The Camino Inglés from A Coruña is among the quietest routes in the entire Camino de Santiago network, despite being one of the oldest and most historically significant too. With only 74 kilometres to cover, it’s also the shortest, making it the ideal walking holiday for those with no time to spare. Here’s what the 6-day itinerary looks like:
Day 1: Arrive in A Coruña
Sitting on the northwestern coast of Spain, in the Galicia region, A Coruña is the easiest to reach from Santiago de Compostela, where most pilgrims fly into. From there, you can take a short bus or train ride, reaching the city in under an hour.
Your first day is the perfect chance to explore A Coruña, including the iconic Tower of Hercules, the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse still used for maritime signalling. Walk back into town along Orzán and Riazor beaches to the María Pita square, named after the woman who helped defend the city against Francis Drake’s fleet in 1589.
Day 2: A Coruña to Sergude (20 km)
The English Way route from A Coruña begins at the 12th-century Church of Santiago and follows the Avenida da Marina beneath the glazed galleries. After the suburbs comes O Burgo, with its estuary promenade, medieval bridge, Romanesque church and the historic Acea de Ama mills. The climb to the Alto de Peito is the tough part of the day but it rewards you with panoramic views across A Coruña and Ferrol, before reaching your refuge for the night at Sergude.
Day 3: Sergude to Hospital de Bruma (13 km)
The shortest and the quietest day of the route takes you through Abegondo and Carral, where houses are few. As you continue your climb to Mesón do Vento and the Ordes, you’ll start to notice more walkers joining in – those are the pilgrims who started their Camino Inglés from Ferrol, the longer version of this route. The finishing point, Hospital de Bruma, takes its name from a 12th-century pilgrim hospital.
Day 4: Hospital de Bruma to Sigüeiro (24.5 km)
Although this is the longest day, it’s easier than it sounds: mostly flat forest and farmland, with eucalyptus groves, tiny villages and empty lanes. Services are scarce until Sigüeiro, so carry food and water with you. Known for its pre-Roman castro, which you can visit on arrival, the town sits on the Tambre River and marks the final stage of the journey at the gates of Composela.
Day 5: Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela (16.6 km)
The final stage opens on the medieval bridge over the Tambre, which pilgrims have crossed at this spot for close to a thousand years. Quiet tracks follow, past an oak wood called the Enchanted Forest and the Englishman’s fountain, before you reach the infamous square or Obradoiro and end your journey at the spectacular Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Day 6: End of your trip
After your last night of the trip, day 6 is when pilgrims get to enjoy a few more hours in Santiago de Compostela before heading home, treating themselves to local delicacies and reflecting on their journeys.
A short but authentic Camino experience
The Camino Inglés from A Coruña only involved four days of actual walking, with two days dedicated to arrival and departure. However, regardless of its short length, this journey has everything you need for a true Camino experience, from fascinating history and picturesque landscapes to a sense of reward after a personal challenge.
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