Where in the World is Peggy Peg? Cabo Ortegal

Where in the World is Peggy Peg? Cabo Ortegal, Galician in Spain

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Travel Blog – Marcus and His Family Continue Their Adventures: Where the Sky Meets the Sea – An Unforgettable Road Trip to Cabo Ortegal and San Andrés de Teixido

Waves silently crash against ragged rocks far below us. A pair of seagulls hang in the air like kites with invisible strings. Ahead of us the ocean stretches away until eventually it becomes impossible to tell where it ends and the sky begins. That is until the sun gradually dips towards the water’s surface, filling the horizon with an intense orange. 

At that moment, time seems to slow. The seagulls are still. The waves are a little less violent against the beauty of the sun’s final descent. The sky tinged pink, the ocean appearing to swallow the burning orb of fire marking the end of the day. We stand lost in the moment, bewitched by nature’s delicate grace, immune to the chill of the wind that wraps its tendrils around us. 

Our decision to come to Cabo Ortegal had been spontaneous, allowing for just enough time to stop at the pocket-sized village of San Andrés de Teixido on the way. On the map, there looks to be nothing there other than a handful of houses perched on the edge of cliffs that plummet down to the gurgling sea below. But maps can often be deceiving, never able to tell the full story of a place. So we stop, drawn down the mountain side by the church that, as we discover, has been at the heart of pilgrimages for centuries. 

There’s a saying in these parts; a San Andrés de Teixido vai de morto quen non foi de vivo”, which means if you don't go to San Andrés de Teixido when you are alive, you will go when you are dead. Regardless of the saying, it is a place everyone should visit in their lifetime to witness the dramatic landscapes that open out before you as you walk down to the church. We sit with the church to our backs, the daunting cliffs reaching far back along the coast. 

Conscious of the time and not wanting to miss the sunset, we decline heartfelt offers to stay and eat barnacles - a local delicacy that can fetch huge prices given they are hand-picked by courageous men in treacherous conditions - and continue on through the Sierra de Capelada, past wild horses and languid cattle. Every kink and turn in the road brings with it even more spectacular views of some of Europe’s highest cliffs, in places they tower over six hundred metres above the sea below. I try to keep my eyes on the road, suddenly aware of how narrow and precarious it is, hoping we don’t meet anyone coming the other way. 

It eventually begins to descend, steeply twisting through gargantuan slabs of rock perched somewhat precariously around us until it abruptly comes to an end in front of the lighthouse at Cabo Ortegal. The day is almost at an end as we battle the bracing wind to stand at what feels like the edge of the world. 

They say if you look closely, you can see the exact point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cantabrian Sea, yet I can’t bring my eyes away from the cliffs that stretch around to the left, which are their immense scale. To the right, the equally impressive Os Tres Aguillóns, three giant jagged rocky islets, draw my attention. It’s rare to find places where nature's overwhelming might and rawness render you powerless. Yet that is exactly how I feel standing here in this northern enclave of Galicia, small and inconsequential compared to the scene we find ourselves in. 

So many come to this far corner of Spain on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, itself a place of immense beauty, albeit man made, yet few venture north to the tip of the country. Maybe that’s to our advantage, as unlike a few days before where we had been carried along the streets surrounding Santiago’s cathedral by rivers of weary walkers, here we are alone. The four of us stood watching the world go down in flames. 

Where in the World: Perched at the northernmost tip of Galicia and surrounded by wild jagged cliffs Cabo Ortegal is both intimidating and captivating in its aloneness.  

How to Get There: Given it’s unique location at the tip of Galicia there are only two main roads to get to Cabo Ortegal, however we highly recommend taking the DP2204 from Cedeira, which runs along the coast and offers spectacular views as you drive along the tops of the cliffs. 

Where to Stay: There are any number of campsites along the Galician coast, and several more on land where the mountains begin. Two of our favourites were Camping a Lagoa and Camping Valle do Seo. 

Pegs Used: We used our most standard set-up of securing the Fix&Go Anchor plates 2.0 with the 16cm Peg&Stop Screw-in Pegs and then the TieStraps 2.0 with the 20cm Peg&Stop Screw-in Pegs.

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Discovering Cabo Ortegal: Where the Sky Meets the Sea

Cabo Ortegal, at the northernmost tip of Galicia, Spain, is a place of raw natural beauty. Towering cliffs, crashing waves, and breathtaking sunsets make it a destination that feels both powerful and peaceful. Nearby, the tiny village of San Andrés de Teixido offers rich history and dramatic landscapes, making this road trip unforgettable.

Why Visit Cabo Ortegal?

• Spectacular Cliffs: Some of Europe’s highest cliffs, rising over 600 meters above the sea.
• Breathtaking Views: See the exact point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cantabrian Sea.
• Charming Village: San Andrés de Teixido, an ancient pilgrimage site surrounded by stunning nature.
• Unique Atmosphere: Experience solitude and the feeling of standing at the edge of the world.
• Dramatic Rock Formations: The iconic Os Tres Aguillóns, three jagged rocky islets rising from the ocean.

How to Get There:

For the most scenic route, take the DP2204 from Cedeira, which runs along the coastline and offers stunning cliff-top views.

Where to Stay: Camping in Galicia

• Camping a Lagoa: A peaceful campsite right by the coast with stunning sea views.
• Camping Valle do Seo: Perfect for exploring the mountains and rugged coastline of Galicia.

Pegs Used for Camping:

Our Peggy Peg setup kept us secure even in strong coastal winds:

• Fix&Go Anchor plates 2.0 with 16cm Peg&Stop Screw-in Pegs for solid ground hold.
• 20cm Peg&Stop Screw-in Pegs combined with TieStraps 2.0 storm straps for extra stability.

Insider Tip:

Don’t miss the sunset at the Cabo Ortegal lighthouse — a magical moment when the sky glows in golden and fiery hues, blending seamlessly with the ocean.

Fazit:

Cabo Ortegal and San Andrés de Teixido offer a perfect mix of adventure, solitude, and natural beauty. With its dramatic cliffs, historic charm, and peaceful campsites, this Galician gem is a must-visit for those craving unforgettable moments in the wild.

Marcus is a husband, a father, an adventure athlete and an award-winning writer travelling the world in their Bailey of Bristol motorhome with his wife Kim and his two kids.

If you have any questions about their life on the road or simply want to follow their travels more closely, you can contact Marcus and Kim over on Instagram through @marcusleachglobal and @our.roaming.odyssey