DAY 77 (FINAL) - O PORTO DE ESPASANTE to CABO DE ESTACA DE BARES - Monday 08 July 2024

We travelled light today, leaving our big backpacks in our hotel room where we were spending a second night. Nevertheless, we were overtaken towards the top of the initial steep ascent by a young man with long legs and big strides. 

After the climb, we walked mostly along a ridge, firstly through a hamlet and then through forest and some pasture. We shared the path with the Camino Natural for part of the way. We took a short detour off the path to Pena Furada, where we had magnificent views up and down the coast. 

We continued on to 'the most beautiful bench in the world', according to a Google Maps pin which warned we might have to take turns to sit on it. It certainly had stunning views and some people took a very long turn but ended up being happy to share. There were quite a lot of people here because there was a car park and even an open chiringuito. At the chiringuito we did see someone with a big backpack and a scallop shell but we didn't stop to chat - we were keen to get to our own end point. 

We descended through forest and then on a boardwalk through a marshy area. We were hoping to see birds here but with no luck. 

After a glimpse at the beach, we took the road to O Barqueiro, passing a little chapel on the way which was surprisingly open. We continued down to the Port, where we had a reviving drink in the bar and a tapas of bread and cheese. 

Excited for the final push, we headed out on the only road to Bares. We stopped at the Bar de Bares - with a name like that, we had to - and had another drink and some olives. Rain was forecast so we didn't want to linger too long. The terrace could perhaps have taken more advantage of the view, but maybe the people of Bares are sick of it.

We continued on to another scenic bench, marvelling at some people who had scrambled down to the ocean way below. We passed another car park and the lighthouse before taking a dirt track to the most northern point of Spain. 

And we were done - 11 weeks and 1590 kilometres after setting off from Tarifa we had walked from the most southern point in Spain to the most northern! We ate our last muesli bars that had accompanied us from Australia and survived in our packs all this time in case of emergency. Then we headed down the hill in search of a taxi and a good meal...

We would like to thank all those who have been following this blog - family, friends, and those who have joined us on the way. We have had a fantastic journey and have enjoyed sharing it with you. A special thanks to Murray, for his help in identifying the birds we spotted on the way, and to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Uncle Peter's Books. 

A selfie to mark the end of another long walk

Setting out from O Porto de Espasante under cloudy skies

Continuing our way north

We enjoyed wonderful coastal views for much of today's walk 

Views from Pena Furada 

More stunning coastal views

Yet more stunning coastal views

Cabo de Estaca de Bares - Spain's most northerly point and the end point of our trip. Still a few kilometres of walking to get there. 

Sharing the Most Beautiful Bench in the World

The Most Beautiful Bench in the World

Selfie at the Most Beautiful Bench in the World

More coastal views

Heading inland on the Camiño Natural

Along boardwalks to Esteiro Beach 

Up to O Barqueiro, and down to Porto de Barqueiro on the coast

The picturesque village of Porto de Barqueiro

Fixtures in the bar at Porto de Barqueiro

Road-walking from Porto de Barqueiro to Vila de Bares

Vila de Bares, home to the northernmost horreo in Spain

The Bar de Bares in Vila de Bares

Just over 2 kilometres from Vila de Bares to the northernmost point

Past the lighthouse - getting close now

Just a short stretch of path-walking and scrambling to go

And there it is - the northernmost point in Spain, the Cabo de Estaca de Bares

The northernmost point in Spain.  End point of our walk across the country. 

Finally eating our Australian muesli bars, which made the whole journey with us as emergency rations

Horreos

Birds

Flowers

Animals

Some interesting points from today's walk

Day 77 - Map

Day 77 - Map

Day:                               77

Distance:                      21.37 km

Walking time:              4 hrs 10 mins

Elevation gain:            556 metres

Cumulative distance: 1,590.77 km