The English Way
The English Way of St James is known by this name because it was the route taken by pilgrims from the British Isles in the Middle Ages.
The English Way
The English Way of St James is known by this name because it was the route taken by pilgrims from the British Isles in the Middle Ages. Pilgrims coming from Great Britain or Ireland to do the Camino used to disembark in the ports of Ferrol or A Coruña, so our routes also start from one of these two cities.
Information on the English Way
Hostels for the Camino Inglés
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Stages of the English Way from Ferrol
The English Way of St James starting from Ferrol has six stages, although you also have the option of splitting up the first stage and spending the night in Neda.
 Stage one. From Ferrol to Pontedeume |  30 km |  6 hours |
| Stage two. From Ferrol to Pontedeume | 15 km | 3 hours |
| Stage three. From Pontedeume to Betanzos | 22 km | 5 hours |
| Stage four. From Betanzos to Bruma | 24 km | 5 hours |
| Stage five. From Bruma to Sigüeiro | 29 km | 6,5 hours |
| Stage six From Sigüeiro to Santiago de Compostela | 11 km | 2 hours |
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Book your route nowThe English Way of St. James is a pilgrimage route in northwest Spain that has been used by English-speaking pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The traditional route starts in Ferrol, Galicia, and ends in Santiago de Compostela, in northwest Spain.
The English Way of St. James’ main ports of departure were Bristol, Newcastle, London, and Southampton. After reaching the Galician coast, the pilgrims that chose the English Way of St. James found protection in monasteries and hospitals, such as those of the Hospitallers of Sancti Spiritus or the Order of St. Francis.
As early as the 11th century, there is evidence of templars going on pilgrimages to Jerusalem. These knights moored their ships in Galician ports to seek protection for their souls before the Apostle’s tomb.
The English Way of St. James is an extremely popular pilgrimage route for many reasons. It is a well-established route with extensive accommodation infrastructure throughout it.
The English Way of St. James is one of the shortest pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in order to obtain the Compostela diploma. It is just over 119 kilometres long. The route is relatively flat, which means that most people will find it easy to complete.
The English Way of St. James is a popular route with today’s pilgrims. Many pilgrims choose this route for religious reasons, while others do so to overcome a challenge, enjoy the scenery, or immerse themselves in its history.
Why choose the English Way of St. James?
The English Way of St. James is a 119-kilometre-long route from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela that is full of history and heritage. This route is well known for its peacefulness since it is not as busy as other routes. It is marked with yellow arrows and classic milestones, which makes it easy to follow.
There are few public hostels along the English Way of St. James, which may make it difficult to find accommodation during busy times of year. However, there are a lot of private hostels, boarding houses, and hotels in the municipal districts through which the route runs. At Tubuencamino we can organise your accommodation in these hostels, so that doing the English Way of St. James will be a more tranquil experience for you.
The English Way of St. James is a beautiful route with a lot of history and culture. If you are looking for a more peaceful Camino de Santiago route, then the English Way of St. James is the perfect one for you.
Best time of year for doing the English Way of St. James
The best time for doing the English Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela really depends on each person. Some people prefer to do the route in spring, while others prefer the summer. There is no right or wrong answer.
Spring
Something to bear in mind is that the weather can be fairly unstable in spring, apart from the greater frequency of allergies at this time of year. However, on the positive side, the natural surroundings are absolutely beautiful during this season.
Summer
Summer is, by far, the most popular time of the year for doing the English Way of St. James for obvious reasons. The weather is usually fairly mild and there are more hours of sunshine. Many people only have free time during the summer, so that it is the only moment when they can do this route.
Naturally, one of the disadvantages of summer is that accommodation establishments may be quite full. However, that is not usually a problem when you book with Tubuencamino.
Autumn
Autumn is another interesting time of year for doing the English Way of St. James. One of the main disadvantages is that the weather can be fairly unstable and rainier than usual. This may make the terrain more difficult to travel through, especially in the case of dirt trails.
However, the positive side is the breath-taking views at this time of year. The colours of the leaves are simply magical, and it is a wonderful time for getting away from the hot temperatures in the rest of Spain.
Winter
Winter is also a fine time of year for doing the English Way of St. James. One of the main advantages is that there are usually less people doing the route, which makes it easier to find accommodation. Another advantage, when passing through the mountains, is that you might see some snow, which can be absolutely beautiful.
Naturally, the inconvenience of winter is that it can get fairly cold. However, this is not usually a problem if you are well equipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the English Way of St. James?
The English Way is a 119-km-long pilgrimage route through northwest Spain. You can complete it in 5 days since it is one of the shortest Camino pilgrimage routes.
The route begins in the city of Ferrol and crosses through some of the most beautiful Galician scenery. It ends in the city of Santiago de Compostela, where the Apostle James’ remains are said to be buried.
The English Way of St. James is an extremely popular route among pilgrims from all over the world, and many decide to do it to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The journey is a challenge, but the reward makes it worthwhile.
How many stages does the English Way of St. James have?
The English Way of St. James is 119 kilometres long and is divided into 6 stages. It actually consists of 5 days of walking, with one 30-kilometre day and the rest covering from 15 to 25 days. The last day is the shortest.
Where does the English Way of St. James start?
First, you stay overnight in Ferrol in order to get up early and begin the English Way of St. James in the port of Ferrol.
How long does it take to do the Way of St. James starting from Ferrol?
It takes 5 days to do the Way of St. James starting from Ferrol. There are 5 stages, nearly all of which are less than 25 kilometres long. It is one of the shortest Camino de Santiago routes.
How many hostels are there on the English Way of St. James?
There used to be only three public hostels throughout the route. However, in recent years there has been a great increase in the number of hostels, which makes it easier for pilgrims to find accommodation. Apart from public hostels, there are also private hostels, boarding houses, hotels, and country cottages that provide accommodation. In any case, you do not have to worry since we will take care of this for you. Check our route of the English Way from Ferrol.
