The Camino Finisterre: From Santiago to Hospital
The Caminos to Santiago de Compostela
Camino Finisterre & Muxía Map 1
The camino to Finisterre and Muxía is often called the epilogue to the longer trails leading into Santiago. It is a fitting description for the 3-5 day journey; many pilgrims are moved to find an ending to the ending of their camino.
Finisterre as a destination for pilgrim actually predates the Christian world and the pagan temple of Ara Solis was the goal for many who followed the stars west. It persisted even after the camino to Santiago took root, with several ‘hospitals’ having been built along the way.
These days the route is more of a choose your own...
The Feast day of Saint James is celebrated with a full week of music and dance, with a fireworks display in the Plaza Obradoiro on the evening of the 24th of July. The best views can be had from Obradoiro, or from Alameda park.
The start of the camino to Finisterre is poorly marked, and the fading yellow arrows are hard to find. Fortunately, the way is easy to describe and is very brief; you will be in the forest in less than 1km.
Facing the Parador (with the Cathedral to your right) exit the square along the...
Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela to F & M
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1 |
Albergue La Credencial Private
Fonte dos Concheiros, 13
36 10-14€ Booking.com |
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2 |
Albergue La Estación Private
Xoana Nogueira, 14
24 13-15€ Booking.com |
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3 |
Albergue Mundoalbergue Private
San Clemente, 26
30 18€ |
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4 |
Albergue Azabache Private
Azabachería, 15
22 14-18€ Booking.com |
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5 |
Albergue Basquinos 45 Private
Basquiños, 45
6 12-16€ Booking.com |
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6 |
Albergue Santo Santiago Private
Valiño, 3
40 10€ Booking.com |
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7 |
Albergue Meiga Backpackers Private
Basquiños, 67
30 14-20€ Booking.com |
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8 |
Albergue Seminario Menor en Santiago de Compostela Private
Quiroga Palacios
199 17€ Booking.com |
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9 |
Blanco Albergue Private
Galeras, 30
20 12-20€ Booking.com |
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10 |
Albergue-Hotel LoopINN Private
Tras Santa Clara
84 17-20€ Booking.com |
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11 |
Albergue La Estrella de Santiago Private
Concheiros, 36-38
24 10-16€ |
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12 |
Albergue O Fogar de Teodomiro Private
Algalia de Arriba, 3
20 15€ Booking.com |
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13 |
KM. 0 Private
Carretas, 11
51 16-26€ |
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14 |
Albergue Monterrey Private
Fontiñas, 65a
36 12-16€ Booking.com |
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15 |
Albergue Porta Real Private
dos Concheiros, 10
24 10-20€ Booking.com |
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16 |
Albergue SIXTOS no Caminho Private
Fonte dos Concheiros, 2
40 15-20€ Booking.com |
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17 |
Albergue The Last Stamp Private
Preguntoiro, 10
62 15-25€ Booking.com |
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18 |
Albergue Fin del Camino Parochial
Moscova
110 12€ |
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19 |
Albergue de peregrinos Jaime García Rodríguez Association
Estocolmo
150 8€ |
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20 |
Pensión Pazo de Argra ⭑ Pension
Calderería, 37
Booking.com |
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21 |
Hostal Alameda ⭑⭑ Hostal
San Clemente, 32
Booking.com |
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22 |
Hostal Mapoula Hostal
Entremurallas, 10-3
Booking.com |
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23 |
Hospedería San Martín Pinario ⭑ Hotel
Pl. de la Inmaculada, 3
Booking.com |
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24 |
Hotel Nest Style Santiago ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Doutor Teixeiro, 15
Booking.com |
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25 |
Hotel Avenida ⭑ Hotel
Fuente de San Antonio, 5
Booking.com |
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26 |
Hostal Reis Católicos (Parador de Santiago) ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ Parador
Obradoiro, 1
Booking.com |
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The remains of an old watermill sit aside the Río Sarela on the outskirts of Santiago.
Look back towards Santiago for a pleasant view of the Cathedral.
The camino turns left where it meets the mountain road and follows it for 100m before turning to the right.
The forest meets the road again in Moas, and when it does turn right to follow newly installed arrows.
Heavy traffic here.
Pay attention here. Although the route is well marked, it is still quite common for pilgrims to keep on following the road. If that happens to you, there is no need to retrace your steps. Keep on going to the next road (recognizable for the large stone wall) and turn right, followed by the next...
Turn right at the bus stop / Hórreo.
When you arrive at the main road of Quintáns, the camino turns left and then immediately right again... watch out for the arrows.
At the same intersection there is a bar on your right.
There is a bar where the camino emerges into town. The albergue is about half way through town and a bit (400-500m) off the camino.
The Road: The camino crisscrosses the main road and follows safer side streets. Keep an eye out for yellow arrows near a small bus stop that takes you to the right. If you miss it and walk too far, stay on the road and keep an eye out for a yellow arrow that will take you left. If you miss that one, just stay on the road, and the camino will rejoin is very soon.
The camino crisscrosses the main road and follows safer side streets. Keep an eye out for yellow arrows near a small bus stop that takes you to the right. If you miss it and walk too far, stay on the road and keep an eye out for a yellow arrow that will take you left. If you miss that one, just...
The albergue is about halfway through town and about 400m off the camino.
Accommodation in Ventosa (Castelo)
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1 |
Albergue Casa Riamonte Private
Aldea de Castelo
10 13€ Booking.com |
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Bar and Pharmacy on your right. Check out the vines above the bar patio, they are a combination of grapes and kiwi.
The Road: The road from Ventosa to Aguapesada is straight and along the road. Beyond Aguapesada it follows a quiet road up and into the forest. The climb here is fairly steep. The towns between here and Ponte Maceira are of little note.
The road from Ventosa to Aguapesada is straight and along the road. Beyond Aguapesada, it follows a quiet track and road up and into the forest. The climb here is fairly steep. The towns between here and Ponte Maceira are of little note, and there is only one...
There is a bar in O Reino, which technically is a bit off of the camino to your left. Useful if the bar in Trasmonte was closed or if you prefer taking the path less traveled.
Keep on the road through O Reino, and again in 500m through the village of Burgueiros.
The highlight of Ponte Maceira is the bridge over the Río Tabmre. If not that, then the río itself. For legal reasons I cannot advise you to swim in the river, but I can tell you that if you waited until the late afternoon to do so you would not be alone. I can also tell you it is quite refreshing after a walk of any length. If you would rather just dip your feet in there are ample places to do so.
The Road: Cross over the bridge and follow the road out of town. As is common in these parts, the camino will continue to parallel the main road, often crossing and...
The heavily disputed legend of the translatio tells us that it was here that the disciples of Santiago, fleeing their Roman captors, were aided by divine intervention. Upon crossing the bridge the center span gave away, stranding the Romans on the other side. This legend, which some...
The one bar/restaurant in town is closed every Wednesday.
Cross over the bridge and follow the road out of town. As is common in these parts, the camino will continue to parallel the main road, crossing and then crossing back through the village of Barca. It feels un-necessary but it keeps you away from the traffic. Negreira is the...
The Xunta albergue is on the far end of town, be sure to pick up supplies if you are not keen on walking back. All services are available in town.
“Because I am not inscribed from Noya but from Negreira, where I was born. And from Negreira, which is up the river Tambre, they take you for the army.” - a soldier to his corporal, excerpt from ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Ernest Hemingway.
Hemingway lived for a short time in...
The camino leaves Negreira near the municipal albergue on the West side of town. If you stayed in that albergue, go back towards town a short distance and follow the signs to the church. If you are an early morning (in the dark) walker, do yourself a favor and scout the route the night...
Accommodation in Negreira
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1 |
Albergue de Negreira Municipal
Patrocinio
8 8€ |
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2 |
Albergue Lua Private
Santiago, 22
40 12€ |
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3 |
Albergue El Carmen Private
Carmen, 2
34 12€ |
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4 |
Albergue Anjana Private
Chantada, 39
18 12€ |
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5 |
Albergue Alecrin Private
Santiago, 52
40 12€ |
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6 |
Albergue Turístico de Logrosa Private
Logrosa, 6
20 17*€ Booking.com |
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7 |
Albergue Turístico San José Private
Castelao, 20
50 12€ |
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8 |
Casa de Bola Casa Rural
Lugar de Covas, 9
10 Booking.com |
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9 |
Hostal La Mezquita Hostal
Carmen, 2
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10 |
Hotel Millan ⭑⭑ Hotel
Santiago
Booking.com |
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There may or may not be a bar open in Zas, it is also a shop for basic necessities but does not do much to advertise. It is on your left and there are stacks of empty bottles to give it away.
The Road: You enter Zas along the road, but leave it at the bar mentioned above. The town is small and you will very quickly find that the camino follows a nice country trail all the way to O Rapote.
You enter Zas along the road, but leave it at the bar mentioned above. The town is small, and you will very quickly find that the camino follows a nice country trail all the way to O Rapote.
Small farming village with a picnic table and fountain at the entrance.
An albergue and town bar are up a flight of steps on your left as you get to the village.
Accommodation in A Peña and Piaxe
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1 |
Albergue Alto da Pena Private
Piaxe, 5
12+ 12€ Booking.com |
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2 |
Albergue Rectoral San Mamede da Pena Private
Piaxe, 8
24 12€ Booking.com |
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The Road: Much of the camino between here and Vilaserío is along the road. Only at the very end do you turn left into the forest. A short distance on and you will have arrived in Vilaserío. Turn right to the bar, the albergues, and the camino.
Camino Finisterre & Muxía Map 2
Be sure to turn right if you got here along the camino through the woods. If you missed that part and stayed on the road, turn left and head into town a very short distance to the bar.
The bar here is open every day and provides excellent service to pilgrims. There is WiFi there and nice, clean, bathrooms. Recommended.
The municipal albergue is outside of town on the main road.
The Road: The camino leaves town along the road. If you stopped at the bar, take the steps down and behind it and turn right then left on the road. You will follow that...
The camino leaves town along the road. If you stopped at the bar, take the steps down and behind it and turn right then left on the road. You will follow that road all the way to Cornado.
Accommodation in Vilaserío
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1 |
Municipal Albergue Municipal
Vilaserío
?? |
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2 |
Albergue O Rueiro Private
Vilaserío
30 12€ |
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3 |
Albergue Casa Vella Private
Vilaserío, 23
15 12€ |
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There is a fountain in Cornado.
The Road: The camino leaves the road in Cornado and stays off of it nearly the whole way to Maroñas.
The camino leaves the road in Cornado and stays off of it nearly the whole way to Maroñas.
The bar and albergue are one and the same. To get there turn left at the 'rollo'. Otherwise continue to the right past a small picnic area.
The Road: You will walk along the road here for a short but potentially dangerous stretch. Pay close attention to traffic when crossing.
You will walk along the road here for a short but potentially dangerous stretch. Pay close attention to traffic when crossing.
Accommodation in Santa Mariña
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1 |
Albergue Casa Pepa Private 40 12€ |
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Just a few buildings along the roadside, but with a pair of bars.
The Road: The camino leaves the road quickly and follows along smaller country lanes all the way to Ponte Olveiroa. It is a particulary scenic stretch of this route.
Note: There will come a junction near Porteliñas which is confusing and poorly marked. Some arrows keep you on the road, another set indicates a left turn along a gravel road. Both will get you where you want to go, but the road is half the distance.
The camino leaves the road quickly and follows along smaller country lanes all the way to Ponte Olveiroa. It is a particularly scenic stretch which passes first through the villages of Bo Xesus and A Gueima.
Accommodation in Lamelas
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1 |
Albergue Santa Mariña Private 34 10€ |
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If you are interested in the alternate route via A Picota, turn left at the KM 45,146 marker in Vilar do Castro.
The local pool is free for pilgrims. There is now signage to take you along this optional detour, and it rejoins the official camino in Ponte Olveira.
Accommodation in A Picota
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1 |
Albergue Picota Private
13 de abril, 94
6 15€ Booking.com |
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2 |
Hotel Casa Jurjo ⭑⭑ Hotel
13 de abril, 59
Booking.com |
In 2018 a bar and an albergue opened their doors to pilgrims, allowing pilgrims to divide the route into four days of walking no more than 26km a day with a short last day..
The camino passes quickly through the twin hamlets of As Porteliñas and As Abeleiroas on the way to the church and hamlet of Corzón.
Accommodation in Lago
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1 |
Albergue Monte Aro Private 30 12€ Booking.com |
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The bar, restaurant, and albergue are all part of the same operation. On your right after crossing the bridge. It is worth mentioning that it is under new ownership since 2014.
The Road: Again along the road all the way to Olveiroa.
Again along the road all the way to Olveiroa.
Accommodation in Ponte Olveira
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1 |
Albergue Ponte Olveira Private
Ponte Olveira, 3
18 12€ |
Hundreds of Horreos and two bar/restaurants. Of the two, As Pias is the recommended choice.
The Road: The camino cuts through town and into the a forested area high along the river valley. It is steadily uphill from here all the way to Hospital and beyond, leveling out only a bit when you get to The Great Divide.
The camino cuts a straight line through town but NOTE: at the edge of town the camino turns left BEFORE ever getting to the road. This is an easy turn to miss.
It is mostly uphill from here all the way to Hospital and beyond, leveling out only a bit when you get...
Accommodation in Olveiroa
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1 |
Albergue de Santiago de Olveiroa Municipal 34 6€ |
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2 |
Albergue O Peregrino Private 12 12€ |
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3 |
Albergue Casa Manola Private 16 12€ |
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4 |
Albergue Hórreo Private 30 12€ |
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5 |
Albergue Santa Lucía Private
Olveiroa
16 12€ Booking.com |
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6 |
Pensión As Pías Pension
Olveiroa
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7 |
Pensión Casa Loncho Pension
Olveiroa
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Recently revived by a bar and albergue, Logoso is now a popular spot for those wishing to add or reduce a day of walking to Finisterre.
Accommodation in Logoso
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1 |
O Logoso Private 42 12€ Booking.com |
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Note: If you are continuing to Finisterre then the bar here is the last place to stock up on food and water for some distance. There is a fountain between here and Cee but very little else.
If you are continuing to Finisterre then the bar here is the last place to stock up on water or grab a sandwich. There is a fountain between here and Cee but very little else.
Accommodation in Hospital
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1 |
Albergue O Casteliño Private
Hospital
18 12€ |
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