Requirement for Compostela Certificate if not ending in Santiago

[sdesantis]

Hi. I will be walking the Camino in May of this year and my friends and I want to walk from Arzua to Finesterre -- 82 miles. We will not be going to Muxia. If we end this way, are we still able to get our Compostela Certificate in Santiago?

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi. I will be walking the Camino in May of this year and my friends and I want to walk from Arzua to Finesterre -- 82 miles. We will not be going to Muxia. If we end this way, are we still able to get our Compostela Certificate in Santiago?

Short answer, no. The Compostela is awardable to those who walk 100km to Santiago by a recognized route.

The Compostela: accreditation of the pilgrimage to Santiago

The “Compostela“, the accreditation of the pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. James.

oficinadelperegrino.com

 

[Bradypus]

Short answer, no. The Compostela is awardable to those who walk 100km to Santiago by a recognized route.

Slightly longer version: at least the final 100km to Santiago by a recognized route. Adding km by walking beyond Santiago doesn't count towards the minimum distance rule. Arzua is well within the 100km radius.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Hi. I will be walking the Camino in May of this year and my friends and I want to walk from Arzua to Finesterre -- 82 miles. We will not be going to Muxia. If we end this way, are we still able to get our Compostela Certificate in Santiago?

If getting a Compostela is an important component of your Camino, why not simply change your route? There are a number of excellent choices for you that would qualify for the certificate. Then, if time permits, head to Finisterre even if only by bus.

 

[sdesantis]

Ok. Thanks so much. Looking a new route now. We have 8 days so trying to fit as much of the beauty in as possible and get some time by the water.

 

[J Willhaus]

Maybe consider the Camino Ingles?

 

[Grousedoctor]

Although the water would be on the front end of your Camino, I’d suggest that you consider the Inglés. Visit A Coruña and then move on to Ferrol where your Camino would begin. After a couple days on the coast, walk the Inglés to Santiago. Although we walked the Inglés in six days, it could easily be done in five staying within your timeframe and qualifying you for your Compostela upon reaching Santiago.

 

[Vacajoe]

Or decide whether the Compestela is that important to you. You certainly can do your original walk as planned without the need for validation from the Catholic Church (and I say this as a practicing Catholic). If your desired path is NOT a pilgrimage to Santiago, there really is no need to up-end it by trying to adjust to an artificial construct of a starting point 100km from what will not be your destination.

 

[Albertagirl]

If you are not going to Santiago, you might consider the consequences of whether or not to get a Credencial de Peregrino. There are many hostels which do not require one in order to stay there, but the donativo hostels only accept pilgrims to Santiago to spend a night in them, and a pilgrim must present a Credencial to be stamped in order to stay there. I am not suggesting that you get one, but rather that you plan your accommodation along your route so as to find alternate accommodation.

 

[Tincatinker]

Ok. Thanks so much. Looking a new route now. We have 8 days so trying to fit as much of the beauty in as possible and get some time by the water.

Consider https://www.caminodosfaros.com/en/

 

[Eamonrodden]

Hi. I will be walking the Camino in May of this year and my friends and I want to walk from Arzua to Finesterre -- 82 miles. We will not be going to Muxia. If we end this way, are we still able to get our Compostela Certificate in Santiago?

Don’t think so, but there is a special competela for Finnisterra

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Muxia to Finisterre to Santiago is a qualifying route.

 

[David Tallan]

If you are not going to Santiago, you might consider the consequences of whether or not to get a Credencial de Peregrino. There are many hostels which do not require one in order to stay there, but the donativo hostels only accept pilgrims to Santiago to spend a night in them, and a pilgrim must present a Credencial to be stamped in order to stay there. I am not suggesting that you get one, but rather that you plan your accommodation along your route so as to find alternate accommodation.

Although, to be fair, OP was talking about walking along a Camino path through Santiago and on to Finisterre/Muxia. Many pilgrims do that and I think continuing on westward after Santiago doesn't make the use of a credencial illegitimate.

Whether one should use a credencial if walking, for example, from Le Puy to SJPP with no intention of carrying on to Santiago (perhaps because one has previously walked that stretch) is a question raised by your post, but perhaps better left for another thread.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

You could try this Camino if you have 8 days and you like the sea: https://caminoriamurosnoia.gal/

A caution, if you want a Compostela then you need to walk both arms along the coast and both of them need to be walked towards Santiago.

There is an older discussion about this new and scenic Camino here https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...a-ria-muros-noia-newly-approved-camino.76714/