Malpica to Finisterre

Overview

1. Day

   1
   Arrival Day

   1. A CoruñaA Coruña

   Today you arrive in A Coruña. If you arrive early, take a stroll through the old town and along the seafront promenade. You can also visit the Aquarium and the Tower of Hercules, both located on the headland.

2. Day

   2
   Malpica to Barizo

   8.2 mi · 13.2 km

   1. transfer
   2. Malpica to Barizo
   3. BarizoBarizo

   Morning transfer from A Coruña to Malpica. During the first walk, you get directly into the mood of the Camiño dos Faros. Walking from Malpica, you follow gravel roads and small, sometimes uneven and exposed foot paths along the coast, passing a beach, a chapel and the Sisargas islands. The route ends at the doorstep of your rural and seaside hotel near Barizo. Dinner is not included because the hotel only services 'a la carte' menus. And you might want to try next door’s restaurant “As Garzas” awarded with 1 Michelin star since 2010 (but remember to book in advance).

3. Day

   3
   Circular walk from Barizo via Faro Nariga

   10.4 mi · 16.7 km

   1. Circular walk from Barizo via Faro Nariga
   2. BarizoBarizo

   Today’s route takes you to the Punto Nariga, first of the many famous lighthouses found along the Costa da Morte. From here your route continues down to the beautiful beach of Niñons, where you have the option of taking a taxi transfer or staying on the return route along a gravel road through a windmill park.

4. Day

   4
   Roncudo to Ponteceso

   10.9 mi · 17.5 km

   1. transfer
   2. Roncudo to Ponteceso
   3. transfer
   4. LaxeLaxe

   Today’s route begins with a taxi transfer in the morning to the tiny hamlet of Roncudo. From there you can either join the Camiño along winding footpaths to the cape Roncudo and its small lighthouse after which there is a 3km tarmac lane into the fishermen’s village of O Corme, or you can opt to take the shortcut straight to O Corme.Ahead of you, you have the long spectacular Camiño along the coast, or a shorter, high-level route through shady woods before you reach the extensive sand plateau that separates the river mouth of Ponteceso from the Atlantic Ocean. A stretch of sandy trail leads you into Ponteceso , where a taxi transfer awaits to take you to your modern beach hotel in Laxe.

5. Day

   5
   Laxe to Camelle Harbour

   9.5 mi · 15.3 km

   1. Laxe to Camelle Harbour
   2. transfer
   3. LaxeLaxe

   A beautiful stretch of coastline, as well as a steep hillside separates Laxe from the expansive sandy beach of Traba. Here, the waves often spill out over the shore, forming natural lagoons and wetlands which support a diverse array of birdlife. After a swim or a meal at the beach bar/restaurant along your route, follow an old ox-trail along the coast, carved into the granite rock as it winds around the distinctive wind-sculpted rock formations found en-route. At Camelle harbour, a taxi transfer will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Laxe.

6. Day

   6
   Arou to Camariñas

   9.7 mi · 15.6 km

   1. transfer
   2. Arou to Camariñas
   3. CamariñasCamariñas

   Today begins with a mountainous route that starts at the village of Arou and takes you to two tiny harbours, resembling smuggler’s bays, before you climb up to the back of Europe’s highest dune. Here, a truly wild stretch of scenery awaits, as you descend and cross a chain of small beaches called Praias do Trece. You finally reach the Cemetery of the English; a symbolic burial place to honour the lives of sailors and passengers lost to the three ship wrecks that happened along this coastline between 1883 and 1893. The last kilometres are comparatively gentler as you follow a gravel road before heading into the woods and arriving at your cosy rural hotel.

7. Day

   7
   Circular route Mourin via Camariñas

   8.3 mi · 13.4 km

   1. Circular route Mourin via Camariñas
   2. CamariñasCamariñas

   As you walk back to the coast from Mourin, it’s hard not be struck by the dramatic location of one of the most imposing lighthouses on the route, the Cabo Vilán, which was also Spain’s first electrified lighthouse. You can visit the house (including the visitors’ centre and café) before continuing along the coast, past a modern fish factory and a chapel located on a hilltop above Camariñas. Todays´ route is relatively short, perfectly complimented with a Spanish lunch at the restaurant Arnelo in Camariñas. The traditional village architecture of Camariñas has suffered from modernity, but it houses a small museum dedicated to the typical handcrafted lace of Camariñas. After lunch, you have the option of taking a walk back to Do Cotariño or taking a taxi back to your hotel.

8. Day

   8
   Ponte do Cereixo to Muxia

   9 mi · 14.5 km

   1. transfer
   2. Ponte do Cereixo to Muxia
   3. MuxiaMuxia

   Transfer to Ponte de Cereixo for today´s walk to Muxia. Your route follows the mouth of the Ria do Porto where groups of marisqueiras can be seen (and heard) as they collect mussels and shellfish. Lago lighthouse tells you that you’re back to the Atlantic coast and close to Lago beach (with several bars and restaurants). The second part of the route starts with a steep section to the village of Mereixo. Your path then joins the Camino de Santiago trail to Finisterre, before diverting back to the coast as you enter Muxia via the beach.There is also an option to extend your walk to the Sanctuary Virgen de la Barca.Behind the exterior of modern hotels, Muxia’s old high street is very much worth a wander before returning to your hotel.

9. Day

   9
   Moreira to Queiroso

   9.3 mi · 15 km

   1. transfer
   2. Moreira to Queiroso
   3. Santo Estevo de LiresSanto Estevo de Lires

   Your route today begins with a short transfer to the small hamlet of Moreira. From here you walk to the beach and join a section of the Camiño dos Faros along a rugged coastal landscape reminiscent of the Nordic fjords. Today’s lighthouse is small but located at the Westmost edge of Europe: Cabo Touriñan. From there you turn south to the surfers’ beach of Nemiña and enjoy lunch before you walk the last 2km to a Rural Hotel run by an excellent local cook. Dinner is included.

10. Day

    10
    Castrexe to Finisterre

    10.1 mi · 16.3 km

    1. transfer
    2. Castrexe to Finisterre
    3. FisterraFisterra

    The last stage is again a very interesting one, especially between Castomiñan and Finisterre where your route steers a close course to the cliffs, following routes that were originally carved out of the landscape by the local fishermen. The section between Castrexe and Castromiñan can be skipped, but then you will miss the last 1,5km of secluded, sandy beach before Finisterra and the remains of a Celtic fortification (known as Castro).The walk around the Cabo Finisterre is a magic place to be around at sunset or dawn, following in the footsteps of the many pilgrims who’ve often come a very long way to find the satisfaction that comes with completing their journey as they reach ‘the end of the world’, one of Europe’s most westerly points at Finisterre.

11. Day

    11
    Day 11

    Today your programme ends after breakfast. From here you can take a bus transfer to Santiago.