Today, we begin the last stage on the Camino de Finisterre, for the great majority, the end of the Camino de Santiago. There’s nothing left beyond. Some are eager to continue walking and find the peace that experience provides will delve into the Camiño dos Faros, but these will be in a minority.
Let’s finish the Camino de Finisterre!
We will start this last morning facing an ascent of 250 metres, from Lires to El Facho de Lourido, the highest point. In this place, during the old days, bonfires were lit to alert the locals when some threat stalked their shores.
Then, descending, we will go down to Xurarantes and, optionally, to Lourido Beach. Following an intuitive path, we reach the end of the route of the Camino de Finisterre, Muxía, where as proof of the effort made so far, we will collect ‘La Muxiana’.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Santiago de Compostela to Muxía, tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago, and we will contact you to advise you on everything that you need.
Itinerary stage Lires – Muxía
The last stage of the Camino de Finisterre has a 14.4-kilometre route. We are facing a stage to enjoy. The biggest challenge of the day will be the ascent to El Facho de Lourido, in which we will scale 250 metres of ascent.
Lires (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: In Frixe you will find a place with vending machines, tables and bathroom.Buen Camino!
The pilgrim path leaves Lires descending to the River Castro, where we cross over an austere bridge, entering the Muxía district. After 70 metres we turn left and cross Vaosilveiro (km. 0.9).
After a short roundabout, we lead onto an asphalt track leading to Frixe (km. 2.2), where most of the village is on the right. We turn left, to continue along a track that runs in the middle of a pine forest.
Then we cross a road, to resume walking along the track to Guisamonde (km. 4,6). We return to the asphalt and, ascending, we arrive at Casa López, next to a cross and a fountain that welcome us to the Parish of Morquintián (km. 6.4).
Morquintián (km. 6,4).
Practical tips for this section: The path does not pass next to the Church of Santa Maria in Morquintián, so, if you want to visit it you will have to make a diversion. At the confusing road fork leaving this town we have to continue to the right, the section on the left is not well signposted. Buen Camino!
After the village, we travel a little more than a kilometre, when we reach the aforementioned confusing road fork, an official marker indicates that we can continue to the left, however, the yellow arrows of the road point to the right.
We must continue to the right because the variant on the left lacks signalling. Continuing on the right, 350 metres later, we turn left to climb a path, that leads to the vicinity of Facho de Lourido, at an altitude of 269 metres, the highest point on the stage (km. 8.8).
Facho de Lourido (km. 8,8).
Practical tips for this section: Behind the Bico Fountain, we will find again signals that point in different directions. If you have divided the route between Finisterre and Muxía in two stages, as we recommend in this guide, the detour to Lourido Beach is worth it, as the stage is short enough to allow it.
If you started it in Finisterre, rather than Lires, this morning, you may be tired enough to avoid that ascent and descent, continuing along the road. Buen Camino!
A wide path goes down to the hamlet of Xurarantes (km. 11.1). At the exit we take a local track, passing by the Bico Fountain. When we reach the road, we find ourselves again with some contradictory signs. Some encourage us to continue straight on, along a path, and others to continue along the road.
If we continue in front, going down the path, we will go down to Lourido Beach, crossing a short stretch of dunes. Once there we will have to go back to the descent to return to the road. The other alternative, the one that continues along the road, borders the beach above (km. 12.5).
From this point the pilgrim route leads to Muxía naturally, with no possibility of getting lost. By Rúa Campo da Pinas and Os Malatos y Enfesto, we enter the town of Muxía.
Muxía (km. 14,4). End of the Camino de Finisterre.
Practical tips for this section: Congratulations, pilgrim! You’ve reached the end of your journey. See you soon!
Once we have left the backpack in our accommodation, the tradition is to visit the Sanctuary of la Virgen de la Barca. On the way to the temple we will pass by the Tourist Office, where you can request the “Muxiana”. We will also be able to get to know the Church of Santa Maria.
In the vicinity of the sanctuary is the Pedra de Abalar, Pedra dos Cadrís, and the Pedra do Timón, full of legends. The promenade is an excellent place to enjoy the Costa da Morte.
Comments stage Lires – Muxía
Here are some tips for you to successfully complete the Camino de Finisterre.
Precautions stage Lires – Muxía
The stretch from Lires to El Facho de Lourido is practically uphill, facing a 250-metre climb over approximately 9 kilometres.
At various points during the stage the signalling is confusing. One example is located in Morquintián, where we recommend continuing on the right, because the path on the left is not correctly signposted.
The other confusing spot lies behind the Bico Fountain. At this point it is not possible to get lost and both paths are valid, taking one or the other only depends on the preferences of the pilgrim.
Food stage Lires – Muxía
On the last stage of the Camino de Finisterre you can enjoy the following regional dishes:
- Fish (White Tuna, Sea Bass, Hake, etc.)
- Conger Eels
- Seafood (Goose Barnacles, Spider Crab, Crabs, etc.)
- Bacon with Turnip Tops
- Empanadas elaborated with Cockles, Octopus and Cod.
- Fish Stew
- Pancakes
Services stage Lires – Muxía
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino de Finisterre.
Map stage Lires – Muxía
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Lires – Muxía
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
Qué ver y qué hacer en la etapa Lires – Muxía
Here’s some information about places you can visit in Muxía.
Muxía
Muxía is a small fishing village, in the municipality of the same name, which has just over 5,000 inhabitants. The town is full of pilgrim legends, demonstrating the enormous tradition of this town on the Camino de Santiago.
There is no documentation that dates the exact date of the town’s foundation, but its origin seems to be linked to the Monastery of San Xulián de Moraime and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Barca.
Among the places to visit the fishing village are the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Barca and the Church of Santa Maria. The drying of conger eels and the set of stones on the Paseo de la Barca, linked to numerous legends also all stand out.
Paseo marítimo
The Muxía promenade runs along its coast from the village of A Cruz to the fishing port of that town. On the walk is the image of Gonzalo López, renowned poet who reflected in his verses the beauty of these lands.
Piedra dos Cadrís
Piedra dos Cadrís is located in Muxía and is kidney-shaped. The rock, they say, has healing powers for the kidneys and rheumatism. To relieve pain, it is necessary to pass below it 9 times. Also, according to legends in the area, the stone represents the sail of the ship on which the Virgin was manifested.
Iglesia de Santa María del Monte Corpiño
The Church of Santa Maria stands on the rocks of Mount Corpiño. The temple was built in 1203 and was donated to the Monastery of Carracedo, by Pope Innocent III. Its architectural style is fundamentally Romanesque.
Its structure consists of a single nave with a wooden roof. The main entrance has a pointed arch with an ornate archivolt, which is supported by two columns with Roman marble capitals. From this entrance, an ancient road begins that leads to the Sanctuary of La Barca.
In the southern area and at the head of the temple the walls are reinforced with several buttresses. Behind a rectangular door, on the south side, is the tomb of the priest José Fondevila Martínez, devotee of the Sanctuary of La Barca.
Piedra de Abalar
The Abalar Stone is part of a set of stones located at Punta de la Barca that are associated with the magical and religious cult. The Abalar Stone is the most outstanding of them all and has a perimeter of 30 metres.
Of the many peculiarities of this rock predominates its divinatory power. It was formerly used as a tool to impart justice, leaving the verdict of guilt or innocence of those who were judged to be in the hands of the stone.
A heavy storm in 1978 moved the stone from its original position and fractured one of its sides, so that it was repaired on several occasions. It is believed that, at present, the stone swings to its liking but, when it does so for no apparent reason, it is interpreted as a warning of future misfortune.
Among the many legends and popular stories that revolve around this stone, highlights the one that points out that once someone tried to steal inside the sanctuary, but the stone began to move so fast and strong that it woke all the locals, making the wrongdoers flee.
Conger Eel Dryers
Muxía’s conger dryers are handcrafted structures, formed by cross-stakes in which the conger eels are hung out to dry. After the conger is washed and prepared, various cuts are made in the piece and placed in a strategic way to dry and cure with the wind. They are the only ones that currently work in Spain.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Barca
The Church of Our Lady of Barca was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, although it has undergone various reconstructions and the current temple dates from 1719. Its architectural style is mainly Baroque.
In its construction stone was used from the old house of the Moraime Monks. Its structure consists of a single nave with thick walls. On the cross a huge Latin cross is presented, 33 metres long by 19 wide.
Inside, there were, in the past, several stables, but today only the Main Altarpiece is preserved, in honour of the patron saint of the temple. Inside, the remains of the Count of Maceda and his wife, the Countess of Taboada, who contributed donations to the construction of the temple are resting.
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