Spain
Ruta del Cantábrico
Rugged coastlines, spectacular rock formations, coves, craggy inlets and sandy beaches in abundance is on offer on the Ruta Natural del Cantábrico (Cantabrian Sea Nature Trail). Add in rolling countryside, seldomly visited fishing villages and historical towns as well as everything else Galicia has to offers. Ruta Natural del Cantábrico, is fantastic coast walking lovers like me – without as much inland walking as one finds on the Camino del Norte.
In May 2024 over 10 days, ca. 250ms, I continued along the coast from Ribadeo towards A Coruna. I followed the Cantabrian Sea Nature Trail from Ribadeo to Ortigueira, Costa Galega, between Ortigueira and Ferrol, Camino Ingles between Ferrol and Mino and then backroads to A Coruna.
Under one I have called them the Ruta Natural del Cantábrico, after the largest portion of the walk. The whole route lies very close to the Ruta do Mar, an historical Camino following roughly the same route to Ferrol.
Ruta del Cantábrico
Camino del Norte
Rugged coastlines, spectacular rock formations after millions of years of seas beating against them, rolling countryside and the fantastic regions of Asturias and Cantabria.
In April 2024, over 14 days, I walked the Camino del Norte from Santander to Ribadeo, where pilgrims on their way to Santiago start walking inland, away from the coast. Instead, I continued along the coast towards A Coruna.
It was a beautiful walk, perhaps more inland than I had hoped, but also visiting the beautiful towns of Santillana del Mar, Comillas, Gijon and Cudillero, amongst others.
I plan to wal from Irun to Santander during autum 2024.
Camino del Norte
Lighthouse Way
O Camiño dos Faros or The Lighthouse Way, is a 200-km hiking route in Galicia (Spain) that links Malpica with Finisterre primarily along the coast. The route takes you past by all the Lighthouses the help ships on their way past this rugged coastline. The coast, known as A Costa da Morte (Death Coast), due to the many shipwrecks that have taken place over the years, is spectacular, to say the least. One walks past grand cliffs, sweeping sandy beaches, lonely capes and iconic lighthouses as well as landmarks from a time when this coast, with its fierce tides and dangerous shoals was rightly respected by mariners and feared by their loved ones at home.
I walked the 200km path in reverse, starting in Cee, 20kms before Finisterre, and taking a shortcut one of the stages (so it would fit my schedule and accommodation possibilities).
Lighthouse Way
Camino Portugues
For 26 days (incl. 3 rest days) during February and August 2023, I walked ca. 650 kms along the Camino Portugues, starting just outside Lisbon and ending in Santiago de Compostela. From Porto I took the coastal route to Caminha and walked inland to Valenca, crossing the International Bridge into Tui, Spain.
I stopped over in Pontevedra, before taking the Spiritual Variant and the boat trip from Vilanova de Arousa, before taking the last stage to Santiago de Compostela.
Camino Portugues (Portugal and Spain)
Spiritual Variant from Pontevedra
From Pontevedra I took the 2-3 day Spanish Variant, passing the very impressive Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio, the beautiful coastal village of Combarro, before passing over a mountain to Armenteira and the monastery Mosteiro de Santa MarÃa da Armenteira.
The next morning I set of for the coastal port of Vilanova de Arousa following the beautiful Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua (The stone and water route) passing 51 ancient mills and cascades.
The next morning I sailed to Pontecesures, passing 12 crosses showing the way to Santiago. The route is believed to be the route that the boat carrying St. James’ body and his disciples followed in AD44.
In Padron I rejoined to Camino Portugues.
Spiritual Variant