Day 13 And so to Finisterre

I was keen to walk the final leg from Cee to Cape Finisterre. Beryl’s feet have had just about enough of walking so we decided to split the route with Julian walking by himself for the walk to Fisterra and then Beryl joining in for the walk along the cape.

The first section was rather lumpy for a relatively short walk. The inlets or rias are separated by 100 metre ridges. It was a very pleasant walk through woodland with increasing views of Finisterre.

The town of Fisterra came into view. The whole cape is connected by a narrow isthmus so the open Atlantic can be seen beyond.

Beryl and I met up on the promenade where there are several promising fish restaurants for this evening.

The church of Santa Maria das Areas had some beautiful embroideries which we haven’t seen much of this year. I do find these Madonnas quite moving.

It was a trudge up the road to the end of the cape. There was a large car park with several coaches and the ubiquitous trinket shops. It was all reminiscent of Land’s End in Cornwall.

There were plenty of people milling around and a busker with a loud rendition of Another Brick in the Wall. We sat for a while but it wasn’t a conducive atmosphere for reflection.

It was pleasing to have arrived. We’ve walked a long way to get here.

Rather than returning by the road we walked over the headland. It was very quiet with dragonflies flitting around. I had hoped to see the open sea but we’d chosen the wrong path. There was a way back up to the top which Beryl wasn’t keen to do so I went up by myself.

It was a beautiful, rocky place at the top. It required a little scrambling over granite rocks to reach the summit but well worthwhile.

The Atlantic views were stunning. There was no one else around. The only sound was the wind. It was a special place. I sat and pondered for a while. This was what I had hoped for at the end of our journey.

Others have found it special too. On the summit boulders there was a fire pit with a few embers.

Watching the sun go down at this spot would be amazing. Unfortunately I don’t have a head torch to get down again afterwards.

The remaining walk back to town was clearly an ancient route through steep walls and cobbled with large stones.

And so ends our memorable pilgrimage in 2025.

There has been plenty to reflect upon. I shall return to this tomorrow as we travel home.