Camino dos Faros: The Lighthouse Way

On arrival in Carballo in the afternoon, settle into your hotel a charming medieval manor dating back to 1672 that has been renovated to a high standard and includes a swimming pool. Carballo de Bergantiños is a small town, genuinely Galician in style and atmosphere, including the mismatched architectural styles of its buildings.

Transfers from A Coruna or Santiago airports are available, please ask for details.

After breakfast a transfer will take you to Malpica de Bergantinos a charming fishing port where you will start your walk. You will see the main landscape features of the Camiño dos Faro. Follow gravel and narrow paths, with some very steep sections on the cliffs. You will pass by a beautiful beach, a chapel and can enjoy magnificent views of the Sisargas Islands on the horizon. The stage ends at a coastal hotel located near Barizo. Dinner is not included in the package but a good gastronomic option is As Garzas Restaurant, must be booked in advance.

Distance: 13.2km/8.2mi, ascent: 430m/1410ft, descent: 420m/1375ft

This morning you walk to the Faro Nariga, one of the most famous lighthouses of the Costa da Morte. After the lighthouse, continue to the beautiful Playa de Niñons (beach), where you start the return route along gravel roads that bring you past a modern windmill park. Return to your accommodation near Barizo for overnight.

Distance 16.7km/10;4mi, ascent/descent: 720m/2360ft

Note: There are options to shorten today's walk. 5.5-6hrs/13.4km and ascent/descent 615m if you take the designated shortcut, or you can take a taxi from Niñons back to the hotel (3.5hrs/8.3km, ascent/descent 455m)

After breakfast a transfer (9.30am) will take you to the tiny hamlet of O Roncudo (to avoid a long stretch of coastal path with a steep slope through an isolated area). From here you can either follow the Camiño along winding footpaths to Cabo O Roncudo (cape) and continue on a 3km tarmac path until you reach the fishermen’s village of O Corme, or take a shortcut to O Corme (which misses the cape and mini lighthouse of O Roncudo).

After a coffee break at O Corme you can choose between the long, spectacular Camiño along the coast with some exposed parts, or a shorter and higher route through shady woods before you reach the extensive sand plateau that separates the river mouth of Ponteceso from the Atlantic Ocean. To finish up, a sandy trail leads to the town of Ponteceso. Here a taxi (at 5:30pm) will transfer you to your modern beach hotel in Laxe, where you stay for 2 nights.

Low route (following official Camino signs): 17.5km/11mi, ascent: 525m/1722ft, descent: 650m/2132ft

High route: 14.4km/9mi, ascent: 325m/1066ft, descent: 450m/1476ft

A beautiful stretch of coastline and one steep hill separates Laxe from the large sandy Playa de Traba. The dunes have been formed by strong ocean winds and waves creating a wetland with lagoon that is home to a diversity of birds. After a swim or a meal at the only bar-restaurant along the route today, you follow an old coastal ox-trail, that has been literally carved into the granite rock and winds around strange wind-sculptured rock formations. From the harbour of Camelle, a taxi transfer (at 5pm) takes you back to Laxe (because there is no hotel nearby).

Distance: 15.3km, ascent/descent 485m/1591ft or shorten: 12.3km/4hrs, ascent/descent 275m/902ft (less exposed, in case of rain or strong winds)

Our favourite day! An almost mountainous route starts at the village of Arou (morning transfer to Arou included) and takes you first along two small passes before starting to climb the side of Europe’s highest dune. Then truly wild scenery awaits, as you descend and cross a chain of small beaches called Praia do Trece. You finally reach the Cemetery of the English, a symbolic burial site honouring the lives of sailors and passengers that died in three shipwrecks between 1883 and 1893. The last few kilometres are easy as you hike along a gravel road for a while (taking some shortcuts close to the coast at times) before heading into the woods and on to your hotel in Camariñas.

Note: for those afraid of heights or on days with strong winds, there is an alternative route (1.7km shorter) starting near Sta Mariña, offering amazing views across the Praia do Trece before you reach the cemetery.

Distance 15.5km/9.7mi, ascent 415m/1360ft, descent 375m/1230ft

Today you will be surprised by the dramatic location of the most imposing lighthouse on the route: the Cabo Vilán, also the first electrified lighthouse of Spain. Here you can stop at the visitors’ centre and café before continuing along the coast, past a modern fish factory and a chapel located on a hilltop above Camariñas. Today's route is relatively short, allowing you to have a longer lunch (we suggest Puerto de Arnelo restaurant in Camariñas). The traditional village architecture has suffered from modernity, but it houses a small museum dedicated to the typical handcrafted lace of the town. Overnight Camariñas.

Distance: 12km/7.5mi, ascent 270m/885ft, descent 385m/1263ft

After breakfast a taxi will take you to Vimianzo (included).

From here you can take the bus to either A Coruña or Santiago de Compostela, with its famous cathedral.