Walk from A Coruna to Ferrol

[Brightmore]

Hey everybody,

I was wondering if it was possible to walk from A Coruna to Ferrol as a way of extending the Camino Ingles.

Also, if it’s possible, how best it can be achieved, so walking stages, accommodation and services.

I appreciate one can easily catch transport between the two cities, but I’m asking specifically about walking.

I did Google this, but there were very few results. Most seem to take the bus.

Thank you in advance!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hey everybody,

I was wondering if it was possible to walk from A Coruna to Ferrol as a way of extending the Camino Ingles.

Also, if it’s possible, how best it can be achieved, so walking stages, accommodation and services.

I appreciate one can easily catch transport between the two cities, but I’m asking specifically about walking.

I did Google this, but there were very few results. Most seem to take the bus.

Thank you in advance!

I don’t know but if you are looking for ‘more Ingles’ this may be of interest?

T

Thread 'Two Camino Ingles in one!'

Oct 29, 2024

Hi all. After having to cancel a Camino Ingles last month for family reasons, I am going try again next week. I couldn’t make up my mind which route to do, so why not do both! Well sort of. i.e. on day 3 when I get to Bruma after starting from Ferrol, get a late bus back to Coruna and walk from Coruna back to Bruma next day! And then carry on.

It seems fines albeit with some long days but I have 5 days in total which seems to work! Am I missing anything daft?

• TravellingMan22
• Replies: 13
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🇪🇸 Camino INGLÉS (from Ferrol/A Coruña)

• 
• 

 

[Brightmore]

I don’t know but if you are looking for ‘more Ingles’ this may be of interest?

T

Thread 'Two Camino Ingles in one!'

Oct 29, 2024

Hi all. After having to cancel a Camino Ingles last month for family reasons, I am going try again next week. I couldn’t make up my mind which route to do, so why not do both! Well sort of. i.e. on day 3 when I get to Bruma after starting from Ferrol, get a late bus back to Coruna and walk from Coruna back to Bruma next day! And then carry on.

It seems fines albeit with some long days but I have 5 days in total which seems to work! Am I missing anything daft?

• TravellingMan22
• Replies: 13
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🇪🇸 Camino INGLÉS (from Ferrol/A Coruña)

• 
• 

Thank you for the suggestion, something I will keep in mind

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Brightmore, I recall someone asking about getting to Betanzos from A Corona I thought earlier this year, and I found a cycle route on mapy.cz. it looked quite pleasant and was around 30 kilometers I think so a days walk. Don't recall any infrastructure along the route though, something to beware of.

I've just had a quick look on my phone version of mapy and can't find it so you'd probably have to look on computer (you can drag the route around the very easily on computer, see distances etc. Once you save it to your Maps you can then very easily access it on your phone).

From Betanzos back to Ferrol you would simply be doing the Inglés in reverse.

 

[dougfitz]

When I walked the CI a decade ago, I started in Covas, a village on the other side of the headland from Ferrol. I stayed in the albergue there, and the walk around the headland took a pretty full day. I think that the albergue has closed, but you would still be able to walk the route.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

Just going to throw this out there: I started my CI in Ferrol and recall reading that I should not take a shortcut to A Caruna because then I would walk less than the required amount for a compostela.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

When I walked the CI a decade ago, I started in Covas, a village on the other side of the headland from Ferrol. I stayed in the albergue there, and the walk around the headland took a pretty full day. I think that the albergue has closed, but you would still be able to walk the route.

Doug, you must have been extremely fit to walk from Covo to Ferrol in one day! I looked it up on google maps and it looks like a mega long day, much longer even than the two stages from Ferrol to Betanzos. I just checked Gronze and they equal 47.7 km. Those two stages together look shorter than your first long day walking to get to Ferrol. Kudos on that accomplishment!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Just going to throw this out there: I started my CI in Ferrol and recall reading that I should not take a shortcut to A Caruna because then I would walk less than the required amount for a compostela.

Memory is a tricky thing. The Camino Inglès has two starting points : one is Ferrol, which at over 100 km qualifies you for a Compostela.
The second, completely separate starting point is A Corona. If you start from here it does not meet the minimum distance requirements for a Compostela, unless you have already walked approximately 25 km on a recognized trail in your home country. As far as I'm aware there are only two such recognised walks at this point, one in England, one in the USA. (Please correct me someone if I'm wrong).

If you start in Ferrol and walk to A Corona before continuing to Santiago you are actually detouring off to the side of the official route and would be walking more kilometers, not less.
A shortcut it is not .

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

Memory is a tricky thing. The Camino Inglès has two starting points : one is Ferrol, which at over 100 km qualifies you for a Compostela.
The second, completely separate starting point is A Corona. If you start from here it does not meet the minimum distance requirements for a Compostela, unless you have already walked approximately 25 km on a recognized trail in your home country. As far as I'm aware there are only two such recognised walks at this point, one in England, one in the USA. (Please correct me someone if I'm wrong).

If you start in Ferrol and walk to A Corona before continuing to Santiago you are actually detouring off to the side of the official route and would be walking more kilometers, not less.
A shortcut it is not .

Correct. The shortcut I was referring to was from Ferrol to A Coruna and involved, if I recall correctly, a bridge. Apps warned that if one took that shortcut, you would not walk the required amount if that was your only Camino. Of course adding the A Coruna to Ferrol distance would be adding distance.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

As far as I'm aware there are only two such recognised walks at this point, one in England, one in the USA. (Please correct me someone if I'm wrong).

I'm not sure, Peter, but I thought in addition to starting the Ingles in England, that starting in Ireland qualifies, too, but I can't exactly remember. Possibly @Kirkie will chime in and verify either way, or another person from Ireland may know.

Edit- I just googled and 25 km walking in Ireland on one of the Celtic caminos, then starting at A Coruna on the Ingles Way seems to qualify for the Compostela in Santiago.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Correct. The shortcut I was referring to was from Ferrol to A Coruna and involved, if I recall correctly, a bridge. Apps warned that if one took that shortcut, you would not walk the required amount if that was your only Camino. Of course adding the A Coruna to Ferrol distance would be adding distance.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of one of the bridges from Ferrol to Fene? If one takes the first bridge, it cuts out a lot of KMs, but if I recall correctly, you're still over the 100KM.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I'm not sure, Peter, but I thought in addition to starting the Ingles in England, that starting in Ireland qualifies, too, but I can't exactly remember. Possibly @Kirkie will chime in and verify either way, or another person from Ireland may know.

Edit- I just googled and 25 km walking in Ireland on one of the Celtic caminos, then starting at A Coruna on the Ingles Way seems to qualify for the Compostela in Santiago.

You can also walk the San Antonio Mission Trail in Texas and start in A Coruna.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You can also walk the San Antonio Mission Trail in Texas and start in A Coruna.

I know that one qualifies. I see it is 24 km. Do you know if the California Missions Trail also is recognized and if any 25 km section of its lengthy 800 miles would qualify?...Possibly I am straining at a gnat though.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I know that one qualifies. I see it is 24 km. Do you know if the California Missions Trail also is recognized and if any 25 km section of its lengthy 800 miles would qualify?...Possibly I am straining at a gnat though.

I don’t know but my understanding is that actually walking that “trail”’is near impossible as it goes through many private and military properties, so you have to take some very long and unpleasant detours.

 

[Blister Bill]

Hey everybody,

I was wondering if it was possible to walk from A Coruna to Ferrol as a way of extending the Camino Ingles.

Also, if it’s possible, how best it can be achieved, so walking stages, accommodation and services.

I appreciate one can easily catch transport between the two cities, but I’m asking specifically about walking.

I did Google this, but there were very few results. Most seem to take the bus.

Thank you in advance!

So a short cut to @ BETANZOS and then walk backwards to Ferrol ?

3 shots from the excellent guide they give at the tourist office in Ferrol to aid some of the other discussion re start points. Note the name of the map.

 

[Brightmore]

@Brightmore, I recall someone asking about getting to Betanzos from A Corona I thought earlier this year, and I found a cycle route on mapy.cz. it looked quite pleasant and was around 30 kilometers I think so a days walk. Don't recall any infrastructure along the route though, something to beware of.

I've just had a quick look on my phone version of mapy and can't find it so you'd probably have to look on computer (you can drag the route around the very easily on computer, see distances etc. Once you save it to your Maps you can then very easily access it on your phone).

From Betanzos back to Ferrol you would simply be doing the Inglés in reverse.

That’s helpful, thank you seems such a beautiful coast and clear extension to the camino that I’m surprised it’s not a common route.

 

[Brightmore]

@Brightmore, I recall someone asking about getting to Betanzos from A Corona I thought earlier this year, and I found a cycle route on mapy.cz. it looked quite pleasant and was around 30 kilometers I think so a days walk. Don't recall any infrastructure along the route though, something to beware of.

I've just had a quick look on my phone version of mapy and can't find it so you'd probably have to look on computer (you can drag the route around the very easily on computer, see distances etc. Once you save it to your Maps you can then very easily access it on your phone).

From Betanzos back to Ferrol you would simply be doing the Inglés in reverse.

That’s helpful, thank you seems such a beautiful coast and clear extension to the camino that I’m surprised it’s not a common route.

 

[Brightmore]

When I walked the CI a decade ago, I started in Covas, a village on the other side of the headland from Ferrol. I stayed in the albergue there, and the walk around the headland took a pretty full day. I think that the albergue has closed, but you would still be able to walk the route.

Thank you

 

[Brightmore]

Just going to throw this out there: I started my CI in Ferrol and recall reading that I should not take a shortcut to A Caruna because then I would walk less than the required amount for a compostela.

Thank you. Actually looking to extend the Camino significantly by doing this, if possible.

 

[Brightmore]

Memory is a tricky thing. The Camino Inglès has two starting points : one is Ferrol, which at over 100 km qualifies you for a Compostela.
The second, completely separate starting point is A Corona. If you start from here it does not meet the minimum distance requirements for a Compostela, unless you have already walked approximately 25 km on a recognized trail in your home country. As far as I'm aware there are only two such recognised walks at this point, one in England, one in the USA. (Please correct me someone if I'm wrong).

If you start in Ferrol and walk to A Corona before continuing to Santiago you are actually detouring off to the side of the official route and would be walking more kilometers, not less.
A shortcut it is not .

Thank you for contributing! By walking from A Coruna to Ferrol, then starting my CI from Ferrol, I actually hope to extend the trek significantly.

 

[Brightmore]

This seems to have started quite the discussion, which is lovely but I’m getting the impression walking from A Coruna to Ferrol is not a common way of extending the Camino Ingles.

 

[Blister Bill]

Im sitting in Betanzos atm so quite intrigued what you come up with as Coruna is only about 18km as the crow flies.

 

[Blister Bill]

I'm just planning on the bus from @ Bruma and walk back down

 

[Blister Bill]

This guy did it in 2018. If you're looking to extend your English camino I take it preceding with the Ruto do Mar is not an option?

This guy has a wikilocs option from 2018

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Correct. The shortcut I was referring to was from Ferrol to A Coruna and involved, if I recall correctly, a bridge. Apps warned that if one took that shortcut, you would not walk the required amount if that was your only Camino. Of course adding the A Coruna to Ferrol distance would be adding distance.

You seem to have misunderstood my point. There is no shortcut from Ferrol to A Corona, they are two completely separate routes that merge just outside Bruma. I suspect you are mixing it up with this:

Are you sure you aren't thinking of one of the bridges from Ferrol to Fene? If one takes the first bridge, it cuts out a lot of KMs, but if I recall correctly, you're still over the 100KM.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

This seems to have started quite the discussion, which is lovely but I’m getting the impression walking from A Coruna to Ferrol is not a common way of extending the Camino Ingles.

Indeed it is not. Apart from anything else you're walking backwards. I do like the idea, although I would prefer to completely trace the coastline (or as near as possible). Assuming it's feasible that would appear to take at least three days. Might involve a fair amount of road walking. Plus I've got no idea where you would stay, although there are a lot of villages/small towns all along there, some of them appear to have accommodation options.
I'd probably just start from Ferrol, walk the coast to A Corona and then drop onto the A Corona leg of the Inglés.

Something that is on my list but that will take a little more time is to simply walk the coast from Ferrol ( or even earlier if the time allows) to Muxia, and then back through Finisterre to Santiago. It came up on the forum, possibly the beginning of this year (or end of last year?) Very little infrastructure and some of the accommodation options are summer only (I'll probably take my tent etc) so it's possibly not viable in winter. It wouldn't qualify for a Compostela either but that's not something I bother with.
@trecile , I think you commented on that thread, does that route have a name or is it just something that was invented to suit the pilgrims concerned?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Something that is on my list but that will take a little more time is to simply walk the coast from Ferrol ( or even earlier if the time allows) to Muxia, and then back through Finisterre to Santiago. It came up on the forum, possibly the beginning of this year (or end of last year?) Very little infrastructure and some of the accommodation options are summer only (I'll probably take my tent etc) so it's possibly not viable in winter. It wouldn't qualify for a Compostela either but that's not something I bother with.
@trecile , I think you commented on that thread, does that route have a name or is it just something that was invented to suit the pilgrims concerned?

Peter, I think you are possibly thinking of this route. There is quite a bit of information if you do some research.

 

[Blister Bill]

You're not thinking of the Camino dos Faros Pete?

 

[Blister Bill]

Peter, I think you are possibly thinking of this route. There is quite a bit of information if you do some research.
View attachment 180444

Snap ! Cicerone do a guide book.

 

[dougfitz]

Doug, you must have been extremely fit to walk from Covo to Ferrol in one day! I looked it up on google maps and it looks like a mega long day, much longer even than the two stages from Ferrol to Betanzos. I just checked Gronze and they equal 47.7 km. Those two stages together look shorter than your first long day walking to get to Ferrol. Kudos on that accomplishment!

I started at the Covas north of Ferrol, not the one that you have found!!! Here is a link to where I started.

That was a lot less challenging.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I started at the Covas north of Ferrol, not the one that you have found!!! Here is a link to where I started.

That was a lot less challenging.

I got it, Doug! Thanks for clarifying; I was spelling it wrong.

 

[dougfitz]

I got it, Doug! Thanks for clarifying; I was spelling it wrong.

It's not your spelling. There are probably half a dozen or more hamlets with that name in Galicia alone, and several more near Coimbra, that I have found when trying to find the place where I started.

 

[stevenbl]

I walked from Ferrol to A Coruna whilst walking from Santander along the coast. You can read my blog and a map at https://followingyourfeet.com/santander-to-a-coruna/ - last two stages.

 

[dougfitz]

I walked from Ferrol to A Coruna whilst walking from Santander along the coast. You can read my blog and a map at https://followingyourfeet.com/santander-to-a-coruna/ - last two stages.

I am curious about whether the route leading into Ferrol has a name. When walking from Covas, I came across waymarking that clearly belonged to a different route, not one of the routes to SDC, and I have occasionally wondered what there routes were and who marked and maintains them.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hey everybody,

I was wondering if it was possible to walk from A Coruna to Ferrol as a way of extending the Camino Ingles.

Also, if it’s possible, how best it can be achieved, so walking stages, accommodation and services.

I appreciate one can easily catch transport between the two cities, but I’m asking specifically about walking.

I did Google this, but there were very few results. Most seem to take the bus.

Thank you in advance!

Hi @Brightmore. Can’t help but notice how many members have missed your question but never mind. I’ve looked at walking from A Coruña to Ferrol a couple of times now. Many.cz comes up with suggestions, usually different ones every time I try. There isn’t a “route”. There is a network of local paths, cycle ways and minor roads that you could use to construct a route but there are a couple of river crossings where you’ll just have to suck up the traffic.

Both times I tried planning I used the old army technique - my objective isn’t Berlin, it’s the next bridge on the way to Berlin from here.

Google maps will give you the road route and will, if asked, show you accommodations. I then used Mapy to plot routes to optimal stages: interesting looking places with accommodation possibilities. Sadly whether I tried a two day trip or a three day trip I always ended up with a night in Pontedeume and then a walk on a reverse Camino to Ferrol before wishing my second favourite bar a fond farewell and heading back to Pontedeume.

If you do crack the problem and come up with a route that avoids using the same and only river crossing please share. I’ve a feeling it will involve a friendly, or avaricious, fisherman and his boat somewhere around Sada or Ver.

Happy planning

 

[Brightmore]

This guy did it in 2018. If you're looking to extend your English camino I take it preceding with the Ruto do Mar is not an option?

This guy has a wikilocs option from 2018

Helpful, thank you

 

[Brightmore]

Indeed it is not. Apart from anything else you're walking backwards. I do like the idea, although I would prefer to completely trace the coastline (or as near as possible). Assuming it's feasible that would appear to take at least three days. Might involve a fair amount of road walking. Plus I've got no idea where you would stay, although there are a lot of villages/small towns all along there, some of them appear to have accommodation options.
I'd probably just start from Ferrol, walk the coast to A Corona and then drop onto the A Corona leg of the Inglés.

Something that is on my list but that will take a little more time is to simply walk the coast from Ferrol ( or even earlier if the time allows) to Muxia, and then back through Finisterre to Santiago. It came up on the forum, possibly the beginning of this year (or end of last year?) Very little infrastructure and some of the accommodation options are summer only (I'll probably take my tent etc) so it's possibly not viable in winter. It wouldn't qualify for a Compostela either but that's not something I bother with.
@trecile , I think you commented on that thread, does that route have a name or is it just something that was invented to suit the pilgrims concerned?

That’s helpful, thank you and yes, along the coast from A Coruna to Ferrol was exactly what I had in mind

 

[Brightmore]

Indeed it is not. Apart from anything else you're walking backwards. I do like the idea, although I would prefer to completely trace the coastline (or as near as possible). Assuming it's feasible that would appear to take at least three days. Might involve a fair amount of road walking. Plus I've got no idea where you would stay, although there are a lot of villages/small towns all along there, some of them appear to have accommodation options.
I'd probably just start from Ferrol, walk the coast to A Corona and then drop onto the A Corona leg of the Inglés.

Something that is on my list but that will take a little more time is to simply walk the coast from Ferrol ( or even earlier if the time allows) to Muxia, and then back through Finisterre to Santiago. It came up on the forum, possibly the beginning of this year (or end of last year?) Very little infrastructure and some of the accommodation options are summer only (I'll probably take my tent etc) so it's possibly not viable in winter. It wouldn't qualify for a Compostela either but that's not something I bother with.
@trecile , I think you commented on that thread, does that route have a name or is it just something that was invented to suit the pilgrims concerned?

That’s helpful, thank you and yes, along the coast from A Coruna to Ferrol was exactly what I had in mind

 

[Brightmore]

I walked from Ferrol to A Coruna whilst walking from Santander along the coast. You can read my blog and a map at https://followingyourfeet.com/santander-to-a-coruna/ - last two stages.

Fantastic. Thank you!

 

[Brightmore]

Hi @Brightmore. Can’t help but notice how many members have missed your question but never mind. I’ve looked at walking from A Coruña to Ferrol a couple of times now. Many.cz comes up with suggestions, usually different ones every time I try. There isn’t a “route”. There is a network of local paths, cycle ways and minor roads that you could use to construct a route but there are a couple of river crossings where you’ll just have to suck up the traffic.

Both times I tried planning I used the old army technique - my objective isn’t Berlin, it’s the next bridge on the way to Berlin from here.

Google maps will give you the road route and will, if asked, show you accommodations. I then used Mapy to plot routes to optimal stages: interesting looking places with accommodation possibilities. Sadly whether I tried a two day trip or a three day trip I always ended up with a night in Pontedeume and then a walk on a reverse Camino to Ferrol before wishing my second favourite bar a fond farewell and heading back to Pontedeume.

If you do crack the problem and come up with a route that avoids using the same and only river crossing please share. I’ve a feeling it will involve a friendly, or avaricious, fisherman and his boat somewhere around Sada or Ver.

Happy planning

This is very helpful, thank you and I love the methodology you use! Those river crossing seem to really undermine the nature of the walk I was hoping to find. I’ll will certainly think on it.

 

[Brightmore]

Hi @Brightmore. Can’t help but notice how many members have missed your question but never mind. I’ve looked at walking from A Coruña to Ferrol a couple of times now. Many.cz comes up with suggestions, usually different ones every time I try. There isn’t a “route”. There is a network of local paths, cycle ways and minor roads that you could use to construct a route but there are a couple of river crossings where you’ll just have to suck up the traffic.

Both times I tried planning I used the old army technique - my objective isn’t Berlin, it’s the next bridge on the way to Berlin from here.

Google maps will give you the road route and will, if asked, show you accommodations. I then used Mapy to plot routes to optimal stages: interesting looking places with accommodation possibilities. Sadly whether I tried a two day trip or a three day trip I always ended up with a night in Pontedeume and then a walk on a reverse Camino to Ferrol before wishing my second favourite bar a fond farewell and heading back to Pontedeume.

If you do crack the problem and come up with a route that avoids using the same and only river crossing please share. I’ve a feeling it will involve a friendly, or avaricious, fisherman and his boat somewhere around Sada or Ver.

Happy planning

This is very helpful, thank you and I love the methodology you use! Those river crossing seem to really undermine the nature of the walk I was hoping to find. I’ll will certainly think on it.

 

[stevenbl]

I am curious about whether the route leading into Ferrol has a name. When walking from Covas, I came across waymarking that clearly belonged to a different route, not one of the routes to SDC, and I have occasionally wondered what there routes were and who marked and maintains them.

After I had walked the fabulous Ruta Cantabrico, I based my walk on maps for Costa Galega, that I more or less followed to Ferrol. There were was very limited signage. I then followed the Ingles until A Carreira where I crossed the bridge and walked west inland to A Coruna (airport). It was a very pleasant tour, at least until the outskirts of A Coruna.