The last six days of the famous Camino pilgrimage route offers the chance for time starved travellers to walk the final 115kms into Santiago and gain a wonderful appreciation of the historic significance of the route. To be eligible for the official Compostela certificate of completion, which is issued by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela, walkers must walk at least 100kms of the iconic pilgrim route. Walking through mixed landscapes, there are numerous reminders of the pilgrims past who travelled the route including crosses, statues and grain silos. The gates of Galicia lead on to the fabled Santiago de Compostela with its famous cathedral, site of the tomb of St James.
Highlights
- Experience the history of the trail marked by crosses, statues and grain silos
- Walk the last 115km of the Camino to the tomb of St James in Santiago and qualify for the pilgrims certificate
- Reach Santiago on foot and experience the famous pilgrims mass
- Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Sarria
Make your own way to the first hotel in Sarria. Sarria is located on a hilltop with a river on either side affording you great views of the region. (D)
Day 2 Walk through the hills of Galicia to Portomarin (6hrs, 22km)
We recommend before leaving town that you take the time to visit the Church of the Convent of La Magdalena. Over the “Meseta Lucense”, the Lugo Plateau, you will pass through many hamlets dotted along areas of cultivated land, grazing pastures and woodlands and view the first “horreos”, typical raised grain silos. A relatively easy walk until your descent, crossing the Dam of Portomarin, where you can see ruins of the ancient flooded village, and on into the town for your accommodation. (B, D)
Day 3 To Palas de Rei (6-7hrs, 24km)
The route takes you through the brooms, with their magnificent fragrance. Along the path you will pass charming hamlets and calvaries. Over this stage you will pass through Ventas de Naron where you can fill your water bottles, over the gentle Sierra de Ligonde, then downhill through Previsa, Lameiros and Ligonde where you will find a church dedicated to the apostle St James. Emperor Charles V stayed here in the modest village of Ligonde, on the 24th of March 1520. (B, D)
Day 4L eave Lugo province to enter La Coruña and on to Melide (4.5hrs, 14km)
Walk today to Melide through the small towns of Coto and Leboreiro. Melide is one of the larger towns along the Galician section of the Camino Trail. We recommend you try the local speciality, ‘Pulpa a Feira’, octopus usually served boiled and cooked with red pepper and paprika. (B, D)
Day 5 To Arzúa (4hrs, 14km)
The terrain becomes much easier today as you walk through the villages of Carballal, San Xuilan do Camino and Lebereiro, and past Eucalyptus trees. You can stop at one of many villages along the way for lunch. Crossing over the River Seco on the Magdalena Bridge you will reach Furelos and continue on to Arzúa, in the province of La Coruña. (B, D)
Day 6 Continue to Rúa or Pedrouzo (5-6hrs, 18km)
Today’s walk will bring you to the small town of Rua which has a population of only 50 people. The walk today is lovely, as you pass large green fields and rural landscapes. (B, D)
Day 7 Arrive Santiago (5-6hrs, 21km)
Today you will pass many ancient sites including monuments, chapels and bridges – all have a story to tell. Follow country lanes and forest paths through increasingly populated countryside. The last day on the trail is always a special one. Continue downhill to the city. Arriving in the fabled Santiago de Compostela there is plenty to see and do – or simply relax and celebrate the end of the journey. Dinner is not included tonight so you can try one of the many restaurants in town. (B)
Day 8 Trip concludes Santiago de Compostela
Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. (B)
Inclusions
- 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners
- 7 nights in a combination of hotels & farmhouse B&Bs on a twin share basis generally with ensuite facilities
- Information pack including route notes & guidebook per room booked
- Luggage transfer (1 bag of 20kg max pp – additional bags and excess weight will attract a surcharge)
- Visitor tax
- Emergency hotline
- Pilgrim’s Passport
UTX-CT6
Images courtesy of Utracks
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