Among the growing network of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Inglés—or English Way—has quietly gained prominence. In 2024, over 28,000 walkers chose it, making it the fourth most-traveled Jacobean route. Though once overshadowed by longer, more iconic paths, the English Way is experiencing a resurgence, driven by its compact scale, strong infrastructure, and a compelling historical narrative that stretches well beyond Spain’s borders.
Shorter and less crowded than the better-known Camino Francés, the English Way typically takes five to six days from Ferrol, or three to four from A Coruña. It is well signposted, offers adequate accommodations, and crosses a landscape rich in Atlantic character—wooded valleys, stone villages, medieval ports, and Romanesque churches. But what sets it apart is its origin story: this is a path that began at sea.
A Route That Begins Beyond Spain
In the medieval period, thousands of pilgrims from northern Europe—particularly England, Ireland, and the Low Countries—traveled by ship to Galicia. Their aim was the same as today’s pilgrims: to reach the shrine of Santiago. But rather than setting out on foot from their homes, they crossed the Bay of Biscay by sea, arriving at the Galician ports of Ferrol or A Coruña. From there, they continued overland to Compostela.
A “stout” tradition: Guinness on the Celtic Camino to Santiago
The name “English Way” is not a symbolic label. It reflects a long-standing maritime practice of pilgrimage, with physical traces still visible in port towns, coastal churches, and historical pilgrim hospitals. Some of this legacy is now being recovered. In places such as Dublin and Durham, new Jacobean markers and sculptures are reconnecting these distant locations with the Camino network, highlighting a shared historical memory between Galicia and the British Isles.
Lighthouses, Ports, and Atlantic Cities
A Coruña served for centuries as a gateway to Santiago. The city’s Roman lighthouse—the Tower of Hercules—is still in operation and likely guided medieval ships bearing pilgrims. Ferrol, though better known today for its naval shipyards, also played a key role. Pilgrims landed, disembarked, and began walking inland, passing through towns like Pontedeume, Miño, Betanzos, and Hospital de Bruma—the convergence point of the two modern branches.
Along the way, remnants of the medieval route remain visible: Romanesque chapels, castle ruins, ancient bridges, and former pilgrim shelters. The English Way is a condensed walk through layers of Galician history, offering an experience as architectural as it is natural.
Two Starting Points, One Shared Path
Today, pilgrims can begin in either Ferrol (113 km) or A Coruña (75 km). The two routes meet in Hospital de Bruma before continuing together toward Santiago.
- From Ferrol:
This is the more popular option, as it exceeds the 100 km required to obtain the Compostela certificate. The route follows the Ferrol estuary, passes through Pontedeume—with its notable medieval bridge—and enters Betanzos, one of Galicia’s most historically intact towns. The climb to Bruma is steep but rewarding, especially for those who detour through the Fragas do Eume natural park—one of Europe’s best-preserved Atlantic forests—and the remote medieval monastery of Caaveiro.
- From A Coruña:
This shorter, quieter route crosses rural paths through Cambre, Carral, and Culleredo. Though it falls short of the Compostela requirement unless extended, it offers a certificate of pilgrimage and a tranquil walking experience through lesser-visited landscapes. After merging with the Ferrol route in Bruma, the final stages cross eucalyptus forests and agricultural hamlets toward Santiago.
When to Walk
The English Way can be walked year-round. Spring and autumn offer the most favorable climate and scenery, but even in summer the trail remains manageable and relatively uncrowded compared to other routes. Most walkers complete it in less than a week, and the infrastructure—both public and private—is sufficient for a self-guided journey. Albergues, cafés, supply shops, and transport links to starting points are all in place.
Though the terrain is generally accessible, there are segments with challenging gradients, particularly between Betanzos and Bruma. Pilgrims seeking a gentle introduction to long-distance walking often find the English Way an ideal first experience.
A Coastal Pilgrimage with an Introspective Pace
Despite its growing popularity, the English Way has retained an atmosphere of calm and contemplation. With fewer crowds and a shorter duration, it offers space for reflection. Many walkers describe it as a more intimate route—better suited to quiet observation and personal rhythm. Its scale invites both first-time pilgrims and returning travelers in search of a different, less-traveled Galician experience.
Above all, the English Way remains a historical bridge—between regions, countries, and centuries. It recalls the thousands who once crossed seas to reach Santiago, and the Galician towns that received them. Today’s pilgrims may wear different footwear, but they follow the same impulse: to move with purpose through landscape and history.
To walk this route is to discover a different Galicia—one shaped by the Atlantic, marked by forested sanctuaries, and expressed in acts of hospitality rather than words. It is not simply a path to a destination, but a way of walking toward oneself.
