Camino del Norte Day 40: Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela
May 29, 2025
26.74 miles | 43 km
It was going to be a hot day.
Breakfast in O Pedrouzo
The Last Hill
The city of Santiago de Compostela spread out before me in the hot afternoon sun. I could see the peaks of Santiago Cathedral, a landmark that has beckoned pilgrims for generations. Tears unexpectedly flooded my eyes. Now that I was so close to finishing, I realized how much I didn’t want the journey to end. The feet that had carried me so far suddenly felt like stopping. But there was no stopping—not now. I set my mind finish this journey with endurance and continued down the hill with hundreds of other pilgrims.
Seeing Santiago for the first time from Monte do Gozo
The Final Kilometer
The final kilometer to Santiago seemed terribly short and tediously long at the same time. Excitement, joy, and sadness filled my heart as I approached the city. I thought about each of the fellow pilgrims who had graced my journey and the merry moments we had shared together on the trail. Suddenly the blisters, hills, tears, and struggles of the past forty days seemed like nothing. It had all gone by so quickly.
Approaching Santiago Cathedral
As I approached the square, I suddenly heard the legendary bagpipes playing from the archway. Despite the heat, goosebumps shivered across my arms. My pace became a triumphant marching melody as I walked through the shadowy archway and out into the blinding afternoon sunshine beyond.
Santiago Square
All the emotions welled up inside of me and spilled out my eyes, but I didn’t care anymore. I had arrived. There were tons of pilgrims in the square and more arriving every minute. They were hugging, crying, laughing, joking, or simply sitting under the archways gazing up at the cathedral.
Made it!
Here I Lay My Burden Down
Yardena, dear Yardena, came to greet me. We laughed and cried as we hugged.
“You made it! Congratulations!” she said.
Setting down my backpack and trekking poles
Botafumeiro ceremony in Santiago Cathedral
Traditional parade outside Santiago Cathedral
Celebrations outside Santiago Cathedral for Ascension Day
The Green House and Shanti, the owner, in purple
Pilgrim dinner with new friends at The Green House, left to right: Brin from Boston, Yoris from Germany, Jones from Germany, me, Maryse from France, Yardena from Minneapolis, Julius from Cologne, and Nici from Cologne.
Santiago Square at 11:00 PM
The End is Just the Beginning
