Camino Finisterre: how many kms is it from Santiago-Finisterre-Muxia and back to Santiago?

[Aodh]

I'm still not quite clear just how long the Camino Finisterre is. Brierley says it's 200km and is divided into seven stages, while this says it's 118km. I'm leaving from Santiago with a group of students and we have six days to do it so I'm wondering how long it will take to get to Muxia, and could we walk back to Santiago in the same period? Do most people get a bus back from Muxia?
Thanks a million.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Aodh ~
Most people would say the Camino Finisterre is Santiago to Finisterre (Fisterra in the local language), specifically Santiago to Negreira, Negreira to Olveiroa, Oveiroa to Finisterre as in this link: El epílogo a Fisterra | Guía del Camino de Santiago | EROSKI CONSUMER. I think most people see Muxia as an option, usually after Finisterre. In 2009 my son chose to walk from Santiago to Finisterre, then to Muxia, then back to Finisterre so he could get as close to 1000 kms as possible on his Camino which started at St Jean Pied de Port.

The standard itinerary is to add 3 walking days after Santiago, then one or two overnights in Finisterre, then bus back to Santiago. Finisterre is a tiny city without a lot of sights to see, so unless the weather's great and sunning on the beach is an option it's a challenge to find much to do. Still, the scenery, particularly at the cape itself, is extraordinary and unforgettable.