English Way from Ferrol
The same 100 km and the same Compostela as Sarria, with a tenth of the pilgrims. If crowding is what makes you hesitate about walking the Camino, this is the answer.
- Distance
- 118 km
- Duration
- 5 days
- Route
- English Way
- Starts in 2025
- —
Figure checked Pilgrim Office, January–July 2026.
How the stages are usually split
There is no official split. These are the ones actually used, depending on the days you have.
In 5 stages, the classic split
| Stage | Section | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrol → Pontedeume | 29,5 km |
| 2 | Pontedeume → Betanzos | 20,5 km |
| 3 | Betanzos → Bruma | 28,0 km |
| 4 | Bruma → Sigüeiro | 24,5 km |
| 5 | Sigüeiro → Santiago | 16,0 km |
| Total | 118,5 km |
In 6 stages, splitting the first
| Stage | Section | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrol → Neda | 14,0 km |
| 2 | Neda → Pontedeume | 15,5 km |
| 3 | Pontedeume → Betanzos | 20,5 km |
| 4 | Betanzos → Bruma | 28,0 km |
| 5 | Bruma → Sigüeiro | 24,5 km |
| 6 | Sigüeiro → Santiago | 16,0 km |
| Total | 118,5 km |
Stage distances are general references. We have not recalculated them against the official track yet, which is why they are underlined.
Why Ferrol and not A Coruña
From Ferrol there are around 118 km to Santiago, above the Compostela minimum. From A Coruña there are about 75, so that start does not qualify on its own.
There is a historical exception for pilgrims who can show they arrived by sea from another country and walk the final 25 km from A Coruña. It does not apply to arriving by plane or car.
It is not as flat as it sounds
The highest point is only around 400 metres, which is why people label it easy. What a compressed profile does not show is that it is continuous short climbs, one valley after another, and the cumulative ascent over five days surprises people.
Betanzos to Bruma is the demanding one: 28 km with sustained climbing and a long stretch with almost no services.
Fewer people also means fewer services
This is the honest trade-off. On the Francés from Sarria there is a bar every few kilometres. Here there is not.
There are long stretches with nothing, and some albergues are small and fill up despite the route being quiet, simply because there are few beds. Off season, several close.
The practical rule: leave each morning with the day's water and food. The route is quiet, not improvisable.
Getting to Ferrol
Ferrol has rail and bus stations, under an hour from A Coruña. Santiago airport is about an hour and a half away and usually has more flights.
The usual combination: fly into Santiago, travel up to Ferrol, walk back and fly home from Santiago.
Common questions
Do you get the Compostela from Ferrol?
Yes, around 118 km, above the 100 km minimum. From A Coruña no.
Is it easier than the Camino Francés from Sarria?
Fewer people, but more cumulative ascent and considerably fewer services. Easy to organise, not exactly easy to walk.
Which is the hardest stage?
Betanzos to Bruma: 28 km with sustained climbing and a long stretch with nowhere to stop.