Camino Inglés (English Way) to Santiago de Compostela
The Camino Inglés (English Way) is the route of the pilgrims who came by sea: since the Middle Ages, English, Irish and Scottish pilgrims and travelers from northern Europe landed in the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña, in northern Galicia, and walked from there to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. From Ferrol it is about 120 km, usually walked in 5 or 6 days — one of the shortest routes that still earns the Compostela.
All the distances for the main routes in one place: How Many Miles Is the Camino de Santiago?
It is a quieter, less crowded route than the Camino Francés and the Camino Portugués, ideal for those with only a few days of vacation who still want to live the Camino de Santiago to the full: estuaries, medieval bridges, stone towns and the woods of inland Galicia. It is also one of the routes on which Ultreya Travel prepares self-guided itineraries.
Camino Inglés from Ferrol or A Coruña
The Camino Inglés has two historic starting points, which meet at Hospital de Bruma. The Ferrol branch, about 120 km long, is the most complete and meets the minimum distance for the Compostela. The A Coruña branch is about 75 km long and is the shorter option.
Where the Camino Inglés starts and ends
The most popular starting point is Ferrol, a port city in the far north of Galicia — but you can also start in A Coruña or in towns along the way, such as Pontedeume or Betanzos, shortening the walk without leaving the Camino Inglés.
They all converge on the same destination: Obradoiro Square, in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Main towns on the Camino Inglés — distance and days to Santiago
- Ferrol – about 120 km to Santiago – 5 to 6 days of walking (traditional start of the Camino Inglés)
- Pontedeume – about 90 km – 4 days
- Betanzos – about 70 km – 3 days
- A Coruña – about 75 km – 3 to 4 days (A Coruña branch, which joins at Hospital de Bruma)
- Hospital de Bruma – about 40 km – 2 days
- Sigüeiro – about 17 km – 1 day
- Santiago de Compostela – arrival
From Ferrol to Betanzos: estuaries, bridges and medieval towns
The journey begins in Ferrol, a city with a naval tradition, where so many pilgrims came ashore over the centuries. The first stage skirts the estuary, through Neda, to Pontedeume, with its medieval bridge and the tower of the Andrade family, the noble house that ruled the region.
“Whoever reaches Santiago on the Camino Inglés retraces, on foot, the last leg of a journey that began at sea — and discovers that the longest crossing is not always over the waves.”
From Pontedeume, the Camino continues between hills and small villages to Betanzos, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Galicia, with stone streets, arcaded squares and Gothic churches.
In Betanzos, the church of San Francisco holds the tomb of Fernán Pérez de Andrade, carried on the backs of a boar and a bear — one of the most curious medieval tombs in all of Galicia.
From Betanzos to Santiago: the green heart of Galicia
After Betanzos comes the most rural and peaceful stretch of the Camino Inglés, climbing inland to Hospital de Bruma, where the branch from A Coruña joins the one from Ferrol.
From there, the Camino crosses fields, woods and small hamlets to Sigüeiro, on the banks of the Tambre River.
“At Hospital de Bruma, the two paths that came from the sea meet — and from there to Santiago, all pilgrims walk together.”
The last stage, from Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela, is the shortest of the whole route — perfect for arriving rested and in time to enjoy the city.
On entering Santiago, the Camino Inglés pilgrim reaches Obradoiro Square, in front of the Cathedral, like every other Camino.
How long does the Camino Inglés take?
The Camino Inglés from Ferrol, about 120 km, takes 5 or 6 days of walking. Starting from A Coruña, you walk about 75 km, in 3 or 4 days.
Want to know how many days each route takes? See: How Long Does the Camino de Santiago Take?
The Camino Inglés with Ultreya Travel
You have just discovered the Camino Inglés, from the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña to Obradoiro Square. Ultreya Travel’s self-guided itineraries take you along the complete route from Ferrol — through Pontedeume, Betanzos, Hospital de Bruma and Sigüeiro to the Cathedral — curated by someone who has walked the Camino de Santiago 12 times.
You walk at your own pace, with accommodation booked on every stage, daily luggage transfers and 24/7 assistance throughout your journey.
Want to compare it with other routes? See all our Camino de Santiago tour packages on one page.
Camino Inglés from Ferrol — Self-Guided
From Ferrol to Santiago: about 120 km in five stages, on the route of the pilgrims who arrived by sea.
Frequently asked questions about the Camino Inglés
The Camino Inglés has two traditional starting points: Ferrol and A Coruña, two ports in northern Galicia where pilgrims arriving by sea came ashore. The two branches meet at Hospital de Bruma and continue together to Santiago.
From Ferrol it is about 120 km; from A Coruña, about 75 km.
From Ferrol, 5 or 6 days; from A Coruña, 3 or 4 days. It is one of the shortest routes of the Camino de Santiago — a good option for those with only a few days of vacation.
It is a route of moderate difficulty: stages are between 17 and 31 km, with some climbs, especially on the stretch from Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma. With basic preparation and good footwear, it is perfectly manageable for regular walkers — and the first, longest stage can be split in two.