7 days walking the last 115 km of the French Way: from Sarria to Santiago. While Saint Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees is the official starting point of the French Way, the most popular starting point is the town of Sarria, 115 km away from Santiago. This is the final stage of The Camino and can be walked in one week. On completing this final stage of The Camino you can obtain the official Compostelana Certificate of pilgrimage when you arrive at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. This last section of the French Way from Sarria to Santiago takes you through the green rural countryside of Galicia. It is also where you are most likely to meet other pilgrims and where you can really feel the spirit of The Camino.
6 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in good hotels with en-suite facilities on the Camino itself
Between hotels
Welcome pack waiting for you at your first hotel with maps and itinerary description
24/7 on call support in English and Spanish from The Way Experiences Team during your trip
Arrival at the Galician town of Sarria. With Celtic origins, Sarria was a major centre for pilgrims in medieval times. These ancient origins can still be felt today as you wonder around the beatiful streets of the old quarter. Walk around town and get the first stamp in your Pilgrims passport.
Start walking up and down the hills of Galicia through forests and rural landscapes to reach the town of Portomarín over the River Miño. This town has the peculiarity that it was moved in 1962, when a reservoir was built in the River Miño leaving the old town submerged underwater. The old church was moved stone by stone to its new location. This church is a good example of a fortress church with towers and battlements, very typical of the military orders that guarded The Camino in the middle ages and protected the pilgrims from thieves.
Today`s walk starts with a steady uphill hike to the village of Ventas de Narón. Once you reach this point, the walk gets gentler. There will be plenty of places to stop along the way to enjoy a break, a picnic and to talk to locals and other walkers. The stage ends in the town of Palas de Rei. Now you can really start to feel the buzz and atmosphere of The Camino as there are lots of walkers overnighting here on their journey.
Today you will be walking a particularly beautiful stretch of the Camino. You will cross roman bridges and several rivers mostly through delightful woodland to get to the town of Melide. This town is famous for its bars where they sell octopus cooked the Galician way. Melide is also where pilgrims from the Camino Primitivo (Oviedo Way) join the main Camino Francés. Continue up to Arzúa, famous for its local cheese.
Today's stage is a little bit shorter. You will be walking amongst woodland, meadows and small orchards, and passing through numerous small and charming villages.
Today is your final day walking and you will make your way through forests and rural areas to the famous Monte do Gozo. This is where you will get your first glance of in the distance of the towers of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. From here you only have 5 more kilometres until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro (Obradoiro Square). This is the famous square where pilgrims congregate to celebrate their longed for arrival and end of their journey in Santiago de Compostela. The square is surrounded by the beautiful facade of the Cathedral and the old stone buildings of the Parador de los Reyes Católicos and the Town Hall. Do not forget to collect your Compostelana (certificate in Latin of your pilgrimage) - you´ve earned it!
Return home or stay extra nights in Santiago de Compostela or continue your journey to Finisterre. After enjoying the wonderful city and atmosphere of Santiago de Compostela and a good night´s sleep your journey has come to an end after breakfast. It doesn´t have to end just yet though. If you wish to stay on longer in Santiago de Compostela or continue your journey to Finisterre let us know and we will arrange this for you.
