓410m (an optional taxi transfer is possible for this day to allow you to start in Vilaseiro. By taking the transfer the first 10km of the walk is eliminated making for a much easier day’s walking; cost is about EUR 20 – ask for it at the hotel and pay on site)
- Accommodation: 2-star country hotel (Casa Loncho, Pension Rustica As Pias or similar)
Day 4: Olveiroa – Cee | 19km
From Olveiroa, the Camino follows Xallas and Hospital rivers to Logoso and takes the pilgrims past the Nosa Señora Chapel (Our Lady). After the chapel, the trail continues downhill through the pine groves of Alto do Cruceiro da Armada. Today’s walk is less hilly and quite scenic, taking you between mountains, windmills and forests for your first sighting of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Finisterre. Reach the peak of San Pedro and make your way slowly down the steep hill to the charming village of Cee with its small sandy cove and colourful fishing boats.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 4-5h, ↑200m ↓480m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel (Hotel Insua or similar)
Day 5: Cee – Finisterre (Fisterra)| 16km
Leave Cee, and very quickly you will arrive at Corcubión with its old quarter declared a historical-artistic site. From Corcubión, tackle a steep hill that leads to Campo de San Roque and the village of Vilar. You will then follow the coastline and the long and beautiful Langosteira beach to arrive at Finisterre (Fisterra). From there then you come to the mythical lighthouse, km 0 on the Way to Santiago. The ocean opens up before us like a wide-angle lens, while all possible sensations come together on this cape at the end of the world.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4h, ↑310m ↓245m
- Accommodation: 2-star country hotel (Hotel Prado da Viña or similar)
Day 6: Finisterre – Lires | 16km
The extension to Muxia begins at the Baixar Cross in Finisterre. It takes you through the unspoiled, peaceful countryside with views of the Costa da Morte and plenty of instances of rural lifestyles. End the stage in the lovely little town of Lires which occupies the hillside that rises away from the ocean.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4.5-5h
- Accommodation: 2-star country hotel (Casa As Eiras de Lires or similar)
Day 7: Lires – Muxia | 14km
After a long, steady climb from Lires to Facho de Lourido, the final descent comes as a huge relief. Relax a while on the gorgeous white sands of Lourido beach then follow the road along the rugged coastline to Muxía – your final destination for today. The fishing village of Muxía will charm you with its mix of pagan and religious traditions. Make sure to visit the sanctuary of Nosa Señora da Barca right by the Atlantic Ocean at the other “end of the Earth” and its holystones said to have curative powers. According to tradition, you have to walk nine times under the “Pedra dos Cadrís” to cure all your back ailments. And don’t forget to taste some of Galicia’s famous seafood.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h
- Accommodation: 2-star country hotel (Hotel A de Lolo or similar)
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast. There are several buses that run every day back to Santiago where you can pick up your onward travel.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in comfortable 2 and 3-star hotels, located close to the route of the Camino. All of them have private en-suite rooms and offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Lux Santiago (Santiago de Compostela)
- Hospedaje La Mezquita (Negreira)
- Casa Loncho (Olveiroa)
- Hotel Insua (Cee)
- Hotel Prado da Viña (Finisterre)
- Casa As Eiras de Lires (Lires)
- Hotel A de Lolo (Muxia)
*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.
Meals
Breakfast is included (usually buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant) on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Most places serve hearty and reasonably priced, pilgrim dinner menus.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded moderate and includes walks of up to 24 km per day; there is one longer 34km walk on Day 3 which however can be shortened with an optional transfer (read more about difficulty grades). The routes are very well way-marked, and the itinerary is straightforward to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of March until mid-November. The best months to visit are April – June and September – October as in summer months it may become too hot (and crowded). The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Santiago de Compostela.
By train or bus
- There is a shuttle bus from the airport of Santiago to the centre of Santiago with different stops in the city (check www.empresafreire.com). You can also use the Omio planner above.
- There are 2 buses that run every day from Muxia back to Santiago where you can pick up your onward travel. Check the Ferrin website or the Omio planner above for up-to-date schedules.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights in comfortable hotels in private en-suite rooms
- 7 breakfasts
- Maps
- Pilgrim kit (Credentials and shell)
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (1 pc up to 20kg per person)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Optional transfer to shorten the walk on Day 3
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entrance fees (payable on the spot)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
Gallery
