Camino Inglés - Ferrol to Santiago Slow Walk

Arrive in the historic port city of Ferrol, long linked to pilgrims arriving by sea from northern Europe. Once an important naval centre, the city blends maritime heritage with elegant 18th-century architecture. After settling into your accommodation, enjoy time to wander the old quarter, stroll along the harbour, or explore the planned streets and squares of the Magdalena district. Ferrol’s coastal setting and relaxed pace make it an appealing place to begin your Camino. Overnight in Ferrol.

As you embark on your first day’s walk, the route skirts the Ría de Ferrol, following calm estuary-side paths and quiet backroads with firm footing and gentle undulations. The walking is relaxed and steady, easing you into the rhythm of the trail while offering frequent glimpses of water and surrounding countryside. A highlight is the ever-changing estuary scenery, with tidal flats and small harbours giving a strong sense of coastal Galicia. The walk finishes in the riverside town of Neda, long known for its baking tradition shaped by its clean river water and historic mills that once supplied sailors and pilgrims. That heritage lives on in local bakeries, making Neda a rewarding place to end the day.

*For those looking to shorten the day, there is the option to cross the second bridge out of Ferrol at Couto Monastery Bridge, reducing the walking distance to approximately 8 km.

Meals: B

Before leaving Neda, you may wish to pick up something fresh from a local bakery, a small nod to the town’s long baking tradition. The walk then continues through gentle Galician countryside, with short forest sections and quiet lanes adding variety without demanding climbs. Along the way, you pass through Cabanas, a small coastal town with a relaxed seaside feel and a long sandy beach along the estuary. As you approach Pontedeume, wide water views open up before you cross the town’s historic stone bridge into a well-preserved centre of narrow streets and traditional stone buildings. Set beside the Eume estuary, Pontedeume provides a relaxed riverside setting for the evening. Accommodation will be in either Cabanas or Pontedeume, depending on availability.

Meals: B

Leaving Cabanas or Pontedeume, today’s shorter stage follows quiet inland lanes and rural tracks through softly rolling Galician countryside. The walking is relaxed and unhurried, with gentle rises and shaded forest sections adding variety without any real demands. The day finishes in Miño, a small coastal town set along the estuary, where nearby beaches provide a welcome chance to rest the legs or dip your feet in the water at the end of the walk.

Meals: B

After leaving Miño, the route links several small villages, crossing a number of bridges as waterways guide you gradually away from the coast. Quiet lanes and rural paths keep the walking varied without demanding climbs. The walk finishes in Betanzos, a town rich in medieval character, where historic streets and the distinctive clock tower provide a rewarding setting to explore in the evening.

Meals: B

Leaving Betanzos, today’s walk returns you to quiet rural Galicia, following a mix of country lanes and gentle paths through farmland and small villages. The terrain is softly undulating rather than steep, creating a steady and comfortable walking day. With fewer settlements along the way, the trail feels peaceful and unhurried, offering a welcome sense of calm as you move inland. The walk finishes in Presedo, a small settlement with very limited services. Accommodation is arranged nearby, either within walking distance or with a short transfer provided, offering a comfortable place to rest before continuing the journey.

Meals: B

Today’s walk continues through peaceful inland Galicia, following a network of quiet country lanes, forest tracks and rural paths. The terrain remains gently rolling rather than steep, creating a steady and manageable day on the trail. Passing small hamlets and farmland, the walking feels remote and reflective, offering a strong sense of the Camino’s rural heartland. The route gradually leads to Mesón do Vento and nearby Hospital de Bruma, historically an important pilgrim stopping point where walkers starting from A Coruña join those arriving from Ferrol. Tonight’s stay will be in either Mesón do Vento or Hospital de Bruma, depending on accommodation availability.

Meals: B

Today’s walk is an easier and more relaxed stage, featuring a gentle descent through softly rolling Galician countryside. Leaving Hospital de Bruma, the route follows a mix of rural lanes, forest tracks and quiet crossroads, passing through small settlements and peaceful farmland along the way. Around the halfway point, the parish of A Rúa provides a natural place to pause, with its traditional church offering a quiet moment of rest and reflection beside the trail. The day finishes in the parish of Poulo, an area closely tied to the Camino’s long history. Highlights include the Romanesque church of San Xulián and a recently restored pilgrims’ hostel, set within a former hospital that once cared for walkers on their way to Santiago. Poulo itself is small and has limited services, so accommodation is arranged nearby, either within walking distance or with a short transfer provided, offering a comfortable place to rest before continuing the journey.

Meals: B

Today’s walk is a relaxed and steady stage through quiet inland Galicia, following a mix of rural lanes, gentle paths and small hamlets. Leaving Poulo, the route passes through pockets of farmland and woodland, with occasional streams and springs shaping the landscape. Midway through the walk, small villages along the route provide opportunities to pause, refill water or enjoy a simple coffee before continuing on. As you approach Sigüeiro, views open towards the River Tambre, and the walk finishes with a crossing into town. With a good range of cafés and local services, Sigüeiro is a comfortable place to rest and enjoy the evening ahead of the final stage to Santiago.

Meals: B

Today’s walk is shorter and gently paced, offering a reflective final stage into Santiago. Leaving Sigüeiro, the route follows a mix of riverside paths, forest tracks and quiet lanes, with mild undulations and a steady feel underfoot. As you draw closer, the surroundings gradually shift from rural landscapes to the outer edges of the city, building a quiet sense of anticipation. The final kilometres lead you into the historic heart of Santiago de Compostela, where narrow streets and lively plazas guide you towards the cathedral. Arriving on foot is a memorable moment, marking the end of your Camino journey and offering time to pause, reflect and celebrate the achievement.

Meals: B

Today you have the whole day to enjoy and explore historic Santiago with its many enticing tapas bars and restaurants. You can attend the midday pilgrim mass and look around the famous Cathedral of St. James which forms the city’s heart and watch the steady stream of pilgrims walking into the square as they finish their epic journey.

Meals: B

You are free to check out of your hotel any time before 10 am. If you’d like to explore Santiago further, you can leave your bags with reception. Interested in more walking options from Santiago? Consider extending your journey with our captivating 6-day Camino de Finisterre for an epic journey to ‘The World’s End”.

Meals: B

16kg of CO2-e per person per day

We pay for a monthly offset to cover the estimated emissions of our walkers for all trips with RAW Travel, which goes into local reforestation or biodiversity restoration. Explore the practical actions behind these estimated carbon offsets for your trip here, following a philosophy of ‘re-wilding the planet’ with native tree planting & Ocean plastic cleans ups.

A reasonable estimate for a pilgrim is 16 kg of CO2-e per person per day, primarily due to hotels, meals and emissions from luggage transfers. The act of walking itself is a form of sustainable travel, so the carbon footprint calculated here is a measure of the ancillary activities surrounding the walk, not the walking itself. The figures are estimates, not precise measurements for each route/trip, as it’s difficult to provide an exact number without detailed data on specific hotels, menus, and transfer routes which vary from person to person. This figure represents the operational footprint of the hike and its included services only. It does not include the flights and other transport needed to get to the start and finish of the walk.

An individual can significantly influence their footprint with the varied choices they make around food and drink at each meal. For instance, a diet rich in meat, imported goods and alcohol, will have a much higher impact than one focused on local, seasonal, and plant-based options. This daily stated figure is an average across the 18 days of the pilgrimage, derived from the key consumption components listed below.

Carbon Footprint Breakdown

• 11 nights of accommodation including historic hotels and country houses
• Private en suite rooms on a twin share basis
• Daily breakfast
• Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel (1 x 20kg bag per person)
• RAW Travel navigation APP with maps of your hotel locations and emergency contact numbers
• Local emergency contact numbers
• Pre-trip Camino guidance and planning
• Dedicated local support person in Spain for reassurance

• Single supplement $990
• Lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance
• Flights

With our Individual Trips, you have the freedom to choose your own departure date and we’ll tailor the itinerary to suit your hiking preferences, subject to availability along the trail. Request an itinerary from our destination experts, and they’ll provide notes on days where walking distances can be adjusted, suggestions for adding rest days, and options for additional luggage transfers or upgraded accommodation.

We offer a private transfer from Santiago Airport or A Coruña to your hotel in Ferrol at an additional cost per vehicle (based on up to 4 people). Please enquire with your destination expert if you are interested in arranging this service.

For an extra indulgence, upgrade your hotel in Santiago to a Parador from $180 per person/per night twin share and $275 per person/per night single occupancy, when booked 6 months in advance (subject to availability).