Walking the last 100 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago, following the footsteps of generations of pilgrims: this trip leads you through the green Galician hills, among stone houses and eucalypt woods, to finally reach the exciting milestone of Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
As the journey is better than the end, you will experience unforgettable moments: visiting typical hamlets, small but rich in history and tradition, enjoying the pines and eucalyptus aroma, crossing shady woods and stone bridges. In Santiago you will be able to receive the symbol of your finished pilgrimage: the Compostella, given only to those who have walked the last 100 kilometers of the Camino.
Arrival by public bus or private transfer to Sarria, considered the gateway to the compostela, because you have to start in this town if you are keen on getting your pilgrim’s certificate (100km on foot). Remember to have your Pilgrim’s Passport stamped twice each day! If you don’t already have your Pilgrims Passport you can collect one here in Sarria at the Monastery. If you arrive early, we strongly recommend to take a taxi to Samos, to visit the Monastery that was founded in the 6th century and has welcomed pilgrim’s since the beginning.
Distance: 15 Km
Ascent/descent: +150/-350 m
Your first walk along the Camino on is easier than it looks on the elevation map and should take about 5 hours of walking; mainly along small country roads and a few country paths. In general the roads are tree lined and will provide good shade in the sun. There are hamlets every kilometre or so, it can seem like you have just left one village as you enter the next. This is an entertaining and relaxed stage as you do not have to worry about water or food, and whenever you sit down for a moment, you will hear interesting stories told by other pilgrims.
Distance: 22 Km
Ascent/descent: +375/-400 m
After a steep descent on the main road of Portomarin you will walk across an ever changing landscape: from grassy lands to cultivated fields, from woods to streams, through bridges and hamlets made in Stone. Palas del Rei was founded in pre-Roman age and an ancient Celtic stronghold: unfortunately very few traces of its glorious past have remained, but you can relax and enjoy a cafè con leche before going to your hotel, where you will be able to taste some Galician traditional dishes.
Distance: 25 Km
Ascent/descent: +500/-290 m
In the morning you will be taken back to Palas de Rei to start one of the longest but technically very easy sections of the route with no long steep accents or descents. Pilgrims consider this section the start of the countdown, because shortly after Coto there are stone markers at the side of the path with the distance to Santiago marked. Much of the day is shaded and shortly after Melide you will walk through Oak and Eucalyptus forest with the wonderful smell. Melide is where the Camino Primitivo joins with the Camino Frances.
You can also ask to be taken to the Pambre Castle in the morning and take a short cut to Coto, away from busy roads.
After arrival in Palas, you will be taken to the hotel by car (rural accommodation)
Distance: 29 Km
Ascent/descent: +250/-400 m
Today's walk leads you through oaks, pines and chestnut trees before entering an eucalyptus wood. This stage is very rich in streams where you will be able to enjoy a refreshing bath. You will soon become very excited as your goal rapidly approaches, but try to take your time and enjoy the journey, one step at a time.
Distance: 18 Km
Ascent/descent: +200/-225 m
The finishing line gets closer and closer: in your walk to Santiago you will go across some modern areas, as the regional airport, but will also discover local beauties as the village of Lavacolla, where pilgrims stopped to wash themselves and get changed before arriving in Santiago. You will experience the same joy in seeing Santiago from Mount Gozo and entering the Camino door, finally arriving to Plaza del Obradoiro, the finish line of the Camino. You can choose either to rush to get your compostella or visit the Cathedral first: if you arrive before noon, do not miss the Pilgrim Celebration, which includes the announce of the number of pilgrims who reached Santiago in that day.
Here you can admire the cloister of the Colegio Fonseca, seat of the University library, or take a picture to the beautiful stairway of the Convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval, which also houses a nice museum. You can also stop and have lunch in the Mercati Generali, where you can taste local specialties from the hands of those who produce them, and celebrate your ending journey with a nice glass of Orujo.
Distance: 21 Km
Ascent/descent: +350/-370 m
Our services end after breakfast.
6 nights in double rooms in hotels **/*** ,B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
The region of Galicia is part of the lush northern sector of the country, “Green Spain”, and its climate and landscape are influenced by moist winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. Galicia enjoys relatively mild, rainy winters and cooler, fairly sunny summers. In summer short heat waves may occur with highs around, or even above, 30ºC. In colder months, the wind blows frequently and the weather can be stormy. Fog is also common at any time of the year. The region gets about 1200 mm of precipitation a year, making it one of the wettest in Spain.
Arrival in Sarriá
By public transport from Santiago de Compostela airport
The best way to reach Sarria is to fly into Santiago de Compostela airport and first get a suttle bus to the central bus station of Santiago(with www.empresafreire.com; every 30 min )
From there you can travel to Lugo with the same company (Freire) OR with ALSA www.alsa.es and then take another local bus from Lugo to Sarria (35 mins; min 6 services a day) . Check timetables at www.monbus.es
On workdays (Mon to Friday) there is also a direct bus from Santiago de Compostela bus station to Sarria with company Monbus (Check www.monbus.es). But remember that you first have to travel into town to the central bus station (with www.empresafreire.com; every 30 min. aprox)
You can book with S-cape optional transfers from Santiago (SCQ) or A Coruña (LCG) airports to your first accommodation in Sarria or from last accommodation in Santiago to the airport (prices on request).
Departure from Santiago de Compostela
There is ashuttle bus to the airport of Santiago from the center of Santiago with different stops in the city (Check www.empresafreire.com)
Price includes
· 6 nights in double rooms in hotels **/*** ,B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
. 3 dinners (Palas de Rei, Arzua, Rua)
· Transfer from Palas de Rei to Parada das Bestas
· luggage transportation
· maps and detailed itinerary description
· luggage/medical insurance
· 24h telephone support
Price do not includes
· Arrival/departure trips
· meals, if not otherwise stated
· visits, entrance tickets , tips
· personal extras
· everything that is not included in the "price includes" list
Additional services
· single room supplement
. cancellation insurance
· transfers
This is the last and most popular section of the French way to Santiago: you will reach the Santiago Cathedral and will have gained the right to receive the Compostela testifiying to the completion of your pilgrimage. This is surely the most touristic and popular section of the whole route - consider that you should book with great advance and that you will find a lot of people along the way.