French Camino: Sarria-Santiago (Short Stages)

You will arrive at Sarria by your own means on day 1 (transfers available upon request). Take the opportunity to visit the sights like the Monastery-Convent of la Magdalena and perhaps do some shopping for some last minute pilgrim items. Get a feel for this beautiful town by taking a stroll through the riverfront and enjoying delicious food sitting on one of many terraces along the river while you rest in anticipation of your first walking day.

In Sarria you will see the first cross or cruceiro, located on a vantage point above the city. Then after passing by Mary Magdalen's convent, we will leave the city through the medieval bridge Ponte Aspera. You will be walking through meadows and chestnut forests most of the way, perfect places to enjoy your picnic lunch. You will also see some of our first hórreos (granaries) along the way as you reach the official 100Km marker.

Meals: B. Overnight: Morgade.

Today you will set out on foot for Portomarín, famous for its roman bridge and medieval churches. Your itinerary will take you through forest paths lined with oak and pine trees. You will pass by the Romanesque church of St Mary and cross several small towns until a sharp descent to the Mino river. You will enter the town through its Roman bridge rebuilt that ends on stone steps leading to the chapel.

Meals: B. Overnight: Portomarín.

Today we will leave Portomarín behind, as we make our way to Gonzar where we will see the romanesque St Mary's church which is very well conserved. Further on, we will visit the Castro of Castromaior, a series or celtic ruins from pre-roman times. We will stop when we reach Ventas de Naron, with a small chapel that seems to suggest the existence of an old pilgrim's hospital, just before the Sierra de Ligonde.

Meals: B. Overnight: Ventas de Narón.

Today we will leave Ventas de Narón. Before we enter the town of Ligonde we will see the famous cruceiro de Lameiros, from 1670, that represents Jesus' passion and death on its base. Back on el Camino, we will reach the larger town of Palas de Rei for our overnight stay.

Meals: B. Overnight: Palas de Rei.

Palas de Rei was the old residence of the visigoth king Witiza in the 8th century where you can visit the church of St. Tirso dating from the 12th century. You will set on foot for Melide today, an important town where both the Northern Camino and the Camino Primitivo merge with the French. For this reason, you'll find more pilgrims on the following stages until you arrive in Santiago.

Meals: B. Overnight: Melide.

After taking some time to enjoy the local food in Melide, you will make our way to Arzúa. The route is a mix of well conserved and repaired trails together with some more abrupt sections. You will cross the Iso river and reach the village of Ribadiso while walking through some of the most spectacular scenery in el Camino. Make sure to try the renowned cheese varieties from this region (Arzúa-Ulloa). In March they hold a Cheese festival at the village dedicated to this local staple, famous enough to carry its own trademark.

Meals: B. Overnight: Arzúa.

After our stay in Arzúa, where you can visit the Convent of Mary Magdalen and the parochial church of Santiago, we'll get our pilgrim passports stamped and head out towards the larger town of O Pedrouzo. This stage takes you through quiet forest paths with eucalyptus groves between villages that are so small with houses so spread out that it is hard to tell where one village ends and the next one begins.

Meals: B. Overnight: Salceda

After a well earned rest, you will set foot towards Amenal, making your way even closer to Santiago. The scenery along this stage is one of the most beautiful throughout el Camino. Towards the end of the stage, you should take some time to visit the chapel and fountain of St Irene, built in the Baroque style which is right along the Camino path.

Meals: B. Overnight: Amenal.

Today we will be crossing into the Santiago province, a reminder that we are getting close to our final destination. Beautiful eucalyptus forests will surround us during most of the stage. As we approach the main road, we'll see small crosses that travelers have attach to the barriers as symbols of their pilgrimage.

Meals: B. Overnight: Santiago de Compostela.

Your Camino adventure ends after breakfast today. Enjoy your morning in Santiago and visit the many landmarks around the city, or take the opportunity to attend the pilgrim's mass if you didn't had time the day before. Don't forget to stop by the pilgrim's office to request your Compostela.

If you would like to extend your tour with other activities, like a guided tour of Santiago, a day trip to Finisterre or a transfer to the airport, let us know when you make your reservation and we'll arrange them for you. Congratulations, you did it!

Meals: B.