Camino Portugués Coastal – Day 13 (Final Day)
Padrón → Santiago de Compostela
April 27, 2026
Distance: ~20+ miles
Steps: ~40,000+
The final push
This is it.
Final day on the Camino.
For the first time on the whole trip, we actually left early. Out the door at 7:00 AM.
No hesitation today.
We woke up in good spirits and, as has become a bit of a theme, did our slightly ridiculous backpack dance in the street before setting off.
Energy was good. Body felt ready. Mentally and spiritually in a strong place.
We knew what today was.
Early miles
About 2 hours in, just over 5.5 miles done.
We felt it early.
No coffee stops, which threw off the rhythm slightly, and we realised quickly how much we now rely on those small breaks.
Markers showed 17 km to go, and that made it real.
This was no longer a long journey.
This was a countdown.
Mid-morning reset
Around 8 miles in, just over 3 hours walking.
We finally stopped.
Coffee, pastries, salami roll, and a proper sandwich.
That changed everything.
Energy came straight back.
It was a reminder that sometimes there’s no deeper issue, you’re just hungry.
The climb
The profile told the story.
A steady, grinding climb most of the day.
- ~700 ft done early
- ~1,000 ft still to go
Nothing dramatic, just relentless.
Late morning
11:40 AM
- 10.67 miles done
- ~21,000 steps
- Under 6 miles to go
We were both feeling it.
Tired, yes.
But also excited.
And a bit sad.
The mental model
Turkey Mountain again.
A 4-mile loop.
At this stage, it was down to about one loop remaining.
That final bend where you see the car park and know you’re done.
Only this time, it’s Santiago.
First sight
At around 12 miles, we saw it.
The spires of the cathedral.
Not a sign.
The destination.
You understand why they built them that way. For centuries, pilgrims could see and hear where they were heading.
Final stretch
At about 13.6 miles in, roughly 2½ miles to go.
Half a Turkey Mountain loop.
Beautiful, shaded, calm.
We were thankful we left early because the sun was now fully out and it was hot.
The body
Everything was talking.
Victor’s hip flexor tightened up.
My blister held steady.
Both a bit short on water.
But still moving.
Arrival
We made it.
Walked into the square.
Emotional.
Photos, 360 video, just standing there.
The history
Santiago is the burial place of Saint James.
For over a thousand years, pilgrims have walked here.
The cathedral stands as the endpoint.
The spires guide you in.
And now we were part of that.
Shutdown
Then the body switched off.
- Achilles tight
- Muscles stiff
- Fatigue fully hit
Like it had all been held together just to get us there.
Completion
Pilgrim Office.
Compostela collected.
Done.
Familiar faces
Seeing people we’ve met along the way.
Just recognition.
First stop
Restaurant.
- Paella
- Beer
- Water
Let it all settle.
Santiago
Checked into the hotel.
Shower.
One-hour nap.
Back out into the city.
It’s a fantastic place.
Full of history, energy, life.
Still stands as somewhere worth coming back to properly.
Simple routines
Mercado run:
- Sour candy
- Sparkling water
Back out again.
The numbers
Looking back:
- Over 200 miles walked
- 400,000+ steps
- Today: 40,000+ steps, 20+ miles
What it means
More than a walk.
A full reset.
Physical, mental, spiritual.
Lessons learned.
Some kept.
Some left behind.
What’s next
Two full days here.
No alarms.
No walking required.
Just time to reflect and explore.
The close
We’re here.
We did it.
Camino complete.
And for the first time in two weeks, there’s nothing we have to do tomorrow.
