Walking From Baamonde to Santiago

Baamonde to Santiago is the last 100km of the Camino del Norte. This post is written as a guide for anyone walking the entire Camino del Norte and requiring further information on the last part of the Camino, or anyone walking just the 100km from Baamonde to Santiago.

If you’d like more information about the different Camino routes, check out our post here.

Why is the last 100km of the Camino del Norte significant?

The last 100km is significant, as 100km is the minimum amount of walking that is required for Pilgrims who wish to get a Compostela in Santiago. A Compostela is a certificate issued by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago.

You don’t have to get a Compostela in Santiago, it’s a personal choice. But in order to do so, if you wish to, you will need to have a Credential (a Pilgrim passport) and get it stamped twice per day for the last 100km. You can get stamps for your credential at albergues, restaurants, cafes, bars and churches on the last 100km.

On the North route, there is also a legendary place to get a wax seal stamp in the last 100km of the route. More details below.

The Camino del Norte merges with the Camino Frances route within the last 100km to Santiago. So you’ll get to walk a bit of the French route too!

How to get to Baamonde?

If you’re starting your Camino adventure in Baamonde, you might be wondering how to get there.

From A Coruna Bus Station, you can take a direct bus with Alsa buses to Baamonde. This takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Alternatively, from Santiago you can take a bus to Baamonde that takes around 2 hours.

Where to get a credential in Baamonde?

If you are starting your Camino journey in Baamonde and want to get a Compostela in Santiago, then you will need to get a Credential before you start.

There are two options, either you can order a credential online through the appropriate pilgrim organisation in your country. Or, you could collect your credential at the pilgrims albergue in Baamonde.

Is the last 100km of the Camino del Norte hard?

If you’ve walked from Irun to Baamonde, you are not likely to find the last 100km particularly hard. But if this is your first time walking a long distance on a multi-day hike, you may find this challenging. However, the route into Santiago is not particularly challenging terrain. If you take 5 days to walk to Santiago and you’ve done some training, you will hopefully be able to enjoy the route and it won’t feel too strenuous.

There is a choice of routes at Toar, the original route or the new route. The original route is 8km longer than the other. If you want to get your Compostela, it’s important that you take the longer route (if you’re walking just from Baamonde) as otherwise, you will walk less than 100km into Santiago.

Both routes are comparable in difficulty (apart from the distance) and both are beautiful routes. If you want to try to find the elusive wax stamp for your credential, then you will need to take the longer route.

How many days does it take to walk the last 100km of the Camino del Norte?

The exact distance from Baamonde to Santiago is 102km. On average, most people walk this distance in 4 or 5 days, but you can take longer should you wish to.

There are lots of different ways to walk the last 100km. We’ve highlighted three possible options below.

The Camino del Norte route joins the Camino Frances at Arzua. The terrain doesn’t change much at this point, but you’ll notice that the path does get busier. This also means that there are more frequent cafes and restaurants along the route.

Some of the last day into Santiago is on road walking, which is not the most fun. But, it’s difficult to be dragged down by the terrain because the atmosphere into Santiago is so electric!

The last 100km of the Camino del Norte: From Baamonde to Santiago walking stages

Between Baamonde and Santiago, you will have a choice of two routes, as well as a choice over how many days you take to walk the route you choose. There is a junction at Toar (just after Baamonde) where you have the option to take the original Camino route to Santa Leocadia (Miraz) or the newer route to A Pobra de Parga (As Cruces). The original route is 40km, whilst the shorter route is 32km.

Option One Five Days

Stage One: Baamonde to Miraz 15.5 km

Stage Two: Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes* 24.5 km

Stage Three: Sobrado dos Monxes to Arzua 22 km

Stage Four: Arzua to O Pedrouzo 20 km

Stage Five: O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela 20 km

Option Two Four Days

Stage One: Baamonde to Miraz 15.5km

Stage Two: Miraz to Sabrado dos Monxes 22km

Stage Three: Sobrado dos Monxes to A Salceda 33.5km

Stage Four: A Salceda to Santiago 28km

Option Three Alternative Four Days

As an alternative four day route, we chose not to stay in Baamonde and instead walked from Albergue O Xistral (before Baamonde) to Parga taking the new Camino route from Toar. This was over 40km in one day to walk, so it was strenuous. But, we were able to stay at two of our favourite Albergues on the route. This can be an option if you want to avoid staying overnight in Baamonde.

*In Sobrado dos Monxes, there are two highlights. Firstly, the monastery (Sobrado dos Monxes Pilgrim Hostel), which is a stunning place to stay. Secondly, there is an outdoor swimming pool in the town that costs a couple of euros to enjoy. On a sunny day after a long hike, this is a dream!

Where to stay on the last 100km of the Camino del Norte?

• Baamonde Xunta de Galicia Pilgrims Hostel: A basic albergue with 94 beds and costs 8 euros
• San Martin Pilgrims Hostel (Miraz): A small albergue with 26 beds
• Sobrado dos Monxes Pilgrims Hostel: A monastery albergue with 98 beds and costs 8 euros
• Lecer Hostel is an alterantive in Sobrado dos Monxes: an alternative family run albergue if you choose not to stay at the monastery
• Xunta de Galicia Arzua Pilgrims Hostel: A popular albergue with 46 beds that cots 8 euros
• Arca do Pino Xunta de Galicia Pilgrims Hostel (Pedrouzo): A large and popular albergue with 126 beds
• Albergue Turistico Salceda (Salceda): this private albergue has a swimming pool and is a fun place to stay on your last night.

We’ve also written a guide to our favourite albergues on the Camino del Norte.

Is there luggage transfer available?

There is luggage transfer available on the Camino del Norte. This means that Correos will transfer your luggage from your accommodation in the morning and it will arrive to your next accommodation by the evening.

If you are interested in this option, contact Correos for further information.

What to do in Santiago?

Hopefully you’ve scheduled in a few days in Santiago to celebrate your achievement. There’s lots to do in Santiago, not least eat and drink!

Here’s our guide to visiting Santiago.

Do you want to continue on to Finisterre?

Are you planning to walk to Finisterre? Excellent choice! We love the route from Santiago to Finisterre. We’ve written a guide to walking this route here.

If you don’t have time to walk to Finisterre, but want the chance to see it, then you can put your feet up and take a day trip there instead. You can find details of this trip here, with Get Your Guide.

Want to read more about the Camino?