camino ingles – january 2015 stages, etc

camino ingles – january 2015 stages, etc

February 3, 2015, 1:14 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: camino, Camino de Santiago, Camino Ingles, pilgrimage, spain, stages, travel writing, walking

We spent five days walking from Ferrol to Santiago from January 6th.

We took the evening flight from Heathrow to A Coruna with Vueling.  We stayed overnight in Hostal Mara.

We got the first bus the next morning to Ferrol and began walking using the CSJ Guide.  This is very helpful, especially with accommodation options, background information, etc.  The route is very well marked – you can walk it without consulting the directions in the Guide.

The distances it gives seemed about right and tallied with the gps distances people have given on the Camino de Santiago Forum.  Roland and I are used to walking.  This is not a difficult route.  It is varied and extremely enjoyable.

Our stages were:

Ferrol – Pontedeume.  About 18 miles.  We stayed in the albergue.  It has no source of heating but has blankets.  Some people have reported it being hard to get into.  We rang the number (different for weekends/festas) and weekdays and the hospitalero came straight away to let us in.  It would be possible to walk across the bridge from Ferrol to Fene and cut most of the mileage of this day off.

Pontedeume – Betanzos. About 14 miles.  Albergue again.  This is manned at the times listed.  Heated.

Betanzos – Hospital de Bruma.  About 18 miles.  This has the most substantial climbing on the route.  We did it in good weather and it was far less difficult than I had expected (I have climbed it twice before on the different route from Coruna.  I think that route is harder, but that stage is much longer and I walked in a storm).  If you are reasonably fit, you will be able to do it.

In winter, do not count on the bars in villages being open.  Carry some food instead.

We stayed in the albegue.  Heating and blankets.  Benino, the hospitalero, ordered us food from a restaurant.  He also offered to take us to a supermarket if we wanted.

Bruma to Sigueiro.  About 14 miles.  We stayed in the new Hotel Sigueiro Hostal.  €46 for two of us including breakfast.  This is quite upmarket and is very good.  Hostal Mara is closed.  I am not sure if this is for refurbishment or is permanent.  Mass was earlier in the evening than the time listed in the Guide, so you may want to check – I suspect the priest changes it periodically.

Sigueiro to Santiago. About 10 miles.  The route is much better since it was changed a few years ago to keep it away from the main road.

This is a great little Camino.  Let me know if you have any questions.

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