English Way of Two Ports: Ferrol, A Coruña and the Gates of Betanzos: hiking in Spain
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English Way of Two Ports: Ferrol, A Coruña and the Gates of Betanzos

Distance
364.9 km
Estimated moving time
5 d 2 h
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

This expanded English Way explores two port departures, Ferrol and A Coruña. The Ferrol branch includes San Julián Cathedral, Santiago Church in Pontedeume and Betanzos’s medieval gates. The A Coruña branch adds the Obelisk with its clock and weathervane; Sigüeiro Bridge lies on the shared southern direction. Alternatives and returns are combined here, so choose your sequence before setting out. Add the approach to Santiago Cathedral separately: its square is outside this version’s concluding passage.

Route status

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Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Asphalt 32% · Dirt / grass 3% · Paving stones 2% · Unknown 57%

Surface data covers 156.6 km of 364.9 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Asphalt 32% · 117.4 km
Dirt / grass 3% · 10.7 km
Paving stones 2% · 8.34 km
Dirt 2% · 6.62 km
Concrete 1% · 4.04 km
Improved surface 1% · 3.63 km
Artificial surface 1% · 3.56 km
Sand 1% · 2.25 km
Unknown 57% · 208.4 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Compare two maritime beginnings of a pilgrimage and linger in Betanzos, where distinct town gates stand beside historic churches and memorials to local benefactors. Pontedeume reveals the road’s connection with the port and Royal Road, while the A Coruña Obelisk introduces a different urban period. The expanded programme suits travellers exploring both branches with time for town walks between accommodation stops.
Length
364.9 km
Elevation gain
8909 m
Surface
Asphalt 32%
English Way of Two Ports: Ferrol, A Coruña and the Gates of Betanzos: route photo 2 in Spain

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
The complete undertaking with both branches suits prepared travellers choosing the walking order and booking accommodation independently. A separate short town walk may be considerably easier. English Way cycling tours do not establish rideability of every stairway and branch in this walking version. Check animal accommodation with each host.

Nearby

Add a separate town approach from the southern passage to Santiago’s cathedral and square. The Tower of Hercules in A Coruña, Pasatempo Park in Betanzos and Breamo Church above Pontedeume need their own detours; inclusion in a general guide does not make them compulsory stops in this version. Check San Julián Cathedral and Galician church interiors separately from street access.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
The route organisation identifies Ferrol’s railway and bus stations, A Coruña San Cristóbal railway station and the city’s bus station. Choose your departure city, check services and arrange the separate approach to the port branch. Allow an additional transfer when exploring both beginnings. Arrange the Santiago return and intermediate exits beforehand.
By car
First choose Ferrol or A Coruña and arrange a legal town drop-off followed by a walking approach. There is no single drive-in point for every branch: parts of the programme use historic streets and pedestrian passages. Make a separate driving plan for travel between the two port departures and agree on a specific collection place.
Parking
Vehicle storage for the entire expanded journey has not been established. Check your chosen town accommodation’s arrangements and time restrictions before travelling. In Betanzos and Pontedeume, read signs before stopping a car. Arrange a return to the vehicle beforehand, allowing for your selected departure and independent town walks.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
San Julián Cathedral in Ferrol the sanctuary beside the Ferrol town passage.
Santiago Church in Pontedeume the church beside the old Royal Road in the historic town.
Ponte Vella Gate in Betanzos the surviving entrance on the Old Bridge side.
Ponte Nova Gate in Betanzos the separate gate on the New Bridge direction.
Santa María do Azougue Church the historic church beside the Betanzos town passage.
García Naveira Brothers Monument the memorial to benefactors who supported the town’s public institutions.
A Coruña Obelisk the column with a clock and weathervane on the second port branch.
Sigüeiro Bridge the river crossing on the shared southern direction towards Compostela.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 8909 м.
SurfaceAsphalt 32%, Dirt / grass 3%, Paving stones 2%, Unknown 57%.
Риски Pontedeume’s historic quarter is followed by an uphill section; choose a pace that suits your pack and the weather. Check safe road crossings near Gándara on the Ferrol town passage: its official guide notes places without marked pedestrian crossings. Stone paving becomes slippery after rain. Do not treat a connection between alternatives on a map as a compulsory consecutive walking stage.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 5 d 2 h
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Allow 18–22 days of walking for independently exploring both branches, returns and town passages, including rest time. This is an editorial allowance for the full expanded programme. The organiser suggests 5–6 days for a standard single English Way from Ferrol and 3–4 from A Coruña; these refer to different alternatives selected individually. First distribute the Ferrol, Neda, Pontedeume and Betanzos passages and the A Coruña direction, then the shared southern approach. Arrange the final Compostela cathedral visit separately.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Moderate temperatures and a forecast without prolonged heavy rain suit the combination of walking and town visits. Check accommodation opening in spring and autumn; allow for heat on exposed road sections in summer. Give paving and town crossings more time on wet days. Check lodging and church visits separately around public holidays.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Broken-in footwear for long walks
Rain protection
An offline map of selected branches
Spare phone power
Water for exposed road sections
Accommodation and transfer confirmations
A small first-aid kit

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

The route organisation identifies Ferrol’s railway and bus stations, A Coruña San Cristóbal railway station and the city’s bus station. Choose your departure city, check services and arrange the separate approach to the port branch. Allow an additional transfer when exploring both beginnings. Arrange the Santiago return and intermediate exits beforehand

Is this route suitable for children?

Do not treat this as a basic child-friendly route: check difficulty, length, and trail conditions before going.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 364.9 km, hard.

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