Walk as a privileged pilgrim along the thousand-year-old trail to the final resting-place of the apostle St James. Along the way we will meet fellow walkers and discover the extraordinary spirit and hospitality this trail evokes as we make the final steps to the resplendent city of Santiago de Compostela.

Detailed information

	Detailed itinerary
	Dates and prices
	Average temperatures
	Travel to resort
	Why not try...

Detailed itinerary

80 miles. 8-14 miles and up to 2,100ft of ascent per day.

Day 1: Arrival day
After the evening meal your leader will give you an introductory briefing for the walk.

Day 2: Cruz de Ferro to Molinaseca
Distance: 18km (11 miles), 800m (2650ft) of descent
A transfer takes us to the starting point of our journey, the famous Cruz de Ferro, one of the most ancient and symbolic monuments on the entire route, where traditionally every pilgrim adds one stone as they pass. From here the Camino winds its way through abandoned villages across an isolated area known as Maragateria, the highest section on the whole route and one of the most interesting and beautiful sections too. Walking between the Os Ancares and O Courel ranges we can admire magnificent mountain landscapes. We descend into the Bierzo valley towards the beautiful town of Molinaseca with its medieval bridge.

Day 3: Ambasmestas to O Cebreiro
Distance: 13km (8 miles), 650m (2,100ft) of ascent, 650m (2,100ft) of descent
A transfer takes us via the delightful town Villafranca del Bierzo to our starting point for the day, Ambasmestas, a name referring to a place where two currents of water merge. Remnants of the old Roman road still survive here as we follow the Camino through small villages before the 2km climb to La Faba. The path, paved at times, lies between two immense banks of heather and eventually reaches the last village in the province of Leon, Laguna de Castilla. This is a stunning end to the day as we walk through chestnut woods and open country via a series of tiny villages. A stone marks the boundary between Castile and Galicia signalling that we are only one short ascent from the mountain top village of O Cebreiro, where a mysterious legend says the Holy Grail is hidden.

Day 4: O Cebreiro to Triacastela
Distance: 21km (13 miles), 150m (500ft) of ascent, 635m (2,100ft) of descent
O Cebreiro is a tiny village, a step back in time. The 12-century church of Santa Maria contains a statue of the Virgin, which reputedly inclined its head after a miracle that took place early in the 16th century. O Cebreiro developed from and for the pilgrimage. There was a hospital here between the 11th century and 1854, run initially by monks from the abbey of St Geraud of Aurillac in France. The village is also famous for its 'pallozas', the straw roofed dwellings, which are a continuation of a prehistoric tradition.

Leaving the village we have an initial descent to the village of Linares before an ascent to Alto de San Roque, where there was once a chapel dedicated to San Roque, the leper saint of Montpellier, who made the pilgrimage to Rome in the 14th century. From here we make a gradual descent to Triacastela, founded in the 9th century, the first town to raise a monument in honour of the pilgrim.

Day 5: Sarria to Portomarin
Distance: 22km (14 miles), 250m (825ft) of ascent
From the monastery of La Magdalena in Sarria we make our way steeply down hill. Now in the province of Galicia we pass clumps of chestnuts and oaks, where the fields are enclosed by the typical slate walls or 'chantos', one of the most characteristic features of an area where Celtic inheritance is strongly rooted. The Pilgrim's Way leads to the Church of Santiago de Barbadelo a notable example of Galician Romanesque architecture, with a single aisled nave and a square tower divided into three sections. After the church our route penetrates deep into a landscape which has changed little over the centuries, as we pass through a succession of tiny villages alternating with fields and dark clumps of oak. After crossing the River Mino we enter Portomarin and encounter the first Galician vineyards.

Day 6: Portomarin to Palas de Rei
Distance: 24km (15 miles), 400m (1,320ft) of ascent
From Portomarin a gentle climb takes us round the north side of Monte San Antonio with the River Torres on our right. Walking on a track alongside the road we pass through a series of small villages, through soft undulating countryside, so typical of the region, covered with small oak trees, pines and gorse. In Galicia these lands are called 'montana' for their contrasting position to the lowlands. At Hospital de la Cruz we follow a road for 10km sloping gently up to the Sierra Ligonde. After passing through Eirexe and Portos, time permitting, we may have the opportunity to take a small detour to Vilar de Donas, classified as a National Monument, the most outstanding Romanesque church in the Palas de Rei area. It has an impressive 14th century wall painting and effigies of knights of the Order of Santiago who settled here in 1184.

In the early days of the Camino this section between Portomarin to Palas de Rei was famous for its harlots who used to go to wild parts of the route to meet pilgrims for illicit gain. The punishment was harsh, not only were they excommunicated, but stripped of everything and exposed to public ridicule, after having their noses cut off!

Day 7: Rua to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 19km (12 miles), 150m (500ft) of ascent
Our final day's walk to Santiago, the Pilgrim's Way continues towards Labacolla, passing through San Paio on the way. This is a small village with a medieval air which is protected from the modernity of the airport and the main road by thick undergrowth. The name of the village is a shortened version of San Pelayo who was born near Tuy and martyred in Cordoba in 925, and whose cult extends throughout Galicia. We walk through the hamlet of San Marco, close to the summit of Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy), so called because it was from here that pilgrims caught their first glimpse of the Holy City. This summit surely must have witnessed many a scene of uncontainable emotion, throughout the centuries. We enter the city through the San Lazaro district. Our route through the city is packed with reminders of the pilgrimage as we cross the city walls through the Puerta del Camino. Once inside the walls we follow the equivalent of the medieval 'Via Francigena' which led pilgrims of French nationality all the way to the cathedral. This street would have been packed with money changers, innkeepers and merchants of all descriptions. This street leads us to our journey's end in the grandiose Plaza del Obradorio, outside the magnificent Santiago Cathedral, the keeper of the precious body of the Apostle St James.

Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
A day to celebrate our journey and explore this magnificent city.

Day 9: Depart after breakfast

Fitness: We want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of this walk and get the most out of your holiday. A sustained effort is required to complete this walk and provision cannot be made for anyone who opts out. Please be sure you can manage the daily mileage and ascent as listed below. The walking day is normally 6-7 hours and it is important for your own enjoyment, and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace.

It makes a lot of sense to spend time getting some additional exercise before your holiday. We suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer walks, including some in hilly terrain. Other exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming are also excellent for developing increased stamina.

Luggage Transport
Transport of your luggage will be arranged by us through local operators and is of course, included in your holiday price. It would be appreciated if you limited your luggage to one medium sized bag, rucksack or suitcase.

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Dates and prices

Single Room Supplement: £14 per night

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Average temperatures

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Travel to resort

Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with flight' you will arrive at Coruna airport. The onward journey by coach takes around 3 hours at start and 1 hour at the finish.

Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 23/08/2007 (provisional)

Ryanair
Stansted - Santiago de Compostela
Out 07:45 - 10:55
Return 11:20 - 12:25

Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throught the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

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Why not try...

A self-guided walking holiday along the Camino de Santiago trail, click here for more information.

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