Santiago to Finisterre????

[crad80]

Hi Everyone:

I am going to be starting my first Camino Frances walk next week. I was just wondering: if the Camino Frances ends in Santiago, then why do people continue on to Finisterre? I hear it's a three-day walk from Santiago to Finisterre (two days is also possible, but NOT recommended). If one does continue to Finisterre, is there a bus (or taxi) that takes you back to Santiago? Thanks in advance for you help. Buen Camino.

 

[lynnejohn]

Why? Because it's there! It's the denouement to your camino. It's a wonderful time to sit around and have some drinks with other pilgrims (from all routes), make the final walk to the end of the world, see the amazing sunsets and contemplate how at one time it was thought to truly be the end of the word.
It's often a very moving and emotional experience when, just as you did in Santiago, you reflect on the fact that you are no longer a pilgrim, with all that meant to you, and to contemplate the next chapter in your life in light of that realization. The Mar de Fora -gorgeous beach is worth some time just chilling as well.
I love the walk to Finisterre (3 days) - that first glimpse of ocean is a thrill. It's a lovely, relaxed walk.
And a bus goes between Finisterre and Santiago very frequently. Taxis too! And you get a beautiful certificate (from the albergue) if you walk there.

 

[grayland]

There is a regular bus to and from Finisterre. They go several times a day in both ways. If you don't have the time to walk to Finisterre consider taking a bus in the morning and returning in the afternoon. A good experience at the end of your Camino.

 

[markss]

With arrival to Santiago comes a strong feeling of elation. This may soon after be followed with an "alright, now what next?" sort of emotion. If given time, continuing on to Finisterre is a peaceful and enjoyable finale to the Camino and a terrific way to wind down the entire expereience. If time is limited, Grayland's suggestion of taking the bus to and from Santiago is a worthwhile consideration.

Buen Camino Santiago and Buen Camino Finisterre!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

This past Sunday there was an interesting radio programme here in New Zealand where two people were interviewed about their Camino experiences. One of them was Archbishop John Dew of Wellington. Interestingly, he said that he originally thought he would go on to Finisterre, but when he reached the Cathedral in Santiago, he felt he had reached what was for him the endpoint of his Camino.

You can download a podcast of this programme is you would like to listen to it.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/spiritualoutlook
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/spiritualoutlook/20110313/gallery

I am not sure how long these links stay current- maybe they have the Camino info only for a week. But you can go to the orange symbol on the sidebar to access the podcast after that.

Margaret

 

[Mexicanpilgrim]

The first time I heard about Finisterre was in the camino, some pilgrims told me about the tradition of going there just to burn the clothes, some extra 90 kms after Santiago wasnt on my plan, after two days in Santiago my body wanted to keep walking so I decided to hit the road again to fisterra, good experience, not too many places to stay and eat as in the camino frances, I strongly recomend to review carfully each stage before you go. No problem to get a bus to Santiago, get a motion sickness medication, after a long period of not being in cars or buses your body will let you know that you're out of place.

 

[nellpilgrim]

I walked from Santiago to Fisterra in 2008 it's an absolutely beautiful walk and the final day especially has gorgeous scenery and great walking with a swim at the end to cap it off.
When we walked from SJPP to Santiago in 2009 we didn't continue on to Fisterra though we could have (our husbands-who formed our 'welcoming committee'-would have been quite happy at being left to their own devices for another 3 days in the city :lol . Anyway we had a wonderfully celebratory time in the city and, as Catholics, felt that having reached the shrine of St James our pilgrimage-in a formal sense at least-was finished.
Though I'm looking forward to reaching the Cathedral and paying my respects to Santiago at the end of my current Camino (longer and being done in stages), as soon as I started walking it I knew my final destination was going to be Fisterra this time but I'm still not sure why :?
So I guess I'm saying you'll know when you know what is the best fit for you and your Camino.
Nell

 

[Aussie Peregrino]

@Crad80 - I'll add my voice to the ones who had recommend going on from Santiago.
I hadn't intended to walk further (didn't even know that you could!) until a fellow pilgrim told me of his plans.
There are some fantastic views, but of course the camino is not just a nature hike. You may find that as you get closer to Santiago, and indeed, once there, that the crowds and commercialism are a bit much for you. The epílogo a Fisterra is something of a retreat from the excesses of the pilgrimage and a great way to begin to debrief.
The albergue in Olveiroa is fantastic, and has a great kitchen but you need to buy food in Negreira - quite some distance.

Oh, and just as a thought - pilgrimage used to involve returning home by the same method through which one arrived... If I was to walk the camino again, though I likely would take a different route than the del costa, I would definitely still go on to Fisterra, and walk back to Santiago as a nod to the idea of pilgrimage being a two-way trek, not just away from home, but back to it also.

 

[sydunipete]

I know this is an old thread but my $0.02 worth is:

I found the mass at Santiago to be a moving experience, and dinner with fellow pilgrims I had met along the way to be a fantastic conclusion. But I disliked everything else about Santiago. I saw drug deals on the street and a real loss of the pilgrim spirit and "Buen Camino".

I caught the bus to Fisterra and to me is was a much more fitting conclusion. The spirit was back, the sunset was special and there are some great places to stay. The bus is easy, but it is a long and windy road - so if you get car sick take some precautions and in winter it doesn't run on weekends (and some other days). The first bus out from Fisterra in the morning can be very crowded (people were turned away the day I took it in early May 2014) so have your return ticket already booked - although this doesn't guarantee you a seat.

The walk (according to a friend) is far less busy than the Camino Frances. It is less well marked and you are not as well provided for. It is also much more arduous - up and down hills.

I would do the same again - bus it to and from Fisterra. (Unfortunately my next Camino is planned for November / December and my pre-booked flights were locked in before I knew about the lack of buses on the weekend - so I will have to miss the sunset this time.)

 

[mspath]

...
The walk (according to a friend) is far less busy than the Camino Frances. It is less well marked and you are not as well provided for. It is also much more arduous - up and down hills.

I would do the same again - bus it to and from Fisterra. (Unfortunately my next Camino is planned for November / December and my pre-booked flights were locked in before I knew about the lack of buses on the weekend - so I will have to miss the sunset this time.)

No need to miss the sunset if you actually walk from SdC to Finisterre. There are many places to stay along the route. One of the great joys is always the first glimpse of the sea from the hills near Cee. Near-by is the simple, welcoming albergue at San Roque/Corcubion. In the dark from the dorm window when you see the lighthouse beacon at Finisterre shining out to sea it is magical.

MM

 

[scruffy1]

Please allow one dissenting voice – in 2008 Fistera was indeed a much lovelier place however, time marches on. The lighthouse, the sunsets, the 0 kilometer stone all are still there. On my visits since then I have found it to be a bustling - rather too busy of a place - far too many people, the locals expert at skinning pilgrims in all things lodging, expensive souvenirs both Camino and New Age, and food, not particularly inspiring. The walk there is pleasant enough as mspath stated the first view of the sea is wonderful until you hit the traffic; Fistera is a working commercial port meaning lots of trucks. My solution, turn north just past Hospital and head for Muxia, a quiet haven, some tourists, some pilgrims, truly a comforting place. There is a 0 kilometer stone there too, wonderful sunsets, and a church at sea level which is often inundated in stormy weather. Just before Muxia, in the village of Figueiras, is the glorious Romanesque Church of San Xulián de Moraime – you will need some luck to see the inside – a wedding perhaps Sunday mass or God Forfend a funeral. After Muxia the Camino is marked along the sea to Fistera pop in to see the lighthouse and pop out if you must.

PS Fistera is much beloved by our Teutonic brothers and sisters, how is your German?

 

[Tincatinker]

Fisterra, Finis Terre, the end-of-the-world was, I believe, a pilgrim destination long before Santiago. Galicia is probably the largest neolithic cemetery in Europe and it seems likely the remains of the dead were brought to the end-of-the-world, to the Coast of the Dead for internment. Pre-christian Roman tourists certainly made the trip, though in the years before the building of the light-house I'm not sure where they burned their sandals. For some the journeys end is Santiago, for others it is sunset and the westering sea.

 

[larryfromsydney]

Fisterra, Finis Terre, the end-of-the-world was, I believe, a pilgrim destination long before Santiago. Galicia is probably the largest neolithic cemetery in Europe and it seems likely the remains of the dead were brought to the end-of-the-world, to the Coast of the Dead for internment. Pre-christian Roman tourists certainly made the trip, though in the years before the building of the light-house I'm not sure where they burned their sandals. For some the journeys end is Santiago, for others it is sunset and the westering sea.

we partook in the tradition of burning our clothes at the lighthouse

 

[tominrm]

Finisterre is a place where you can find a free sleeping bag, walking poles, etc., people do not want to carry anymore in albergues. Go, you will not be disappointed. Less crowded compared with the route to Santiago.

 

[Reidun Fyno]

Hi Everyone:

I am going to be starting my first Camino Frances walk next week. I was just wondering: if the Camino Frances ends in Santiago, then why do people continue on to Finisterre? I hear it's a three-day walk from Santiago to Finisterre (two days is also possible, but NOT recommended). If one does continue to Finisterre, is there a bus (or taxi) that takes you back to Santiago? Thanks in advance for you help. Buen Camino.

St. Jacob came to Fisterre/Muxia from the Holy Land and he started to evangelize there. When Mary - the mother of God came to Comfort Jacob she arrived in her boat to Muxia. When St Jacobs burial place was found, the queen had it removed to Santiago de Compostela, where it is today. When we end our Camino in this city we visit his tomb, when we visit Fisterre/Muxia we honour his life and service as Apostle

 

[KinkyOne]

... If time is limited, Grayland's suggestion of taking the bus to and from Santiago is a worthwhile consideration.
...

Oh, as a repeated walker to Fisterra (& Muxia) after my Caminos I would never ever give that advice. If the weather is nice the first sight of Atlantic is worth 10 times (at least) coming to SdC for me. And walk along that 2km long sandy beach just before Fisterra - priceless. I won't even mention the sunset at Cabo Finisterre... If you take the bus 95% of that experience would be lost. Flying into Madrid/Rome/Paris is one thing but walking "to the end of the earth" is something completely else!

 

[KinkyOne]

...
The albergue in Olveiroa is fantastic, and has a great kitchen but you need to buy food in Negreira - quite some distance.
...

Not true.

Two bars in Olveiroa (one at the muni albergue and the bar connected to albergue Horreo) have small tiendas where you can buy ingredients for your dinner. Prices are a bit higher than in supermercados but you can still cook for yourself.
Also there is a small tienda attached to a bar in Zas just after Negreira and as of 2016 there is a small tienda in the first house (before you descend into the village) in Vilaserio. And a bakery on the main road in Santa Marina!

So, plenty of options not to carry (too much) food in your backpack