Camino Sanabrés to Santiago

If the idea of the Camino de Santiago excites you, but you're yearning for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure than the popular French Way, then get ready for an extraordinary journey! The Sanabres Way links the southern heart of Spain to the mystical landscapes of Galicia, and only 4% of pilgrims dare to tread this path.

Your adventure kicks off in Ourense, a charming spa town famous for its rejuvenating springs. From there, you'll traverse a captivating landscape dotted with Romanesque monasteries, vineyards (prepare to be amazed by the wines of Ribeira Sacra), and lush, vibrant greenery that stretches all the way to the hallowed destination of Santiago.

As you make your way, you'll encounter the mesmerizing Oseira Monastery and explore the remnants of Santa Maria de Moreruela, Spain's oldest Cistercian Monastery. So, if you're ready to embark on an unforgettable journey, the Sanabres Way is calling your name.

Route

Day 1: Arrival in Ourense

Day 2: From Ourense to Cea, 22,5 km

Day 3: From Cea to A Gouxa, 19 km

Day 4: From Santo Domingo to A Ponte Taboada, 20,5 km

Day 5: From Silleda to Vedra, 24 km

Day 6: From Vedra to Santiago de Compostela, 19.5 km

Day 7: Goodbye Santiago

Day 1: Arrival in Ourense

Arrival in Ourense independently. If you arrive early you can visit the cathedral or just wonder around the cobbed streets of the old town. Ourense is known as the "City of burgas" - the burgas are thermal springs-. Ourense cannot be understood without water: its rivers, its fountains and - most specially- its thermal mineral and therapeutic waters. Discover the tradition of the thermal baths that has been in the city from its very origin.

Day 2: From Ourense to Cea, 22,5 km

As you leave town today, you immediately start with a steep ascent of 375m. Then you get an introduction to typical Galician countryside as you follow quiet lanes and gravel roads through woods and rural hamlets; going up and down continuously but without any major ascent until the end, as you approach your cosy rural hotel in Cea.

NOTE: option of travelling with luggage to Sartédigo avoiding the first 5km of ascent as you leave town

Distance: 22,5 km

Elevation gain: +700 / -300 m

Day 3: From Cea to A Gouxa, 19 km

Long but very rewarding stage through vast woods and hilly and scarcely populated countryside that literally culminates with the visit of the Cistercian monastery in Oseira. Santa María la Real de Oseira is a monastery from the 12th century surrounded by a beautiful landscape. The splendor years of this monastery lasted until the 14th century, when its importance started declining. But during the 20th century there was a renewal in the monastery that brought it back to life. Currently there are more than a dozen monks who live here and elaborate a well-known herbal liquor; the "Eucaliptine". At the end of the day, you will be picked up at the bar in A Gouxa by the owners of the comfortable rural accommodation in Casarelos, with garden and swimming pool.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation gain: +670 / -450 m

Day 4: From Santo Domingo to A Ponte Taboada, 20,5 km

After 2 demanding days, with several steep climbs, today you mainly walk downhill along quiet tarmac lanes and dirt roads south of the highway AP-53 that you will have to cross once. There are no shops along the way but a very conveniently located bar/restaurant located halfway, near the train station at Lalín. At the end of the day, you will enjoy this stage to the bridge A Ponte Taboda, built in 912 and still surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. Your host will pick you up and drive you to their classic Galician manor house from the early 18th century. They have a pool and their own garden where you can easily relax.

Distance: 20,5 km

Elevation gain: +450 / -600 m

Day 5: From Silleda to Vedra, 24 km

Your host will bring you in the morning to the village of Silleda, where you can do some shopping before starting another long day. Today is quite varied, including numerous small ascents and descents; and a particularly steep one, shortly before you reach your modern but welcoming hostal in Vedra. You can order a taxi in Ponte Ulla to skip the last 2.5 km. Unfortunately, today there will be some tarmac walking, but with hardly any traffic.

Distance: 24 km

Elevation gain: +480 / -760 m

Day 6: From Vedra to Santiago de Compostela, 19.5 km

Your last stage will lead you to Santiago and it starts again with a steep ascent to a charming chapel, but then you follow soft and undulating dirt roads and tarmac lanes through a landscape that stays significantly rural until you cross the ring road just 3km south from the centre of town. But even then, one gem is awaiting before you reach the old town centre in Santiago: the Romanesque Collegiate of Santa Maria La Mayor y Real de Sar, in Piñeiro.

Distance: 19,5 km

Elevation gain: +550 / -520 m

Day 7: Goodbye Santiago

Today your programme ends after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights in Santiago

accommodation

Hotel Novo Candido (Ourense)

www.hotelnovocandido.com

Alojamiento Pazos (Cea)

www.alojamientoruralpazos.es

Casa Casarelos (Casarelos)

www.casarellos.es

Casa Grande de Fuentemayor (Silleda)

www.casagrandefuentemayor.com

Pensión Residencial Victoria** (Eirevedra)

www.hostalresidencialvictoria.es

Hotel Alda Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)

https://www.aldahotels.es/alojamientos/hotel-alda-bonaval

practical info

Ourense does not have an airport, so the closet arrival airports are: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), La Coruña(LCG), or Vigo airport(VGO).

From these airports either train or bus will be the best option to get to Ourense.

On departure, you have the airport at Santiago de Compostela: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ).

Included

What is included

6 nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
3 dinners (Cea, A Gouxa, Ponte Taboada)
Transfers on days 3, 4 & 5
Luggage transfers according to programme
Detailed route notes and maps
24-hour telephone assistance

What is not Included

Lunches and dinners (not mentioned in the programme)
Flights
Travel insurance
Tourist Tax
Transfers by public transportaion
Transport to first/ from last accommodation
Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the programme

Optional services

Extra nights at any of the accommodations of the programme
Single Room Supplement(s)
Solo Traveller Supplement
Transfers from/to airport

Is this trip for me?

This itinerary is a great alternative to the Camino Francès and a way less touristic one - only 4% of people arriving in Santiago have walked this route! This is a suitable itinerary for those who have already done the Camino Frances and would like to walk an alternative path, or are looking for a less frequented itinerary.