Sarria to Santiago de Compostela:Camino de Santiago with Joyce De-Toni Hill,
April 21 - May 4, 2026

Overview

A delightful trek to Santiago de Compostela; the Sarria to Santiago route is popular, but Joyce gives you the inside story and helps to make your trip both interesting and fun. An added bonus is time spent on the Costa da Morte in Fisterra.

Map of the route

Daily Itinerary

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - Gather in Sarria

Description

Whether you chose to arrive a day early and spend the night in Santiago or arrive at the Santiago Airport on this day, private transportation is available to take you to Sarria. The plan is to meet at the airport and travel directly to your lodging in Sarria. Some people who arrive in Madrid choose to take the train directly to Sarria. Let us know if we can help to arrange that for you. Check-in at the group hotel, relax and enjoy the city, then gather for orientation in the late afternoon. Have your first group dinner together and then head to bed to rest and relax for tomorrow’s activity.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Tour Samos Monastery

Description

Today we ease into our adventure. We travel by private transport to the nearby Samos Monastery to take a tour and we can enjoy lunch together afterwards. Then free time in Sarria to get ready for the next day of walking. "Ample pre-Roman ruins testify to the ancient roots of this prominent Galician town. Destroyed by Muslim invaders in the eighth c., it was soon repopulated and quickly took its place as a major stopover for Santiago pilgrims."

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Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Sarria to Portomarín

Description

A mellow day among pastures, stone fences and cornfields, bookended by a tall staircase at the beginning and one at the end. The highlights are the medieval churches along the way, the lowlight is the heavy pilgrim traffic...." However, it's a great opportunity to meet people and share the wonderful experience. Close to your arrival in Portomarín check the trail options to avoid a difficult section.

distance: 22.9 km

ascent: 554 m

descent: 589 m

% hard surfaces: 53%

difficulty rating: 6

Friday, April 24, 2026 - Portomarín to Lestedo

Description

Although the Codex Calixtinus laments that this stretch was the site of open air brothels serving pilgrim traffic, the only negative today is the smell of an agricultural plant not long after Portomarín. But for a few diversions onto forest paths, today's walk takes a business-like trajectory on roadside pathways and through small dairy-centered villages

distance: 20.3 km

ascent: 546 m

descent: 336 m

% hard surfaces: 28%

difficulty rating: 7

Satuday, April 25, 2026 - Lestedo to Palas de Rei

Description

A short walk today to give us time to take a detour to Vilar de Donas church, about 2km off of the Camino. "A gift by a noble family to the Order of Santiago, the small monastery on this site became the burial place for prominent members of the Order. As the monastery crumbled around it, the 13th c. chapel became the parish church of Vilar de Donas. While the porta, sepulchers, altar and baldachin are all of note, the 15th c. apse paintings, most likely of the 10 virgins, are the church's treasure." - Sandy Brown

distance: 5.0 km

ascent: 75 m

descent: 123 m

% hard surfaces: 44%

difficulty rating: 2

Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Palas de Rei to Melide

Description

Although today's route hugs the path of the N-547 highway, the Camino track touches it only near the settlements, allowing for pleasant walking on well-maintained trails among pastures, cornfields and gardens. The walk includes several ridges and valleys, but none too steep or too long. Highlight of the day is the old town of Melide, with its restaurants, bars and shops.

distance: 14.9 km

ascent: 286 m

descent: 381 m

% hard surfaces: 37%

difficulty rating: 6

Monday, April 27, 2026 - Melide to Arzúa

Description

The freight trucks that rumble and wheeze up the main street are a living testament to the village's long history as a crossroads - the Roman Via Traiana here crossed regional roads heading to Cantabria. Called 'Villanova' in the Codex Calixtinus, the name Arzúa may be linked to later resettlement. Two hospitals served pilgrims at the height of medieval pilgrimage.

distance: 14.5 km

ascent: 341 m

descent: 411 m

% hard surfaces: 55%

difficulty rating: 6

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - Arzúa to Amenal

Description

An easy day of minor climbs and descents through countryside and villages with the ever-present N-547 highway as companion and sometime daunting obstacle. Small dairy farms and tracts of eucalyptus trees cover the low, rolling hills which are dotted with ample rest stops...Fountains and cafés make for an easy walking day with little preparation necessary.

distance: 19.7 km

ascent: 433 m

descent: 535 m

% hard surfaces: 26%

difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - Amenal to Santiago de Compostela

Description

A surprisingly green and peaceful entry into urban Santiago - at least until the final 5km which wind along seemingly never-ending city streets. Two tall hills make the day a moderate workout. The view from Monte do Gozo and the final entry into Praza do Obradoiro can be a deeply emotional climax to a week, a month, or season of walking toward this historic pilgrimage destination. The Cathedral of Santiago does not allow backpacks inside so if you plan to attend the noon pilgrim mass leave your rucksack at your accommodation or at the pilgrim office beforehand.

distance: 19.9 km

ascent: 407 m

descent: 433 m

% hard surfaces: 68%

difficulty rating: 7

Thursday, April 30, 2026 - Explore Santiago de Compostela

Description

A free day, with lots to explore in Santiago. The Cathedral has a museum and many chapels, plus a rooftop and amazing traditional entry doors from the Middle Ages. Attend Mass with the possibility of seeing the historic botafumeiro... The Mercado de Abastos gives you a view of many food options and the opportunity to have a snack or lunch. Other museums: Museo das Peregrinaciones or the Museum of the Galician People offer lots of information. Or just walk around, shop and people watching are lots of fun too.

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Friday, May 1, 2026 - Santiago to Finisterre

Description

Having successfully made it to Santiago, it's time to have another adventure. Let's go to Fisterra! You'll be leaving right after breakfast in a private transport and go directly there. So many places to visit in Fisterra, but one of the main ones is the climb to the lighthouse known in Galego as the Faro de Fisterra. Overnight in Finisterre. "There are many suggestions of a long tradition of pre-Christian pilgrimage to the Cape, and some suggest that the Camino de Santiago itself is a Christianization of a more ancient tradition of pilgrimage toward the setting of the sun, culminating at this rocky promontory at what was thought to be the westernmost tip of Europe." - Sandy Brown

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Saturday, May 2, 2026 - Explore Fisterra

Description

Lots of opportunities for exploration and relaxation in Fisterra. "In the immediate vicinity of Finisterre are three sandy beaches - Langosteira at its entrance as well as tiny Ribeira below the Castillo de San Carlos and Corveiro below the Santa Maria church. On the opposite side of the cape from the village is the Mar de Fora considered by some the most beautiful beach on the Costa da Morte." - Camino de Santiago - Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, author Sandy Brown

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Sunday, May 3, 2026 - Fisterra to Santiago de Compostela

Description

After breakfast private transport back to Santiago and a good-bye lunch. It's time to do a bit more exploring and then get ready for your departure tomorrow.

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