Join a long history of pilgrimage as you complete the last 100 km of the ancient route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is an ancient pilgrimage trail originating in medieval times. Made up of a vast network of roads and paths, pilgrims have travelled these roads for 12 centuries. On this eight-day trip, walk alongside like-minded travellers on a route filled with the beautiful countryside and rustic villages of Northern Spain. Receive a “compostela” when you reach your destination to prove your accomplishment. Refuel with tasty Spanish food and take the time to stop and smell the flowers on this moderately active, picturesque walking tour.
Activity Level:
2024 Walking by Faith on the Camino
Itinerary
September 22 Sarria
Fly into Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) at any time today. There are no planned activities until tonight’s welcome meeting.
September 23 Sarria/Portomarín 23km (6-8 hrs)
Start hiking from Sarria to Portomarín, covering about 23km (14 mi) over the course of the day. Pass through many lovely towns along the way and choose to have a picnic in places such as Barbadelo, Renta or Ferreiros. Spend the night in the riverside city of Portomarin.
September 24 Portomarín/Palas de Rei 22km (6 hrs)
Leave Portomarin behind in the early light of the morning to make the most of the day. This stretch is a mix of ups and downs through beautiful scenery. The entire area has a rich history, especially during the Middle Ages. Weary pilgrims can get a jolt of caffeine in one Palas de Rey’s cafes or visit some of the local shops to grab some souvenirs.
September 25 Palas de Rei/Melide 15km (4 hrs)
Head west and continue the pilgrimage, passing through the lush green valleys of Galicia. Covering about 15 km today, the day again passes through many lovely villages and towns along the way, offering ample opportunity for rest stops and time to pick up any needed supplies before arriving to Melide.
September 26 Melide/Arzúa 13km (4 hrs)
Leaving Melide, the Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track to the village of Boente with its church of Santiago. Next is the scenic medieval village of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m). In Arzúa, visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena.
September 27 Arzúa/Amenal 26km (6 hrs)
Walk through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams most of the day. The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. En-route, don’t miss the lovely hamlet of Rúa (310m). The rest of the route to Amenal is along a mix of good and calm country roads and forest tracks.
September 28 Amenal/Santiago de Compostela 14km (4 hrs)
Leave early in order to reach Santiago de Compostela in time for the pilgrim’s mass. Walk the last part of the pilgrimage and enjoy the scenery before the baroque, painted towers of the cathedral come into view. Later, explore this fascinating city and sip some wine in a café to celebrate the incredible journey. Upon reaching our goal, the pilgrimage is not complete without a visit to the cathedral on the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, which houses the supposed tomb of St. James the Apostle. It is widely believed that his remains were buried here in the 1st century AD; from then onwards he became the patron saint of the Christian Crusades.
September 29 Departure
Bid your fellow pilgrims farewell as you depart for home from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ).
Please note: itinerary is subject to change.
FAQs
This tour is rated as “High Energy”. Expect well-paced walking tours with intermittent breaks. The walk from Sarria to Santiago is considered moderate in difficulty, with some challenging sections. The route includes several steep climbs and descents, particularly in the first few days of the journey. However, the trail is generally well-maintained and not too rugged, making it accessible to most walkers.
Accommodations in Europe tend to be different from those in North America. Buildings and rooms are generally historic and may not have been renovated or maintained to the highest standard. Downtown hotels in Europe were not built to be hotels, but were originally the homes of wealthy families. Therefore unusual room sizes are common as large rooms have been partitioned, sometimes resulting in rather “thin” walls. Reception areas, rooms and bathrooms tend to be compact as they were often added into an existing room. You may also see handheld nozzles rather than conventional shower heads.
On this trip, you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations. We choose these hotels for a more authentic experience and to support local businesses.
Each traveller is entitled to one piece of checked luggage, but no more, as space in transport vehicles is limited. Please note that you must be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels (max 15-20 mins.) A daypack is essential for carrying your everyday items as you hike.
Do not forget to pack a medical kit with extra Band-Aids. Blister kits are also available, and are a good idea to have with you. Please remember to bring and wear footwear that you know is comfortable and will not give you blisters. This is not a trip for breaking in new shoes.
The best clothing for hiking is quick-dry, synthetic materials. Consider packing a pair of long, breathable pants and a sweater for cooler mornings and evenings.
Other recommended items include:
- Walking poles
- Hat & sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks (Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, energy sweets)
- Hand sanitizer
- Reusable water bottle
- Waterproof outerwear, in case of rain
Check the pricing page for what is included and excluded in the tour fare.
For further information, please contact us. We would be happy to be of assistance.
