The Camino Frances (The French Way) – Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Today you start out of Sarria leaving behind the gorgeous cobblestone streets, small churches and quaint tapas cafes. The day starts off with a steady climb through thick dense forest, it’s so incredibly green it’s amazing. You’ll pass small streams and moss covered trees. Pilgrims will pass you along the way calling out a friendly “Buen Camino” (wishing you a safe and happy journey). Arriving into Portomarin, you’ll cross the river and wind your way into the main square where you’ll find the Church of San Xoan de Portomarin. Pilgrims hang out at the cafes and bars surrounding the main square celebrating with a cerveza or vino after a long days walk.

Saying farewell to the little town of Portomarin, you’ll start by crossing back over the River and rise steadily on an open country trail. You will pass nice hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón and tackle a few big hills today but be rewarded with the view from the top. We take plenty of stops, taking our time and enjoying the Camino! We arrive into the town of Palas de Rei, a small Galician village. Our hotel, the Complejo la Cabana, is just outside town with big balconies to relax after the days walk.

Today is the big one! Starting out early as we have a lot of distance to cover. The walk today also features 3 big hills with the last known as the ‘leg breaker’. We stop for lunch in the lively market town of Melide, where octopus, Galicia’s most classic dish, is readily available in the pubs and cafes that line the street. As you get closer to Arzua, you’ll pass through the pretty hamlet of Ribadiso crossing a small bridge and trickly stream–it’s a nice place to pop your sore feet into the water! Finally you arrive into the town of Arzúa, famous for it’s local cheese. You’ll find many places to eat, drink or get massages!

Day 4 is one of the prettiest days on the Camino. You’ll be walking through mainly forest areas, thick with eucalyptus trees making you feel right at home. Not too many hills today, the walk is easier on the body. In the afternoon we arrive into Amenal and our hotel right on ‘the way’.

This is it! Today’s destination is the end of the pilgrimage, Santiago de Compostela! We start by winding out way out of Amenal and alongside a main road and the airport, bit strange after being out in the countryside the last 5 days. Soon though we are back on a quiet trail lined with rows of tall eucalyptus trees. You pass through Monte do Gozo, a vantage point where you will catch your first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. From here you make your way down the hill and into the outskirts of Santiago. Goodbye country and hello to Santiago. From here you wind your way for roughly 4km through the streets of Santiago before you find yourself on the northface of the Santiago de Compostela Catheral. Pilgrims and locals gather here and clap people in as they make their way into the main square, the Praza do Obradoiro. You’ll find many pilgrims lying on the ground, staring up at the Cathedral and basking in the sun.

The beautiful old town of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO heritage site since 1985, is worth exploring. There are plentiful cafes, bars, shops and is home to one of the oldest universities in Spain.

Check out our calendar for our 2017 El Camino adventure!