Ruta Natural del Cantabrico/Camino do Mar/Ribadeo to A Coruna

[stevenbl]

In April and May 2024, I walked from Santander to A Coruna. From Ribadeo, instead of going inland on the Norte, I continued along the Cantábrico trail and then continued to Ferrol and A Coruna.

I believe the trail follows more or less Ruta do Mar to Ferrol.

I wrote a blog whilst walking, which I have posted on https://followingyourfeet.com/ with lots of pictures.

This is a fabulous walk - well sign posted initially, slightly less so once the Cantábrico ends. As written elsewhere, there are limited places to stay in some towns, but manageable.

 

[MinaKamina]

Great blog! Thank you for posting!

 

[Tia Valeria]

Thank you - we will enjoy reading the blog and re-visit the places we walked in 2015, although we did have to skip some sections

 

[pilgrimjim]

In April and May 2024, I walked from Santander to A Coruna. From Ribadeo, instead of going inland on the Norte, I continued along the Cantábrico trail and then continued to Ferrol and A Coruna.

I believe the trail follows more or less Ruta do Mar to Ferrol.

I wrote a blog whilst walking, which I have posted on https://followingyourfeet.com/ with lots of pictures.

This is a fabulous walk - well sign posted initially, slightly less so once the Cantábrico ends. As written elsewhere, there are limited places to stay in some towns, but manageable.

Thanks for the encouragement to relive my 2022 walk of the same beautiful, awesome and inspiring route. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the review.

 

[Mlambere]

What a fantastic blog...many thanks for the great read packed with very useful detail.

 

[cnxjo]

Thank you. Excellent blog with beautiful pictures and useful information. I will be doing the same from Ribadeo around 17 July. Currently having hard time finding lodgings at some stages. Will it be possible to share you lodging list? You can also PM me.

 

[Mlambere]

Thank you. Excellent blog with beautiful pictures and useful information. I will be doing the same from Ribadeo around 17 July. Currently having hard time finding lodgings at some stages. Will it be possible to share you lodging list? You can also PM me.

Equally, i would be interested i the lodging list if you are happy to share.
Regards

 

[stevenbl]

First off, I haven't looked for communal sleeping, as a good nights sleep in my own room is fundamental for me to have a good days walking. Not saying you can't get a good nights sleep communal, I don't want to take the risk (I think the discussion is well covered on this forum).

Also, I didn't meet a single through walker, so there wasn't any communal eating etc.

Therefore my choice of place to stay has had more to do with a) being on the trail b) how long I plan to walk - I normally walk 30-35kms.

Note: I walked in May, many hotels were still closed and I booked everything in advance.

Day 1: Rinlo (before the Cathedral National monument) I walked from Tapia. Stayed at Mi Norte, which was 2 kilometers off track. In retrospect I should have tried to find somewhere in San Miguel, just after the monument e.g. Hotel Playa de Las Catedrales. (Mi Norte is an excellent hotel, but not close to very much)

Day 2: Foz - Isla Nova Hotel

Day 3: San Cibrao - Hostel Buenavista (only place to stay I think)

Day 4: Celeiro - Hotel Boa Vista. In retrospect I would try and find a hotel in Vivero or Covas. Boa Vista was good value (for me) given they have an excellent restaurant, and I was hungry

Day 5: O Vicedo - Pension Galatea

Day 6: Ortigueira - Casa Gil - was on the track, but 2km from town. I retrospect would look for something in town. I recall that there is a hostel.

Day 7: San Andrés de Teixido - Casa Rural de San Andrés de Teixido (I stayed off season so price was reasonable, but really nice place to stay).

Day 8: Valdovino - A Torre do Lago - again chosen because it was on the trail, but 3kms after the town. I would see if there is anything in the town itself. There were many surfers, so I would think that there is something.

Day 9: Pontedeume - on the Ingles, at least one hostel in town

Hope it helps.

 

[stevenbl]

I should also add that if I was doing this again I would follow the coast between San Andres (after climbing out of San Andres) and Cedeira and from Valdovino to Ferrol (from Cedeira to Valdovino already follows the estuary and coast). Perhaps San Andres - Cedeira (or after) and Cedeira to Ferrol.

 

[cnxjo]

First off, I haven't looked for communal sleeping, as a good nights sleep in my own room is fundamental for me to have a good days walking. Not saying you can't get a good nights sleep communal, I don't want to take the risk (I think the discussion is well covered on this forum).

Also, I didn't meet a single through walker, so there wasn't any communal eating etc.

Therefore my choice of place to stay has had more to do with a) being on the trail b) how long I plan to walk - I normally walk 30-35kms.

Note: I walked in May, many hotels were still closed and I booked everything in advance.

Day 1: Rinlo (before the Cathedral National monument) I walked from Tapia. Stayed at Mi Norte, which was 2 kilometers off track. In retrospect I should have tried to find somewhere in San Miguel, just after the monument e.g. Hotel Playa de Las Catedrales. (Mi Norte is an excellent hotel, but not close to very much)

Day 2: Foz - Isla Nova Hotel

Day 3: San Cibrao - Hostel Buenavista (only place to stay I think)

Day 4: Celeiro - Hotel Boa Vista. In retrospect I would try and find a hotel in Vivero or Covas. Boa Vista was good value (for me) given they have an excellent restaurant, and I was hungry

Day 5: O Vicedo - Pension Galatea

Day 6: Ortigueira - Casa Gil - was on the track, but 2km from town. I retrospect would look for something in town. I recall that there is a hostel.

Day 7: San Andrés de Teixido - Casa Rural de San Andrés de Teixido (I stayed off season so price was reasonable, but really nice place to stay).

Day 8: Valdovino - A Torre do Lago - again chosen because it was on the trail, but 3kms after the town. I would see if there is anything in the town itself. There were many surfers, so I would think that there is something.

Day 9: Pontedeume - on the Ingles, at least one hostel in town

Hope it helps.

Thank you. Hardly any vacancies in Valdovino in July. Probably because of surfing crowd. The only one I can find requires a minimum of two nights.

 

[stevenbl]

Thank you. Hardly any vacancies in Valdovino in July. Probably because of surfing crowd. The only one I can find requires a minimum of two nights.

No, it seems that the hotels in the area expect 2 nights - both Valdovino Express and A Torre do Lago (as well as others a bit further out). Casa Rural La Gallega - a bit further out of town and a bit more expensive offers rooms for one night on the dates I checked in July.

Ortigueira to Cedeira is also walkable (imo) if you don’t stay in San Andres.

 

[Mlambere]

Steve, thanks for this, I have changed my plan and will head this way, building on your tips. I am heading that way, starting Lourca from 12th June and will also cover the Ingles to Santiago. Your excellent blog has inspired me.

Regards

 

[Mlambere]

I am on the ruta now and Day 1 has been tremendous......the scenery is second to none.

Day 1 Ribadeo to Barrios

Day 1 Ribadeo to Barrios Hiking trail in . Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Ruta del Natural Cantabria

www.wikiloc.com

I started at 1100 and walked 22.5 k from Ribadeo as it took me 27 hours of travelling from Newcastle to get to the start setting off 0700 monday in Newcastle

. Staying at the Solarena Bistro which is a great 50 euro per night, Havier the owner loverly guy. Many thanks to Steve whom without reading his blog i would never have considered this. Also callout for Dave and Mag, i have read your blogs and they are great.

 

[Mlambere]

 

[stevenbl]

Mlambere, did you have a good trip?

 

[pilgrimjim]

I should also add that if I was doing this again I would follow the coast between San Andres (after climbing out of San Andres) and Cedeira and from Valdovino to Ferrol (from Cedeira to Valdovino already follows the estuary and coast). Perhaps San Andres - Cedeira (or after) and Cedeira to Ferrol.

I agree! Due to time issues in fall of ‘22 we headed south from San Andres to Cedeira rather than following the coast and then south to Xubia I believe it is the Teixido alternative. Would seriously consider sticking to the coast if it’s off season.