The “Walk to the End of the World”

Our European Premiere provided us with the perfect excuse to find ourselves back on the Camino during the week prior to the big event. The Camino worked its magic from the very beginning as a group of seven special women decided to make the journey to Spain to walk the Camino Finisterre – Muxia … or the “Walk to the End of the World” as it is affectionally known in Galicia. Similar to our first tour, this second tour group was not only an experience of a lifetime for our group, but also a significant fundraising event for the film. Led by our fearless leaders, Lydia Smith and Sally Bentley, we this time joined forces with Carpe Diem Galicia and the partnership of Sienna Reynaga and Iván Leis as our tour organizers. The Camino Finisterre-Muxia is a special walk in that it is the only officially recognized Camino that starts, instead of ending, in Santiago de Compostela. While more than 250,000 pilgrims walked to Santiago on the Camino, only 20,000 walked to Finisterre and Muxía. For this reason, we wanted to dedicate this “Special Edition” Tour Newsletter to this lesser known Camino and provide those of you who have asked us for more information and are considering this walk some ideas as you plan your way.

The enormous difference in number of walkers is immediately felt the moment you set foot from the Cathedral’s steps. You feel the path has been less trodden on and services like cafes and accommodation are found fewer and far between. There are days we experienced where we only saw one or two options for rest, and so we had to test ourselves by planning ahead with picnics, snacks, and lots of waters.

While many decide to make this 118km (73 miles) trek in only four days, we decided to take our time and walk an average of 20km (12 miles) each day. This allowed us the opportunity to literally smell the roses as Galicia was in full bloom. Our first two nights in Negreira took us to two distinct, but equally beautiful houses – Casa Gasamans and Casa de Bola. Casa Gasamans the ideal destination for those seeking a full-service lodging alternative, and Casa de Bola for those seeking privacy in the luxury of a restored private home.

With our stops located right in the middle of the traditional pilgrim stops in the towns of Olveiroa, Dumbria, and Cee, we decided to spend our second two nights at the Cabañas de Lires and Casa Jesus. The Cabañas are literally cabins and fit perfectly in this wooded area of the walk between Finisterre and Muxia. These properties are also great options for breaking up the 28km between the two final towns.

For our final stop, we stayed at the picturesque Casa de Trillo, a property recognized throughout the region as the standard for rural luxury. Also a member of the Slow Food movement, Casa de Trillo is a great destination even if you get there by bus or taxi and want to take an extra day or two just to relax and take it all in.

Eating divine … there are not any bad options along this walk. Our own trip was as much a celebration of the Camino as it was of the gastronomy and culture of Northern Galicia.  If you find yourself passing by the likes of restaurants like Restaurante Ponte Maceira or Casa Suarez, stop!!!  It will be worth your while.

The Camino’s spirit is defined by collaboration and community no matter if you start your walk out on your own or with a group, as we walked. There is no pilgrim that defined that more on that trip than Perry Vieito of the Albergue San Jose in Negreira. If you need a tip about where to stay, what to do, and local history, find the albergue and mention you are a supporter of Walking the Camino and he, like all of these beautiful places and people, will point you in the right direction.