Best time of year - Santiago-Finisterre-Muxia

[vdavis]

What is the suggested time of year to hike from Santiago to Finisterre to Muxia and back to Santiago? How long would it take average hiker to do this section?

Thanks!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Typically it is a three day walk from Santiago to either Finisterre or Muxia and one day between those two though you can stop in Liraes in between. There are more places to stop now than there used to be so you can take longer. Bus service is better to and from Finisterre than Muxia.

The tourist office in Santiago has a handout for the walk to Finisterre/ Muxia (free in 2015.) There is a PDF version online at:
http://www.caminodesantiago.gal/documents/17639/155453/Fisterra Muxía - Plano - EN.pdf?version=1.0

 

[vdavis]

Thank you! Any suggestions for the best time to go? I have done SJOP to Leon and Leon do Santiago and went mid-May to mid-April. Want to do this last leg with my son and want to go at best time.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Thank you! Any suggestions for the best time to go?

I went mid-July 2015 and it was pleasant. It was foggy until noon though walking from F to M. If you go when it is warm you can swim at the beach but you may prefer cooler walking weather.

 

[JudiAnne]

What is the weather usually like walking this route in mid October? And does one walk to Finisterre first or Muxia first?

 

[vdavis]

The first time I was in Santiago, we rented a car and drove to Finisterre/Muxia. Loved Muxia, so when I hike the route, I want to go to Finisterre then Muxia because I loved Muxia and want to stay a day or two before heading back to Santiago. Muxia is a beautiful, small community.

 

[vdavis]

Just want to go when weather is best!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

does one walk to Finisterre first or Muxia first?

If you have walked a long time on one of the inland Caminos it is really great getting to see the ocean ahead of you in the distance when going to Finisterre first. I haven't walked directly from SdC to Muxia but I don't think you get that preview.

There is a convenience in Finisterre being last as the bus situation is better, more buses, better variety of times.

What you are looking for on your Camino plays a part too. I see Finisterre as a beach town, a place that suits extraverts and a good place for a celebration of the end of a long journey. I see Muxia as a town on the ocean and a fine place to comtemplate your Camino. Maybe a better ending place for introverts.

Perhaps the best compromise, giving up the distant view of the ocean I mentioned earlier, is to go to Muxia first to end the trip in a thoughtful mood and then wake up in the morning and say "Now on to Finisterre to celebrate my feat."

 

[KinkyOne]

What is the weather usually like walking this route in mid October? And does one walk to Finisterre first or Muxia first?

Hi, JudiAnne,

One can never predict weather so far in advance. But you can check the history of weather though:
https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/es/santiago-de-compostela/LEST/date/2017-10
Mind that distance from Santiago to Muxia/Fisterra in roughly 90kms and weather can be slightly different, especially if raining.

Otherwise I would second above info that Fisterra has better bus connections with SdC but the OP wants to walk the loop back to SdC. I also concur with the character of both towns.

I walked both routes (anyway they only split 1-2 days before reaching final destination) and found route to Muxia easier to divide in similar stages distance wise:
1.) SdC - Negreira (23,6)
2.) Santa Marina (25,9)
3.) Dumbria (23,8)
4.) Muxia (24,7)

Buen Camino!

 

[David Tallan]

Typically it is a three day walk from Santiago to either Finisterre or Muxia and one day between those two though you can stop in Liraes in between. There are more places to stop now than there used to be so you can take longer. Bus service is better to and from Finisterre than Muxia.

The tourist office in Santiago has a handout for the walk to Finisterre/ Muxia (free in 2015.) There is a PDF version online at:
http://www.caminodesantiago.gal/documents/17639/155453/Fisterra Muxía - Plano - EN.pdf?version=1.0

Typically it is a three day hike. It took us four days.

 

[KinkyOne]

Typically it is a three day hike. It took us four days.

Huh, once it took me 5 to Fisterra

 

[OzAnnie]

In 2017, I walked to Finisterra first. Definitely not quickly., just easy stages. What a perfect way !
Then I took 2 stages going over to Muxía; stopping in Lires - relaxing spot ., take a walk down to the water there and have a drink at cafe on the cove there. I had a wonderful paddle ... memories are really something..
Return date to SDC, there was a bus strike but a group of us shared a taxi ride back which worked out minimal. (Approx E15 each).
Note: if you walk to Finisterra., you can claim a certificate (Finisterran?) from the municipal albergue / and you don’t have to sleep at the municipal to get it. When you walk from there to Muxía, you can also ask at turismo Muxía office for a certificate to there. (Muxiana).

I think the walk would be perfect anytime unless it was super cold and wet. When that is , who knows ? I’d think your may or June period would be good.
Buen Camino
Annie

 

[Susan Peacock]

The weather is definitely unpredictable, for me three Camino's and rain every time in Finnisterre and Muxia. Two were at the end of May and one was the 3rd week of October, when it was freezing. I did manage to get one nice day in Finnisterre this year on May 28th. I suspect there is no normal weather.

 

[MarcelWals]

Hi V,

my plan is to walk in April next year but like all others said...you can't expect any good/bad weather anymore. Maybe a small advice is to leave that thought and just go whenever you feel the time for to go. All seasons have there good vibes, a ?

 

[gypsy9]

Nicely put, Rick, in that finisterre is for those seekers more extraverted and Muxía for the more contemplative...I am definitely of the latter category and am now staying in Moraime albergue w a view of the iglese...I was able for o see the inside too (if you stay here I will honk it’s possible)—so so unique...frescoes that seem to tell a timeless narrative—certainly not entirely Christian....also a qui

 

[gypsy9]

et place to be....finisterre certainly offers lovely beaches and cafes and colourful places to stay etc...Yet a rawness in Muxía w the crashing waves and wind....

 

[gypsy9]

Sorry for the weird spellchecker—not sure how to go back and edit

 

[FreeManGo]

There are some things you can't change in life, so why to worry about them The moment will be great, even if it's raining. I did the walk in mid August and it was little bit cloudy.

Where to end?
From my experience, it's better to go first to Finiserre, because you surely don't want to miss it. However, it's better to end the yourney in Muxía. Way less people, athmosphere is different, it's just you and the sunset. Not 300 people around like in Finisterre.

Time
Santiago to Finisterre is like 100km, so 4 nice days of walking. Sure, you can do it much faster, but I don't see the point. Relax and enjoy every step and then from Finisterre to Muxía it's surely only one day, it's easy way and it's nice to be little bit tired at the end of the world

Here is much longer article about the end of the journey, you might find it useful.
http://freemango.cz/finisterre-muxia-end-of-the-world/

 

[KinkyOne]

Where to end?
From my experience, it's better to go first to Finiserre, because you surely don't want to miss it. However, it's better to end the yourney in Muxía. Way less people, athmosphere is different, it's just you and the sunset. Not 300 people around like in Finisterre.

/

That's so very individual. I 've walked Fisterra 3 times ans Muxia 1. I think Muxia and then (through Lires) would be the best. First reason is that Fisterra has much better bus connections with Santiago and second reason might be that 4 stages to Muxia are very much of the same length.

But coming too Cee and there past Sardineiro and to Fisterra - you can beat it!!! It's just... Go and see for yourself.

 

[gypsy9]

Walking the last km bare foot along the beach in finisterre...wow...the coarse crushed shells and gritty sand feels sublime beneath weary worn feet. The cool
Atlantic shore

I didn’t do this with this pilgrimage..,but it does seem the “right” way to end.
And b gin anew...

 

[salmburg]

It is about 90km from Santiago to Finisterre, so walk at what ever pace is comfortable. Some people do 30km a day or more, some people only do 20km a day. So 3 or 4 days would get you there. Remember, it is not a race.

 

[John MLT]

Returned from SDC-Muxia-Finisterre last Tuesday, 30km+ distances on three of 4 days, with an Orange-warning storm from Negreira to Olveiroa. 'Wet' does not really cut it! You learn to appreciate that your feet can actually walk even in soaking wet boots for very long distances, providing some TLC at the end of the day. While we all got soaking wet, those of us wearing a poncho at least had some dry clothes left in their packs, and were a tad warmer with the extra layer on. A learning experience!

Plenty of taxi signs on the way, but the ego would never let us use them :/ Look forward to the Primitivo next April.