Sea Road
Coastal route that unites Ribadeo and Ferrol, passing through the spectacular and wild north coast of Galicia, from the Lucene Coast to the Artabran Coast.
Organize your Sea RoadGeneral Description of Sea Road
The walker will discover the essence of the High Coast, starting with the famous Cathedral Beach in its early stages, passing through charming coastal villages such as San Cibrao, Viveiro or Cedeira. It is an alternative to the Camino del Norte interior, ideal for those seeking a deep connection with the sea, wild nature and unforgettable landscapes.
Connections of Sea Road
English: Camino English from Ferrol
Distance:
119 km
Days:
6
Difficulty:
Lower
The English Way is the route traditionally followed by northern European pilgrims, especially from the British Isles and Ireland, who arrived by sea to Ferrol and A Coruña ports. From Ferrol, the journey is 119 km, surpassing the minimum required for obtaining the Compostela. Both variants meet at Hospital de Bruma to continue together towards Santiago.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Ferrol to Pontedeume
Stage 2: Port of Pontevedra in Betanzos
Stage 3: Betanzos to Bromma
Stage 4: Frost on Sigüeiro
Stage 5: Follow the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Elevation Profile of Sea Road
Visualize the ups and downs of the route.
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Stages of Sea Road
Etapa 1: Ribadeo to San Cosme de Barreiros
Description:
This stage says goodbye to Portugal and enters Spain. The route is a pleasant descent into the valley of the Minho River. Arrival in Valença do Minho, with its impressive fortress, and crossing the in...
Origen: Ribadeo
Destino: San Cosme de Barreiros
Etapa 2: San Cosme de Barreiros to Fazouro
Description:
This stage enters Galicia, on a route that combines interior sections with spectacular views of Vigo Bay. It's a day of great beauty and physical demand. The arrival in Redondela, the town of viaducts...
Origen: San Cosme de Barreiros
Destino: Fazouro
Etapa 3: Fazouro to San Cibrao
Description:
This short and pleasant stage takes the pilgrim to the monumental city of Pontevedra. The route is a gentle ascent that moves away from Vigo's bay. Arrival in Pontevedra, with its impressive old town ...
Origen: Fazouro
Destino: San Cibrao
Etapa 4: San Cibrao to Viveiro
Description:
This stage continues through rural Galicia, on a route of great beauty and solitude. The path crosses a landscape of forests and vineyards, with spectacular views. It's a day to enjoy nature in its pu...
Origen: San Cibrao
Destino: Viveiro
Etapa 5: Viveiro to O Vicedo
Description:
This short and pleasant stage brings the pilgrim to the destination of Santiago. The route is a gentle stroll through rural Galicia. Arrival in Padrón, the cradle of Jacobean tradition, where accordin...
Etapa 6: O Vicedo to Porto de Espasante
Description:
The last stage. Emotion is the protagonist of this journey. The path crosses the last villages before arriving in Santiago. The entry into the city, the arrival at Plaza del Obradoiro and the hug to t...
Origen: O Vicedo
Destino: Porto de Espasante
Featured Towns of Sea Road
Explore the key towns and cities of this route.
Ribadeo
Entrance to Galicia on the North Way. Ribadeo, in the Eo estuary, is famous for its Indian houses and proximity to the spectacular Cathedral Beach.
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San Cosme de Barreiros
Heart of the municipality of Barreiros, famous for its beaches.
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O Vicedo
Marina in the Ria do Barqueiro estuary, bordering the province of A Coruña.
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Ferrol
Port city and starting point of the English Way. Ferrol offers the pilgrim a maritime route start, with a rich naval heritage and the charm of the Magdalena district.
More InformationMillenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution Sea Road
Discover the origins and evolution of Sea Road
Traditionally, entering Galicia by Ribadeo, the North Way diverges into the interior in search of the ancient episcopal seat of Mondoñedo. This historical decision had a compelling logic: it avoided an extremely rugged coastline and sought the safety and services of an important city. However, coastal towns like Viveiro, O Vicedo, Ortigueira, or Cedeira always remained connected to each other. Fishermen, merchants, and locals traversed a network of roads that bordered the coast. The modern Way of the Sea recovers and gives coherence to this ancient coastal route.
The Jacobean legitimacy of this route is based on several pillars. First, it is a logical connection between the North Way in Ribadeo and the start of the English Way in Ferrol. Second, the villages it passes through have a deep jacobean tradition, with numerous churches and chapels dedicated to the Apostle, and some of them, like Viveiro, were important ports in medieval times that could accommodate pilgrims arriving by sea.
The third and most singular pillar of its history is the inclusion of one of Galicia's most important and ancestral pilgrimages: the pilgrimage to San Andrés de Teixido. This sanctuary, nestled in a valley that overlooks some of Europe's highest cliffs, is a magical place, imbued with pre-Christian traditions. The popular Galician saying goes: "A San Andrés de Teixido vai de morto quen non foi de vivo" (San Andrés de Teixido goes from death to life who was not born alive), highlighting the importance almost obligatory of this pilgrimage for the Gallegos. The Way of the Sea integrates this ancestral destination naturally into the journey to Santiago, offering the pilgrim an experience of immense spiritual and cultural richness.
The route is demanding. From the famous Playa de las Catedrales in Ribadeo, the path advances westward, facing a broken profile. The most spectacular and difficult tramo is the passage through the Serra da Capelada, between Cedeira and Ortigueira, where the cliffs of Vixía Herbeira are located. The views of the ocean crashing against the rocks are unforgettable. After visiting San Andrés, the path continues along a equally savage coast until reaching Ferrol's ria, where the landscape softens and the pilgrim can prepare to begin the English Way.
The formalization of this route is a recent effort by local communities to show the world a natural and cultural heritage of first order. It is a solitary, windy, and natural path in its purest form, a challenge for experienced pilgrims seeking an alternative to the interior and a deep connection with authentic Galicia.