From Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela. 5 stages. 122 kilometers.
There is a variant that leaves from A Coruña. 3 stages, 72 kilometers

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The English Way, also known as the Camino de los Ingleses, connects the Galician cities of Ferrol and A Coruña with Santiago de Compostela. The English Way was the medieval route to Compostela used by English, Irish and other European pilgrims who came by boat to these two Galician ports.

The English Way has two itineraries: one that starts from A Coruña (72 kilometers) and the other from Ferrol (122 kilometers), which is the one most used by pilgrims today. The Camino Inglés has good signage, a medium level of difficulty without large slopes and an acceptable network of accommodation, although in times of great affluence such as Easter or the central summer months it can be somewhat scarce.

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The English Way is the first historical maritime itinerary to Santiago de Compostela. From the 11th to the early 15th century, a growing number of European pilgrims, mostly British, Scottish and Irish, embarked on merchant ships to Galician ports.

In addition to the pilgrims from the British Isles, Scandinavians, Flemings, Baltics and the French from the north also did this Way, on sea voyages loaded with inclement weather.

Two starting points: Ferrol and A Coruña

On land, it was continued on foot from two main points: Ferrol and A Coruña, which today remain the initial cities of this Jacobean Route.

The itinerary from Ferrol exceeds 120 kilometers and passes through Narón, Neda, Pontedeume and Abegondo, to Mesía. In the town of Hospital de Bruma the pilgrims who come from A Coruña come together, a shorter itinerary, to continue together through Ordes, Mesón do Vento and Oroso to Santiago de Compostela.

Although the English Way from A Coruña does not meet the requirement of traveling the last 100 kilometers to Santiago, the Compostela is achieved. To do this, the pilgrim must complete the 100 kilometers, making the difference in their region of origin.

As for the inhabitants of A Coruña, they can also get hold of Compostela by visiting the Jacobean spaces of the city. In case these conditions are not met, the pilgrim will receive a document certifying his pilgrimage and his visit to the tomb of the Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago.

The rupture of the British monarch Henry VII with the Catholic Church in the 16th century began the decline of this Route, which today is experiencing an authentic revitalization. And the fact is that there are numerous scenic, historical and artistic attractions that the English Way offers to those who venture through it.

Good signage and network of hostels

It is a journey that combines the sea and the Galician mountains and passes through such beautiful towns as Pontedeume or Betanzos.

The signs are correct, with the yellow arrows and the classic landmarks that can be seen in much of the Camino de Santiago.

A few years ago, the network of accommodation along the English Way was somewhat scarce. The public shelters were the only ones that existed on the Route (three) and in the winter months it was somewhat more difficult to find accommodation.

Today it is not the French Way. But, fortunately, the situation has changed and today, the English Way is a well-equipped itinerary: about twenty hostels, between public and private, dot the Route; as well as a large number of hotels, hostels, pensions and rural houses.

Regarding the level of difficulty, we can place the English Way in an intermediate position. It is not as hard as the Camino Primitivo or as simple as the Camino Portugues. Perhaps the most difficult parts of the Camino are found at the exit from Pontedeume and on the stage that separates Betanzos from Hospital de Bruma.

The English Way under sail

The English Way is also the continuation of the Sailing Way. Those pilgrims who come on pilgrimage by sea have their destination in A Coruña, in the port of A Coruña. From there they will continue on foot to Santiago.

This pilgrim's route by sea known as “Navigate the Way” establishes a requirement to carry out one hundred miles of sailing and travel the last stretch on foot, from Monte do Gozo to Obradoiro, to receive the Compostela. Those pilgrims who have decided to do the Camino in a boat will be able to collect the credential in 17 ports distributed along the coast of the Camino del Norte and the Galician coast.