Can I stay in albergues if I start the Camino backwards?

[rasvizvi]

Hello!

Long story short, my best friend is finishing Camino del Norte and I am going to meet him in Santiago.

I would love to walk with him from Santiago, on the reversed Camino to Finisterre.

My question is: if I get a pilgrimage passport from Santiago, will the albergues on the road to Finisterre host me or will there be a problem because I'm doing it in reverse?


I can only find info about people who did Reversed Camino routes AFTER they finished a 'normal' Camino.

I really want to see this friend and have this experience with him, but right now it's not the time for me to do a Camino and we also wouldn't be able to meet anymore if he has to wait for me to do a Camino.

 

[mspath]

The route goes towards Finisterre and Muxia from Santiago. You will not be going backwards at all. A regular Credential will be fine. If you walk all the way upon arrival in Finisterre you both can request the ‘Fisterrá’ or ‘Finisterrana’ certificate from the local pilgrim albergue.

Buen camino!

PS. Before leaving Santiago visit the Oficina de Turismo de Galicia, Praza de Mararelos, 15. They can supply much useful info re your walk.

​

 

[Saint Mike II]

From what I have read here - going back a few years - a pilgrim is a pilgrim is a pilgrim. Often pilgrims who decide to walk to Finisterre or Muxica will have a new, blank passport. So I shouldn't think there will be a problem.

 

[rasvizvi]

Thank you all, hey if I would tell you the whole story maybe you'd understand why I'm doing it like this.

I have no doubt I'll do a proper Camino one day, it's just not the right time now.

thank you for answering ^^

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Thank you all!



Hey, if I would tell you the whole story maybe you'd understand why I'm doing it like this.

I have no doubt I'll do a proper Camino one day, it's just not the right time now.

thank you for answering ^^

You are basically correct, most pilgrims walk towards Santiago but the Muxia/Finisterre walk is considered an extension of the walk towards Santiago and so is not considered to be walking backwards. Therefore, if you walk this stretch then you will be a regular pilgrim rather than a reverse pilgrim.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Whilst I would not call this a "reverse" Camino, the general answer to the question is yes ; though I personally have found that it's easier to do so if you are walking with your Compostela certificate.

Hospitaleros typically affect that it makes no difference, but truth is that it does.

 

[trecile]

Whilst I would not call this a "reverse" Camino, the general answer to the question is yes ; though I personally have found that it's easier to do so if you are walking with your Compostela certificate.

Hospitaleros typically affect that it makes no difference, but truth is that it does.

I've never had a hospitalero ask to see a Compostela on the way to Finisterre or Muxía.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I've never had a hospitalero ask to see a Compostela on the way to Finisterre or Muxía.

Which is not a "reverse" Camino. Well, unless you live there or something.

I never said it was any sort of requirement, I just said that it does make a difference, in the reverse Caminos of the thread title.

 

[kiwicat]

Thank you all!



Hey, if I would tell you the whole story maybe you'd understand why I'm doing it like this.

I have no doubt I'll do a proper Camino one day, it's just not the right time now.

thank you for answering ^^

Most people walk that route FROM Santiago de Compostela so i don't see that there is anything "reverse" about what you are planning. Enjoy that walk!

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Hello!

Long story short, my best friend is finishing Camino del Norte and I am going to meet him in Santiago.

I would love to walk with him from Santiago, on the reversed Camino to Finisterre.

My question is: if I get a pilgrimage passport from Santiago, will the albergues on the road to Finisterre host me or will there be a problem because I'm doing it in reverse?


I can only find info about people who did Reversed Camino routes AFTER they finished a 'normal' Camino.

I really want to see this friend and have this experience with him, but right now it's not the time for me to do a Camino and we also wouldn't be able to meet anymore if he has to wait for me to do a Camino.

It is a different and enjoyable walk. We did not have accomodations problems in 2018.

 

[txpeah]

In 2019 after completing the Primitivo, I walked from Finisterre to Santiago with a friend and no one questioned it. It was actually interesting to see all the pilgrims walking towards us each day.

So yes, one can walk in reverse.

 

[WGroleau]

I've never had a hospitalero ask to see a Compostela on the way to Finisterre or Muxía.

I biked rom Santiago to See, back to Hospital (for something I had forgotten), on to Fisterra, up to Maxi, and back to Santiago. Didn't have a Compostela or credential and wasn't asked. I put sellos in my diary along with notes on the events/sites/facilities along the way.