Advice for Santiago to Finisterre/Muxia

[Ptr2]

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

 

[domigee]

Hi ptr2! All I can say is that it is a lovely camino. I have only walked it to Finisterre first then Muxia so can't tell about the other way round.
The first view of the sea is fabulous ... just before you start the descent to Cee.
I am sure you'll love it. Not many people either, at least when I walked it. (August 2012 and 2016).
Enjoy and...buen camino

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Ptr2!

The walk from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia is beautiful (as is all of Galicia) but it can be rainy that time of year. Not a problem if you are prepared for it. That said, I will spend much of September and October in Galicia again this year as it is my favorite time of year!

Buen Camino!

 

[mspath]

When you are in Santiago visit the Galicia Tourist Office, Rúa do Vilar, 30-32. They offer a useful free multi-language listing of all the current facilities in every village found along the camino to Finisterre and Muxia. This also provides telephone numbers and bus schedules. Their staff is friendly and most helpful.

Buen Camino to both of you!

 

[Ptr2]

We just booked all our travel to get to (and home from) Santiago. Now the preparations begin...I'm sure we will have more questions as the months go by. Thank you, all, for the guidance. ☺

 

[Phillypilgrim]

Leaving tomorrow for Santiago to walk the Camino Finisterre/Muxia, my second time. It is lovely and I can't wait! This time a special night at Estorde Restaurant and Hotel which is 5 miles before Finisterre. It has a private beach and a lovely dining room. www.restauranteplayadeestorde.com

 

[Ptr2]

Beautiful! We are taking notes. ☺

 

[KinkyOne]

Beautiful! We are taking notes. ☺

If you want some really good sea-food lunch/dinner (very moderate prices) visit Los Tres Golpes in Fisterra

 

[nycwalking]

Happy Anniversary. March 2014, I walked that route. I enjoyed the albergue in Negreira. The floors are heated. Nice.
Buen camino.

 

[Ptr2]

Nycwalking, Thank you! Which albergue?

 

[JillGat]

Highly recommend the Oceanus albergue in Finisterre, if you are doing albergues. http://oceanusfinisterre.es/ The walk to Finisterre and then to Muxia is beautiful! Great idea. Have fun.

 

[nycwalking]

Nycwalking, Thank you! Which albergue?

The Municipal one just beyond the town. I can not remember the name. I think it is the only one, but times change.

 

[Colette Z]

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

Great idea. I walked Santiago to Fisterre to Muxia in 6 nice days, peaceful,no rush, totally different feeling than while on the C Frances. The majority of pilgrims walk Santiago to Muxia then to Fisterre (My walking friend and I met only 2 other pilgrims walking from Hospital to CEE (an absolutely amazing stage, and NB the guidebook makes the descent to Cee look like falling off a mountain side, totally untrue, the descent is an easy good quiet large path with wonderful vistas of the Atlantic. Highly recommended

 

[domigee]

and NB the guidebook makes the descent to Cee look like falling off a mountain side, totally untrue, the descent is an easy good quiet large path with wonderful vistas of the Atlantic. Highly recommended

That's because the old path is no more....
It has recently been replaced by a new 'pilgrim motorway'.
I am glad you liked it though....

 

[Priscilla NC]

My brother and I walked first to Muxia from Santiago, then onto Finisterre. Our reason was, we needed to get back to Santiago on a Sunday, and there were more bus connections from Finisterre than Muxia (I think only 1 bus per day from there).

Nevertheless, I would do that again. It just felt right to us.

Buen Camino!

 

[jgpryde]

...and there were more bus connections from Finisterre than Muxia (I think only 1 bus per day from there).
Buen Camino!

Excellent point. If time and/or weather become a factor the Santiago-Muxia-Finisterre system is a cheap and reliable backup at any stage in your plan. Don't rush yourself in any of these destinations.

Buen Camino,

-jgp

 

[lt56ny]

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

Someone

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

Another person mentioned that it can rain a lot that time of year in Galicia. That is so true. I walked that section at the end of October and it is so lovely and quiet. I would also recommend having your walking sticks to help navigate really muddy areas, the small ponds that form on the path and the wet rocks that can be really slippery. But definitely go you will love it and I bet on the plane home you will be figuring out how to get out of your normal life for 5 or 6 weeks to walk the walk of your lifetime. You two will walk together but remember "together we walk alone". Buen Camino

 

[BlueBowers]

I did Santiago-Finnesterre-Muxia last, ending up in Muxia on October 31. Nice walk, great weather and personally I liked Muxia better. Two buses daily from Muxia to Santiago, early morning and early afternoon. Stayed at the municipals except in Muxia where I stayed at the Delfin, which was a pretty nice albuergue.

 

[Buzz Gray]

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

It's a beautiful 49 mile walk. You can do it in 3 days, but day 2 is a difficult 18 mile walk. It's fairly hilly. I have done it in 3 days and 4 days. Here is the 4 day plan. Day 1: Santiago to Negreira ( 12.5 mi. ) Day 2: Negreira to Olveiroa ( !8 mi. ) Day 3: Olveiroa to Cee (9 mi.) Day 4: Cee to Finisterre: ( 10 mi. ) Most of day 4 you have a view of the Atlantic. A great place to stay in Fisterra is Hotel Do Mar. You walk right in front of it when you enter town. Have a great trip.

 

[Bernie Brunino]

My husband and I have talked for a few years about walking the Camino for our 10th anniversary which is in October. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a place to take a month off work or are ready to quit our jobs. Yet, we wanted to still experience the challenge of the walk to reflect on our last 10 years and prepare for our next phase of life as empty nesters. So, as a compromise, we decided to do our own mini personal pilgrimage from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia since we only have 7 days from arrival to departure. We've been reading a lot and look forward to experiencing the walk, albergues, and the people along the way. Any tips for us newbie short-timers? Thank you!

Hi Ptr2: I recently completed the Santiago to Muzia to Fisterra walk, immediately after the Camino Frances. It was a truly beautiful walk, some breathtaking trails, gorgeous as you get closer to the sea. My only suggestion would be to make sure you have water and something to eat with you. I was used to the Camino Frances where places to eat and fountains for water were plentiful - not so on this portion of the walk. But apart from that, a great walk. Buen Camino.

 

[Ptr2]

@Bernie, I'm hearing more and more about going to Muxia then Finsterre. How long did it take you to get to Finisterre going this route? Gracias!

 

[Bernie Brunino]

@Bernie, I'm hearing more and more about going to Muxia then Finsterre. How long did it take you to get to Finisterre going this route? Gracias!

Hi Ptr2: I did the entire walk in 4 days. However, I was walking alone and not a very good tourist when I travel this way so I just keep walking. But, if you are travelling with your husband and have seven days, I would recommend spending a little bit of time touring Muxia. Failing this, I would suggest a day in Fisterra. Absolutely gorgeous - the seaside and downtown. When planning your route, if you do not follow the suggested "stop / starts" in the map provided by the office tourismo, I would make sure the town you plan on stopping in has albergues. You and your husband will love this walk. I still think about it and I've been home for over a month. Takes a good day of walking to go from Muxia to Fisterra.

 

[ronhenry2]

We just booked all our travel to get to (and home from) Santiago. Now the preparations begin...I'm sure we will have more questions as the months go by. Thank you, all, for the guidance. ☺

I walked Santiago to Muxia early October 2015. It is beautiful. And the route is pretty well marked in the wilderness, but not at all well marked in the villages--which was quite stressful (especially when you couldn't find anyone early afternoon to give instructions). I think you intend to walk Finisterre first and then on to Muxia. In my opinion that's the best plan. If you plan to return to Santiago from Muxia, check bus schedules because I believe there is only one per day--not sure about that.) You can get a taxi for about 60 euros, and could possibly share with others to make it cheaper. That's what I did. Buen Camino!

 

[MTowers]

Hi ptr2! All I can say is that it is a lovely camino. I have only walked it to Finisterre first then Muxia so can't tell about the other way round.
The first view of the sea is fabulous ... just before you start the descent to Cee.
I am sure you'll love it. Not many people either, at least when I walked it. (August 2012 and 2016).
Enjoy and...buen camino

Couldn't agree more with domigee. I did it last September with friends and it is a truly wonderful part of the Camino. My favourite place was muxia, with the Atlantic crashing in. There is a lovely church dedicated to Our Lady of the Boat on the headland. A truly blessed time in my life. Buen Camino.