Finisterre in January?

[Peligro]

After lots of trips of between 2 to 8 days walking, I finally made it to Santiago last Sunday - what a delight! I'm already researching the Portuguese, Ingles, Primitivo, Via Francigena etc. as this slow Camino Frances has been as much fun as it has been life changing for me. I'm a pilgrim for life now!

Along the Way, I have walked from Logroño to Burgos and León to Sarria in January '18 and '19 respectively. Both times I have walked through snow, wind and rain, including the Altos de Mojapan & Pedraja in the snow and O Cebreiro in the wind, rain and fog. There were few pilgrims and finding albergues was a challenge a couple of times. But it was magnificent!

I am considering a January 2020 trip from Santiago to Finisterre to Muxia and back to Santiago. I like the additional challenges of January walking but I'm not crazy. Has anybody done this trip in the dead of winter? Will any albergues and bars be open? Will there be other pilgrims? Do I have the order right and is the walk from Muxia to Santiago pleasant and well marked?

As always, thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Peligro]

Anybody?

 

[LynnT]

We walked Santiago to Muxía in January 2010. The Xunta albergues were open, but I would check Gronze to see if any of the private albergues that have sprung up since then stay open in winter (it was a long way from Negreira to Olveiroa in the pouring rain). I walked to Muxía this past June and talked to a pilgrim who was walking back to Santiago - she said it had been very difficult to find the route walking in reverse. I wonder if walking back to Santiago from Finisterre might be better marked.

 

[Peligro]

We walked Santiago to Muxía in January 2010. The Xunta albergues were open, but I would check Gronze to see if any of the private albergues that have sprung up since then stay open in winter (it was a long way from Negreira to Olveiroa in the pouring rain). I walked to Muxía this past June and talked to a pilgrim who was walking back to Santiago - she said it had been very difficult to find the route walking in reverse. I wonder if walking back to Santiago from Finisterre might be better marked.

Thanks Lynn - I guess if the Xuntas are open I'll be ok. I'm trying to get a week of walking in so maybe I'll start in A Coruña, catch a bus from Muxia after Santiago and Finisterre, and not finish the loop.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Do I have the order right and is the walk from Muxia to Santiago pleasant and well marked?

In the previous threads about Muxia and Finisterre, I have seen someone comment that the route from Finisterre to Santiago is easier to follow than Muxia to Santiago. So perhaps counter-clockwise (Santiago-Muxia-Finisterre-Santiago) is the way to go. I'm sure you'll find the comments if you read the threads with titles like "Can I get a Compostela from Finisterre?"

 

[Peligro]

In the previous threads about Muxia and Finisterre, I have seen someone comment that the route from Finisterre to Santiago is easier to follow than Muxia to Santiago. So perhaps counter-clockwise (Santiago-Muxia-Finisterre-Santiago) is the way to go. I'm sure you'll find the comments if you read the threads with titles like "Can I get a Compostela from Finisterre?"

Thanks - I'll check it out!

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi @Peligro
Congratulations on finishing your Camino Francés. Isn’t it a great feeling?
Determination shows in those separate stages over several years. ( I see they were mainly in summer but a couple of Januarys in there too/thru snow ) Which season did you prefer?
Walking in January to the coast I’m pretty sure would be milder than your snowy stretches on the CF. My walk out there was in late June and weather was mild but still had rainy days.
I would still recommend going in your preferred direction (clockwise)... if you’re concerned about finding your way on the leg (Muxía -SdC). Think about adding maps.me to your phone and also tracks. Handy if you’re really lost.. but probably wouldn’t be needed much. .
buen camino
Annie

Ps: I really loved the stop at Lires (between Finisterre and Múxia).

 

[Davey Boyd]

In the previous threads about Muxia and Finisterre, I have seen someone comment that the route from Finisterre to Santiago is easier to follow than Muxia to Santiago. So perhaps counter-clockwise (Santiago-Muxia-Finisterre-Santiago) is the way to go. I'm sure you'll find the comments if you read the threads with titles like "Can I get a Compostela from Finisterre?"

Yes Raggy that may have been me. I have walked both directions a few times now, and always lose the markings between Muxia and Dumbria on the way to Santiago. Only in the villages though. Some of them are like mazes, and a not well marked towards Santiago. I think (if I remember right Quintans is bad for this). But, getting 'lost' in a village is not so bad, just infuriating at times!

Saying that, I still prefer Santiago - Finisterre - Muxia - Santiago, as you get that first view of the ocean that creeps up on you just before Cee. And that steep decent into Cee is not nice as a climb!

Davey

 

[Peligro]

Hi @Peligro
Which season did you prefer?

Summer is way more social, but my two January trips have been surreal at times like the whole world is on pause and I'm walking through it alone but alone in a good way. It sort of feels like having exclusive access to something amazing. The rain or snow and cold are bearable in a good way such that you know you are alive for sure - and the pulpo, chorizo, caldos and potajes are just that much better! I started with the January walks because it only takes 45,000 credit card miles on American to get there for free. I'm sitting at 46,000 miles right now so it looks like I'll be back! Thanks for the tips!

 

[Peligro]

Saying that, I still prefer Santiago - Finisterre - Muxia - Santiago, as you get that first view of the ocean that creeps up on you just before Cee. And that steep decent into Cee is not nice as a climb!

I'll add enough buffer to allow for getting a little turned around. I won't admit to getting lost, I'll call it exploring.

 

[Davey Boyd]

I'll add enough buffer to allow for getting a little turned around. I won't admit to getting lost, I'll call it exploring.

I call it 'exploring alternate possibilities'!