Camino Inglés - Ferrol to Santiago

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. 

Your first day on the Camino Inglés begins at Ferrol’s historic harbour, following estuary-side paths along the Ría de Ferrol. The walking is gentle and steady, with wide water views guiding you past Gandara and the San Martín de Xubia Monastery. Early sections reflect Ferrol’s maritime and industrial heritage, before the trail gradually turns inland and becomes quieter and more rural. After reaching the riverside town of Neda, known for its long-standing baking tradition, the character of the walk shifts noticeably. The route winds along peaceful country lanes and short forest sections through eucalyptus and chestnut woodland, creating a relaxed and varied day on the trail. The walk finishes either in the village of Cabanas or across the river in Pontedeume, depending on accommodation availability.

* There are several bridges as you make your way around the harbour in Ferrol that offer convenient options for those wishing to shorten the day’s walk. Depending on the route chosen, the distance can be reduced by approximately 7–10 km.

Meals: B

Leaving Cabanas or Pontedeume, the walk heads inland through rolling Galician countryside on a mix of quiet lanes, rural tracks and short forest sections, with gentle ups and downs rather than sustained climbs. Around the halfway point, you pass through Miño, where a historic stone fountain and nearby riverside green spaces provide a welcome spot to pause and rest before continuing. The route links several small villages and crosses a number of bridges, reflecting the waterways that shape this landscape as you move away from the estuary. The day finishes in Betanzos, a town rich in medieval character, where highlights include its historic streets and the distinctive clock tower, offering a glimpse into the town’s long civic history and making it a rewarding place to explore in the evening.

Meals: B

Leaving Betanzos, today’s walk heads inland, trading estuary views for rolling farmland, woodland paths and quiet rural lanes. The terrain is gently undulating rather than steep, though the longer distance makes this a more sustained day on the trail. Passing through small villages and hamlets, the route gradually leads to Mesón do Vento and nearby Hospital de Bruma. Historically, this was an important pilgrim resting place, located at the point where walkers from Ferrol join those coming from A Coruña. Tonight’s stay will be in either Mesón do Vento or Hospital de Bruma, depending on accommodation availability.

Meals: B

Today’s walk is a longer but comfortable stage through rolling Galician countryside. 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 midpoint, the parish of A Rúa offers a natural place to pause, with its traditional church providing a quiet moment of rest. Continuing on, the trail passes through the parish of Poulo, an area closely tied to the Camino’s long history. Highlights include the Romanesque church of San Xulián and a restored pilgrims’ hostel set within a former hospital that once cared for walkers en route to Santiago. Beyond Poulo, the landscape remains rural and unhurried, with farmland, woodland and small villages offering opportunities to pause before the final stretch. 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 is free to explore historic Santiago de Compostela, with time to enjoy its lively tapas bars and restaurants. Be sure to collect your pilgrim certificate from the Pilgrim Office (Oficina del Peregrino), a meaningful keepsake of your journey. If you wish, attend the midday Pilgrims’ Mass and visit the iconic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, watching as fellow pilgrims arrive to complete their Camino.

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

• 7 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 $790
• 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).