ChildAid.ie – Camino Ingles (English Way) Walking Diary
in memory of Paula Dundon
Start Date minus 1
Arrive at Santiago Airport, and transport to Ferrol your start point. That evening we had a recce of the start point and dinner, all within the surrounding area of our accommodation.
Day 1 Ferrol to Neda
The distance is part of a gradual build up, so we have only a walk of 16.4K Approx., pending on your accommodation location. The walk is mostly through urban areas, some low to medium gradient hills. There were no cafes to be seen open, but maybe the reason was it was a Sunday morning, you will meet other pilgrims along this route as with all the other legs. The time was roughly around three and a half hours, and that is taking your time, and not too hard on the average fit body.
Day 2 Neda to Pontedume
We set off shortly after 0900hrs on our 13.3k walk and within a couple of hundred meters we were into the country side and tackling quite a steep hill, but the scenery made up for it, in the higher we went up. For most of this route we were on road, in the last few kilometers there is a lovely cafe where one can have a snack and refreshments before you head into the lively town of Pontedume. Our accommodation was on the far side of the town but on route. Getting there took a good final effort with quite a steep hill that could be best described as Patrick’s Hill Cork only three to four times longer. But at least we did not have to tackle this first thing the next morning. The little hotel we stayed in while outside the town was charming in its own way. The owner here is a nice guy and the rooms are comfortable, if you are into egg and chips you’re in luck. Just before the hotel there is a steep hill
Day 3 Pontedume to Betanzos
Starting out again after a hardy breakfast of eggs and toast for this hike of about 23k, again it was around 0900hrs not putting ourselves under any pressure time wise. After a few hundred meters we were back on route and tackling our first of many steep hills that day. This leg is mostly all in rural and forest and does require a basic fitness level in order to complete it comfortably. When we arrived in Betanzos it was around 1345hrs. It’s an old town built on a hill with a lot of monuments to take in if you so wish. Here we were staying in a hostel, basic but clean and comfortable. A lot of cafes and bars here, so keep in mind there is a long hike the next day.
Day 4 Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma
A hundred meters or so of this 28.5k leg we found a café were we could have a basic breakfast. The rain was quite heavy that morning and we were immediately into a steep climb out of the town, we could see other pilgrims here feeling the pain some needing encouragement from their companions. The rain had stopped about an hour into it so that was a relief, but be in no doubt this is a hard day, a lot of steep hills in rural and forest terrain. Most groups will space out here and people will be left alone in their own thoughts, but remember to look out for the blue and yellow Camino signs pointing you on the right road. Very little cafes here except in the last 3k so make sure to pack water and a snack. Hospital de Bruma is like a cross roads in the middle of nowhere, there is a hostel here in the immediate vicinity but were staying a few kilometers away, not to worry though no more walking as the hotel car will pick you up once it is arranged. The hotel here is actually a fully functional 3 star hotel so while the rooms are basic they are comfortable with a choice of menu.
Day 5 Hospital de Bruma to Sigueiro
After a good breakfast we set out at 0900hrs to face into this 25k leg, soon we were in a forest making our way back on route, remember here to keep going straight until you meet a small bridge going over a stream, take the right here and soon your back on your merry way. Again it’s urban with quite a few steep hills. There is cafes here about 8 and 15 k out. For the last 10k you hug but NOT on the motorway. The rain came down heavy at this stage and the phrase Drowned Rats comes into mind by the time we reached the town of Sigueiro. Here again we stayed in a hostel, basic but comfortable and in the center of the town with plenty of bars and restaurants.
This Guy didn’t make it.
Day 6 Sigueiro to Cathedral o f Santiago de Compostela
The last leg has arrived and the rain having stopped, we were all in good form facing into the final 16.5k, after about 2k we were out of the town and tracking along the borders of cornfields. After the cornfields you go into a forest track and several Kilometers in there is a large restaurant catering for all the pilgrims passing. There is music here and in the restaurant there is kind of a celebrating mood among every one, as everybody now knows they are in reach of their objective. In the last 5k you walk through a mixture of industrial and urban areas, till finally you get sight of the magnificent spirals of the Cathedral towering above the skyline. Its gets crowed here with pilgrims coming from all different routes heading onto the same Objective, the main square of the Cathedral. There is a good party atmosphere here, with music and smiles from the four corners of the world celebrating their achievement.
Suspicious Sightings in the last forest.
Review of the Overall Hike
Do not be of the opinion that you are either too young or too old for this, you will meet people from the four corners of the world along your route, a mixture of both male and female, young and old. You decide to make it as religious as you wish or just a walking holiday. To the people who consider themselves very fit I would say at times you will be challenged, especially if you decide to speed things up. To the people who consider themselves average I would say you will enjoy the most and find it hard but doable. To the people who know they are not fit or have a heart condition, you will need to see a doctor first and get the go ahead as you will be very physically challenged. But overall once you bring well broke in hiking shoes or runners and good wet gear pending of time of year, it is very enjoyable and quite memorable and you will have a sense of achievement no matter what your fitness level is.
So come and join us for a challenging but a great 7 days, make new friends that will last a lifetime, as the pilgrims say to each other on route “BUEN CAMINO”
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