The last hundred kilometres of the Camino de Santiago are considered the "classic" stretch of the most famous pilgrimage route that runs through half of Europe. On this part of the way, you cross Galicia, the green and westernmost province of Spain. The destination of all pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela and its towering cathedral is also your last stop and the highlight of your journey.

Details about the walking holiday on the Camino de Santiago

Experience the green and westernmost province in Spain in eight days. Here in Galicia are the last hundred kilometres of what is probably the most famous pilgrimage route in Europe. The Way of St. James inspires numerous hikers every year and is considered a particularly active experience. 

Starting from Sarria, the route takes you first to the pilgrimage site of Portomarín and then to Palas de Rei the following day. On the next day of your hiking trip to Arzúa, numerous historic towns with a long history of pilgrimage await you. 

When hiking to O Pino or O Pedrouzo, you are getting closer and closer to the highlight of your hiking tour, the pilgrimage city and at the same time the capital of Galicia: Santiago de Compostela.

You follow the hiking trail to the Apostle City, as well as to the Plaza del Obradoiro with the famous cathedral. On the last day of your hiking tour, you have the opportunity to visit the historic old town and the cathedral of Santiago.

The highlights of the Camino walking tour:

  • Galician cooking: On the fourth day of your hiking tour, you can try a typical Galician speciality in Melide. The “pulp á feira” (cooked squid) is particularly tasty here.

  • Pilgrim city with history: In Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of your hiking trip, you have the opportunity to visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cathedral.

  • Great hiking climate: Our hiking tour on the Way of St. James can be booked from April to October. During this time there is a wonderful hiking climate in this region.

Worth knowing about the Way of St James Camino walking tour

This hiking trip on the Way of St. James in Spain is assigned to our hiking category. You experience the last hundred meters of the famous pilgrimage route on hilly trails and quiet side streets. The daily stages are scheduled to last around four to six hours and we recommend a basic level of fitness and stamina for this tour.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 116 km
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Itinerary

The first part of your walk takes you through Santiago de Barbadelo, where a visit to the Romanesque parish church is recommended. The 12th-century church has beautiful portals decorated with flowers and scallops. Via Brea with its 100-kilometre-long stone path the road leads to Ferreiros. After visiting the Church of Santa María de Ferreiros, head towards the important pilgrimage site of Portomarín.

ca. 5,5 hours
23 km
210 m
320 m

After starting your walk in Portomarín, you will first go up to Monte S. Antonio and then to Toxibo and Gonzar to the parish church of Santa María. Your route leads through green landscapes and past many Romanesque churches to the town of Palas de Rei. It is not clear whether Palas de Rei was once a royal seat, but it is worth visiting the fresco painting in the church of San Tirso.

ca. 6 hours
24 km
370 m
130 m

The Pilgrim Route leads you through an enchanting landscape past Leboreiro with its old pilgrims' residence to Mélide, where you can taste the Galician speciality "Pulpo á feira" (squid). At the next place of this stage, in Castañeda, the lime for the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela was burned. Via Ribadiso de Baixo, a place with a long pilgrimage history, you reach Arzúa, today's destination.

ca. 7 hours
29 km
0 m
150 m

In the penultimate part of your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, you will pass many small villages hidden in eucalyptus forests. Finally, you will arrive in Arca, the starting point of the last section to Santiago.

ca. 5 hours
20 km
20 m
120 m

Now the path leads over San Paio and the Rio Lavacolla, the river in which the pilgrims prepare to meet the apostle by washing in the direction of San Marcos, the last place before Santiago. The cathedral can be seen from afar. Via Monte do Gozo (Mountain of Joy) with a monument to the visit of Pope John Paul II, we descend to the city of Santiago de Compostela.

ca. 5 hours
20 km
100 m
120 m

City tour and visit to the impressive and venerable Cathedral of Santiago, one of the most important pilgrimage centres for Christians, visited by more than 75,000 pilgrims every year. Before exploring the historic old town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, be sure to take part in the impressive pilgrimage.

Route information

A hilly path leads you through the green landscape of Galicia with countless eucalyptus forests and wheat fields. The route usually has alternating walking and forest trails and quiet side streets. Basic fitness and endurance are required for the last 100 kilometres of the Camino.

Services / Information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights as described, including breakfast
  • pilgrim pass
  • Luggage transfer(s) max. 1 piece of luggage per person
  • Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
  • (Optional) Santiago-Sarria airport transfer, €185 per trip (maximum 3 people), pre-booking required, pre-paid
  • (Optional) Transfer Santiago-Airport Santiago €35 per trip (maximum 3 people), reservation required, to be paid in advance
Arrival information
  • Airport: Airport Santiago de Compostela, from there continue by bus ( www.empresafreire.com ) in about 2 hours to Lugo. From Lugo by bus ( www.monbus.es ) in about 30 minutes to Sarria
  • Parking: Paid parking spaces near the hotel, do not book in advance

 

  • Departure: Return bus Santiago de Compostela Airport Santiago, duration: approx. 30 minutes
General information
  • Half board: Dinner in the hotel restaurant or in a restaurant in the immediate vicinity with a voucher

 

Why book with Active on Holiday?

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