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Day Eight on the Camino Inglés ~ Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela, 15.8 Kilometers (9.82 Miles)
Our day eight on the Camino Inglés felt more difficult than perhaps it should have, due to the fact that there are not many attractive features on this day and there is some significant climbing that has to be done. We were going to make it to Santiago, regardless, and all of our spirits were high.
There are, however, enchanted forests to walk through, so keep your eye out for special encounters!
"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking." ~ Og Mandino
Maps and Stats of Day Eight on the Camino Inglés
Here is our map of this final day, uploaded to Google maps from our GPS tracks.
There are several significant climbs on this day, the first out of Sigüeiro, the second after about 7.0 kilometers into the day, and a final climb after about 10 kilometers. It is not an easy day, by any means, with an altitude accumulation and loss of over 400 meters (over 1300 feet).
Photo-Rich Travelogue of Day Eight on the Camino Inglés
After our lovely and filling continental breakfast at the Albergue Ultreia et Suseia, we started out on the Rua Camiño Real in the center of Sigüeiro. In our first 200 meters of walking, we passed by the large Albergue Camiño Real.
Just after the albergue, you come to a T-intersection with the N-550. Turn left at the Restaurante Vda. De Nouche onto the N-550. There were lots of rushing trucks at 7:30 in the morning!
Turn Left at the Restaurant Onto the N-550At this same intersection, you pass by the Albergue and Café Restaurante Mirás, on the corner, shown below.
Albergue and Café Restaurante MirásAfter another few hundred meters, come to the bridge and cross the Río Tambre on the N-550. Day eight on the Camino Inglés essentially follows the path of the N-550, but only rarely walks along it, except for brief sections.
Day Eight of the Camino Inglés Crosses the Río TambreJust after the bridge, take the crosswalk over to the other side of the street when directed. After about 350 meters the Camino turns to the right, just before the bright orange Cepsa gas station.
Once leaving the river, the Camino climbs slowly and steadily over the next four kilometers. This does not feel all that strenuous, at least it didn't for me. It is the uphills later in the day that felt harder and steeper to me.
Walk only about 150 meters from the N-550 and you make a left turn in O Valado, shown here.
Left Turn in O ValadoThis paved road is a nice, quiet and rural place to walk. It was fresh and cool on this morning in May.
After about 1/2 kilometer on this road, the Camino leads you to a right turn. In a few meters more, you cross the AP-9 and turn south to follow it on a frontage road. I thought, oh no, not a repeat of day seven, following along the motorway again!
The Camino Crosses the AP-9
Turn South to Follow the Motorway on Frontage RoadLuckily, after only 150 meters, the English way turns right off the frontage road, and heads towards the hamlet of Vila de Marantes, shown below.
Turn Off the Frontage Road, Towards the Hamlet of Vila de MarantesAfter another 150 meters the Camino turns south on this lovely lane as it passes by the 13.96 kilometer waymark.
Rob and Rich Negotiate the Uphill LaneWe walked along this lane for about 2/3 kilometer, turning right onto pavement at the end of the lane. After only a few more meters, the Camino turns left towards Vila Fernández, shown below. We caught up to and followed two peregrinos at the turn, with a farmer busy plowing his spring fields.
Farmer Plowing as Two Peregrinos Walk By
Peregrinos Walking Toward Vila FernándezWhen you reach the sign for Vila Fernández, a left turn, towards the N-550 will lead you to the Motel Punta Cana after 3.5 kilometers total from Sigüeiro.
Steve, Rob and Rich Walking Merrily Towards CortosIt is a nice walk on this paved road, toward the next hamlet of Cortos, for a bit over a kilometer. Then you take a short jog to the right, onto a 2-lane highway. 150 meters later turn left onto the Lameira road. This is where, after about 4.0 kilometers total, you complete the first uphill push.
Open Road Towards Lameira on Day Eight of the Camino InglésThis road brings you into the next hamlet of Lameira, passing the 11.82 kilometer marker on the way.
There is another accommodations in this area, the Hotel San Vicente. It is easily accessed by walking eastward (left) about 150 meters, at the "La Meira" town sign to join the N-550. Turn right when you reach the highway and walk a few meters more. By the Hotel Vicente is also the Café Bar A Fontiña if you needed a stop.
After 3/4 kilometer and after walking through Lameira, the road turns to dirt and the lane bends back eastward toward the N-550 again.
The Camino winds around on the dirt lane for about one more kilometer, avoiding the N-550 and comes out onto a paved road and makes a big bend to the right, or southward once again.
After about 200 meters later the Way becomes a dirt lane once again, for the next 400 meters. At the next T-intersection, take a left turn onto a paved road, where 200 meters later, you finally do come to the N-550. However, fortunately, the English Way takes a turn to the right to access a nice road that parallels the N-550 instead, see below.
Diversion on Side Road to the RightThis attractive little diversion on the Sionlla Abaixo street, through a small hamlet is one of the few quaint areas on day eight of the Camino Inglés.
Quaint Road Parallels the N-550
But the quaint diversion does come to an end, after a brief 400 meters or so, where the road joins the N-550 and walks alongside it.
Walk Alongside the N-550 on Day Eight of the Camino InglésThe road leads into a path along the N-550 and crosses the Río Sionlla. It is at this river, that you reach the low after the first climb, and, that you begin the second uphill climb of the day.
Crossing the Río Sionlla on the N-550Fortunately, you only walk for about 300 meters along the N-550, before the Way takes the first right after the bridge, just before the Restaurante Mar de Esteiro Santiago de Compostela. You have accomplished 6.7 kilometers at this landmark. Only nine kilometers left to Santiago!
Continue on past a school and walk under the railroad tracks, beginning the long climb as the hill on the pavement steepens.
Walk Under Railroad Tracks
Rob, Rich and Steve on the Steep ClimbAt the end of the pavement, turn southward onto another dirt lane and continue climbing. Pass by the 8.9 kilometer marker, shown below.
Pass by the 8.9 Kilometer Marker on Dirt Lane
Rich and Rob Continue Climbing on Cobblestone LaneAfter 1.2 kilometers, take a right turn here onto another dirt lane at kilometer marker 7.77 in an area called Formarís. We continued following the path of the N-550 for the day, just staying to the west of it on these forested lanes.
Right Turn at 7.77 Kilometer Marker
Walk through more gorgeous forest and come to the Café Bar Hotel Castro after about 1/4 kilometer after the turn and at 8.66 kilometers into the day. You are now also at the top of the second climb of the day.
You can get a room for 20% off by showing your credential, get a buffet breakfast, bocadillos and whatever else is on the menu. We decided to have a stop at this approximate halfway point into our day eight on the English Way. We decided to sit indoors, since it was already a hot day, but they have lovely outdoor seating as you can see.
Friends at the Café Bar Hotel CastroAfter our break, we continued on the forest path. I guess the forest is actually enchanted, as we encountered a witch along the way! This is Galicia, after all and witches abound! But I have often been assured by the locals that there are only good witches in Galicia that bring you luck!
Good Luck Galician Witch in the Enchanted ForestAfter about 600 meters after the Café Bar Hotel Castro the forest opens up to the fields at this kilometer marker 6.76, yet the nice farmer's lane continues. There are not very many kilometers left to go! After our coffee and cake break, we were walking a bit lighter.
Forest Opens to Fields at 6.76 Kilometer MarkerAnd thus begins the final climb of day eight on the Camino Inglés. None of us wanted any more climbing, but the pilgrim always takes another step, and then another. Then another step, we took, continuing on for the better part of a kilometer more of climbing. At least a portion of it was in the shaded forest.
Final Forested Climbing PortionWhen you see industrial-looking buildings ahead, you have come to the end of the climb and the end of the nice rural lanes after about 10.2 kilometers into the day.
The lane makes a big bend to the right and heads back into the trees. Shortly, you will notice a long, tall hedge on your left. You are now entering the industrial park on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino joins the pavement here and just beyond, brings you to an intersection, where you turn left.
Pass by the Café Bar Poligono. In a few meters you take another left and walk through two very busy roundabouts.
First Roundabout in Industrial ParkAfter the roundabouts, stay straight on and leave the industrial park on this paved road.
Leaving the Industrial Park on a Quieter RoadAfter about one kilometer more, the road merges with the Rúa do Tambre.
After only a few hundred meters of walking, leave the Rúa do Tambre at the Y-intersection here, and pick up a very quaint side street to parallel it called the Rúa do Meixonfrío. The Hospedaje José Rey is at this intersection.
Left Turn at Next Y-Intersection
Re-join the Rúa do Tambre after only 1/3 kilometer.
Join the Rúa do Tambre Once AgainTwo hundred meters onward, walk up and cross over our old friend, the N-550.
Up and Cross Over the N-550 AgainPass the 3.0 kilometer marker on the other side of the N-550. Wow! Is it that much longer for city walking? Santiago is a a big town. The good news is that you must find yet another side street to the right after crossing the N-550, to make the city walking more pleasant, called the Rúa de Mallou.
Cruceiro Along the Rúa de MallouA few meters onward, bear right at the Y-intersection onto the Rúa dos Salgueiriños de Abaixo, shown below. Pass by the Apartamentos Turísticos Cancelas on your left.
Bear right at the Y-intersection onto the Rúa dos Salgueiriños de AbaixoWalk 400 meters onward until you come to a large roundabout with a prominent horse head statue, in next photo. Take the first right at the roundabout, more-or-less straight on. While walking on the hill above Santiago, I kept scanning the horizon for a view of the cathedral towers. I could not see them. Not yet.
Straight On at Roundabout By Horse SculptureContinue along the Rúa dos Salgueiriños de Abaixo, descending steeply and around a bend for another 250 meters or so.
Descend Steeply on the Rúa dos Salgueiriños de AbaixoTake a left hand turn by the old washing fountain, below, towards the McDonald's at the bottom of the hill. What an interesting juxtaposition of features, old and new!
Woman Washing Clothes By Hand at Fountain in the CityAfter about 150 meters and after passing the McDonald’s at a Repsol station, you come to a large roundabout. Cross the street, in front of you, the N-550 and pick up the street going southward, the lovely tree-lined Rúa de San Caetano.
Pick Up the Rúa de San Caetano at RoundaboutWalk 1/3 kilometer on the Rúa de San Caetano. Walk by this long park, past the San Caetano Church in front of these government offices.
Pass by Park and Government Buildings, Day Eight on the English WayAfter another 400 meters, come to the next roundabout called the Praza da Paz. Deep within the Praza da Paz roundabout is a modern sculpture of a pilgrim, shown below. He is not easy to see for a south-bound walker, so you will need to look back as you reach the southern end of the circle as you go by. This lovely statue is on the cover of my eBook! I caught him this time with a pigeon sitting on his head!
From the circle walk southwest down the Rúa da Pastoriza. After about 200 meters, you come to an old fountain on your right (not pictured) and the Capela de Pastoriza on the left.
The Rúa da Pastoriza becomes the Rúa dos Basquiños, after the church pictured above. Shortly pass two economical albergues on your right, the Albergue Meiga Backpackers and the Albergue Basquiños 45, (+34 661 89 45 36).
Walk along the Rúa dos Basquiños about 400 meters on day eight of the Camino Inglés, and as the street makes a bend, all of a sudden the twin cathedral towers come into view!
Walking Along the Rúa dos Basquiño on Day Eight of the English Way
Walk along the Rúa dos Basquiños a few more meters, and look for the turn to the right onto the Avenida de Coímbra and immediately left onto the Rúa de Santa Clara, a quaint and narrow side street shown below.
The Rúa de Santa Clara parallels the Rúa dos Basquiños for a short while and descends down a hill.
Right Turn Onto the Rúa de Santa ClaraPass by the Iglesia y Monasterio de los Carmelitas Contemplativos, below.
You can easily see the church from the Rúa dos Basquiños before you make your turn. If you head for the church you will know you are heading in the right direction.
You can easily see the Convento do Carme, from the Rúa dos Basquiños before you make your turn. If you head for the Convent you will know you are heading in the right direction.
To the east of the convent is the Loop Inn Hotel Santiago de Compostela.
As you descend on the Rúa de Santa Clara, it takes a bend and becomes the Rúa dos Loureiros.
Along the Rúa dos Loureiros, Day Eight, Camino InglésContinue your descent along the Rúa dos Loureiros.
Between here and the cathedral, only steps away now, you will walk by many accommodations including the pricey Hotel Altair and the Moure Hotel.
You will catch more glimpses of the Cathedral of Santiago towers along the way. Here is the clock tower in the photo below. At this point you are now entering the pedestrian zone (zona peatonal) and the street becomes the historically important Rúa da Porta da Pena.
Look for the old street sign, on the stone building up and to your left as you enter the pedestrian zone. Around here is where the old original gate was to the medieval walled city of Santiago, called the Porta Poennae. The modern street takes its name from this gate where pilgrims traveling on their final steps on the Camino Inglés traditionally entered the city.
If you look to your right just before this gate, at the Mirador Costa Vella, (lookout), you will see the sweeping towers of the Convento de San Francisco de Santiago (view not pictured).
You can descend the long flight of stairs to visit this splendid cathedral, if you desire, or save it for a later time! I know you are eager to get to the Santiago de Compostela cathedral!
When you pass the San Francisco viewpoint, you are entering the Rúa da Porta da Pena and the very heart of Santiago de Compostela! You are only feet away from the cathedral! These are truly your final steps on your Camino Inglés on day eight!
Steve Points the Way to the Cathedral on the Rúa da Porta da PenaPass by the Hotel Costa Vella, the Deniké and the economical Pensión Da Estrela.
The Rúa da Porta da Pena becomes the Rúa da Fonte de San Miguel, here in the Praza de San Martiño, with the church dominating the square, the Igrexa de San Martiño Pinario. It is a glorious edifice! I love this town!
For a nice shortcut to the cathedral, turn to the right just after this church and walk down a ramp by its left side. Come to a set of stairs to the left and go down them, joining the narrow Rúa da Moeda Vella. Two blocks later, after a bend to the right, and where the street ends, you can see the beautiful Praza da Inmaculada gardens and the cathedral looms before you!
You will walk through the Praza da Inmaculada and past this northern side of the cathedral. Pause here to take in the astounding and sweeping view!
Then you keep on going through the tunnel ahead of you, called the Arco de Palacio where a bagpiper usually and famously plays. Head down the stairs to the famous and monumental Praza do Obradoiro! You have arrived, now do your victory dance!
If you would like to learn more about the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, please see my article that describes the surrounding landmarks and plazas by clicking here. It is truly an amazing town.
If you are looking for a place to book ahead in Santiago de Compostela, you can do so through clicking this link. (I will earn a small commission if you book through my links with no additional cost to you. I thank you so much for your support!) Since there are so very many accommodations, if you use the link, it makes it easy to see the current deals of the day.
In addition to the accommodations mentioned above along the route, there are many more inexpensive and popular albergues, Albergue Azabache (+34 981 07 12 54), steps from the cathedral, Albergue The Last Stamp, Hospedería San Martín Pinario (call for the special pilgrim’s rate, +34 981 56 02 82, behind the cathedral), Albergue Santiago KMO, PR Blanco Albergue, and the giant Albergue Seminario Menor on the south side of town.
Reflections on Day Eight on the Camino Inglés
It was a privilege to walk with our old Camino friends, Steve from the UK and Rob from Australia. It was a sweet pleasure to arrive at the cathedral with friends and to share in the accomplishment. Especially for Rob, for whom he carried a special burden of his own on his back ~ Parkinson's disease.
The final stage into Santiago de Compostela is not all that easy, and after pushing onward, Rob managed to do the Camino Inglés in six stages rather than the eight that I described. He maintained his integrity, because he was well prepared and has a strong soul. One step after another ~ taking only one step at a time ~ the secret to success. His spirit was so admirable.
Perhaps we had a tendency to coddle him, perhaps we didn't coddle him enough. We may never know. And it really doesn't matter, because in the end, he conquered himself, one more time. For that, he can be forever grateful. *
And on this day eight of the English Way, we remembered nothing, as nothing mattered now that we had arrived!
Salutation
May your own steps, one after another serve you well on your Camino Inglés, on day eight, so that you are successful, arriving in Santiago de Compostela!
May your own final steps on your Camino Inglés be filled with rapture and awe as you enter this holy city that for centuries has been the goal of the pilgrimage traveler.
May you pause here like all the other pilgrims of yore and now, and know that you have completed your pilgrimage on the Camino Inglés and you truly have no destination at the moment because you have arrived!
* As I read and write my update, years after I first wrote this story, tears come to my eyes. Dearest Rob is all but incapacitated now from his Parkinson’s. I am so very proud to have been part of this Camino with him, to give him the independence and joy of this, his final Camino!
May we all be eternally grateful for our health, and thank the One who has given us the Grace to enjoy it!
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And the Journey Continues:
~ La Coruña Arm
~ Ferrol Arm
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