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Way of Saint James from Sarria in group with guide
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On foot

English Way from Ferrol in 7 days

SERVICES
Configurable
TYPE OF TRIP
Half distance
MODE
On your own
5 STAGES
7 DAYS
126 KM
DIF. ●●○○○
Follow the historic route of the pilgrims of the North
Visit the illustrated Ferrol and medieval Betanzos
Get your Compostela at the finish line
We welcome you to the English Way from Ferrol, which was born as a pilgrimage route for the journeys of English, Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian, Flemish and other countries' devotees who arrived by boat to this historic Galician port. The recovery of this route has defined, at present, two possible starting points: Ferrol or A Coruña. A short, pleasant and well signposted itinerary, which is gaining more and more walkers every year and to which we welcome you from now on. In total 113 km to cover in 5 comfortable stages while you discover the landscapes, history, gastronomy and popular culture of Galicia.

Services

This programme includes these services.

7-day trip along the English Way (complete).
6 nights accommodation according to the chosen category. Configure it.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes

Not included services

Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.

Optional Services

A whole range of optional services are at your disposal, so that you can configure your trip to suit your needs.
Luggage transport
Private transfers
Reinforced breakfasts
Half board (dinners)
Cancellation insurance

Breakfasts, half-board
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from the airports and stations of A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela.
Complementary activities
Cancellation insurance

Free cancellation if you book through our website

Is this trip for me?

Type of trip: Half distance
Journeys to savour slowly, with the best of each space and that indescribable sensation of overcoming your own limits.
Type of services: Configurable
You choose your category of accommodation, if you want breakfast or not, if you want us to carry your luggage, etc. You decide and we will make sure everything runs smoothly.
Travel style: On your own
Programmes designed so that you can travel the route on your own, at the pace set by your steps. Full autonomy and the peace of mind of knowing that we are with you if you need us.
Physical demands: Hiking
Routes of small or medium physical demand, of medium distance (20-30 km / day) and surfaces that facilitate walking, and that can be covered autonomously.

Itinerary


Day 1. Starting the Way of Saint James from Ferrol

The ancient pilgrims from the sea arrived in Ferrol at the historic pier, known as Peirao das Curuxeiras, where they disembarked to continue their pilgrimage on dry land. You will have to get to Ferrol on your own to start the English Way, or by means of one of our optional transfers.

You will discover a city that lives from the sea, not only for its fishing and commercial port, but also for its historic civil and military shipyards. You can visit the historic quarter, the co-cathedral of San Xulián and the church of San Francisco, or stroll through the rationalist neighbourhood of A Magdalena and admire its modernist houses.

Don't miss the defensive constructions that protected this historic arsenal from maritime incursions during the reign of Philip II: the Castles of San Felipe, A Palma and San Martiño.

And if you have an extra day or you already know Ferrol, we offer you a visit to the Caaveiro Monastery to discover the spectacular surroundings of the Fragas do Eume.

Hostel: La Frontera Guesthouse or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel El Suizo or similar
Charming accommodation: Ferrol Grand Hotel or similar


Day 2. Stage Ferrol - Pontedeume

Distance: 31 km (or 20 km over the bridge of As Pías)
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Pontedeume

This section, which begins at the Curuxeiras quay, at one end of the old town of Ferrol, has its origin marked with a small milestone indicating the beginning of the English Way.

This stage, although long, is really nice and quiet. Many pilgrims choose to cross the Ferrol estuary over the As Pías bridge, which has a pedestrian lane and saves 11 km, taking you directly to Fene. However, we do not recommend it, because of the heavy traffic on this road and because it would prevent you from enjoying the interior of the estuary and the most outstanding element of the stage: the Monastery of San Martiño de Xubia or O Couto.

From Fene, the ascent to the peninsula that separates the Ferrol and Eume estuaries begins. On reaching the latter, in Pontedeume, you can visit the Andrade family tower, the church of Santiago or the Plaza Real with the 17th century clock tower.

Hostel: Río Eume Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Eumesa or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Camiño do Eume or similar


Day 3. Stage Pontedeume - Betanzos

 

Distance: 21 km
Difficulty level: ●●●○○○○○
Accommodation: Betanzos

Today's stage is much shorter than the previous one and runs mainly in the rural surroundings of the Betanzos estuary. However, it is marked by constant ups and downs.

The English Way will take you past the Church of San Pantaleón das Viñas, a 12th century Romanesque church in rural Romanesque style, and the pazo of Montecelo, whose façade bears the coat of arms of the Andrade family.

Just over 6 km away, and close to the end of your stage, Betanzos, you will find the Romanesque church of San Martiño de Tiobre, also from the 12th century, which is located on the site of an earlier Swabian temple. Around this church are a series of single-family houses known as the Casas de Tiobre or also O Betanzos Vello. This is the original centre of Betanzos, which was abandoned for its current location, in the vicinity of the estuary of the estuary, by a royal order in the 13th century.

The town of Betanzos is one of the seven capitals of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia and, as such, it preserves one of the best medieval quarters in the whole of Galicia.

Hostel: Río Mandeo Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Garelos or similar
Charming accommodation: Portico Guesthouse or similar


Day 4. Stage Betanzos - Bruma

Distance: 24.4 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Bruma / San Paio de Buscás

The route of this third stage of the English Way is the hardest, although it is not the longest. Moreover, as it runs mainly through rural areas, it is almost devoid of intermediate towns and, therefore, of services. We recommend that you prepare your rucksack well. In fact, from Betanzos to the village of Cos there are 7.5 km totally rural.

In Presedo you can take a break along the way and regain your strength because there is no other town until you reach Hospital de Bruma. During the Middle Ages, this was the only pilgrims' hospital on this route. Today, however, only its documentary reference remains. In 1124 there is mention of the existence of thieves' caves in these parts that were dedicated to robbing pilgrims. In order to put an end to this situation, this hospital was created, promoted by the church of Compostela and the local nobility. It is believed that in 1520 King Charles I spent the night in the hospital on his way from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña.

Hostel: San Lorenzo de Bruma Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Antón Veiras Rural House or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Dona María or similar


Day 5. Stage Bruma - Sigüeiro

Distance: 24.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●●○○○○○
Accommodation: Sigüeiro

Unlike the previous stage, today's section is not very difficult. The slopes are not very steep and you will walk on tarmac and dirt tracks. The English Way crosses the region of Ordes, mainly along the old Camino Real. After the first few kilometres you will pass by the church of San Paio de Buscás, a church of rural Romanesque origin, which hides one of the most violent religious images, known as the "beheaded saint".

On your arrival at A Baxoia you will have to choose whether to continue along the official route, close to the road, or whether you prefer to take the variant that runs along a forest track. On your arrival in Sigüeiro you will have to cross the bridge that spans the river Tambre. It is a bridge of medieval origin that has been altered and adjusted to the needs of the time over the years.

Hostel: Follow the path or similar
Standard accommodation: Camino Real Accommodation or similar
Charming accommodation: Siaba Guesthouse or similar


Day 6. Stage Sigüeiro - Santiago de Compostela

Distance: 16 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela

In this last stage, although more than half of it runs through pleasant rural and wooded areas, as we enter Santiago we will cross approximately 5 km of industrial area and urban route.

You will enter the city through the neighbourhoods of San Caetano and Basquiños, finally reaching the old town. Here the cathedral and the spectacular old town await you, full of places to visit.

Not only the aforementioned cathedral, which is a must-see, and for which we offer expert guides, but also other places such as the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, the second largest in Spain; the Hostal dos Reis Católicos and its wonderful Renaissance architecture; the University - the fifth oldest in Europe -, its market, etc.

Welcome to Santiago and congratulations: you have completed your Camino.

Hostel: The Last Stamp or similar
Standard accommodation: Deniké Guesthouse or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Costa Vella or similar


Day 7. Discover Santiago de Compostela

After a well-deserved and refreshing rest, you will have the whole day free to explore the Holy City: its Cathedral and the rest of its monumental complex, as well as the places of interest outside it. If you wish, we can also help you with this.

And, if you have time, we have some complementary activities that may be of interest. For example, you can reach the End of the World with our full day visit to Fisterra. You will not be disappointed.


The recipe for great journeys

Natural, historical and ethnographic heritage, spectacular gastronomy, good company, slow pace and time for time. These are the ingredients with which we design trips in Viando. Are you staying at home? 

Book now and get
free cancellation

Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from this tour?
This English Way is for you if you are looking for an alternative route to the most crowded of the Camino de Santiago and walk a route that invites to calm and to give time to time. The profile is very manageable for people of different physical shape, so it is also perfect if this is your first approach to the Camino de Santiago and you want to start with an easy route.
The English Way is open all year round. Although it can be done in the middle of winter, taking into account a series of technical conditions (more information here), the most advisable time is usually the first half of autumn, when the weather is milder. It can also be done in summer, because temperatures are usually mild, but in this case you should expect more people on the Camino.
All the stages of this route can be completed on foot, so there is no need for additional transfers. If you need transport to get to Ferrol from A Coruña airport or any other airport, or if you want to hire a transfer from Santiago to the airport for your return home, we can include them as an optional service.
Accommodation in the following categories is available on this route: hostels, standard accommodation and charming accommodation. You can see more information about the categories of accommodation we use in Viando. in this link.

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website. 

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage). 

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation. 

In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.

Mode

This label indicates the intended mode of travel, based on two typologies:

In groups

These are group trips, where you are part of a small group of people who have chosen the same destination as you. Perfect for meeting like-minded people. Group trips usually have a guide who is in charge of overseeing the dynamics of the group, revealing the secrets of the destination and, in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

On your own

In this type of trip you have full control: you choose the dates and the pace. In addition, they are usually trips with configurable accommodation and services. It is the perfect mode for independent and experienced travellers, as well as for private groups of friends or families.

Type of trip

This label indicates the type of trip we propose to you based on the following options:

Getaways

These are trips that concentrate all their essence in two or three days. The aim is to live a series of experiences in a specific geographical area.

Half distance

These trips offer routes that take only a few days to complete and are perfect for most people who want to enjoy an active holiday without being too physically demanding.

Long distances

This type refers to long routes, which offer a great variety of natural and human spaces to visit and which require several days, usually two weeks or more. They are routes and destinations designed to really disconnect and live the experience to the fullest.

Exploration

These are trips off the beaten track and off the beaten track. They often require certain orientation skills or offer specialised guides at the destination.

Accommodation

This label indicates the type of services (mainly accommodation) we offer on each trip, based on three categories: 

Configurable

The trip offers different types of services and categories of services that you can choose from. For example, standard or premium accommodation. 

Standard

The trips in this group do not offer configurable options. The accommodations correspond to the standard category (not luxurious, but clean and in good condition).

Premium

Trips with this label offer non-configurable options. Accommodation and other services correspond to the premium category.