Camiño dos Faros: The Lighthouse way-8 days

Arrival in Carballo. 

Morning transfer from Carballo to Malpica. During the first walk from hotel doorstep to hotel doorstep you get directly into the mood of the Camiño dos Faros as you follow gravel roads and small, sometimes uneven and exposed foot paths along the coast, passing a beach, a chapel and the Sisargas islands. The route ends at the doorstep of your rural and seaside hotel near Barizo. Dinner is not included because the hotel only services 'a la carte' menus. And you might want to try next door’s restaurant “As Garzas” awarded with 1 Michelin star since 2010 (but remember to book in advance) 

Challenge: 13 km / 8 mi, 5 hrs, 400 ascent and descent.

Today you walk first to the Faro Nariga, one of the most famous lighthouses of the Costa da Morte although, or maybe because, it is a modern building. After the lighthouse you continue to the beautiful beach of Niñons, where you order a taxi or start the return route along gravel roads that give access to a modern windmill park. 

Challenge: 17 km / 10,5 mi, 6.5 - 7 hrs, 720 ascent and descent

                      Shortcut: 13 km / 8 mi, 5 hrs, 620 m ascent and descent

To avoid a long stretch of steep coastal footpath through a vast empty area, a taxi will take you in the morning to the tiny hamlet of Roncudo. From there you either follow the Camiño along winding footpaths to the cape O Roncudo after which there is no alternative for a 3km / 2mi tarmac lane until you reach the fishermen’s village of O Corme OR you take a shortcut to O Corme. 

After coffee break at O Corme you have to choose again: between the long spectacular Camiño along the coast with some exposed parts, or a shorter, higher route through shady woods before you reach the extensive sand plateau that separates the river mouth of Ponteceso from the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, a long stretch of SANDY trail before you reach Ponteceso and a taxi will take you to your modern beach hotel in Laxe.

Challenge: LOW route: 18 km / 11 mi,  6.5 hrs, 525 m ascent, 650 m descent

                      HIGH route: 14.5 km / 9 mi,  4.5 - 5 hrs, 325 m ascent, 450 m descent

A beautiful stretch of coastline and one steep hill separates Laxe from the large sandy beach of Traba. The dunes have been violated by the ocean on several occasions, thus creating a wetland with lagunes that are popular among 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 or winds around strange wind-sculptured rock formations. In the harbour of Camelle a taxi picks you up for a transfer back to Laxe because there is no hotel nearby.

Challenge: 15 km / 9,5 mi, 5.5 hrs, 485 m ascent and descent

                     Less exposed option (for rainy or very windy days): 12 km / 7,5 mi, 4 hrs, 275 m ascent and descent

As you walk back to the coast via Mourin, 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. You can visit the house (now it holds a visitors’ centre and café) before you continue along the coast, past a modern fish factory and a chapel located on a hilltop above Camariñas. Today's route is relatively short, which allows you to have a longer lunch at Restaurant Puerto Arnela. The traditional village architecture has suffered from modernity, but it houses a small museum  dedicated to the typical handcrafted lace of Camariñas.

Challenge: 13.5 km / 8,5 mi, 5 hrs, 400 m ascent and descent

After breakfast a taxi will take you to Vimianzo where you can get on the bus to either A Coruña or to Santiago.