Camiño dos Faros
5 stages along the Costa da Morte from ◆Laxe to Fisterre◆ with luggage transfer between accommodations | Difficulty: ▲▲▲△△
Camiño dos Faros: Laxe ▸ Fisterra
5 stages | 7 days
Camiño dos Faros
▸ Includes 7 nights’ accommodation in hotels and apartments, on a bed and breakfast basis.
▸ 6 end-to-end walking stages, with luggage transfers.
breakfast included
with luggage transfers
stages of 18–30 km per day
from 1 April to 15 October
full itinerary: 126,2 Km
total ascent: △ 2526 mts
total descent: ▽ 2504 mts
Customised app
Offline GPS navigation
Relevant information
STAGES | ACCOMMODATION:
Arrival in Santiago de Compostela ↦ transfer to Laxe
Laxe ▸ Arou
Arou ▸ Camariñas
Camariñas ▸ Muxía
Muxía ▸ Lires
Lires ▸ Fisterra
Departure day ↦ optional transfer to Santiago or extended stay
EXTRA DAY: in Santiago de Compostela
Make the most of the end of your trip by spending an extra day in Santiago de Compostela. A cosmopolitan city that exudes culture from every pore and is brimming with a great atmosphere. The ideal place to savour Galicia’s excellent cuisine after five days on the road.
- night in Santiago ▸ Hotel Lux (or similar)
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
This programme is for you if you are in excellent physical condition; if you can cover steep slopes and have no vertigo or health problems; if you regularly do long walks and consider yourself a good sportsman, love nature and are respectful of the environment. Some sections of the Camiño dos Faros may cause vertigo, but there are alternative routes to avoid them.
See more details at:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FLEXIBLE PROGRAMME: you can rearrange the stages in order to fit days off in between them. We adapt it to your wishes.
PLEASE NOTE: The multi-stage tour along the Camiño dos Faros requires a good level of fitness, steady footwork and lack of vertigo..
Marked trails & GPX files and app
luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
point-to-point routes
luggage transfers
We’ll transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next so you can travel light
accommodation
small, charming hotels and unique accommodation in prime locations, with breakfast included
stages
CAMIÑO DOS FAROS – WALKING FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL
There are paths that lead not to any sacred city, but to the very edge of the world. The Camiño dos Faros is one of them.
Along two hundred kilometres of Atlantic coastline, between Malpica de Bergantiños and Finisterre, Galicia reveals its most primal soul: the brutal and beautiful encounter between land and ocean. Here there is no cathedral awaiting the traveller, but something older than any stone carved by human hands — the eternal roar of the sea against the cliffs, the wind that carries the salt and wipes away thoughts, the light of the lighthouses flickering in the night like a solitary heartbeat.
The Costa da Morte did not get its name by chance. For centuries, these reefs devoured ships and sailors with the sea’s haughty indifference. To walk along its paths is to tread upon the memory of shipwrecks, upon the silence of those who never returned. But death here is not dark: it is green, violent and wild, covered in flowering gorse and mosses that grow where nothing ought to grow.Fishing villages appear and disappear like phantoms: Camariñas, with its bobbin lace drying in the sun; Muxía, with its sanctuary perched on the edge of the abyss; Caión, with its white houses gazing out towards the horizon like resigned sentinels. The people who live here carry the sea in their eyes—that fixed, somewhat distant gaze of those who have learnt to respect what cannot be tamed.
The walker makes their way through the mist and the sunshine—for in Galicia the two coexist with astonishing naturalness—discovering deserted beaches with sand so fine it seems unreal, climbing up to headlands where the wind blows as it pleases, pausing before lighthouses that continue to fulfil their age-old promise: here ends the safe land, here begins the unknown.
Those who walk the Camiño dos Faros are not seeking the intercession of any apostle, but something harder to put into words: that feeling of having reached the edge of the map, the place where Europe dissolves into foam, and discovering that, precisely there, on that cold, windswept frontier, one feels—paradoxically—more whole than ever.
Highlights of the trip:
Camiño dos Faros: a walk along the ‘Costa da Morte’
Estuaries and fishing and shellfish-gathering villages
Stunning landscapes steeped in history and monumental lighthouses
Camiño dos Faros: the Path of Light
Some paths are walked, whilst others walk through you. The Camiño dos Faros falls into the latter category.
It is a 200-kilometre route that winds its way along the Costa da Morte from Malpica to Fisterra, following the age-old philosophy of those who do not wish to arrive, but simply to see. The path winds its way between cliffs and sandy beaches, through villages of grey stone and eucalyptus trees bent by the Atlantic wind, and every so often one of them appears: the lighthouses. White, solitary towers standing at the edge of the world, which for over a century have performed the most beautiful and saddest task there is: to illuminate what would otherwise kill.
The walker who sets out on this route does so, almost always, without fully knowing what they are looking for. Perhaps that is the most honest approach. The Camiño dos Faros lacks the religious solemnity of the Camino de Santiago and the sense of urgency felt by those fulfilling a promise. Instead, it has the slow, contemplative pace of someone who simply observes. Those who walk here soon learn that the landscape is not a backdrop but an interlocutor: the wind interrupts, the sea contradicts, the mist imposes silence when it deems that enough has already been said.
The stages pass through places with names that evoke the ancient world: Camariñas, Camelle, Arou, Touriñán. In each of them, coastal life retains something that cities lost long ago: the realisation that the environment is not merely decorative but real, and that its moods have consequences. The fishermen know this. The barnacle gatherers know this. And the walker, if they pay attention, begins to realise it too.
Every lighthouse that appears on the horizon is a question before it is an answer: how many shipwrecks did this light prevent? How many did it fail to reach in time? The Vilán lighthouse, with its history of storms and its unmistakable silhouette against the headland, seems to keep that impossible tally with an awe-inspiring dignity. It does not boast. It simply remains lit, night after night, with the perseverance of something that has learnt there is no alternative.
The Costa da Morte and its lighthouses share the same philosophy: not to promise that the sea will be calm, but to stand by those who dare to cross it. Not to offer safety, but a presence. Not to erase the danger, but to shine a light within it.
The walker arrives in Fisterra with tired feet and a slightly different look in their eyes. They have not conquered anything. For a few days, they have simply witnessed something that has been happening for centuries without needing an audience.
Other similar itineraries
Along the Costa da Morte – a coastline steeped in history
There are places on earth where the sea asks for no permission. Where the ocean arrives like an ancient god, without warning and without apology, and crashes against the rocks with the fury of one who has known he is right since before memory began. The Costa da Morte is one such place. A wild arc of granite and foam that opens up at the north-western tip of Galicia, where Europe truly ends—not at a road sign or a tourist viewpoint, but on a cliff that plunges into the Atlantic with the silent dignity of everything that has been falling for centuries without giving in.
The Romans called it Promontorium Nerium. The cape that marked the edge of the known world. Beyond it, they believed, there was neither land nor sky nor time: only the abyss where the sun drowned every night. For them, this corner of Galicia was the threshold between the human and the incomprehensible, and perhaps they were not so far wrong. For even today, when one stands at Cape Fisterra —Finis Terrae, the end of the earth— and looks westwards, one feels something for which there is no exact name in any modern language. A mixture of vertigo and freedom, of smallness and belonging. The horizon is not a line there: it is a promise that is never fulfilled.
For centuries, this coastline has been an enigma to sailors. Not for lack of nautical charts or ignorance of the winds, but because the sea here has a personality all of its own – capricious and unpredictable. The currents criss-cross like ancient whispers. The fog rolls in out of nowhere and swallows everything – the ship, the coast, all certainty. Rocks emerge where they shouldn’t, treacherous and silent, and the north-westerly winds punish without mercy those who do not know them well. It is estimated that on the seabed of this stretch of sea — from Malpica to Fisterra, just over a hundred kilometres of rugged coastline — lie the remains of more than six hundred documented shipwrecks. Six hundred. And as for the undocumented ones, no one can count them.
That is why they called it the Costa da Morte. Not for poetic reasons, but for historical ones. Because of the bodies the sea washed up onto the sand, or those it never returned. Because of the women who waited in the stone villages, gazing at the horizon with that expression the Galicians call morriña – which is neither exactly sadness nor exactly nostalgia, but something deeper: the pain of loving something that can take away what you cherish most.
The 20th century brought its own disasters to the Costa da Morte. The most memorable occurred in November 2002, when the oil tanker Prestige—an old ship flying the Bahamian flag and carrying 77,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil—sprung a leak off the Galician coast. For six interminable days, the ship drifted while the authorities decided what to do with it, steering it away from the coast rather than taking it to port. Eventually, it broke in two and sank. And the black sea came.The tar—as the Galicians called it, using a word that captured exactly what it was: dark, sticky and deadly—covered hundreds of kilometres of coastline. The beaches of Carnota, among the longest and most beautiful in Europe, were black by dawn. The barnacles died. The mussels died. Birds lay on the sand with their wings stuck together, unable to fly, unable to die quickly. It was an ecological catastrophe and also an emotional wound for a region that had built its identity on that coastline for a thousand years.
But then something unexpected happened. Something that perhaps could only have happened here. Tens of thousands of volunteers arrived from all over Spain and other European countries. They donned white overalls and rubber gloves and went down to the beaches to clean up the oil with their bare hands, bucket by bucket, rock by rock. They were called los nunca máis —‘never again’— and their cry became the name of a citizens’ movement that demanded accountability and, above all, dignity. The Costa da Morte, which had survived centuries of shipwrecks, was not going to surrender to a ship mismanaged by men who had never seen the sea up close.It took years for them to recover. Some say there are still places where, beneath the rocks, traces of that dark winter remain. But the beaches turned white again. The barnacles grew back. And the sea remained the sea.
Ask us for a quote
Not exactly what you’re looking for?
We adapt to your requirements Tell us what you want and we’ll do a tailor-made plan for you.
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
…Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Camiño dos Faros?
It is a coastal walking route that runs along the Costa da Morte in Galicia, stretching for approximately 200 km between Malpica de Bergantiños and Finisterre, passing by cliffs, wild beaches and iconic lighthouses.
How many stages are there in the full itinerary?
The official route is divided into eight stages, with distances ranging from 18 to 30 km per day, which can be adjusted to suit the walker’s pace and fitness level.
What is the recommended route?
It is recommended that you walk from north to south, starting in Malpica and finishing in Fisterra, as the prevailing wind and light are more favourable in this direction, particularly for photography.
Can I do the route in the opposite direction?
Yes, it is perfectly possible to walk it from south to north, from Fisterra to Malpica, although the signposting and facilities are better suited to the usual direction of travel.
What exactly does the hotel-to-hotel service include?
The package includes accommodation in a private room with an en-suite bathroom, breakfast, luggage transport between stages, and a route guide with maps.
What star rating do the hotels and accommodation on the itinerary have?
The accommodation options include a selection of country hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, guaranteeing comfort, authenticity and excellent local cuisine.
Is it possible to request a single room?
All accommodation options offer single rooms, but for safety reasons, it is not advisable to undertake the route alone.
What happens if I need to cancel or change my booking?
The cancellation terms are set out in the contract, but generally speaking, changes can be made 30 days in advance without incurring a penalty, and cancellations are free of charge up to 45 days before departure.
How does luggage transfer between stages work?
Your luggage is collected from your accommodation every morning before 10.00 am and delivered to your next hotel before you arrive, allowing you to walk with just a light daypack.
Is there a transfer service if I can't complete a stage?
Yes, a taxi or support van service can be arranged in the event of injury, extreme fatigue or adverse weather conditions, at an additional cost.
How do I get to the starting point in Laxe or Malpica?
Laxe and Malpica can be reached from Santiago de Compostela by bus (Arriva service, approx. 1 hour 15 minutes) or by private car. The arrival transfer is included in the price and is provided as a private taxi service from Santiago Airport to Laxe or Malpica.
What level of fitness is required?
A good level of fitness is recommended. It is advisable to have completed hikes of at least 15 km before setting out on the route, as some sections are challenging due to the coastal elevation changes and uneven terrain.
Are there any particularly tough or demanding stages?
The stages between Camariñas and Muxía and the final stretch to Fisterra are the most demanding in terms of total elevation gain and distance. A shorter version of these stages can be requested.
When is the best time of year to do it?
The best months to visit are from May to October. Spring offers flower-filled landscapes and fewer crowds; summer brings longer days and pleasant temperatures. Winter is not recommended due to heavy rain and strong coastal winds.
What equipment is essential to bring?
Waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, trekking poles, sun protection, technical layered clothing, a basic first-aid kit and a day rucksack with a capacity of between 8 and 12 litres.
Are there places to eat along the route?
Most stages pass through villages and small towns with bars or restaurants. However, some sections have few places to stop along the way, so it is always advisable to set off with enough provisions.
What traditional dishes can I expect to find along the route?
The Costa da Morte is famous for its seafood, octopus in vinegar, Galician empanadas, Tetilla cheese and barnacles. Accommodation providers serve dinners featuring locally sourced produce wherever possible.
If NATOUR organises my trip, what information and facilities can I expect?
NATOUR’s organisation is based on three fundamental pillars so that you can walk with peace of mind and complete safety:
1.- All accommodation and luggage and passenger transfers for each stage.
2.- Detailed information via the Natour App, with points of interest and offline GPS navigation.
3.- 24/7 customer contact to resolve any eventuality.
-
Destination
Our gallery
Pictures from the stages
Day 1
Arrival in Santiago de Compostela
Private transfer to Laxe, from Santiago or from the airport.
Day 2
1st stage: Laxe ▸ Arou
Today’s stage takes us to the heart of the Costa da Morte. We set off from Laxe, visiting its harbour and the Church of Santa María da Atalaya, before heading towards the lighthouse along the Ruta da Insua, from where there is a sweeping panoramic view of the Ría de Corme and Laxe.
18,5 km | ↗ 264 m | ↘ 269 m
Day 3
2nd stage: Arou ▸ Camariñas
The Camiño dos Faros from Arou to Camariñas runs along a rugged coastline steeped in history. It is a route that is sure to leave you speechless. The stretch from Arou to Cabo Vilán is where the name Costa da Morte originates: it was here that the Serpent sank in the late 19th century, claiming the lives of hundreds of English passengers.
22,8 km | ↗ 235 m | ↘ 236 m
Day 4
3rd stage: Camariñas ▸ Muxía
The longest stage of the Camiño dos Faros, a walk of around eight hours that takes us away from the open sea and into the Ría do Porto. The Ensenada da Basa treats us to some exquisite scenery, with shellfish gatherers and birds, before we follow the Río Grande towards the rural villages of Tasaraño, Dor and Allo.
29 km | ↗ 420 m | ↘ 416 m
Day 5
4th stage: Muxía ▸ Lires
The penultimate stage is one of the most demanding, particularly the first ten kilometres. Leaving Muxía via O Coido and Lourido beach, we’ll face a tough climb up Monte Cachelmo, with spectacular views of Muxía and Punta Buitra.
25,7 km + 5 Km optionals | ↗ 890 m | ↘ 867 m
Day 6
5th stage: Lires ▸ Fisterra
Setting off from Lires, the final stage will take us to the Fisterra Lighthouse (the Finisterre of Roman times) along the cliffs of Punta Besugueira and La Mexadoira, through some of the most breathtaking scenery on the route.
25,2 km | ↗ 717 m | ↘ 716 m
Day 7: Departure or extension | Day: 7 (OPTIONAL)
TOUR LOCATION
Walk the Costa da Morte along the Camiño dos Faros: 5 stages | 7 days
ACCOMMODATION - Subject to availability:
LAXE ▸ Hotel Vida Mar de Laxe (or similar)
LAXE ▸ Hotel Vida Mar de Laxe (or similar)
CAMARIÑAS ▸ Hostal Playa de Camariñas (or similar)
MUXÍA ▸ Hostal A de Loló (or similar)
HOTEL AS EIRAS ▸ Lires (or similar)
FISTERRA ▸ Hotel do Banco Azul (or similar)
SANTIAGO ▸ Hotel Lux (or similar)
Additional overnights
It is also possible to book some additional days, before or after the hiking week, or an additional week to relax.
Difficulty
To successfully achieve the 5 stages it is necessary a good physical condition, steady walk and lack of vertigo. According to the year season, temperatures can be extreme (hot and/or cold). Therefore, it is necessary to have suitable warm clothes permanently, to be removed as layers if necessary. Some parts of this trail include passages with slippery loose stone. Although most of this trail is roomy enough, certain sections are quite aerial and require caution. Using hiking poles is highly recommended.
Trails
The Camiño dos Faros is a network of well-signposted trails. We will provide you with access to our app, which includes GPS navigation, descriptions of each stage and a briefing.
We recommend
Appropriate hiking clothing and sturdy footwear. During the tours, it is necessary to have food and drink enough, as well as sun protection, a cap, wind jacket and, in the winter months, warm clothing.
Luggage transfer
We move your luggage from one accommodation to next, so on your hikes you should only carry a backpack with the essentials of the day. For the whole trip, it is recommendable to use a single suitcase, not bigger than 20 kg.
Bookings are only possible:
from April to October
FLY TOor FROM
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
... search directly among the airlines
Alberto
Travel organisation
Do you have any questions? I am happy to help you. I will answer any questions you may have!
Book early !! ...and get a 6% discount for bookings done more than 90 days in advance.
PRICES:
735 € ▸ 690 € per person | double/twin room (2 persons)
| Single Suplement (room for single use)
(......and 3rd person): + 250 €
◊ ADDITIONAL:
7th additional night in Santiago de Compostela:
departure transfer: Fisterra - Santiago or Santiago airport, 130 €
(taxi for up to 4 passengers)
165 € per person | double/twin room (2 persons)
Any arrival date is possible (*) - You decide your travel dates and when to start. However, we must first request availability to the accommodations. (*) NOT AVAILABLE from November to April.
Booking: With an initial payment of 150 € (per person), book now and guarantee your trip. We will confirm your reserve within 24 hours. But in the case of accommodations unavailability, we will refund the paid amount or propose alternative dates.
What does this programme include?
Accommodations - 6 nights stay in different charming accommodations, B&B basis.
Informations - personalised information on your arrival day.
Access to our app - with descriptions and GPS navigation for each stage, with tracking via your mobile device
+ 
Private transfers - all necessary luggage & person transfers for each stage, except on departure day.
Support 24h - we keep permanently in touch with you throughout your stay to solve any problem or enquiry you may have.
What is NOT included?
Cancellation Policy
call us on +34 922 433 001
