Camino Inglés ab A Coruña

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: A Coruña → Connection English Way (near Bruma Hospital)
• Length: 30.0 km (separate branch until it joins the main line)
• Elevation gain:↗ 786 m / ↘ 350 m
• Highest point: about 457 m
• Duration: About 1–2 days for this section; the entire route from A Coruña to Santiago usually takes 3–4 days
• Character: A short, ascending branch of the historic pilgrim port that joins the Camino Inglés

Overview

For centuries, A Coruña was one of the two major ports of arrival for maritime pilgrims traveling from England, Ireland, and Northern Europe to Galicia—the other being Ferrol. Both ports gave the Camino Inglés its name.

While the main route of the Camino Inglés today begins in Ferrol, the branch starting in A Coruña is the second historic starting point. It leads inland from the port city to Hospital de Bruma, where it joins the Ferrol branch. From there, the two routes continue together through Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela.

The section shown here (about 30 km) is precisely this separate branch of the route, from A Coruña to the junction. It’s short but climbs noticeably—an atmospheric, direct start that quickly takes you into the Galician countryside.

Other Names

• German: Camino Inglés from A Coruña, English Way from A Coruña
• English: English Way from A Coruña, English Way from A Coruña

The name "Camino Inglés" comes from the fact that most of the pilgrims who disembarked in A Coruña and Ferrol were English and Irish.

Who This Route Is Ideal For—and Who It's Not

This is ideal if you want to combine the Camino Inglés with the historic maritime pilgrimage port of A Coruña and are looking for an easily accessible, short route—perhaps as an extended start to your journey or as a short pilgrimage of its own lasting just a few days.

Less suitable if you’re interested in earning the Compostela certificate: A Coruña is less than 100 km from Santiago on foot, and this leg alone does not meet the minimum distance requirement (see below). If you’re aiming for the Compostela, it’s better to start in Ferrol.

Route & Landscape

From the port of A Coruña, the trail leaves the city and heads inland through the surrounding countryside toward Cambre and the Galician hills.

Following a gentle, steady ascent, the trail reaches Hospital de Bruma, an ancient pilgrimage hub featuring the ruins of a medieval pilgrims’ hospital. This is where this separate branch ends and joins the main route from Ferrol.

From Bruma on, both branches continue together through the hinterland, passing through Sigüeiro and crossing the Río Tambre, into the suburbs of Santiago.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The A-Coruña leg is short at around 30 km, but challenging due to the climb: just under 800 meters of elevation gain up to about 457 m, while the descent is only about 350 m. This section can be covered in one long day or comfortably split into two. The longest and most challenging stretch of the A-Coruña branch is the climb up to Hospital de Bruma—be sure to bring enough water and plan for breaks.

Historical Sea Pilgrims from A Coruña—and the 100-km Marker

A Coruña was a key stop for maritime pilgrims: as early as the Middle Ages, travelers from England, Ireland, and northern Europe would disembark here to continue on foot to Santiago. The English pilgrim William Wey, co-founder of Eton College, described the city in 1456 as a meeting place for ships from England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, France, and Brittany. It was precisely this maritime influx that gave the route its name.

Important for the Compostela: To receive the Compostela certificate, the Pilgrimage Office requires that you have walked at least 100 kilometers to Santiago. However, A Coruña is below this threshold (about 74 km to Santiago). Therefore, the A Coruña route alone is not sufficient to qualify for the Compostela.

A recognized way to still reach the 100 km mark: Pilgrims combine the section starting in A Coruña with kilometers they have previously covered on the Camino Celta in Ireland, so that the two segments together make up the minimum distance. Those who aren’t planning to do this and want the Compostela should start the Camino Inglés in Ferrol.

Highlights Along the Way

• The Corner – an ancient Atlantic port featuring the Tower of Hercules (a Roman lighthouse and UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a long history of maritime pilgrimage.
• Bruma Hospital – a historic crossroads with the remains of a medieval pilgrims’ hospital, where the two branches converge.
• Galician Hinterland – Quiet rolling hills, forests, and paths between the villages along the way to Santiago.

Continue the pilgrimage?

This branch is not a destination in its own right, but rather the starting point of the Camino Inglés. At Hospital de Bruma, it joins the main route, which begins in Ferrol. From there, both routes continue together through Sigüeiro and along the Río Tambre to Santiago de Compostela. So you’re not “turning onto a different path”—you’re joining the Camino Inglés and following it all the way to your destination.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

You can reach A Coruña by plane (it has its own airport), train, or bus—historically, pilgrims arrived by ship, and the port city was the main point of arrival for maritime pilgrims from England and Ireland.

In Hospital de Bruma, this branch line connects with the main line of the English Way from Ferrol—from there, both routes continue together to Santiago.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to hike is from spring through fall. Since this leg is short, you’ll need little more than a full day of hiking to reach Bruma; many hikers combine it directly with the subsequent stages to Santiago. A pilgrim’s passport is useful for collecting stamps and accessing pilgrim accommodations—and it’s required if you want to apply for the Compostela at the end. If the Compostela is important to you, clarify the 100-km requirement in advance (see above).

What the journey will cost you

In Spain, costs are moderate. As a rough estimate, plan on spending 30–50 € per day for basic lodging and meals; pilgrim hostels are inexpensive, while guesthouses and restaurants are correspondingly more expensive.

Getting There

The starting point is A Coruña, which is easily accessible by train and bus.

• Train to A Coruña: Connections via the Spanish network. Spanish national railway company– Connections and tickets.
• Note: A Coruña also has an airport (Alvedro) and good bus connections within Galicia.