Camino Frances Walking: Sarria to Santiago (self-guided)

Arrival at the Galician town of Sarria. With Celtic origins, Sarria was a major centre for pilgrims in medieval times. These ancient origins can still be felt today as you wonder around the beatiful streets of the old quarter. Walk around town and get the first stamp in your Pilgrims passport.

Start walking up and down the hills of Galicia through forests and rural landscapes to reach the town of Portomarín over the River Miño. This town has the peculiarity that it was moved in 1962, when a reservoir was built in the River Miño leaving the old town submerged underwater. The old church was moved stone by stone to its new location. This church is a good example of a fortress church with towers and battlements, very typical of the military orders that guarded The Camino in the middle ages and protected the pilgrims from thieves. 

 

Today`s walk starts with a steady uphill hike to the village of Ventas de Narón. Once you reach this point, the walk gets gentler. There will be plenty of places to stop along the way to enjoy a break, a picnic and to talk to locals and other walkers. The stage ends in the town of Palas de Rei. Now you can really start to feel the buzz and atmosphere of The Camino as there are lots of walkers overnighting here on their journey.

Today you will be walking a particularly beautiful stretch of the Camino. You will cross roman bridges and several rivers mostly through delightful woodland to get to the town of Melide. This town is famous for its bars where they sell octopus cooked the Galician way. Melide is also where pilgrims from the Camino Primitivo (Oviedo Way) join the main Camino Francés. Continue up to Arzúa, famous for its local cheese. 

Today's stage is a little bit shorter. You will be walking amongst woodland, meadows and small orchards, and passing through numerous small and charming villages. 

Today is your final day walking and you will make your way through forests and rural areas to the famous Monte do Gozo. This is where you will get your first glance of in the distance of the towers of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. From here you only have 5 more kilometres until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro (Obradoiro Square). This is the famous square where pilgrims congregate to celebrate their longed for arrival and end of their journey in Santiago de Compostela. The square is surrounded by the beautiful facade of the Cathedral and the old stone buildings of the Parador de los Reyes Católicos and the Town Hall.

Do not forget to get your Compostelana (certificate in Latin of your pilgrimage) - you´ve earned it!

After enjoying the wonderful city and atmosphere of Santiago de Compostela and a good night´s sleep your journey has come to an end after breakfast. It doesn´t have to end just yet though. If you wish to stay on longer in Santiago de Compostela or continue your journey to Finisterre let us know and we will arrange this for you.