Planning my walk of the Ruta del Mar

[Raymond Aquilina]

Dear all,

During this time of home staying I am always dreaming of my future Caminos and the one which will follow once the pandemic is over.

I hope to walk the Camino del Norte and then switch to the Ruta del Mar from Ribadeo with the idea to arrive at Ferrol and finally at Santiago.

I was trying to find a GPX file of the route but I could not succeed. Does anyone know of available GPX file for this route. In my last Caminos I always had it on saved on the Viewranger App on my mobile phone and it was of great help.

Will appreciate any help.

Stay safe and thanks

Raymond Aquilina

 

[Magwood]

Hi Raymond. I did exactly this route in 2016. I didn't follow the exact route of the Ruta do Mar as I decided I would prefer to walk as much as possible right along the coastline, whereas the official route goes inland in a few places. I also added to my adventure the lighthouse at the most northerly point in Spain at Estaca do Bares and another diversion to San Andrés de Teixido. I posted to my blog each day with what will hopefully be useful information regarding elevation profiles, distances, accommodation and lots of photos. You can find my blog here - the Ruta do Mar stages commence at day 24. I also recorded each day's stage on wikiloc and grouped the stages of my version of the Ruta do Mar here.

I really enjoyed this section of the camino. Having been a bit disappointed that the Norte turned inland more than I expected I was determined to take in as much of the coastline as possible. It was stunning. But it was a rather lonely seven days - I didn't come across any other pilgrims until reaching Ferrol.

 

[Dave]

I was trying to find a GPX file of the route but I could not succeed. Does anyone know of available GPX file for this route. In my last Caminos I always had it on saved on the Viewranger App on my mobile phone and it was of great help.

Hi Raymond,

I have a set of gps tracks for the Mar available on the Cicerone site--click on the Downloads tab at the bottom. You will need a login for Cicerone, but it's all totally free.

Camino Ingles and Ruta do Mar guide - To Santiago, Spain

Guidebook to walking the Camino Ingles and Ruta do Mar pilgrim routes through northwest Spain. From Ferrol, A Coruna or Ribadeo to Santiago de Compostela.…

www.cicerone.co.uk

The tracks include both coastal and interior approaches.

Dave

 

[Raymond Aquilina]

Hi Dave ...thank you very much will do ....stay safe

 

[Raymond Aquilina]

Hi Raymond. I did exactly this route in 2016. I didn't follow the exact route of the Ruta do Mar as I decided I would prefer to walk as much as possible right along the coastline, whereas the official route goes inland in a few places. I also added to my adventure the lighthouse at the most northerly point in Spain at Estaca do Bares and another diversion to San Andrés de Teixido. I posted to my blog each day with what will hopefully be useful information regarding elevation profiles, distances, accommodation and lots of photos. You can find my blog here - the Ruta do Mar stages commence at day 24. I also recorded each day's stage on wikiloc and grouped the stages of my version of the Ruta do Mar here.

I really enjoyed this section of the camino. Having been a bit disappointed that the Norte turned inland more than I expected I was determined to take in as much of the coastline as possible. It was stunning. But it was a rather lonely seven days - I didn't come across any other pilgrims until reaching Ferrol.

Hi Magwood,
I remeber corresponding with you when I did my first camino in 2015. Till last Novemeber I completed 6 Camino.
Thank you very much for you detailed help. I am looking forward for the Ruta del mar...I have a feeling it must be stunning. I will look for your report and use it for sure.

Thanks and stay safe,

ray

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Raymond. I did exactly this route in 2016. I didn't follow the exact route of the Ruta do Mar as I decided I would prefer to walk as much as possible right along the coastline, whereas the official route goes inland in a few places. I also added to my adventure the lighthouse at the most northerly point in Spain at Estaca do Bares and another diversion to San Andrés de Teixido. I posted to my blog each day with what will hopefully be useful information regarding elevation profiles, distances, accommodation and lots of photos. You can find my blog here - the Ruta do Mar stages commence at day 24. I also recorded each day's stage on wikiloc and grouped the stages of my version of the Ruta do Mar here.

I really enjoyed this section of the camino. Having been a bit disappointed that the Norte turned inland more than I expected I was determined to take in as much of the coastline as possible. It was stunning. But it was a rather lonely seven days - I didn't come across any other pilgrims until reaching Ferrol.

Hi @Magwood, I was on the Norte just a couple of days behind you in 2016, but could not catch up to meet you as you walk more kilometers each day than me. I really enjoyed reading your very helpful, detailed blog and was impressed that you ventured on to continue walking that lesser known stretch to Ferrol.

 

[Magwood]

Hey @Camino Chrissy. What a shame we didn’t meet. Funny that you were following my blog while I was following Kat Davis’ blog, as she had recently walked the Norte. So sad that she is no longer here to inspire us with new caminos.

 

[Canche]

Hi Raymond. I did exactly this route in 2016. I didn't follow the exact route of the Ruta do Mar as I decided I would prefer to walk as much as possible right along the coastline, whereas the official route goes inland in a few places. I also added to my adventure the lighthouse at the most northerly point in Spain at Estaca do Bares and another diversion to San Andrés de Teixido. I posted to my blog each day with what will hopefully be useful information regarding elevation profiles, distances, accommodation and lots of photos. You can find my blog here - the Ruta do Mar stages commence at day 24. I also recorded each day's stage on wikiloc and grouped the stages of my version of the Ruta do Mar here.

I really enjoyed this section of the camino. Having been a bit disappointed that the Norte turned inland more than I expected I was determined to take in as much of the coastline as possible. It was stunning. But it was a rather lonely seven days - I didn't come across any other pilgrims until reaching Ferrol.

I was planning to do the second half of the Norte (I did the first half in 2016), do the Ruta do Mar and then the Ingles down to Santiago. Your information is going to be very useful. I, too, want to do the coastal route. What were the accomodations like? Difficult to find? Far apart? Thank you

 

[Magwood]

What were the accomodations like? Difficult to find? Far apart? Thank you

I think there was plenty of accommodation in the coastal towns and villages. But there are no albergues so it was a bit of a budget buster for me. I detailed all the accommodation I used in my blog (see link above)

 

[Canche]

I think there was plenty of accommodation in the coastal towns and villages. But there are no albergues so it was a bit of a budget buster for me. I detailed all the accommodation I used in my blog (see link above)

Thank you. My budget can do accommodations other than hostels so it’s not a problem. I would like luggage transport ad i recently had back surgery. I understand there is none but one could possibly make arrangements with the place one is staying and perhaps a private taxi. Any suggestions?

 

[Canche]

I think there was plenty of accommodation in the coastal towns and villages. But there are no albergues so it was a bit of a budget buster for me. I detailed all the accommodation I used in my blog (see link above)

I downloaded Wikiloc on my iPhone but to follow your trail it says I have to have premium. Is that correct? I got a 14 days trial. Well, at any rate I can't wait to get back on El Camino. Patience is not one of my virtues but in this case I have no choice. Thank you so much for all your great posts and information.

 

[Magwood]

I downloaded Wikiloc on my iPhone but to follow your trail it says I have to have premium. Is that correct?

Hey Dina. I’m not sure about Wikiloc, but I would have thought you could follow a trail without subscribing. I use it a lot and subscribe to the premium version as I think it is well worth £10 per year.

If you follow my tracks, please do so in conjunction with reading my blog post for each stage. I got myself into a couple of tricky situations that you might want to avoid.

 

[Magwood]

Thank you. My budget can do accommodations other than hostels so it’s not a problem. I would like luggage transport ad i recently had back surgery. I understand there is none but one could possibly make arrangements with the place one is staying and perhaps a private taxi. Any suggestions?

I guess hostel managers will be able to organise something for you, but if not then it would be down to a taxi. I don’t have another suggestions but maybe @Dave has some ideas.

 

[Canche]

Hey Dina. I’m not sure about Wikiloc, but I would have thought you could follow a trail without subscribing. I use it a lot and subscribe to the premium version as I think it is well worth £10 per year.

If you follow my tracks, please do so in conjunction with reading my blog post for each stage. I got myself into a couple of tricky situations that you might want to avoid.

Thank you. I will do so. I just it were sooner rather than later. Having your map and log.will be a great help And yes the price of the premium will undoubtedly be worth it.

 

[Canche]

I guess hostel managers will be able to organise something for you, but if not then it would be down to a taxi. I don’t have another suggestions but maybe @Dave has some ideas.

Thanks again.

 

[Charrito]

I'm definitely on this as soon as lockdown finishes here in Spain. Magwood, I'll swap you information for the Invierno with what you compiled in your marvellous blog about your walk from Ribadeo.

I know the whole area really well, and we've stayed in places like Ribadeo, Burela, San Cibrao, O Barqueiro (side trip up to Estaca de Bares), Espasante, Ortigueira, Cedeira . . . Always by car, though!

 

[Charrito]

Setting off from Ribadeo with a good friend from Salamanca on Sunday July 5. Anyone else around?

 

[Magwood]

Setting off from Ribadeo with a good friend from Salamanca on Sunday July 5. Anyone else around?

I am very envious. I'm sure you will love it. Will you report back here? It would be good to know how you get on.
Buen camino!

 

[Charrito]

I am very envious. I'm sure you will love it. Will you report back here? It would be good to know how you get on.
Buen camino!

Hi!

I've read your marvellous blog a dozen times, and am really looking forward to following in your footsteps. Of course I'll write on here.

 

[Magwood]

....and am really looking forward to following in your footsteps. Of course I'll write on here.

May be not all of my footsteps! I put myself in a couple of tricky situations.

 

[Charrito]

May be not all of my footsteps! I put myself in a couple of tricky situations.

I know the area really well, so I'm not planning on getting lost!

 

[Canche]

Setting off from Ribadeo with a good friend from Salamanca on Sunday July 5. Anyone else around?

Lucky you. Buen Camino.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Setting off from Ribadeo with a good friend from Salamanca on Sunday July 5. Anyone else around?

We too loved walking this in 2015 and have returned, in part, by car since.
Buen Camino.

 

[Isca-camigo]

Setting off from Ribadeo with a good friend from Salamanca on Sunday July 5. Anyone else around?

Three Camigos will be in Ribadeo on the 18th July to start the Camino Do Mar. One set of from Avila yesterday, it was the route he started in early march from Ciudad Real and he had to abandon it the day before lockdown. He was originally going on to the Camino Torres but now he will wind his way up north western Spain via Astorga, Leon and Oviedo to join the others on the 18th. The plains of Castilla are hot and brown at the moment, his WhatsApp videos are giving me itchy feet.

Buen Camino

 

[Dave]

Man, this might already constitute a record year on the Mar!

 

[Isca-camigo]

Man, this might already constitute a record year on the Mar!

It ticks a lot of boxes. Plenty of private accomodation, already existing outside eating and dinning especially with chiringitos on the beaches. I wish I could be with them.

 

[Charrito]

We're not planning on always following the official Camino do Mar, but will follow in others' footsteps and stick as close to the coast as we can.

Ribadeo - Rinlo - Barreiros
Barreiros - Burela - San Cibrao
San Cibrao - Viveiro
Viveiro - O Barqueiro
O Barqueiro - Estaca de Bares (side trip)
O Barqueiro - Ortigueira
Ortigueira - San Andrés de Teixido - Cedeira

We have the car with us, so we can double back by train or bus once we arrive in some of the places. It also means that we can walk with lighter backpacks.

It's going to be about 15 degrees cooler up there than it is here in Salamanca, so we can't wait!

 

[Isca-camigo]

The Guardian just reported that A Marina on the coast in Lugo province has had gone back into tighter restrictions because of a spike in cases. I tried looking it up on Google maps but could not locate it, but for people on this route it will have to factor into their planning.

Edit I just realised the reason why Google maps wasn't showing me a specific place. A Marina de Lugo is the whole costal area of Lugo, so it massively impacts this route, there is restrictions on people entering and leaving.

 

[Tia Valeria]

The Spanish papers give the news that the whole coastal area from Ribadeo to Viveiro at least will close down at midnight tonight for 5 days, until Friday. Anyone wanting to return home from the area has until midnight tonight to leave, then no-one will be able to go in or out except for specific reasons. Road blocks already prepared.... The current spike in infections started in Burela, about half way along the coast and the Ruta do Mar.

Tough for those who planned to start today.

 

[Charrito]

The Spanish papers give the news that the whole coastal area from Ribadeo to Viveiro at least will close down at midnight tonight for 5 days, until Friday. Anyone wanting to return home from the area has until midnight tonight to leave, then no-one will be able to go in or out except for specific reasons. Road blocks already prepared.... The current spike in infections started in Burela, about half way along the coast and the Ruta do Mar.

Tough for those who planned to start today.

We escaped to O Barqueiro!

 

[Tsufuri]

We escaped to O Barqueiro!

I´m flying to marid tomorrow and the day after to santiagio for the camino dos faros. I planned to sart from malpica on 8.7.2020. Does anybody have infos regarding the situation in fisterra or muxia? I didn´t hear that a coruna come under lockdown...
my flight is booked and paid - no refund possible, but I think its a high risk the lock down more in gallicia.

Please, if anybody is in the area I would really appreciate an inside oppinon...

Thanks!

 

[Charrito]

I´m flying to marid tomorrow and the day after to santiagio for the camino dos faros. I planned to sart from malpica on 8.7.2020. Does anybody have infos regarding the situation in fisterra or muxia? I didn´t hear that a coruna come under lockdown...
my flight is booked and paid - no refund possible, but I think its a high risk the lock down more in gallicia.

Please, if anybody is in the area I would really appreciate an inside oppinon...

Thanks!

No problems outside the Lugo coast area.