MoniRose said:
I think I understand that I can get a Compostela at both places, correct? And that the best advice, no matter which way I go, would be to bus back to Santiago.
Alos, what do you think would be the daily cost of the walk around? And how many days? Five? Six?
Thanks for all the help. - Monica :arrow:
When you arrive in Fisterra and Muxia you get a... certificate, if you want to call it that, that you completed the trek there (though I don't recall if they require proof that you walked it). Upon returning to Santiago you can probably get a Compostela there.
As for the 'daily cost' walking to Fisterra is divided into three stages: Santiago > Negreira ~23km; Negreira > Olveiroa ~35km; [fork in the road: left fork - Olveiroa > Fisterra ~30km (though Cee is 17km from Olveiroa if you wish to stop there) // or // right fork - Olveiroa > Muxia ~30km (Dumbria is 8km from Olveiroa along this route and a far classier albergue)]; and between Fisterra and Muxia you have 28km.
So technically speaking walking from Santiago to Fisterra is a 3 day trip with an additional day if you add Muxia, and a stop in Cee could make that 5 days. There are small albergues along the route between Negreira and Olveiroa if you want to split that walk up.
Further advice -
Negreira: the municipal albergue in Negreira is a little ways past town so I would advise making your food arrangements before setting out for it, if that is where you choose to stay. There are private accommodations in town but cost double the municipal's price. Food shouldn't be a problem here as Negreira has two grocery stores I saw and a sports bar with large portions (on your left as you enter the main street).
Olveiroa: The municipal is a refurbished old farming establishment (its not one albergue but rather a cluster of buildings). That being said it hasn't lost any of its rustic traits. If the local cattle are still thriving expect the noises and smells they come with, oh and the flies. The beds at the muni are first-come-first-serve as there is no hospitalero, you claim a bed and pay when the person arrives around 5PM. If you want to avoid that there is a private as you enter the town and a pension as you exit the town (the pension is rather costly as I recall). Also the village has little in terms of food. The private albergue has a threadbare shop, there is a 'restaurant' by the municipal that can run out of food fast, and the pension has a restaurant as well but it is a little more costly.
Dumbria: Amazing municipal albergue, town has a small shop with food and next door a restaurant/bar. Unlike all the other ACAG hostels in Galicia, the one in Dumbria has utensils in its kitchen AND shower curtains!
Fisterra: The municipal is rather cramped, but centrally located. There are probably a dozen other private albergues in Fisterra catering to all the tourists. There are two grocery stores in town that I know of, but if you don't want to cook in (it's hard to find time to do so in Fisterra) there are quite a lot of restaurants facing the port just a hop and a skip away from the municipal. Note: the lighthouse is an additional 3km from the municipal albergue (center of town) so you probably want to check in first before that small trek.
Cee, Fisterra, and Muxia are all seaside towns so seafood is primarily what you'll see on menus (finding non-seafood will be like Where's Waldo). Tossing that tid-bit out in case you don't like seafood.
And lastly, Galicia is a wet region, and this corner is no exception. If its not raining the fog may be rather thick. That being said, a poncho or some sort of rain gear is advised.