Finisterre – Day 42

We walked in to Finisterre tired and with aching feet on Monday 18 June after a 41 day, 950 km pilgrimage. My first observation is that I was not aware, until a couple of days ago that the furthest point west is in fact 3 kms outside Finisterre. That in itself was a significant issue for people who had already walked 30+ kms that day. Because that was going to add an additional 6 kms to our walk to get out and back to our hotel.

We had debated whether to make the hike from Santiago to Finisterre a 4 or 5 day trip. The 4 day option was selected by a majority decision. That resulted in a 20 km hike, followed by 33 kms, then another 33 kms day and finally a 30 kms plus 6 kms. A grand total of 122 kms. That’s hard going for weary pilgrims. I was especially impressed with Finn for staying the course. I realise he is young and fit but you still need to be conditioned to cover those distances day after day.

I am informed that the Romans named this coast Costa da Morte (the coast of death). They thought they had reached the end of the Earth when they arrived in Finisterre and saw the sun set on the Atlantic Ocean. Some believed that your soul followed the sun off the end of the Earth when you died.

People have been going to Finisterre for thousands of years to watch the sun set. Unfortunately, it was overcast on the day we were there. Whilst it was special to be there at sunset we did not witness an iconic sunset.

And so, with a mixture of emotions, among which, is relief that it’s over and a sense of satisfaction that we have managed to complete our pilgrimage, we’ve finished. Now, we’re off to Porto, via Vigo, for a little well earned R and R.

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