‘El Camino a Vela’ closes its tenth edition successfully

More than 100 nautical pilgrims have celebrated their arrival at the Plaza del Obradoiro after sailing along the northern coast of Spain and completing the journey on foot from Padrón, a trip that began at the French port of La Rochelle on June 6th.

With the iconic group photo at the Plaza del Obradoiro, the tenth edition of ‘El Camino a Vela’ concluded yesterday, July 1st, a unique journey that over nearly a month has united sea, spirituality, and culture through the coastal route running along northern Spain until reaching Santiago.

Yesterday morning, the sea pilgrims completed the last stage of this experience, walking from Padrón to the Galician capital. After lowering sails the day before yesterday in Vilagarcía de Arousa, where the sailing ended following 18 intense, exciting, and deeply symbolic sea stages, participants have crowned this unique experience.

Since its departure on June 6th from the French port of La Rochelle, ‘El Camino a Vela’ has involved 25 sailboats and over 200 pilgrims from nine countries, consolidating its international character. French, Spanish, Italian, German, Belgian, British, Irish, Argentine, and Brazilian participants have shared the journey, landscapes, and experiences on a route that connects not only coasts but also people.

The 2025 edition has stopped at more than fifteen towns along the northern coast of Spain, leaving in each a trail of hospitality, culture, and joy: Hondarribia, Getaria, Bermeo, Getxo (Basque Country); Santander (Cantabria); Ribadesella, Gijón, Avilés (Asturias); Ribadeo, Viveiro, Cedeira, Ferrol, A Coruña, Laxe, Muxía, Muros, Boiro, and Vilagarcía de Arousa (Galicia).

Each stop has been a local celebration: institutional meetings, gastronomic events, cultural activities, and a growing bond between sailors and host communities.

This year’s journey had a particularly emotional character as it commemorated a decade since this pioneering initiative began to trace its Blue Path. A path that has united more than 2,000 nautical pilgrims since 2016, promoting values of respect for the environment, responsible tourism, and solidarity.

One of the most moving moments of this edition was the twinning ceremony held in Gijón on June 16th, a symbol of the network of solidarity woven among the ports that have welcomed the pilgrims during these ten years.

Furthermore, ‘El Camino a Vela’ has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and solidarity, promoting the calculation of its carbon footprint in collaboration with the University of León and supporting the solidarity campaign “Sailing against ALS.”