Discover the two Camino Inglés starting points: Which one fits your style?

If you are researching Camino Inglés starting points, you have probably noticed something slightly confusing. The Camino Inglés has two different starting points: Ferrol and A Coruña. Both lead to Santiago de Compostela, both are recognised routes, and both offer a beautiful Galician experience. Yet they are not the same in distance and atmosphere, and there is one crucial practical difference as well regarding your future Compostela certificate.

In this blog post, we take a thorough look at the two Camino Inglés starting points to help you make an informed decision: we try to help you understand the differences and choose the starting point that matches your walking style and expectations for your journey.

What is the Camino Inglés and where does it start?

The Camino Inglés is one of the shorter official routes of the Camino de Santiago. Historically, it was used by pilgrims arriving by sea from Northern Europe, especially from England and Ireland, who landed in Galicia and continued on foot to Santiago.

In fact, there’s even a Dutch company called FairFerry that we’ve collaborated with before to organise such sailing trips!

There are two official Camino Inglés starting points: Ferrol and A Coruña. Both routes eventually merge and continue together toward Santiago. In the next sections, we will look at both towns more closely and explore how each of these Camino Inglés starting points shapes your overall experience.

It’s good to know that in recent years, the Camino authorities have clarified the distance requirements for obtaining the Compostela. While the rules can evolve, one principle remains stable: you must walk at least 100 kilometres on an official Camino route into Santiago. We will also examine the two Camino Inglés starting points from this perspective.

Ferrol: the classic starting point of the Camino Inglés

When discussing Camino Inglés starting points, Ferrol is the classic and most common choice. The full distance from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela is approximately 110 to 120 kilometres, depending on small route variants. The one you can see here on the WAW website is exactly 111.5 km.

This comfortably exceeds the 100 km minimum required to receive the Compostela according to the rules, which makes Ferrol the most straightforward option from a practical point of view.

Ferrol is a historic naval city with maritime heritage and a beautiful Atlantic atmosphere. It is not polished or overly touristic, instead, it feels local and authentic. Beginning here gives you time to settle into the rhythm of walking, to meet fellow pilgrims gradually, and to experience the natural progression from coast to countryside.

Among all Camino Inglés starting points, Ferrol usually attracts walkers who:

• Want to qualify for the Compostela without uncertainty,
• Prefer an 8-day journey rather than a shorter escape,
• Enjoy the idea of a more complete transition into Santiago,
• Appreciate a mix of coastal views and inland Galicia.

What to expect when starting in Ferrol

Your first day follows the beautiful Ría de Ferrol, the estuary that shapes the coastline. While officially the first stage to Pontedeume is around 28 km if walked in full, many pilgrims shorten it by starting just outside the centre or splitting the stage. We do this as well at WAW, allowing you to stay in either Fene or Neda and continue from there towards Pontedeume.

The third day then leads towards Betanzos and becomes more typically Galician and rural, gradually replacing the coastal atmosphere.

You will then continue along the route to Hospital de Bruma and Sigüeiro, where you begin to notice more walkers joining from other routes, especially as the Camino Francés merges in the outer areas of the city. On your final day, you arrive in the beautiful Santiago de Compostela.

The overall difficulty is moderate, as the Camino Inglés from Ferrol is not mountainous, but it is not flat either. Expect occasional longer stages and a steady rhythm that builds naturally over five days.

A Coruña: the shorter urban starting point

Among the different Camino Inglés starting points, A Coruña is the shorter and more urban alternative – and because it is less then 100 km long, it does not qualify for the Compostela certificate.

From A Coruña to Santiago de Compostela, the route measures approximately 72 kilometres. This makes it a compact Camino option, usually completed in three to four walking days. Compared to Ferrol, it is noticeably shorter and therefore attracts a different type of walker.

A Coruña town has a vibrant coastal energy with its long promenade, beaches, lively old town and cultural landmarks such as the Tower of Hercules. It offers a very different atmosphere from the naval, more understated feel of Ferrol. Some pilgrims choose this one of the Camino Inglés starting points simply because they have fewer days available. Others appreciate the idea of beginning their Camino in a dynamic Atlantic city and combining the walk with a short city break.

What to expect when starting in A Coruña

In our version of the route, you walk from A Coruña to Sergude – in this first stage  combines some paved sections with green paths. The shift from city to countryside happens relatively quickly. 

After Sergude, the landscape becomes increasingly rural as you approach Hospital de Bruma. From that point onwards, the route merges with the main Camino Inglés path coming from Ferrol. The final approach to Santiago is therefore identical, including the sections near Sigüeiro and the entry into the city.

Who is A Coruña the best fit for?

Among the Camino Inglés starting points, A Coruña is best suited for:

• Walkers who have only three to four days available,
• Travellers who enjoy starting in a larger, lively coastal city,
• Those combining their Camino with a cultural city break,
• People who prefer a shorter, more compact walking experience.

For walkers whose priority is receiving the Compostela, A Coruña is therefore not the appropriate choice among the Camino Inglés starting points. But for those who simply want a meaningful short Camino experience without focusing on certification, it can be an attractive and flexible alternative.

Camino Inglés distances and Compostela requirements

From Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela, the total distance is approximately 113 to 120 kilometres, depending on small route variations – as we mentioned, our version at WAW is 111.5 km. From A Coruña to Santiago, the distance is around 72 kilometres.

The rule for receiving the Compostela is that you must walk at least 100 kilometres on an official Camino route into Santiago. The kilometres must be continuous and properly stamped in your credencial. So starting in Ferrol automatically meets the 100 km requirement, while starting in A Coruña does not meet the requirement, because the distance is too short.

Distances from Ferrol vs A Coruña

From Ferrol, you can walk the Camino Inglés in six walking days. Typical daily stages range between 15 and 20 kilometres at the beginning, gradually increasing to around 25 kilometres, before finishing with a shorter stage of about 15 kilometres as you approach Santiago.

And from A Coruña, the route usually takes four walking days, typically three days of around 15 kilometres and one longer day. It is even possible to complete it over a long weekend, as the total journey is more compact.

Of course, in both cases, stages can always be adjusted. You can shorten longer days, split stages differently, or add rest days. However, even with flexible planning, the overall distance difference between the two Camino Inglés starting points remains significant in terms of practicalities and overall atmosphere.

How the 100 km rule affects your choice

If receiving the official pilgrimage certificate, the Compostela, is important to you, then Ferrol is the clear and secure option among the Camino Inglés starting points. The full route comfortably exceeds the minimum requirement, leaving no room for doubt.

If you start in A Coruña and walk directly to Santiago, you will not qualify for the Compostela because the total distance is only around 72 kilometres.

But is there a way to start in A Coruña and still qualify?

In theory, yes. You would need to add extra official Camino kilometres before reaching A Coruña, ensuring that the final 100 kilometres into Santiago are on recognised Camino routes. This requires careful route planning and must follow official Camino markings. It is not enough to simply add scenic walking kilometres that are not part of a recognised  Camino.

For most pilgrims, this makes Ferrol the simpler and more reliable choice – and this is also what we recommend you doing at WAW. And A Coruña remains an excellent option for those seeking a shorter Camino experience without focusing on certification.

How to choose your Camino Inglés starting point

When deciding between the Camino Inglés starting points, it helps to reflect on a few practical questions. How many days do you have available? Do you feel comfortable walking five to six stages, or would a shorter three to four day journey suit you better? Are you looking for a fuller pilgrimage experience with more gradual progression, or a compact Camino that fits neatly into a long weekend?

If you would like help choosing between the Camino Inglés starting points or are ready to plan your Camino Inglés, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are happy to shape the route around your preferences  and expectations!