Photo: Mario Sánchez - Licence CC
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70,8 miles (114 kms) / 4 days on foot

The Camino to Fisterra and Muxía

For those insatiable pilgrims who after arriving in Santiago de Compostela still want more, the Camino to Fisterra and Muxía is presented as the perfect route that will take them to the end of the world. Literally.

If you are one of them and want to continue to Cape Fisterra, or take the opportunity to visit the sanctuary of the Virgin de la Barca, here you have all the details about the Way to Fisterra and Muxía in a specialized guide with everything you need, so that you can plan your experience in the best possible way.

Image: Santuario da Virxe da Barca

History of the Camino to Fisterra and Muxía

70,8 miles (114 kms) / 4 days on foot

 

Unlike most Jacobean routes, whose origin arises after the discovery of the remains of the Apostle Santiago in medieval times, the Camino to Fisterra and Muxía dates back many centuries before. Specifically, to the Celtic culture, in which the sunrise and sunset were worshiped from strategic points located on the coast.

Fisterra, or Finisterre, as the very origin of its name indicates, finis terrae, was long considered the end of the world, as well as one of these points where the ancient priests worshiped the sun. Later, the Church was in charge of sanctifying this pagan tradition, adding Muxía to it as a place of worship where the Apostle Santiago, according to the Christian legend, witnessed the appearance of the Virgin Mary on a boat.

As we can see, and contrary to what many may think, the Camino de Santiago of Muxía and Fisterra is not something recent, but goes back to long before Christianity. At present we can get an accreditation similar to the Compostela if we complete this Way: La Fisterrana, in the case of walking to Finisterre, or La Muxiana, in case of choosing Muxía as the final destination.

camino fisterra muxia

Why choose the Camino to Fisterra and Muxía?

The Way to Fisterra and Muxía also has the peculiarity that it is the only one that does not have the city of Compostela as its goal, but as the starting point. It becomes the perfect closure for those pilgrims who, not satisfied with reaching the cathedral of Santiago, decide to continue to the formerly considered end of the world, or to another temple as important as the one dedicated to the Virgin de la Barca, in Muxía.

If your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela has not been enough, or if you want to know what it feels like to take a journey as ancient as the Neolithic era, the Way to Fisterra and Muxía is the experience you are looking for. You will only need four to five days to complete it and earn your final certification. And don't forget to witness the sunset upon your arrival, just as our ancestors would do, to purify yourself and be able to be spiritually reborn.

Negreira

Image: amaianos from Galicia

Ponte Maceira

Image: Galicia Plus

Fisterra

Image: Itsd-foto

Muxía

Image: P. Lameiro

Stages of the Camino of Fisterra and Muxía

The Camino de Fisterra and Muxía begins in Santiago de Compostela and continues towards the Galician coast through beautiful villages and green forests that will accompany us on each stage. Here you have more details about what you can expect on each journey of this Way.

Stage 1
Santiago de Compostela – Negreira (12,8 miles)

The first stage of the Way to Fisterra and Muxía leaves Compostela behind among typical Galician rural landscapes. It is a relatively simple route with the exception of the ascent that awaits us in Alto do Mar de Ovellas. However, our effort will be rewarded later when we reach Ponte Maceira, a beautiful Roman bridge over the Tambre river that will provide us with magnificent views until we arrive in Negreira, a flat path without difficulties in this last section.

Stage 2
Negreira – Olveiroa (20,9 miles)

On this day, a longer and slightly more difficult stage awaits us than the previous one, but it will be compensated by the landscape. We will leave Negreira crossing its beautiful arch decorated with various coats of arms and located between the chapel and the Cotón pazo, to continue through forests and different villages as we pass. At the end of this stage we will see the Fervenza reservoir, in the Xallas river valley, to cross the Olveiroa bridge that will welcome us to the town of the same name.

Stage 3
Olveiroa – Fisterra (20 miles)

Today's stage will force us to choose between continuing our route towards Fisterra or towards Muxía. This will happen on our arrival at the village called “Hospital”. If we choose Fisterra, we can visit the municipality of Cee and the town of Corcubión. After this town we will be in the middle of our journey to the end of the world.

Stage 3B
Olveiroa – Muxía (19,3 miles)

On the other hand, if we choose to continue towards Muxía in today's stage, after the village of Hospital we will continue along a long route of asphalt, although we will also walk some dirt roads. The best without a doubt awaits us at the end: upon our arrival at Muxía we will see the beauty of this fishing village and its church located next to the rocks. From here, we can see the sunset with the crack of the waves in the background.

Stage 4
Muxía – Fisterra (17,3 miles)

This stage joins both key points of the Way. A path with slopes awaits us, and this can get some pilgrims into difficulties. It is a rocky route with dirt tracks in some sections, but it does not seem particularly easy despite running along the coast. There is no doubt that we are approaching the end of the earth. It is also very likely that we will meet other pilgrims who make the same route in the opposite direction, walking towards Muxía to finish their stage at the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Barca.

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Camino to Finisterre and Muxía Profile

Best Accomodation on the Camino to Finisterre and Muxía

Although services along the Camino de Fisterra and Muxía have been scarce for many years, the increase in pilgrims who do not want to finish their walk in Santiago de Compostela has led to the opening of new accommodations.

So, if you dare to do this route, you will find several hostels and pensions in each of the stages, as we show you below.

  • Negreira

  • Negreira Pilgrim's Hostel (Patrocinio, s/n)
  • Hostel San José (Castelao, 20)
  • Pensión La Mezquita (Del Carmen, 2)

  • Olveiroa

  • Hostel Hórreo (Olveiroa, s/n)
  • Hostel O Peregrino (Olveiroa, s/n)
  • Hostel Casa Loncho (Olveiroa, s/n)

  • Fisterra

  • Hostel Finistellae (Manuel Lago País, 7)
  • Hostel O Encontro (Fonte Vella, 22)
  • Hostel Cabo da Vila (A Coruña, 13)

  • Muxía

  • Pilgrim's Hostel de Muxía (Enfesto, 22)
  • Hostel Bela Muxía (Da Encarnación, 30)
  • Rústica Alemana Hostel (Virxe da Barca, 3)

Discover all the different ways

The French Way (Camino Frances) is the most popular one, but there are many other ways you should know.

» French Way 474 miles / 33 days
» Portuguese Way 388 miles / 25 days
» Northern Way 512 miles / 32 days
» Primitive Way 194 miles / 11 days
» English Way 73 miles / 6 days
» Via de la Plata 440 miles / 27 days
» Winter Way 164 miles / 10 days
» Sanabria Way 227 miles / 13 days
» Camino de Madrid 423 miles / 29 days
» Fisterra-Muxía Way 71 miles / 4 days
» Portuguese Coastal Way 168 miles / 13 days
» Camino from Sarria 69 miles / 7 days