Which way works best?

[JohnLloyd]

Thinking about a future Camino route for my fourth time on the Way, I'm drawn to the Finisterre-Muxía loop.

I'm unconcerned about collecting another compostela, so it's more a matter of the journey itself now.

I've been to Fisterra and Muxía after previous Caminos, but always by coach, so the obvious solution is to start and end in Santiago this time.

Instinctively, going clockwise from Santiago to Finisterre and then onwards to Muxía feels like the route to take.

For those who have walked it before, would you suggest an alternative itinerary?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

For those who have walked it before, would you suggest an alternative itinerary?

I have only walked from Muxia to Finesterre. We stayed a night in Lires, which gave plenty of time for the short walk along the creek out to the lovely sand and sea.
If you like meeting or seeing people, it seems more forum members tend to walk clockwise to Finesterre first, and many end their Camino before taking a bus back to Santiago. I recalled there were fewer buses daily heading back to Santiago from Muxia, although since you are walking it is a moot point anyway.

 

[mspath]

JohnLloyd,
I agree with you re the clockwise route
from Santiago to Muxia staying at pilgrim albergues in Negreira, Santa Mariña de Maroñas, and Dumbria. However if you walk in winter watch out for heavy rain and strong wind as the daily norms on this solitary route. Mid- December 2013 perseverance was peremptory.
Happy planning and Buen camino!

 

[JohnLloyd]

Yes, that seems like the most "social" way of doing it, walking in sync with others who are making their way to the 00km marker for that special moment of completion.

I'll never forget that exultant sunset, as seen in my profile pic!

When I finally made it to Muxía after my English Way walk in April, there were a couple of daily departures by coach back to Santiago.

But I think I'll try to walk the whole loop, assuming the Galician rain continues to miss me...(only two rainy days in three Caminos!)....

 

[JohnLloyd]

JohnLloyd,
I agree with you re the clockwise route
from Santiago to Muxia staying at pilgrim albergues in Negreira, Santa Mariña de Maroñas, and Dumbria. However if you walk in winter watch out for heavy rain and strong wind as the daily norms on this solitary route. Mid- December 2013 perseverance was peremptory.
Happy planning and Buen camino!

Great, thanks for the affirmation!

April in Galicia was just right for me this year, so that's what I'm aiming for again.

Winter Caminos seem just a little too testing!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Extroverts: Muxia to Finisterre
Introverts: Finisterre to Muxia

 

[JohnLloyd]

Extroverts: Muxia to Finisterre
Introverts: Finisterre to Muxia

Could you explain why?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Could you explain why?

Finisterre is bigger and attracts non-pilgrms too and is busier. Muxia is quieter.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Finisterre is bigger and attracts non-pilgrms too and is busier. Muxia is quieter.

Yes, I've been to both places.

But if you're walking to both, you'd have to deal with their differences one way or another, so how does the direction change help with that?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Yes, I've been to both places.

But if you're walking to both, you'd have to deal with their differences one way or another, so how does the direction change help with that?

You stop in the place where you regain your psychic energy.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Extroverts: Muxia to Finisterre
Introverts: Finisterre to Muxia

I think it is a toss-up. You can either walk "with" a few people on the way to Finesterre(unless you speed up or slow down)...or say "buen camino" to every person you "pass" going counter clockwise. Both have pros/cons.

 

[CanadianBarb]

I found the energy of the whole path more relaxed and grounded somehow than Camino del Norte (September to mid October), which is my only (so far) walk. After completing del Norte, I went from Santiago to Finisterre to Muxia but bussed back to Santiago mid October this year. I LOVED it!!!! Stayed in Lires overnight - it was so relaxing but LOVED Muxia the best of the whole Camino - my husband says he could LIVE there. There seemed a beautiful spiritual energy that was so so old and then blended in newer spiritual energies where the older pagan energies and the newer Catholic energies seemed to respect each other more, rather than power over the old.

 

[WayWalker]

Thinking about a future Camino route for my fourth time on the Way, I'm drawn to the Finisterre-Muxía loop.

I'm unconcerned about collecting another compostela, so it's more a matter of the journey itself now.

I've been to Fisterra and Muxía after previous Caminos, but always by coach, so the obvious solution is to start and end in Santiago this time.

Instinctively, going clockwise from Santiago to Finisterre and then onwards to Muxía feels like the route to take.

For those who have walked it before, would you suggest an alternative itinerary?

I will say that the walk from Finesterre to Muxia is glorious!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I will say that the walk from Finesterre to Muxia is glorious!

I walked from Muxia to Finesterre and it was glorious too!

 

[Skybo]

Thinking about a future Camino route for my fourth time on the Way, I'm drawn to the Finisterre-Muxía loop.

I'm unconcerned about collecting another compostela, so it's more a matter of the journey itself now.

I've been to Fisterra and Muxía after previous Caminos, but always by coach, so the obvious solution is to start and end in Santiago this time.

Instinctively, going clockwise from Santiago to Finisterre and then onwards to Muxía feels like the route to take.

For those who have walked it before, would you suggest an alternative itinerary?

That is the route that I took ( April of this year) Fewer people going opposite direction Muxia-Finisterre. Loved this walk. I stretched it out 5 days to Finisterre and stopped in Lires overnight before heading to Muxia. Found Muxia more relaxing than Finisterre and lovely place to end before taking bus back to Santiago to catch my flight

 

[trecile]

Whichever way you go, I highly recommend that you stop at Albergue Monte Aro in Lago the second day.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Whichever way you go, I highly recommend that you stop at Albergue Monte Aro in Lago the second day.

Noted!

 

[David Tallan]

Whichever way you go, stop regularly and look back - to see what the view would have been had you walked in the opposite direction.

 

[Former member 92300]

Well... I walked the CF and then went on to Muxia then Finisterre. It was well marked going that direction and I only remember missing on or two turns before getting to Finisterre - but I used my gps to put me back on track. As an ending to the CF - I really wished I had gone to Finisterre first. Why? Muxia was just so tranquil and serene. It was the perfect place to rest and recuperate from the long journey. Finisterre was loud, busy, chaotic and it took me out of the peaceful state of mind I was in. It was quite jarring. I didn't enjoy Finisterre at all for that reason - which I am certain I would have been fine if I had done Finisterre first. Afterall - I survived all of the big cities including Burgos, Leon, Santiago. For me - I think I just needed the tranquility to END my Camino and I messed that up. So - going forward - I will always do Finisterre first. For a loop - I don't think it matters as much, but I will do the same - Finisterre first.

Unfortunately - I didn't walk from either back to Santiago - so I can't tell you which has better markings going back to Santiago - but most people do Finisterre to Muxia - and I did the reverse - and Muxia to Finisterre was well marked. Knowing that, I would assume both paths are pretty well marked going back to Santiago. But I always have apps and my GPS just in case.

 

[trecile]

Whichever way you go, stop regularly and look back - to see what the view would have been had you walked in the opposite direction.

And especially look back when you are a few km from Santiago - I think it's the best view of the Cathedral.

 

[Former member 92300]

Extroverts: Muxia to Finisterre
Introverts: Finisterre to Muxia

Finisterre is bigger and attracts non-pilgrms too and is busier. Muxia is quieter.

This is true for me!

Someone also said "Finisterre to celebrate, Muxia to rejuvenate" which I find to be absolutely true (for me).

But for round trip? I am not sure it matters which direction.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

And especially look back when you are a few km from Santiago - I think it's the best view of the Cathedral.

Yes. Picture this on a clear morning with no scaffolding.

 

[Former member 92300]

And especially look back when you are a few km from Santiago - I think it's the best view of the Cathedral.

YES! I loved the view of the Cathedral from the trail leaving town. Also - I did take the silly touristy train and it also took us to a great view point.

 

[trecile]

Yes. Picture this on a clear morning with no scaffolding.
View attachment 137544

Not a super clear day, but no scaffolding.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Not a super clear day,

Sometimes slight overcast days show photos better because there are no shadows. Yours is a nice example with vivid colors.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Whichever way you go, stop regularly and look back - to see what the view would have been had you walked in the opposite direction.

I always do!

 

[jennysa]

YES! I loved the view of the Cathedral from the trail leaving town. Also - I did take the silly touristy train and it also took us to a great view point.

the first time I walked to Finisterre, and following a recommendation in my guide book, I turned my back to the trail and admired the scenic view of the Cathedral. I then continued walking along the path, but missed the path to Finisterre as I had turned my back to it. So I ended up doing a total circular walk and arrived back where I had started some 3 kms later!