CONTENTS
Overview map
Spanish caminos map
Map key
Route summary tables
Introduction
The story of Saint James
The Camino Inglés and Ruta do Mar: yesterday and today
Galician history and culture
Choosing your camino
When to go
Preparation and planning
Being a pilgrim
Getting there and back
Equipment
Accommodation
Food
Postal services
Telephones
Other local facilities
Waymarking, route-planning, and maps
Using this guide
The Camino Inglés
Stage 1 Ferrol to Pontedeume
Stage 2 Pontedeume to Betanzos
Stage 3 Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma
Stage 4 Hospital de Bruma to Sigüeiro
Stage 5 Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela
Alternative start A Coruña to Hospital de Bruma
The Ruta do Mar
Stage 1 Ribadeo to Praia das Catedrais
Stage 2 Praia das Catedrais to Foz
Stage 3 Foz to San Cibrao
Stage 4 San Cibrao to Viveiro
Stage 5 Viveiro to Cuiña
Stage 6 Cuiña to Teixido
Stage 7 Teixido to Xubia
The Camino Finisterre
Stage 1 Santiago de Compostela to Negreira
Stage 2 Negreira to Olveiroa
Stage 3 Olveiroa to Finisterre
Appendix A Useful sources of information
Appendix B English–Spanish–Gallego glossary
Appendix C Suggestions for further reading
Waymarking, route-planning, and maps
With occasional exceptions, the waymarking on the Camino Inglés is reliable. Trusty yellow arrows (flechas amarillas) painted on trees, signs, rocks, and other physical landmarks guide you through the countryside and most towns. Throughout Galicia, concrete markers complement the arrows, appearing regularly. With this reassurance, you should not have to clutch this book tightly each step of the way, nor should you count on it for turn-by-turn directions in all places. (The lone major exception is leaving A Coruña, where waymarks are supremely limited.)
Camino waymarking (photo: Joe Williams)
Shell waymarking on the Camino Inglés
By contrast, waymarking is highly inconsistent on the Ruta do Mar. The Camino Cantábrico sections are excellent and clear, while many portions of the local pilgrimage route to San Andrés de Teixido are quite good. The yellow arrows on the Mar specifically, however, are hit-or-miss. We encourage having access to gps tracks (available for download on the Cicerone site) while walking here, but if not some book-clutching is indeed appropriate.
Bear in mind that route changes are commonplace; indeed, significant portions of the Camino Inglés were re-routed in 2016–17. You may encounter waymarks that lead you in an unexpected direction. Study them carefully, evaluate your options, and make an informed choice. It is always wise to seek updated information from the hospitaleros.
The most useful single overview map of Galicia is the Michelin ‘Spain: Northwest, Galicia’ roadmap, which scales the region to 1:400,000. That’s helpful for seeing the big picture, but not as useful for turn-by-turn navigation. The Spanish Mapas Militares (Serie L) are the best bet for more detailed route-finding assistance, designed on a 1:50,000 scale. The downside is that this is a much more expensive option, requiring you to purchase many individual map sheets to fully cover your route. The Mapas Militares are available from The Map Shop in the UK and can be ordered online.
Ferrol in the morning (Inglés, Stage 1)
GPX
GPX tracks for the routes in this guidebook are available to download free at www.cicerone.co.uk/1006/GPX. A GPS device is an excellent aid to navigation and recommended, but you should also carry a map and compass and know how to use them. GPX files are provided in good faith, but neither the author nor the publisher accept responsibility for their accuracy.