The route
Here you can see a map of the route.
Itinerary
You'll arrive in Astorga where you'll check into your first hotel. You'll then have time to prepare for the hike, which starts tomorrow.
Hotel (example): Hotel Astur Plaza
Today you set off on the Camino, leaving the Castilian plains and heading towards the mountains of Leon. It should be a relatively gentle first day of hiking. As you walk through this region known as ‘Maragatería’, with poor ochre soils and large stone houses, you'll pass several small villages where you can take coffee breaks and buy food. In Rabanal del Camino, there is a small Benedictine monastery that invites pilgrims to sing Gregorian chants and pray.
Hotel (example): El Refugio Hosteria
Today you'll hike up to the highest point of the entire trip: the Foncebadon mountain pass at 1505 metres. Today's icon is the iron cross ‘Cruz de Ferro’, where for centuries pilgrims have left stones as they pass. The way up can be steep in places, but most people find the descent to Molinaseca more tiring as you descend almost 900 metres! You enter the region of El Bierzo, a fertile and well-watered valley with its own favourable microclimate.
Hotel (eksempel): Hotel Casa Rural el Palacio
Today you'll hike up to the highest point of the entire trip: the Foncebadon mountain pass at 1505 metres. Today's icon is the iron cross ‘Cruz de Ferro’, where for centuries pilgrims have left stones as they pass. The way up can be steep in places, but most people find the descent to Molinaseca more tiring as you descend almost 900 metres! You enter the region of El Bierzo, a fertile and well-watered valley with its own favourable microclimate.
Hotel (example): Hotel La Puerta del Perdón
Today you'll pass through the slender valley of the Valcace River before hitting the climb up to O Cebreiro. This pass between the Los Ancares and La Sirra do Courel mountain ranges has a steep climb over just a few kilometres, but the challenge is rewarded as you pass some of the characteristic round stone houses that are one of the unique experiences of the Camino.
Hotel (example): Hotel La Pandela
The ascent to O'Cebreiro is often exaggerated, but the 7.5 km ascent can be very pleasant on a clear day as it offers wonderful views of the Bierzo to the south. At the top of the hill you'll reach the magical village of O'Cebreiro, which is one of the highlights of the Camino. After this, there are two small climbs (bringing you up to 1335moh) before descending to Triacastella. The landscape changes as you enter the green mountainous region of Galicia. There will be plenty of ascents and descents ahead, but you won't encounter mountains as big as this again on this tour.
Hotel (example): Hotel Casa Pacios
This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino. In Samos you can visit the large Benedictine monastery. From Samos, the Camino passes through forested areas and crosses small villages and rivers in peace and quiet. You'll reach the bustling town of Sarria at the end of the day.
You arrive in Sarria, the most densely populated town on the French Camino with approximately 14,000 inhabitants. In Sarria, thousands of pilgrims start their walk every year and this characterises the atmosphere of the city. Explore the old town centre where you'll find churches, chapels, monasteries and old pilgrim hospitals. Visit the church of Igrexa de Santa Marina, the old fortress, the Magdalena Monastery and the main street Rua Maior, where you can enjoy a drink and a tapas in one of the cosy cafés. On this day, it's also up to you to find dinner somewhere cosy in the city.
Hotel (example): Hotel Roma
Today you can expect an easy walk through pretty villages in the shade of old oak trees and along quiet back roads. Along the way you'll pass many ‘hórreos’, which are traditional storehouses. Visit the church in the village of Barbadelo. Once in Portomarin, you can relax on one of the many terraces in the town square. The current Portomarin is of more recent date. The old town of Portomarin is flooded. When the water level is low, you can catch a glimpse of the remains of the flooded village and the bridge.
Hotel (example): Hotel Pousada de Portomarin
There are several kilometres of road walking on this next stretch, and the first half of the stage climbs steadily uphill to Sierra Ligonde.
The Camino criss-crosses the road on wooded paths and avoids much of the road noise.
There are pine forests, cornfields, meadows and oak and chestnut trees on this stretch of the Camino. You'll also pass through a number of small rural villages and cross the Ligonde and Portos rivers along the way.
Towards the end of the walk, you'll be greeted by the scent of eucalyptus trees. After climbing Alto do Rosario, you'll finally descend to Palas de Rei.
Hotel (example): Hotel Casa Benilde
The pilgrimage route continues downhill past the village of Casanova and the lovely village of Leboreiro. In Melide you can take a break to sample some local specialities in one of the many pulperías. The Camino crosses several streams and a forest road brings you to the village of Boente and the church of the patron saint Santiago. The next town is the village of Ribadiso. From here it's a short climb up the hill to the town of Arzúa, where you'll spend the night.
Hotel (example) : Hotel Casa Teodora
This is a short stage. For two-thirds of the day you'll walk along natural paths with good shade from the mixed forest of pine, eucalyptus, birch, oak and chestnut trees. Among them are meadows and small orchards near the many small villages you pass through.
There are several steep climbs along the way, especially up to Alto de Santa Irene. In between there is a mostly level path with only 3 shallow river valleys.
The Camino now becomes busier with pilgrims as we approach the fabled city of Santiago.
Hotel (example): Hotel O´Pino
The final stage. The first few kilometres are through dense eucalyptus forest. Enjoy the shade and peace that they radiate. As you approach the town, groups of pilgrims and tarmac roads take over. The long climb up to Monte Gozo can be particularly tiring. There are some very steep climbs along the way. Just when you think you've reached the finish line, there's another hill to climb! Depending on the time of year and day of the week, there may be large crowds as you approach. Enjoy the thrill of being part of it all!
As you pass through the outskirts of the city, you'll be rewarded when you enter the historic centre. Follow the other pilgrims and the many signs to find your way to the cathedral.
Hotel (example): Hotel Avenida
Santiago de Compostela has been a World Heritage Site since 1985 and the entire historic centre is a huge museum. We recommend visiting the tourist information centre in Rua do Vilar, don't miss a visit to the cathedral and enjoy the streets of this city full of history.
The most important of the many attractions in Santiago is the cathedral, part Romanesque, part Baroque, with its magnificent Portico de la Gloria and the façade that opens onto the Plaza de Obradoiro. The cathedral also houses the world's largest incense burner, the famous ‘botafumeiro’. Made of silver and weighing almost 80kg, it takes a team of 8 men and a system of pulleys to set it in motion after mass, swinging from one end to the other at ceiling height.
Hotel (example): Hotel Avenida
If you have stamped your pilgrim passport along the way (the route descriptions regularly remind you of this), you can get a Compostela Certificate from the Pilgrim Office, which proves that you have walked at least the last 100 km of the Camino.
You can extend your stay in Santiago de Compostela.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
The price includes
- 13 nights in carefully selected hotels - always including private shower/toilet
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed descriptions of the daily routes (route maps, route descriptions, info on relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers) (in English)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline
- Pilgrim passport
- Transport of luggage from hotel to hotel
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here
- Handling fee (€20)
- Tourist tax (if due)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Santiago de Compostela are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
On this trip, you will stay at small Bed & Breakfast places and one night in a cabin.
When booking, you choose whether you want accommodation in a double room or a single room. Please note that if you are traveling alone, you must choose a "single room."
In the itinerary, you can see examples of the hotels we typically use for this trip. If there is no availability at these accommodations when you book the trip, we will ensure accommodations of equivalent quality.
The standard package includes breakfast every day.
The breakfast offered will depend on the hotel. Continental breakfast is the norm. A common solution will be a breakfast buffet that includes fruit, bread, pastries, cheeses, meats, coffee, tea and juice. If there is a special breakfast product that you are used to, we recommend that you bring it or buy it at the local supermarket.
Dinner will usually be a "Pilgrim Menu" where you can choose from three appetizers, three main dishes and dessert. Appetizers usually includes soup, salad or fish. Main dishes are usually meat or fish with french fries, potatoes and bread. Usually, there is the possibility of a vegetarian dish. Dessert may eg. be cheesecake, crème caramel or icecream.
The food will vary depending on the area, as each area has its own seasonal and local dishes and specialties. For example, the fish will be more common in Galicia, the northern coast and the Portuguese coastal regions than in other areas inside the country.
Regarding lunch, we recommend that you either buy it at a local store. You can also eat at small cafes along the way. Your route notes will contain guidelines for where you can get food and water.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This trip has difficulty level 2-3, which means that most hiking days are level 2, with a few at level 3.
Grade 2
Easier hikes on reasonably good trails. Daily hikes will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in generally good physical condition can participate. Luggage is transported, and you only carry a light daypack. Requires well-fitting footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
This part of the Pilgrims' Route is relatively low, and the mild climate makes it possible to complete the journey year-round. The trip is most popular from March to October. In the spring and early summer months, as well as late summer/autumn, the trails are not as crowded. In summer, the days are longer, but there are also many hikers on the trails, especially in July and August, when it can get very hot. Check the weather forecast before departure so you know how to pack for the specific period.
Starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need an ESS or ETIAS authorization to enter EU nations. This system enhances border security while simplifying entry procedures. Ensure compliance by applying online before your trip to avoid delays.
You can read more about it here.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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