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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Is there an official 100km starting point @ Ferreiros?

LisaSC

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2107 - Camino De Santiago
Hi All

I'm looking for some help please if possible
As an upcoming first time Camino go-er with limited time!

1. Is there an official 100km starting point at Ferrerios? I'm taking my Mother & we have 4 days of walking & want to start as close to 100km as possible (so not starting in Sarria). We're staying in Portomarin so think Ferrerios looks like the closest 100km marker but wonder if there's an official place we can get our passports stamped there?

2. Evening walk - we are planning to walk from Ferrerios to Portomarin on the evening we arrive to get 10km walked so we can walk the next 4 days (90km) stopping in all the places we'd like to stop in & this allows for do-able daily distances for my Mum. Just wondering please is it possible to walk 10km in the evening (at approx 7pm) & to get our passports stamped at this time for us to begin our journey? We plan to drop our luggage off at the hostel in Portomarin first then make our way to the starting point in Ferrerios (via taxi!) to walk back to Portomarin.

3. Taxi from Santiago Airport to Portomarin - as we plan to walk on the evening that we arrive, we don't have time to take the bus from Santiago to Portomarin. I'm thinking of a taxi instead. Can anyone recommend a reasonable taxi company for us to use please? I understand this sounds like a luxury but time is of the essence for us this day & ive planned this within our budget.

Thanks so much in advance.
Lisa xx
 
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Hello @LisaSC , first of all are you and your mother walking as pilgrimage and hoping to receive a compostela from the cathedral's Pilgrim Office at the end? If you are, do note that Ferrerios is less than 100km from Santiago, not much it is true, but unless you have walked the entire 100km you will not be entitled to receive the compostela. In addition you need two stamps for every day of the 100 kms, but this is easily done as your accommodation provider and a nearby bar/cafe on the first night will stamp your passports. If you do not want a compostela just ignore the above. I am not sure whether walking 10km after travelling and starting after 7pm is practical, but you know your own capabilities. I assume that you are staying in private accommodation because starting at 7pm you would definitely arrive too late for an albergue's regulations which usually stipulate lights out no later 10pm.. As to taxis, I am certain that others on the forum with the relevant knowledge will respond to your post. You have certainly set yourself a very tight schedule but I wish you both well. Buen Camino!
 
Hello @LisaSC , first of all are you and your mother walking as pilgrimage and hoping to receive a compostela from the cathedral's Pilgrim Office at the end? If you are, do note that Ferrerios is less than 100km from Santiago, not much it is true, but unless you have walked the entire 100km you will not be entitled to receive the compostela. In addition you need two stamps for every day of the 100 kms, but this is easily done as your accommodation provider and a nearby bar/cafe on the first night will stamp your passports. If you do not want a compostela just ignore the above. I am not sure whether walking 10km after travelling and starting after 7pm is practical, but you know your own capabilities. I assume that you are staying in private accommodation because starting at 7pm you would definitely arrive too late for an albergue's regulations which usually stipulate lights out no later 10pm.. As to taxis, I am certain that others on the forum with the relevant knowledge will respond to your post. You have certainly set yourself a very tight schedule but I wish you both well. Buen Camino!

Thanks so much for the reply @SEB.
Yes we definitely want to receive a compostela so I guess we will have to go a little further back from Ferrerios, do you know if there's an official 100km marker anywhere near there so we can ensure that we get our compostela. We have booked into private accommodation for that evening so we're sorted like that & we feel we'll be ok to walk a short distance that evening but it's just a case of figuring out exactly where to start & somewhere that we can get our passports stamped twice!! Thanks so much again
 
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Hi All

I'm looking for some help please if possible
As an upcoming first time Camino go-er with limited time!

1. Is there an official 100km starting point at Ferrerios? I'm taking my Mother & we have 4 days of walking & want to start as close to 100km as possible (so not starting in Sarria). We're staying in Portomarin so think Ferrerios looks like the closest 100km marker but wonder if there's an official place we can get our passports stamped there?

2. Evening walk - we are planning to walk from Ferrerios to Portomarin on the evening we arrive to get 10km walked so we can walk the next 4 days (90km) stopping in all the places we'd like to stop in & this allows for do-able daily distances for my Mum. Just wondering please is it possible to walk 10km in the evening (at approx 7pm) & to get our passports stamped at this time for us to begin our journey? We plan to drop our luggage off at the hostel in Portomarin first then make our way to the starting point in Ferrerios (via taxi!) to walk back to Portomarin.

3. Taxi from Santiago Airport to Portomarin - as we plan to walk on the evening that we arrive, we don't have time to take the bus from Santiago to Portomarin. I'm thinking of a taxi instead. Can anyone recommend a reasonable taxi company for us to use please? I understand this sounds like a luxury but time is of the essence for us this day & ive planned this within our budget.

Thanks so much in advance.
Lisa xx
Hi, Lisa,

Why complicating? Just take the bus from Santiago airport to Sarria with change in Lugo. Or Bus to Curtis and train to Sarria.
Plus you will be on a safe side for obtaining Compostela if starting in Sarria :) If you don't have time constraints of course.
You can send luggage to Ivar in SdC: http://www.casaivar.com/luggage-storage-in-santiago-de-compostela/index.html

Anyway Buen Camino!

PS (I don't believe there's anyone that will stamp your Credencial exactly at 100km marker...)
 
Hi All

I'm looking for some help please if possible
As an upcoming first time Camino go-er with limited time!

1. Is there an official 100km starting point at Ferrerios? I'm taking my Mother & we have 4 days of walking & want to start as close to 100km as possible (so not starting in Sarria). We're staying in Portomarin so think Ferrerios looks like the closest 100km marker but wonder if there's an official place we can get our passports stamped there?

2. Evening walk - we are planning to walk from Ferrerios to Portomarin on the evening we arrive to get 10km walked so we can walk the next 4 days (90km) stopping in all the places we'd like to stop in & this allows for do-able daily distances for my Mum. Just wondering please is it possible to walk 10km in the evening (at approx 7pm) & to get our passports stamped at this time for us to begin our journey? We plan to drop our luggage off at the hostel in Portomarin first then make our way to the starting point in Ferrerios (via taxi!) to walk back to Portomarin.

3. Taxi from Santiago Airport to Portomarin - as we plan to walk on the evening that we arrive, we don't have time to take the bus from Santiago to Portomarin. I'm thinking of a taxi instead. Can anyone recommend a reasonable taxi company for us to use please? I understand this sounds like a luxury but time is of the essence for us this day & ive planned this within our budget.

Thanks so much in advance.
Lisa xx

Lisa this is all doable but I'd be concerned about starting to walk at 7pm (or later if you have any delays en route). That part of the Camino from memory goes through farms and woods, and could become tricky as the light fades. I don't think you mention the time of year, but even assuming mid-summer it would likely be dark before you reached your destination - I found we didn't cover as many km per hour on this sort of terrain, especially any muddy or rocky parts. The last bit into Portomarín has some steep and potentially slippery downhill sections which I think would be dangerous even in twilight, more so if dark. Is there any possible way you could stretch your time and get an extra day? Or look at places between the main stopping points in the guide books, and divide your route differently. If you start fresh the next morning from Morgade having stayed there overnight you could walk past Portomarín to somewhere within your walking ability, and so on the next day.
 
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Apologies @LisaSC , you are quite right @falcon269 as can be seen from the above posts. When I first checked the distance given was 99.3 kms and I was concerned that the missing 0.7kms might give you problems, but I consulted the Brierley guide which confirmed that you are okay. @GettingThere makes an important point about the entry into Portomarin in evening light. Perhaps if things get difficult on your way from Ferreiros to Portomarin you could phone for a taxi to take you to your hotel, then taxi back in the morning to start walking from wher he picked you up. Many people make these kind of arrangements. I am sure your hotel owner will have a list of reliable companies.
Buen camino!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hi All

I'm looking for some help please if possible
As an upcoming first time Camino go-er with limited time!

1. Is there an official 100km starting point at Ferrerios? I'm taking my Mother & we have 4 days of walking & want to start as close to 100km as possible (so not starting in Sarria). We're staying in Portomarin so think Ferrerios looks like the closest 100km marker but wonder if there's an official place we can get our passports stamped there?

2. Evening walk - we are planning to walk from Ferrerios to Portomarin on the evening we arrive to get 10km walked so we can walk the next 4 days (90km) stopping in all the places we'd like to stop in & this allows for do-able daily distances for my Mum. Just wondering please is it possible to walk 10km in the evening (at approx 7pm) & to get our passports stamped at this time for us to begin our journey? We plan to drop our luggage off at the hostel in Portomarin first then make our way to the starting point in Ferrerios (via taxi!) to walk back to Portomarin.

3. Taxi from Santiago Airport to Portomarin - as we plan to walk on the evening that we arrive, we don't have time to take the bus from Santiago to Portomarin. I'm thinking of a taxi instead. Can anyone recommend a reasonable taxi company for us to use please? I understand this sounds like a luxury but time is of the essence for us this day & ive planned this within our budget.

Thanks so much in advance.
Lisa xx
Hi Lisa , you want to walk in the evening .
My question is during what periode off the year.?
Wish you well,Peter.
 
There is no "official" 100K "starting point" anywhere -- the 100K waymarker on the Francès is as ordinary as all the others, and the sleepy pueblo it's located in has nothing more exotic than a bar where you might take a cool beer.

Your true starting and destination point is anyway always one and the same : home. Zero kilometers, the long way 'round :p
 
In addition you need two stamps for every day of the 100 kms

This is very important for those doing a shorter Camino -- do not neglect it -- the 100 kilometers thing is a tolerance for those with lesser time, not the condition for the pilgrimage itself.

Those scruffy and dusty foot-men with mega-credenciales starting from hundreds or thousands of kilometres away can fudge this rule with the Pilgrim Office (though our credenciales are carefully scrutinised too) ; those starting closer to home should observe it quite religiously.
 
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if things get difficult on your way from Ferreiros to Portomarin you could phone for a taxi to take you to your hotel,
Unless you have the phone number of a taxi company in Portomarin, and can describe in Spanish your pickup location, I think you will find summoning a taxi from this stretch quite difficult. The albergues at Mercadoiro or Vilacha are pretty much your only options for getting help with the call.
 
We used Jacotrans to arrange a pickup at the airport and delivery to Sarria. It worked out great for our family of 5. This would be faster than a bus, but more expensive. Sunset is not until around 10:00PM, but that seems to be cutting it tight with a 7:00PM start time.
 
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I think I'm going to be hated for this suggestion but you could cheat just a little. Start in Sarria and get stamped there and somewhere else before Ferreiros. And then start your walk. Yep, for the first few kilometers be taxigrinos. You will not have walked as far as it would indicate on the credential but you still would have walked the 100km for a valid compostella. This would save you time arguing any points about the validity of your start point at the pilgrims' office.
 
The Cathedral authorities ruled some years ago that you must walk AT LEAST 100 kilometers to qualify for the Compostela. Actually trying to split hairs by starting literally at an "official starting point" defeats the intention and the purpose. IMHO, it is also snarky and not in keeping with the spirit of the thing.

Remember, if you do not walk an officially sanctioned and acknowledged 100 km final km into Santiago, you are not a pilgrim, at least not according to the few rules that DO exist.

(EDIT MADE BY OP)

While there IS (or was) a 99.8 km mojone / marker near the albergue / cafe at Morgade, it is NOT 100 km. Be warned ahead of time, and do not be disappointed if your definition of 100 km does not comply with the officially sanctioned distances.

BTW, I start my month-long stint doing Compostelas at the Pilgrim Office late next week. The computers at the Pilgrim Office contain tables that show the approved distance from every known place to Santiago, along every route. I intend to have a close look at this issue then.

Personally, I would be circumspect and careful about relying on mojone or mileage marker placement. Across Galicia, they have been moved in recent years. Walking a few extra km might be in your best interests, just to be certain.

Bottom line, and in my opinion, just walk the extra three hours from Sarria, or the extra 90 minutes from Tui. The scenery is beautiful and the grande coffees at Morgade are positively HUGE. The last time I was there, the large coffee was served in a what I called a cereal bowl.

I am depressed...:( When questions like this start cropping up, we are on a slippery slope to just putting a vending machine / kiosk in Santiago and allowing anyone to buy a Compostela...sigh...

I consider that I am standing for the integrity of the Camino. We have precious few rules. Trying to negotiate, rationalize, shave, or nit-pick the few rules we have, is IMHO just wrong.

I hope this helps.
 
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@t2andreo Are you sure about acknowledged starting points/routes? The pilgrims office website only states 'at least 100km' on foot without making any reference to which routes you can follow. Buen Camino, SY
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Hm, perhaps I just should try it out? Take the bus to 'somewhere' far away from any camino, but at least (but not much more) 100km distance from Santiago, walk there (getting 2 stamps a day obviously) and see if I get a Compostela? Buen Camino, SY
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
The 100 km used to be at Barbadello so that is where the Caracoles Group started their 17 day walk in 2013.

The route markers have been changed and the 100 + km mark is now at Ferreiros - as you leave the Casa the new marker is at the junction.

100.746km to be exact. That is where my family and I will start from next year when I walk with my son who is in a wheelchair and my 9 year-old grand daughter.
 

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There is no "official" 100K "starting point" anywhere
Oh, but I think there are "official" 100km starting points acknowledge by Pilgrim Office to get Compostela: Sarria (Frances), Tui (Portugues), Ourense (Sanabres) Monforte de Lemos (Invierno), Lugo (Primitivo) and combination Fisterra+Muxia (or vice versa). At least that is what I have more than once been told by more experienced pilgrims.

EDIT: now I saw @t2andreo confirmed info I have.
 
Like @SYates I am surprised at the assertion by @t2andreo that the cathedral will only recognise certain starting towns or routes as valid. I've always been under the impression that the waymarked routes were a convenience and not an obligation for walking pilgrims. But I endorse the rest of his post wholeheartedly.

It's been like that at least since the 90s -- we used to complain or make jokes about it ; now we've basically just accepted the reality for what it is.

There must be some interesting discussions at the Pilgrim Office for those starting from just a bit further than 100k but not on one of the standard routes ...
 
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@t2andreo Are you sure about acknowledged starting points/routes? The pilgrims office website only states 'at least 100km' on foot without making any reference to which routes you can follow. Buen Camino, SY

I have a copy of the just adopted Processing Guidebook for English Speaking Volunteers. If you can get ahold of a copy, check pages 51-52 for an example of what I meant.

HOWEVER, I did edit my OP to tone it down... At least until I can get in front of the P/O computers and sort this question for myself.

We all know that, if Tui is 107 Km, and Sarria is 111 Km, or whatever, these are the traditional starting places. Human nature being what it is, someone is ALWAYS going to try to shave this to the merest meter.

Just as the Camino is not a bed race, or a race, per se, it is not a rigid competition, with measured distances to the centimeter. Reducing it to that, degrades the entire thing, again IMHO.

I hope this helps.

@t2andreo Are you sure about acknowledged starting points/routes? The pilgrims office website only states 'at least 100km' on foot without making any reference to which routes you can follow. Buen Camino, SY

If you can obtain a copy of the ACC Guidelines for Pilgrim Processing, check pages 51-52. I was trying to save just those pages as a pdf, no joy.

Anyway, the pages show the computer screen for a portion of the Camino Frances. EVERY point where someone might obtain a sello is listed, together with a kilometer distance to the Cathedral in Santiago.

So, and using that limited example, there are km listings if you started at Saint Jean Pied de Port, Hunto, Orisson, Roncevalles, ... and so on, all the way to Santiago.

Given this, it IS possible that someone has thought of this and that there IS a point West of Sarria that is already charted and shown as being over 100 Km. However, I am not yet aware of that. But, I certainly will check it out next week.

I edited my OP above, to be less categorical...
@t2andreo Are you sure about acknowledged starting points/routes? The pilgrims office website only states 'at least 100km' on foot without making any reference to which routes you can follow. Buen Camino, SY
 
Like @SYates I am surprised at the assertion by @t2andreo that the cathedral will only recognise certain starting towns or routes as valid. I've always been under the impression that the waymarked routes were a convenience and not an obligation for walking pilgrims. But I endorse the rest of his post wholeheartedly.

This assertion was corrected by me as I need additional information.
 
You do not qualify for a compostela, but that does not mean you are not a pilgrim.;) Lots of pilgrims do not get compostelas, notably those who do partial stages.

I was implying the official, rule driven, designation. In any event, this assertion was corrected by me as I need additional information.
 
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Taxi Companies that can pick you up from the airport and take you to Ferreiros:-
In Ferreiros you can get your credentials stamped at either Casa Cruceiros or O Mirallos. 7pm is very late to start walking, the descent in to Portomarin is steep and will slow you down. Ferreiros to Portomarin is about 8.3k.
There is a new albergue just opened in Portomarin called Pasino a Pasino (http://pasinapasin.es/) which I have not stayed but looks nice on the website. If not O Mirador is a handy option and does breakfast which not many places in Portomarin do.
 
Taxi Companies that can pick you up from the airport and take you to Ferreiros:-
In Ferreiros you can get your credentials stamped at either Casa Cruceiros or O Mirallos. 7pm is very late to start walking, the descent in to Portomarin is steep and will slow you down. Ferreiros to Portomarin is about 8.3k.
There is a new albergue just opened in Portomarin called Pasino a Pasino (http://pasinapasin.es/) which I have not stayed but looks nice on the website. If not O Mirador is a handy option and does breakfast which not many places in Portomarin do.

How sad.
 
There was a thread recently about starting in Morgade - the OP emailed the pilgrim's office to ask about whether starting at Morgade would allow them to get a compostela, and the answer was yes - why don't you email and ask about starting at Ferreiros?

Here's the link to that thread... https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ng-in-morgade-vs-barbadelo.43873/#post-458543

Starting from Morgade, you will definitely qualify for yout compostela - because a friend of mine did. Although the stamp at Morgade reads 99.something km and she was worried she might not get her compostela, I showed her the post in the thread above, which she screen-shotted on her phone, but she didn't need it when she arrived at the Pilgrim's Office.

But to be sure, email and check. Buen Camino!
 
Last edited:
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hi All

I'm looking for some help please if possible
As an upcoming first time Camino go-er with limited time!

1. Is there an official 100km starting point at Ferrerios? I'm taking my Mother & we have 4 days of walking & want to start as close to 100km as possible (so not starting in Sarria). We're staying in Portomarin so think Ferrerios looks like the closest 100km marker but wonder if there's an official place we can get our passports stamped there?

2. Evening walk - we are planning to walk from Ferrerios to Portomarin on the evening we arrive to get 10km walked so we can walk the next 4 days (90km) stopping in all the places we'd like to stop in & this allows for do-able daily distances for my Mum. Just wondering please is it possible to walk 10km in the evening (at approx 7pm) & to get our passports stamped at this time for us to begin our journey? We plan to drop our luggage off at the hostel in Portomarin first then make our way to the starting point in Ferrerios (via taxi!) to walk back to Portomarin.

3. Taxi from Santiago Airport to Portomarin - as we plan to walk on the evening that we arrive, we don't have time to take the bus from Santiago to Portomarin. I'm thinking of a taxi instead. Can anyone recommend a reasonable taxi company for us to use please? I understand this sounds like a luxury but time is of the essence for us this day & ive planned this within our budget.

Thanks so much in advance.
Lisa xx
In our haste and excitement to start our Camino, we managed to forget to have our pilgrim passports stamped at our pension in Sarria. Already prepared to taxi back to Sarria from Portomarin to obtain our stamps, we were very pleased to walk upon Casa Barbadelo and obtaining our stamp showing 108km. When getting my Compostela, I was asked if I started in Sarria or Barbadelo, and I explained what happened. No problem obtaining the Compostela. Buen Camino!
 

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