Camino Inglés

For centuries, pilgrims from Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, and the Baltic lands sailed into the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña, disembarking to complete their journey to Santiago on foot. The Camino Inglés preserves this maritime pilgrimage tradition - a shorter but meaningful path through the green valleys of Galicia.

📜 History & Significance

The English Way takes its name from the many pilgrims who arrived from the British Isles, though sailors and travelers from across northern Europe used these Galician ports. In the 12th and 13th centuries, fleets carrying pilgrims regularly departed from English ports like Bristol, Southampton, and London, making the sea voyage before walking the final stretch to Santiago.

The route saw particularly heavy traffic during the Middle Ages, when maritime travel offered a safer alternative to crossing war-torn France. English kings granted special privileges to pilgrims, and the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña grew wealthy serving the needs of arriving travelers.

🥾 Route Overview

The Camino Inglés from Ferrol covers 119 km to Santiago de Compostela, typically completed in 5-6 days of walking. This is the minimum distance from Ferrol needed to receive the Compostela certificate. An alternative starting point in A Coruña offers a 75 km route, though this shorter distance no longer qualifies for the Compostela on its own.

From Ferrol, the route heads south through the towns of Neda, Pontedeume, and Betanzos before climbing into the Galician interior. The path joins the route from A Coruña at Bruma for the final approach to Santiago through rolling eucalyptus forests and small villages.

☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites

The medieval towns along the route preserve their pilgrimage heritage in stone. Pontedeume's Gothic bridge once collected tolls from passing pilgrims, while the Church of Santiago in Betanzos displays carved pilgrims among its remarkable medieval sculptures.

The route offers a gentler introduction to Galician pilgrimage culture, passing through quiet villages and rural landscapes before the towers of Santiago's cathedral appear on the horizon.