3400 EURO PER PERSON
Dating back to the 9th century, pilgrims have been walking to Muxía and Finisterre as part of the final stretch of the itinerary that traces the Milky Way to the westernmost explored point of continental Europe—Finisterre, known as the ‘end of the world,’ where the cliffs steeply plunge into the sea and the sun sets each evening.
During the Middle Ages, it is said that the Virgin Mary arrived at the remote rocky peninsula of Muxía, north of Finisterre, by stone boat to encourage St. James (Santiago) in his preaching. Remnants of this mythical boat still exist and are believed to hold special properties to this day. A small chapel, the Sanctuary of A Barca, now stands at the site of this miracle.
Our journey follows the less-traveled route from Santiago to Muxía and continues along the coast to Finisterre, where you can collect your Fisterrana, a certificate of completion for the pilgrimage to ‘Finis Terrae.’
What’s Included
- Transportation throughout the trip from Santiago and return
- 8-nights of hotels with private bathrooms
- Bi-lingual guide
- Daily maps and historical info
- Full van support
- Pilgrims credential (passport)
- Healthy snacks
- All breakfasts
- 7 dinners with local wine
- Regular checkpoints on the trail
Itinerary
Day 1 – Santiago de Compostela
Arrive in Santiago de Compostela. Meet your guides and fellow pilgrims at 3 pm at your hotel for an informational meeting and a tour of the city.
Hotel and dinner tonight are included.
Day 2- Santiago to Ponte Maceira
At 9am, your Spanish Steps guide will meet in the lobby of Hotel Monumento San Francisco in Santiago. We suggest that you spend the night here before the trip begins. From here, we will begin our walk out of the Plaza de Obradoiro in front of the famed cathedral. The route leaves the winding city streets, past the Carballeira (oak forest) of San Lourenzo, and soon we are in the countryside with lovely pastoral scenes. A mix of large, modern houses, and traditional red roofed stone houses accompany us for much of our route before we arrive at the medieval bridge of Augapesada. We walk through Carballo, Trasmonte, and the gorgeous village of Ponte Maceira, home to an elegant 14th Century bridge. Here we end our days walking and transfer to our hotel.
Total distance: 17.5 kilometers – Dinner included.
Day 2 – Ponte Maceira to Vilaserio
Today’s route takes us through the modern town of Negreira, which is known for its pastry shops and the fortified medieval Pazo de Cotón. From here to Muxía, facilities are very limited, so you will truly feel immersed in the countryside.
We’ll follow an old camino real, steadily climbing and enjoying fabulous views of multiple valleys. The path winds in and out of oak forests, thick with ferns and ivy, and passes by the small hamlets of Zas, Rapote, and the evocatively named Portocamiño.
Upon our arrival in Vilaserio, we will drive to our hotel for a second night. The total distance covered today is 18 kilometers, with breakfast and dinner included.
The total distance for today is 18 kilometers, with breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Ponte Maceira to Vilaserio
Today’s route passes through the modern town of Negreira, known for its pastry shops and the fortified, medieval Pazo de Cotón. Facilities from here onwards to Muxía are very limited and you will feel very much ‘out in the countryside’. Following an old camino real, and climbing steadily, with fabulous views across multiple valleys, the route winds its way in and out of oak forests (thick with ferns and ivy) and past the tiny hamlets of Zas, Rapote, and the evocatively named Portocamiño. Upon arrival at Vilaserio, we will, again, drive to our hotel for a second night.
The total distance for today is 20 kilometers, with breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Vilaserio to Olveiroa
On today’s trail we will be stepping deep into farming country and likely we will see more cows than people. We will walk through sleepy Santa Mariña, Bon Xesus and follow quiet paved roads around Monte Aro with superb views of the Fervenza Reservoir to tiny Lago. Onwards, after a well earnt lunch, note the interesting church with a detached bell tower and a rare gallery cemetery in the village of Corzón. Stunning rural architecture awaits us in Olveiroa with its numerous precariously balanced stone hórreos, the village cross, a communal wash house, and the thick stone houses. Here we end our walk.
20 kilometers – Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 5 – Olveiroa to Quintáns
Returning to Olveiroa we climb up through a remote and beautiful shubland. Water dominates for a while as we enjoy views into the canyon of the Xallas River heading towards Hospital, a village that used to have a pilgrim’s hostel but is now dominated by a carbide factory. Here, we will leave the heavily trodden trail to Finisterre & head northwest downhill for a few more kilometrers to Dumbría. Our route continues along forest tracks, quiet roads, grassy trails, and stone paved segments of the old camino real. The ubiquitous eucalyptus is a large part of our afternoon. Stop for a final rest and visit with Xesus and his mother, Maria, in Senande. You’ll be sure to be entertained! A final, gentle 5 kilometers to Quintáns and we arrive at the end of our day.
19 kilometers – Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 6 – Quintáns to Muxía
To the Atlantic Ocean we go, climbing up and down, and up and down through San Martiño de Ozón, known for its enormous granary and its Benedictine Monastery, to Merexo and Os Muiños and one final ascent before arriving to the beach. Kick off your shoes and dip your feet (or your whole body) into the cool waters. A boardwalk now heads around the bay leading to the small fishing community of Muxía. After lunch, our day culminates at the Punta da Barca, on the rocky point where the 17th Century chapel of Nosa Señora da Barca stands. Here we can find the ‘hull, sail, and rudder’ of the stone boat that brought the Virgin Mary to this magical spot. Take your time in this special place and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Muxía.
14 kilometers – Breakfast included. Dinner on your own.
Day 7 – Muxía to Lires
We leave Muxía via the main road, following the coastline past the sweeping white sands of Lourido Beach before beginning an ascent of Monte Facho, up through pine and eucalyptus plantations. Our views from here are extensive of the surrounding area. We descend past the Romanesque church of Santa Maria at Morquintián, through Guisamonde to the village of Lires nestled on the River Lires, home to a large trout farm and numerous sea birds that make their home in the protected lagoon. Tonight, you are free to enjoy one of the local restaurants on your own in Muxía. Needless to say, the seafood here is the specialty.
14 kilometers – Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 8 – Lires to Finisterre
The sound of the sea crashing against the shore is our constant companion as we follow the coastline for much of the day. Our trail begins by meandering along the River Lires on its short journey to the ocean, taking in the breathtaking beaches of Nemiña and Lires.
We head southward over the headland, passing the tiny community of O Rostro. From there, we navigate small country roads through the villages of San Salvador, Escaselas, and San Martiño de Duio. As we approach Finisterre, we are treated to stunning views of the expansive Langosteira Bay.
Finisterre itself is a vibrant town filled with resilient sailors and fishermen. We continue onward for a few more kilometers to reach the very end of our journey—and, in a sense, the world—at Cape Finisterre. Here stands the historic lighthouse, watching over the dramatic and beautiful convergence of the sea, spirit, and nature.
The trek covers 18 kilometers and includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 – Finisterre to Santiago
After breakfasting this morning, we transfer back to Santiago together before parting company at the Hotel Monumento San Francisco.
Transfer time – approx. 2.5 hours.
* Please note that this itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability, weather conditions, festivals, and spontaneous side trips.
** The daily descriptions will include the distance in kilometers and the elevation. We are flexible with how much you choose to walk. Our van is available to assist based on your personal walking preferences during this pilgrimage.
*** This is not an endurance race or a competition. We kindly ask that everyone respects the various paces and walks of life of those who join this group trip.
**** There may be instances where we stay for two nights in the same hotel or B&B due to limited accommodation options at the end of our daily walking stages. Most participants find this beneficial, as it allows you to unpack and take a rest day if you decide not to walk on a particular day.
Gallery
FAQs
How many miles do we hike per day?
We average between 9-12 miles per day or 14-20 kilometers. Most pilgrims walking the trail independently walk 15 miles or 25 kilometers a day carrying a heavy pack. With Spanish Steps, we have the luxury of a fully supported van, which carries our baggage from hotel to hotel, and carries us the extra mile if one needs to jump in the van.
What kind of hotels do we use?
We use beautifully restored farmhouses known as Casa Rurales, and family run Pazos, Galician manor home and hotels. Most are located a little off route from the Camino de Santiago, situated in small towns and villages, away from the large cities, so most day will involve a group transfer at the beginning and end of the day. We try to stay two nights in our hotels. All rooms have private bathrooms. The smaller inns have no phone or TV in the room.
Is there WIFI at our hotels?
Our hotels nearly always have free WIFI available although it is often just in the lobby/public areas. We generally stay at historical hotels, which often have thick walls, so WIFI rarely works in the rooms. Most bars and cafes enroute have free WIFI also.
How many meals are included?
All breakfasts and six dinners are included in the price of this tour. Our hotels will be happy to provide a vegetarian option should it be required. Lunches and one dinner are not included in the tour price, however, there are a few options along the trail to purchase sandwich items and fruit, or plan to eat at one of the small bars that cater to pilgrims. The van will be stocked with healthy snacks and water. We will do our best to accommodate any dietary requirements but please do let us know in advance.
How does one get to SANTIAGO?
- We suggest you fly directly to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) and spend the night at the Hotel Monumento San Francisco, where we meet in the morning. From the airport, a shuttle bus leaves for the city center every 30 minutes or you can take a 15-minute taxi ride (around 25 Euro).
- Take the train from Madrid: renfe.es
- Take the bus from Madrid: alsa.es
What kind of equipment should I pack?
The hikes are not fancy. I will supply you with an equipment list of basic items to pack. You are limited to one bag weighing 30-lbs and a one-day pack to hold items such as your camera, rain gear and water bottle. Hiking/trail shoes or lightweight hiking boots will be your most important pieces of equipment. Please be sure they are well broken in and that you have proper socks before arriving in Spain. Some of our hotels have outdoor swimming pools (not always open) so bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim.
How do I access spending money/how much should I bring?
Most people travel with an ATM card. Money machines are everywhere in Spain but be sure you know your PIN number before departing the US. Do not bring traveler’s checks (most banks will turn you away.) Most expenses are already built into Spanish Steps trips. Lunches will be a separate expense. The Menu del Dia or Menu del Peregrino is available at local cafes and will cost between 9-12 Euros. There are three course meals with wind and water included – a great value.
Should I leave a gratuity for our guides?
This is a very common question my clients ask–As a person working hard in the service industry to please the traveler, a gratuity is much appreciated by the staff members at the end of the tour. As a general guideline, people tip around 10 Euros per day, per guide. For trips where we have a bus driver, a gratuity of around 15 Euros per person at the end of the trip would be appreciated.
What is the average age of the group?
The average age of the hiker on a Spanish Steps tour is 50 years old during the spring and fall months but younger during the summer months. Most trips are a mix of a 40/60 ratio of men to women. I have taken school groups where the age range is 13- 20 years old. With an eager heart and a mind full of curiosities, a healthy person of any age is able to walk the Camino. Pilgrims of all ages are welcome of course!
What is the terrain like?
The trails are well marked with yellow arrows and the scallop shell tile. There are some long, slow climbs through farming ares but not Himalayan or Rocky Mountain terrain. The paths are well worn and are not difficult. We walk along a lot of secondary farm road, paths through vineyards, beech and chestnut forests and old country roads.
Is there a single supplement?
Some people would like to be matched with a roommate. I can’t guarantee a match but will try to place you with someone if there are any requests. The price of the single supplement is 500 EUROS per person for this eight-day trip.
Can you provide references?
We would be delighted to share with you some references from former clients who have walked with us. If you would like to contact any former Spanish Steps participants, let us know by calling us. Check out our Customer Comments on www.SpanishSteps.com.