Camino Frances: Sarria to Santiago

Start your Camino adventure with a public bus ride or pre-arranged private transfer to Sarria, ‘gateway’ to Compostela and start of the requisite final 100km for the official pilgrimage certificate. If you have not obtained your Pilgrims Passport in advance, you can collect one here.

Arrive early to visit nearby Samos, a 6th-century monastery that has welcomed pilgrims since the Camino’s very inception. Or book an extra night pre-tour and enjoy the beautiful 14km walk from Samos Monastery back to Sarria.

Your first Camino walk is easier than it looks on the route profile and you'll immediately get into a rhythm on the peaceful country roads and quiet paths. Tree-lined sections provide welcome shade on sunny days and tiny hamlets are strung close together, it seems you have just left one as you enter the next. You'll find plenty of places to pause for snacks and swap stories with other pilgrims along the way.

Saunter down the steep high street out of Portomarín this morning then ‘switch gears’ on a gentle uphill track alongside the main road. Crossing the N-540 at Hospital de la Cruz, you can take a breather at today's highest point, Monte San Antonio. The rest of the day offers nothing but easy walking through gently rolling countryside with a pleasant 10km section on the tarmac. The final 3 kilometres veers off onto a dirt track again, as you approach the humming pilgrims’ town of Palas de Rei.

From Palas de Rei you embark on a long but technically easy route, free of steep prolonged ascents or descents. Join the traditional pilgrim countdown as stone markers sprout up showing the distance left to reach Santiago Cathedral. Encountering cool shady stretches, you amble along to Melide, historic crossroads where the Original Way or ‘Camino Primitivo’ meets the popular French Route or ‘Camino Francés’. Just past this point, you’re treated to an aromatic section through eucalyptus trees and oak groves, trekking toward Arzúa and a well-earned coffee . . . or glass of local wine!

This longer stage can be shortened by arranging a morning transfer to O Coto, saving 8km on a busy road.

At first glance, this stage seems to provide little interest with its monotonous movement alongside the main road. Yet today ends up being one of the most exciting of the whole week as you feel the collective energy grow, joining hordes of fellow pilgrims all excited to be nearly there! It’s a relatively short day, leaving time to relax at your hotel and meld with the peaceful surroundings.

Burst back into modern life as you rush along past the regional airport and cross the highway, railway and ring-road drawn by an immense, irresistible magnet: Plaza Obradoiro. The urban hustle and bustle will not deter you and it’s still easy to imagine ancient pilgrims weeping with joy as they glimpsed the distant spires. Historically, pilgrims pause at Monte does Gozo to set their sights then make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to cleanse their face and feet before meeting their beloved saint.

Your self-guided pilgrimage comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Extra nights can be booked to allow time to explore the beautiful city of Santiago.