Camino Inglés: Ferrol to Santiago
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Camino holiday on Mooch, route by route.
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Following the English Way from Ferrol
English and Irish pilgrims traditionally arrived by sea at the port towns of northern Galicia, and this walk follows their route. The Camino Inglés runs from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela, which is just over 100km on the map. It's possible to walk it and receive your pilgrim certificate within a week. There's also an option to start from A Coruña. The route is quieter than other Camino routes, so it makes a good alternative if you'd rather avoid the busier French Way.
The walk starts on the coast and follows the rugged, hilly shoreline before moving inland into green, wooded countryside. It's mostly uphill, on quiet country roads and through forests.
Viewpoints, woodland and estuaries
From the Mirador de la Ermita you get the best view back over the beaches of Ferrol. Near Pontedeume the route goes through the Fragas do Eume natural park, where the main thing you'll notice is the silence among the trees. Around Betanzos you can look out over the Rías Altas estuaries that surround the town, a distinctive sight in this part of Galicia.
Betanzos, Magdalena and the chapels along the way
Walking through the medieval village of Betanzos feels like going back in time, with its marketplace up on the hill, its white glass façades and its red-tiled roofs. You can stop for a glass of local wine in its rustic bars, which you can spot by the bay branch hanging over the door. In Ferrol you might come across a Holy Week procession, or civil servants handing out free rice pudding, the dessert the town is known for. The village of Magdalena has a number of mural paintings.
There are plenty of small medieval-style chapels along the route. They're worth a detour for the same spiritual quiet that pilgrims heading for Santiago have looked for over the centuries.
What the trip includes
The holiday includes bed and breakfast in hand-picked accommodation, a holiday or pilgrim pack, 24/7 on-call support and a virtual face-to-face briefing before you leave. Luggage transfers between hotels are an optional extra and aren't included in the starting price.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Camino. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
