Camino de Santiago – The French Way | Independent Walking Package | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                SARRIA

Make your own way to Sarria. We recommend a transfer from Santiago Airport. Sarria is known as the departure point for the classic last 100 km, which is the minimum distance that needs to be walked to get the Compostela. This is a day to relax and to focus on the adventure that is about to start the next morning.

DAY 2:                                SARRIA – PORTOMARIN

(22.2 kms, approximately 5 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of your hotel/pension before 08:00 am. This first stage is quite comfortable and smooth, with no unevenness. Step inside the deepest Galicia and we let her surround us by chestnut and oak trees, rivers, and meadows. Walk through charming towns such as Barbadelos or Ferreiros. The ancient town of Portomarin is sunk under the waters of the Belesar reservoir. The Miño River will let us know we are arriving. (B)

DAY 3:                                 PORTOMARIN – PALAS DE REI

(24.8 kms, approximately 6 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of your hotel /pension before 08:00 am. With low difficulty, start your way up to the Sierra de Ligonde, reaching up to 725 metres high. During this day, see green landscapes mix with paved areas. Also start seeing the famous “cruzeiros”. Walk past the villages of Castromaior and Ventas de Narón y Ligonde. (B)

DAY 4:                                 PALAS DE REI – MELIDE

(14.4 kms, approximately 3 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of your hotel /pension before 08:00 am. Leave the province of Lugo behind to enter the province of A Coruña. Walk through the Campo dos Romeiros, a key point for the gathering of pilgrims towards Leboreiro, a nice walk surrounded by leafy forests to finally arrive to Melide, crossing the river upon a medieval bridge. (B)

DAY 5:                                 MELIDE – ARZUA

(14.1 kms, approximately 3 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of your hotel /pension before 08:00 am. Again, today you only have a few kilometres ahead of you. That will let you enjoy some of the charming towns along the way, such as Bonte and Castañeda on our way to Arzua, famous for its cheeses. (B)

DAY 6:                                 ARZUA – O PEDROUZO OR AMENAL

(19.3-22.6 kms, approximately 4 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of your hotel /pension before 08:00 am. Brief and smooth stage to assimilate all you have seen and lived along the way during these days before arriving to Santiago the following day. Accommodation in Amenal or O Pedrouzo. (B)

DAY 7:                                 O PEDROUZO OR AMENAL – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

(16.1-19.4 kms, approximately 4 hours. Difficulty level: low)

You will have to take your luggage to the lobby of the hotel /pension before 08:00 am. Today is the last stage with the aim of arriving at Compostela. Millions of pilgrims since medieval times longed to visit the sepulcher of St. James the Apostle. We highly recommend leaving early in the morning to be able to assist to the Pilgrims’ mass at the Cathedral which is celebrated at 12:00 pm. First arrive to Lavacolla, then continue your way up to the top of the Monte do Gozo, from where you will have your first glance of the amazing Cathedral. Finally, the Plaza do Obradoiro and the deserved personal satisfaction of having arrived. (B)

DAY 8:                                SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, end of our services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):

SARRIA: H. Alfonso IX, H. Mar de Plata, Duerming Villa de Sarria, DP Cristal, or H. Novoa

PORTO MARIN: Pousada de Portomarin, H.Vistalegre, H. Portomiño, Casa do Maestro, Pazo de Berbetoros, or H. Ferramenteiro

PALAS DE REI: H. Mica, Complejo la Cabaña, As Hortas, H. Balneario Rio Pambre, or Hospedaxe Casa Avelina

MELIDE: Casa Adro, H. Carlos 96, Posada Chiquitin, H. Xaneiro, or Berenguela

ARZUA: H. Arzua, Casona de Nene, Casa Teodora, H. Boutique 1930, Domus Gallery, or Casa Costoya

O PEDROUZO / AMENAL: PR Platas, H. Casa Rural O Acivro, H. O Pino, H. Amenal, Casa Rural San Vento, or O Miuño da Pena

SANTIAGO: H. A Tafona do Peregrino, H. Gelmirez, H. Lux Santiago, H. Pazo de Altamira, Alameda Rooms, or Alda Avenida

INCLUDES:

• 7 nights’ accommodation in a combination of hotels (1-4 stars), rural homes, hostels or boutique or charming accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Luggage transportation between the towns (maximum 20kgs, 1 piece per person)
• Guided tour of Santiago with official local guide
• 24-hour telephone assistance service
• Route map, and pilgrim’s passport
• Galician cheese tasting in Santiago

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Option to upgrade to half board is available at an additional cost and must be requested at time of booking. 

THINGS TO NOTE:

• With the assistance of VPT you will be able to live this experience: St. James Way on your own and with complete independence.
• We will organize all the details so you can enjoy your way with no worries at all.
• We will be at your entire disposal to assist you before and during the Way.
• At your arrival you will receive all the necessary information and the pilgrim’s kit: routes map, Pilgrim’s Passport, and Vieira.