In September 2026 I set off on my fourth Camino, this time walking the Camino Inglés from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela.
This is the itinerary for my six day trip, but I’ll be writing a longer post for each day of the journey with lots more information about the route and what you can expect.
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What is the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James, is a network of pilgrimage routes across Europe which end at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James are said to be buried.
The most popular of all the Camino routes is the Camino Francés (French Way), closely followed by the Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way).
Camino Inglés routes
The Camino Inglés (English Way) is the third most popular route of the Camino de Santiago and runs from either A Coruña or Ferrol to Santiago. In 2025, just 30,201 pilgrims walked the Camino Inglés compared to 241,998 who walked the Camino Francés and 190,307 who walked the Camino Portugués. Actual figures may be higher as the Pilgrim Office only records details of those who claim a Compostela at the end of their Camino.
Camino Inglés from A Coruña
The distance from A Coruña to Santiago is around 45 miles (75 kms) which means that, on its own, it doesn’t qualify for the Compostela once you reach Santiago. However, you can walk the remaining 25 kms on an approved route such as one of the certified Celtic Caminos in Ireland or an approved British route.
You can find information on the Celtic Camino on the Camino Society of Ireland website and the British routes on the British Pilgrimage Trust website.
Camino Inglés from Ferrol
It’s roughly 71 miles (113 kms) from Ferrol to Santiago which means that, if you choose this route, you’ll be eligible for the Compostela.
I walked from Ferrol but will be returning to Galicia to walk the route from A Coruña, hopefully sooner rather than later!
Camino lingo you need to know before you go
Before you set off on your Camino you should get to grips with some of the Camino lingo that you’ll encounter along the way.
Albergue: These are hostels specifically for pilgrims. There are two types – municipal and private. Municipal albergues are the cheapest but are only for use by pilgrims so you’ll need to show your credencial to stay in one. They can’t be booked in advance which is one reason so many pilgrims set off early each day. Private albergues are slightly more expensive but are open to anyone and can be booked in advance.
Buen Camino: This is the pilgrim’s greeting, and you’ll find yourself saying it a lot over the course of your journey. It simply means Good Way or Good Journey in Spanish.
Compostela: This is the certificate that confirms that you’ve officially completed your pilgrimage. To be eligible to receive the Compostela pilgrims have to walk at least 100 kms (or travel 200 kms by bicycle). The final stage must include at least the last one leading to the cathedral.
Credencial: Also known at the Pilgrim Passport, this is the official document that shows you’re a pilgrim and entitles you to receive your Compostela at the end.
Sello: These are the stamps you collect in your credencial. You can get them in lots of places along the Camino including accommodation, bars and restaurants, tourist offices, and churches. You must get a minimum of two stamps per day to be able to receive your Compostela.
Ultreia: Another pilgrim’s greeting it goes beyond a simple ‘Buen Camino’ offering encouragement to fellow pilgrims.
Six day Camino Inglés itinerary from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela
This post is an overview of my six day walk from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela but daily posts packed with more details are on their way. In these I’ll share more information on where I stayed, any bars, cafés and restaurants that I’d recommend, plus any sightseeing hints and tips for along the way.
Day 1: Ferrol to Neda
Start: Hostal La Frontera, Ferrol
End: La Casa de Carmen, Neda
Distance: 11.01 miles (17.72 kms)
The Camino Inglés from Ferrol officially starts at the way marker in front of the Tourist Information Office. Christine and I had called into the office the day before to buy our credencials and the woman there let us know that there was a way marker directly in front of our hotel so we could start there without having to backtrack to the official starting point which saved us some extra miles!
After our first Camino breakfast in Ferrol’s old town we were off. It was a cool and cloudy start to the day which was a flat route along the estuary out of Ferrol – the hills come later in the week! After a few hours walking we reached a dual way marker – should we take the shorter route or the alternative longer route? Of course it had to be the longer route – when I’m on the Camino I have real FOMO and don’t want to miss out on anything! It was a good choice with the road going further around the estuary and past an old water mill. Definitely worth the extra distance.
Reaching Narón we stopped for a picnic lunch by the water. The sun was out by now and we knew that we weren’t too far from where we were staying for the night so were happy to take our time and enjoy the views.
Passing over the bridge to Neda we wandered through the town which was pretty lively for a Sunday afternoon as there was a festival taking place.
Our accommodation was just outside of Neda but, conveniently, right on the route. After a relaxing afternoon we headed to the only bar/restaurant in the area for dinner before retiring early ready for day two.
More about day one from Ferrol to Neda coming soon!
Day 2: Neda to Pontedeume
Start: La Casa de Carmen, Neda
End: Hotel Eumesa, Pontedeume
Distance: 9.30 miles (14.97 kms)
It was another cloudy day when we set off but unlike day one the sun never materialised which did, at least, mean that we had pleasant cool conditions for walking.
Much of the way was on paved roads through small towns and, just like on day one, after a few hours on the road we reached a junction with two way markers. Again, we picked the alternative longer path. We knew we only had a fairly short walk today so could afford to pick up some extra steps. It was definitely the right choice as it was a lovely walk through eucalyptus forests (and the hills were a taste of things to come!).
As it was too early to check into our hotel we decided to take a detour to Praia da Madalena which is just before the bridge to Pontedeume. In the planning stages we’d hoped for some time on the beach, enjoying the sun and possibly having lunch in one of the chiringuitos there. Unfortunately the weather gods weren’t on our side and although we sat on the beach there was no sun worshipping or even paddling in the sea!
As we crossed to Pontedeume we were confronted with fairground rides right outside our hotel. It was festival time in town – would we be in for a sleepless night?!
We spent the afternoon exploring the town including a stroll around the estuary and a visit to Torreón de Andrade before enjoying a riverside beer followed by a delicious pasta dinner at Trattoria del Norte. Then it was in with the earplugs and off to bed while the rest of Pontedeume got ready to party through the night!!
More about day two from Neda to Pontedeume coming soon!
Day 3: Pontedeume to Betanzos
Start: Hotel Eumesa, Pontedeume
End: Apartamento San Roque, Betanzos
Distance: 13.30 miles (21.40 kms)
We did have a surprisingly rested night despite the fiesta outside the hotel and as we left the hotel at 8am many of the locals were only just heading home!
The path out of Pontedeume is steep so it was a slow start to the day as we slogged our way uphill and out of the town. There’s a mirador at the top of the first hill where we got our breath back while admiring the view – any excuse for a rest!
It was another cloudy day and the forecast was for rain later so we were keen to push on and get as many miles under our belts as we could before the rain came.
We stopped for coffee at Ultreia et Suseia, a popular pilgrim rest stop, and, just as we were getting ready to leave, it started to rain. We were probably about halfway through our walk at this stage so it was on with the poncho and head down against the torrents.
To be fair, when Christine and I walked both the Camino Portugués Coastal route and the last 100 kms of the Camino Francés we had more wet days than dry ones so we’re old hands at this now!
It’s a shame that the weather was so bad as we missed out on a beach break at Miño and instead just kept plodding on barely looking up to admire the scenery!
As we got closer to Betanzos the rain did let up a little but it was a relief to reach our apartment for a hot shower and to dry our wet gear.
We only ventured out later as far as the local supermarket – sightseeing in Betanzos will have to wait for another time!
More about day three from Pontedeume to Betanzos coming soon!
Day 4: Betanzos to Abegondo
Start: Apartamento San Roque, Betanzos
End: Beche EcoCamp, Abegondo
Distance: 10.56 miles (16.99 kms)
Thankfully the rain stopped overnight and, although there was yet another steep climb to get us out of town, it was a lovely start to the day. The sun filtered through the trees as we walked through more eucalyptus forests and the early morning mist was still lifting. Mornings like these make up some of my favourite Camino moments.
This was a shorter day with a lot of the route being on dirt tracks through forests where horse chestnuts lay thick on the ground.
Much of the route today reminded me of walking the Central route of the Camino Portugués, albeit with a lot more hills!
We reached Abegondo by around 1pm and had a few hours to wait until our lodge was ready.
As well as the accommodation at Beche EcoCamp there’s also a restaurant, cafeteria and rest area which was full of pilgrims making the most of the sunshine for a break.
Most pilgrims carry on until Hospital de Bruma but accommodation is limited there which is why we opted to stay in Abegondo. It was a good move as we got to stay in a lakeside lodge.
After checking in we had lunch in the restaurant and then took a stroll around the lake before enjoying the solitude as night fell – there are only four lodges on site so, if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, this is a good choice.
More about day four from Betanzos to Abegondo coming soon!
Day 5: Abegondo to Sigüeiro
Start: Beche EcoCamp, Abegondo
End: Duplex Camino Inglés, Sigüeiro
Distance: 20.73 miles (33.36 kms)
Waking up to see the morning mist hanging low over the lake next to our lodge was a perfect start to the day.
We knew that today was going to be a real test as it was the longest we’d walked in a day on any of the Caminos we’d done together.
There was a climb at the start of the day although we were getting used to them by this stage! We stopped at Casa Avelina for coffee and a sandwich to take with us (we’d just had breakfast and didn’t want a second one quite so soon) before hitting the road again.
The two routes of the Camino Inglés merge just before Hospital de Bruma but, as we’d stayed off stage, we barely saw another soul for most of the day which, for me, was perfect and reminded me of my first Camino when I saw hardly anyone for the first week from Porto until I reached Tui where it did get a little busier.
Although it was a long day it was through the most beautiful Galician countryside – on gravel paths through farmland (sweetcorn seems to be the crop of choice here), and along forest trails where the trees formed a canopy to protect us from the heat of the sun. Even when the route took us alongside the motorway we were protected from the traffic by a barrier of trees and hedges.
Reaching Sigüeiro we wanted nothing more than to get our shoes off and relax but, panic alert, our bags hadn’t been delivered! It turns out that there are two apartments with the same name in town. Thankfully Pilbeo dealt with it quickly and we were reunited with our bags.
We were so exhausted we simply showered, ate the sandwiches we’d bought that morning, and went to bed. Camino life can be pretty tiring!!
More about day five from Abegondo to Sigüeiro coming soon!
Day 6: Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela
Start: Duplex Camino Inglés, Sigüeiro
End: Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 9.73 miles (15.66 kms)
Our last day and, thankfully after yesterday’s epic walk, just a short one to Santiago. After breakfast we set off for the final stretch. At the start of the day the way is mostly on paved roads through farmland and small villages before we reached the enchanted forest where we stopped for coffee accompanied by the sound of traditional Galician bagpipes.
Leaving the forest it’s only a few miles to the outskirts of Santiago. The Camino Inglés is really well signposted and I’d rarely had to check the Camino Ninja app since leaving Ferrol. However, once we hit the busier streets of Santiago we had to keep our wits about us checking for yellow arrows and yes, we did miss one or two and have to backtrack!
Just like on the Camino Francés, you reach Plaza del Obradoiro on the Inglés by walking through the archway where you’re welcomed by a bagpiper.
When we reached the cathedral it was rammed with pilgrims and tourists – I’ve never seen it so busy before!
We took plenty of photos and then sat back to reflect on our journey of the last six days and watch the excitement of the new pilgrims arriving in the square.
We were too early to check into our hotel so, even before we went to collect our Compostela, we headed to our favourite vegetarian restaurant, A Corre Vexeta. It’s on our list of things to do every time we reach Santiago!
More about day six from Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela coming soon!
If you only have time to walk for a week then the Camino Inglés makes a great alternative to the last 100 kms of either the Camino Portugués or Camino Francés. It’s much quieter although there are still enough pilgrims on the way if you’re hoping to meet and walk with others along the way.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and it’s inspired you to walk the Camino yourself. If you have any questions you can pop a comment below.
Buen Camino!
Follow my Camino Inglés adventure:
Day 1 – Ferrol to Neda (coming soon)
Day 2 – Neda to Pontedeume (coming soon)
Day 3 – Pontedeume to Betanzos (coming soon)
Day 4 – Betanzos to Abegondo (coming soon)
Day 5 – Abegondo to Sigüeiro (coming soon)
Day 6 – Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela (coming soon)
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I like that the Camino Ingles is a road less travelled, although it certainly doesn’t seem to be less charming. The route looked lovely, even in the rain. The Camino terminology and practicalities were really useful here. Looking forward to reading more about the details of your journey and seeing more of the delightful scenery.
I always enjoy your Camino posts that detail your journeys and the scenery along the way. I’ve never been drawn to do a Camino before reading about your adventures, but I have since done a fair amount of research. This one is particularly interesting, as it’s a less-travelled route that looks particularly rewarding. I look forward to reading more details.
Well done to you and Christine for a walk well traveled. Day 5 sounds like a bit of a challenge. A longer day always scares me more because a) I’m slow and b) I take wrong turns too often, so it ends up feeling even longer. But to show up and worry your bags didn’t make it adds some extra stress. The route sounds good overall though, and the lack of warm weather would be perfect for me, I hate the heat. Love that you started this off with explanation of the requirements and terminology. I do like that this route sounds way less busy, maybe makes it more enjoyable. The eucalyptus forests sound divine