New Member and Camino do Mar Question

[dcalonder12]

Hello! My name is Dean, and I'm a new member to this forum...though I have read many threads in the past. The information I've seen is extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

My question is what the members think about walking the Camino do Mar from Ribadeo to Ferrol or taking the Ruta del Cantabrico instead. Is there a preferred route? Is there a guidebook for the Ruta del Cantabrico?

Thanks,

Dean

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Dean, welcome to the forum. I have yet to walk either, but during my research for the Del Mar across these:

You might want to read this blog for ideas about where to stay.

Day 24, Camino del Norte (Ruta do Mar) Ribadeo to Foz 39.4 km

Total distance 703.6 km Daily average 29.3 Today’s accumulated uphill elevation 118 m Today’s accumulated downhill elevation 99 m I had an easy start to my new Camino this morning – turn righ…

magwood.me

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.

Not sure if you’d seen them

 

[Corned Beef]

Another source (in Spanish)

Camiño Do Mar Acturismo

Guía de peregrinación del Camino del Mar.

www.calameo.com

And some information from @Dave who wrote the Cicerone guidebook.

Quick Mock-Ups of Updated Camino del Mar Route Maps – Dave Whitson's Home Page

davewhitson.com

 

[ivar]

Hello! My name is Dean, and I'm a new member to this forum...though I have read many threads in the past. The information I've seen is extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

My question is what the members think about walking the Camino do Mar from Ribadeo to Ferrol or taking the Ruta del Cantabrico instead. Is there a preferred route? Is there a guidebook for the Ruta del Cantabrico?

Thanks,

Dean

I do sell Dave's book here:

Cicerone: The Camino Ingles and Ruta do Mar (W/FREE Passport)

This book include 1 free Camino Passport per book ordered. To Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre from Ferrol, A Coruna or Ribadeo Guidebook to walking the Camino Inglés and Ruta do Mar pilgrim routes in northwest Spain. Describes the 116km Camino Inglés from Ferrol or A Coruña to Santiago de...

www.santiagodecompostela.me

 

[Dave]

Dean, I don't think you'll find a single recommended approach. (I don't think you'll find too many people who have actually walked both, for one thing.) In the book, I've laid out both options and offered my own suggestions. For example, I much prefer the Mar from Burela to San Cibrao, as it goes past the cool, old Sargadelos factory ruins. In other places, the Cantábrico is much better walking. At other points, the question is more about timing. For example, the inland walk from Teixido to the Inglés is much less interesting than the coastal approach, but it's also much shorter! It also helps to minimize some accommodation challenges in that stretch. You can definitely cobble together some good insights on the options, though, from the posts from experienced walkers in this sub-forum!

 

[cnxjo]

At least 3 members plan to walk CDM in Aug. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/ruta-do-mar-august-2024.87085/#post-1259955
Please checkout @stevenbl for walking stages and lodgings. I will start in Ribadeo on 17 July. Lodging in the summer from Voldavinoto Ferrol along the coast is limited. From Voldavino my plan for each stage is to use Ferrol as base and take Galicia Public transport, https://www.bus.gal/es, to get to starting point and to return to Ferrol at end of the walk.
Any forum members with experience riding Galicia Public buses?

​

 

[dcalonder12]

Dean, I don't think you'll find a single recommended approach. (I don't think you'll find too many people who have actually walked both, for one thing.) In the book, I've laid out both options and offered my own suggestions. For example, I much prefer the Mar from Burela to San Cibrao, as it goes past the cool, old Sargadelos factory ruins. In other places, the Cantábrico is much better walking. At other points, the question is more about timing. For example, the inland walk from Teixido to the Inglés is much less interesting than the coastal approach, but it's also much shorter! It also helps to minimize some accommodation challenges in that stretch. You can definitely cobble together some good insights on the options, though, from the posts from experienced walkers in this sub-forum!

Thanks, Dave. I purchased your guidebook. It's dated 2019. Is that the most updated version? I know I can go to your site and check out the updates; however, I was wondering if there's a version that contains most/all of the updates. Even as is, the 2019 version is quite helpful. My wife and I are very excited for our upcoming walk.

 

[Dave]

Thanks, Dave. I purchased your guidebook. It's dated 2019. Is that the most updated version? I know I can go to your site and check out the updates; however, I was wondering if there's a version that contains most/all of the updates. Even as is, the 2019 version is quite helpful. My wife and I are very excited for our upcoming walk.

Not yet, unfortunately! I'm hoping that, as interest in the Mar ticks up, its time will come. Here are the two posts that I've written that are most relevant:

General updates from my most recent re-walk: https://davewhitson.com/index.php/2023/07/24/news-and-notes-from-the-mar/

Updated route maps: https://davewhitson.com/index.php/2023/08/19/quick-mock-ups-of-updated-camino-del-mar-route-maps/

Dave

 

[pilgrimjim]

Dean, I don't think you'll find a single recommended approach. (I don't think you'll find too many people who have actually walked both, for one thing.) In the book, I've laid out both options and offered my own suggestions. For example, I much prefer the Mar from Burela to San Cibrao, as it goes past the cool, old Sargadelos factory ruins. In other places, the Cantábrico is much better walking. At other points, the question is more about timing. For example, the inland walk from Teixido to the Inglés is much less interesting than the coastal approach, but it's also much shorter! It also helps to minimize some accommodation challenges in that stretch. You can definitely cobble together some good insights on the options, though, from the posts from experienced walkers in this sub-forum!

Thanks Dave! I walked in 2022 and found your guide helpful. Your comments here exactly summarize my experience.

 

[dcalonder12]

At least 3 members plan to walk CDM in Aug. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/ruta-do-mar-august-2024.87085/#post-1259955
Please checkout @stevenbl for walking stages and lodgings. I will start in Ribadeo on 17 July. Lodging in the summer from Voldavinoto Ferrol along the coast is limited. From Voldavino my plan for each stage is to use Ferrol as base and take Galicia Public transport, https://www.bus.gal/es, to get to starting point and to return to Ferrol at end of the walk.
Any forum members with experience riding Galicia Public buses?

​

Hello! I was just checking in to see how your walk went/is going? How was the Camino do Mar? If you have any suggestions (places to stay/avoid; routes to take/avoid; etc...), I would be interested in hearing about your journey.

Thanks,

Dean

 

[cnxjo]

As already mentioned by others, limited facilities and quite isolated. Especially between San Cibrao and O Vicedo. Bring extra water for stages beyond San Cibrao. However view is spectacular. I skipped O Barquiero - Ortigueira by taking the FEVE train. From Ortigueira I took taxi to Carino. HIghly recommend Carino- San Andres De Teixido - Cedeira. Can be done in one day if you skip Cabo Ortegal. If you want to stay at San Andres, do book ahead with Casa Rural San Andres. Also skipped Cediera to Valdovino because of heat. Took bus to Ferrol and rested for two days (including visit to A Coruna) before finishing with Inglis.

There is a short detour outside of Fazouro as trail is washed away. The trail is blocked by the dirt mount and wood bench in the attached picture. Don't go down the steps to the beach. See other picture for the detour. You can PM me if you have other questions. Buen Camino.

 

[dcalonder12]

As already mentioned by others, limited facilities and quite isolated. Especially between San Cibrao and O Vicedo. Bring extra water for stages beyond San Cibrao. However view is spectacular. I skipped O Barquiero - Ortigueira by taking the FEVE train. From Ortigueira I took taxi to Carino. HIghly recommend Carino- San Andres De Teixido - Cedeira. Can be done in one day if you skip Cabo Ortegal. If you want to stay at San Andres, do book ahead with Casa Rural San Andres. Also skipped Cediera to Valdovino because of heat. Took bus to Ferrol and rested for two days (including visit to A Coruna) before finishing with Inglis.

There is a short detour outside of Fazouro as trail is washed away. The trail is blocked by the dirt mount and wood bench in the attached picture. Don't go down the steps to the beach. See other picture for the detour. You can PM me if you have other questions. Buen Camino.

Thanks for the update! Really appreciate it.