Finisterre to Muxia
The perfect last day on the Camino
If you have some time at the end of your Camino, I highly recommend walking on to Finisterre and then to Muxía. The walk takes about 4 or 5 days and can bring a real sense of closure to your journey, as you make your way from Santiago to the Atlantic Ocean. But even if you don’t have an extra week, do make time for at least two days. Dont worry where you find those extra days—maybe walk a little faster, skip a rest day, or even take a bus and bypass a stretch like the approach into Burgos, but whatever you do, just allow yourself at least two days for Finisterre and Muxía at the end.
You can take a bus to either Finisterre or Muxia, then the next day walk the 29 km to the other, and the following day take the bus back to Santiago.
You can walk in either direction, but I recommend walking north from Finisterre to Muxía as ending your journey at the church in Muxía, dramatically located right on the edge of the rocks with waves crashing against them as the wild Atlantic stretches before you, feels like the perfect conclusion to the Camino.
A quick note for fans of The Way : this is the spot at the end, where Tom scatters Daniel’s ashes into the ocean.
There are buses to Finisterre or Muxía from Santiago’s main bus station approximately 3–4 times a day. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs around €7 each way. Monbus operate the service, and you can find schedules and book tickets on their website: www.monbus.es
So let’s get started.
29.3 km – Finisterre
Finisterre is a small coastal fishing town on the Costa de Morte (Coast of Death). The town is steeped in history and translates as the “End of the World,” where ancient pilgrims believed the earth ended and the vast ocean began.
The town is charming, with fish markets, boats lining the harbour, beautiful beaches and a laid-back atmosphere.
If you arrive early take time to visit the Lighthouse, it’s about a 3 km walk from the main town, up a steep hill and is an incredible place to watch the sunset.
Finisterre has plenty of great albergues, I really liked Albergue de Sonia and is also home to some incredible little seafood restaurants, and you absolutely can’t leave without trying the pulpo (octopus).
Finisterre is definitely a town that you could hang around in for a few days but we need to start our walk to Muxia.
The walk from Finisterre to Muxia is a mix of woodland paths and country roads, with a few ascents and occasional views of the Costa da Morte.
Services along the 29km stretch are scarce. Lires and Frixe both have bars and and Lires has a few guesthouses if you wish to split the walk into two days.
Between Finisterre and Muxía you will find plenty of markers, obviously pointing in both directions.
The hardest thing to do is find the start of the trail. Begin by locating the cruceiro (stone cross) that marks the end of the beach. Stay on the road as it curves left at the cruzeiro, then veer right and take the second street on the left (uphill), where you’ll spot the first waymarkers.
26.2 km – San Salvador
Continue to San Salvador along a paved road, from there it joins a gravel trail for most of the way, only joining paved surfaces when it passes through the small villages, continue through Hermedesuxo and Buxan, there is a small Donativo-based pilgrim pit stop here. There are no services, but there is an access road just before the hamlet that leads to a beach.
The Camino passes through the minuscule hamlets of Padrís and A Canosa.
20.7 km – Castrexe
After Castrexe, but before Padrís, there are arrows painted in RED which indicate a ‘coastal’ option to Muxía which turns left and follows the coast to Lires. This option adds 1.1km to the route but has fabulous views and the chance for a swim.
15.7 km – Lires
Lires is the halfway point and the only place between Finisterre and Muxía where you can expect to pick up supplies. There are also several Casa Rurals that offer accommodation.
Don´t forget to get a stamp here, at any of the bars as well as the little rest stop near the church.
13 km – Frixie
There is a bar, but you have to deviate from the Camino by a few hundred meters to get there.
The Camino passes through three more villages on the way to Muxía, Guisamonde, Morquintián, and Xurarantes. There is a small welcoming cafe in Morquintián too.
6.6 km – Monte Facho de Lourido
The highest climb of the day Monte Facho de Lorido, reaches 269 meters (833 feet) and has stunning views of the mountainous and hilly terrain you’ve covered. From there, a steep descent through forest trails leads you back down to the sea and onwards to Muxía.
0 km- Muxia
Muxía is a wonderful place to end your day’s walk and your Camino. The town is smaller and more off the beaten path than Finisterre, with a relaxed, spiritual vibe and the charm of a traditional fishing village rather than a commercial seaside resort. Take some time to visit the church on the rocks, where you can enjoy the amazing scenery and reflect on your journey. It’s a great spot to relax and watch the waves. Stick around to catch the sunset—it’s a beautiful way to wrap up your Camino experience.
There is good accommodation to be found in Muxia, I stayed at the fabulous Albergue Arribada located in the centre of the village, also check out Bela Muxia which has a great rooftop terrace and comes highly recommended.
Thanks, Muxia was incredible.🙌