Camino de Santiago Hike in Spain: Final 100 km of the Camino Francés

On the first day, you’ll meet your transfer company at 11am in the foyer of the Parador de Santiago Hotel or you’ll be picked up from Santiago de Compostela airport at 11:45am. We’ll transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria, where we’ll enjoy a restaurant lunch before heading off. Today’s walk will take us from the town of Sarria to the village of Sabenche. We’ll head out of town and go on an uphill stretch to the countryside, walking along country roads to the tiny village of Sabenche. Our accommodation is the charming Casa Caxiguero, a 12th-century traditional Spanish farmhouse where we’ll enjoy home-cooked meals accompanied by local wines.

Note: There’s an option to skip today’s walk and travel with the guide/driver.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 6 km/ 3.7 miles, 3 hours
Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Casa Caxiguero

After breakfast, we’ll start our walk following country lanes through rural settings and forests. We’ll pass through many quaint hamlets and villages, including Ferreiros with its interesting church. The path ascends to Pena dos Corvos, where we can enjoy magnificent views before descending into the Rio Mino valley. We’ll cross the bridge and walk towards the historic town of Portomarin. The original town is now underwater due to a dam built in the 1960s to create a reservoir. When the dam is low, remnants of the old town can still be seen on the waterfront. Our accommodation for the night is at the modern Vistalegre Spa Hotel. We can relax in the spa or explore the town. Tonight, we will dine in a local restaurant featuring fresh regional produce and wines.

Note: Today, there is an option of being transported to Portomarin after breakfast.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 16.5 km (10.2 mi), 4.5 hours
Shorter option: Rente to Ferreiros 9.5 km (5.9 mi)
Accommodation: Vistalegre Spa Hotel

After breakfast, we’ll leave Portomarin and begin a steady uphill climb with scenic views. We’ll pass Gonzar and Castromaior, known for its Romanesque church. The route winds through charming hamlets and calvaries, crossing Ventas de Naron and the gentle Sierra de Ligonde before descending into Ligonde, home to a church dedicated to St. James. We’ll transfer (15 minutes) to Pazo de Orban & Sangro, our accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with regional wines.

Shorter walking options:
Portomarin to morning tea stop (7.7 km / 4.8 mi)
Morning tea to lunch stop (5 km / 3.1 mi)
Lunch to afternoon tea stop (6 km / 3.7 mi)
Afternoon tea stop to the finish (5 km / 3.1 mi)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 24 km (15 mi), 6 hours
Elevation gain: 400 m (1,312 ft)
Accommodation: Pazo de Orban & Sangro

On Day 4, after breakfast, we’ll transfer back to the trail. Today’s walk takes us from Palais de Rei to Melide. We’ll traverse the land encountering pretty woodlands of chestnut and oak. We’ll pass hamlets and small towns of Casanova, O Coto, and Leboreiro until we finally arrive in the 10th-century village of Melide with its historic churches and buildings. After lunch, we will be transferred back to Lugo (40 minutes), arriving at around 3pm, with the remainder of the day free. Tonight, we’ll enjoy wine tasting of regional wines before a relaxing dinner in this charming location.

Shorter walking option: Campanilla morning tea stop to Melide (6 km / 3.7 mi)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 km (8.7 mi), 4 hours
Accommodation: Pazo de Orban & Sangro

Today’s walk takes us from the town of Melide to Arzua. We’ll walk through the villages of Carballal, San Xuilan do Camino, and Lebereiro. We will stop at one of the local villages along the way for lunch. Crossing over the river Seco on the Magdalena bridge, we will reach Furelos and continue on to Arzúa, in the province of La Coruña, famous for its local cheese. Then, we’ll be transferred to our accommodation for the next two nights at Arzua at Pazo De Brandeso. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a three-course meal served with local wine.

Shorter walking options:
Melide to morning tea stop: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Morning tea to lunch stop: 7.5 km (4.6 mi)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 km (8.6 mi), 4 hours
Accommodation: Pazo De Brandeso

After a good night’s rest, we’ll have breakfast and transfer back to Arzua to continue our walk to San Anton. We’ll depart by the Rua do Carme, cross the river Raido, and then pass through several hamlets. After our walk, we’ll be transferred back to our accommodation at Pazo De Brandeso where we can relax, have dinner, and enjoy a refreshing swim.

Easier walking options:
Arzúa to morning tea stop: 8 km (5 mi)
Arzua to lunch stop: 15.5 km (9.6 mi)
Lunch stop to San Anton: 5 km (3.1 mi)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 20.5 km (12.7 mi)
Accommodation: Pazo De Brandeso

Today is the final leg of our Camino walk as we make our way to our destination at Santiago de Compostela. After breakfast, we’ll transfer back to the trail to start our walk. We’ll walk through Lavacolla village, a place where pilgrims traditionally stopped to wash in the river and purify themselves before entering the city of Santiago.

Later on, we’ll reach Monte del Gozo and see the impressive Cathedral of Santiago. We’ll walk into Santiago through the cobbled streets of the Old Quarter and feel the elation as we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, one of the most beautiful and renowned squares in Spain (it’s also the end of our walk). We’ll spend the night at the Parador, considered one of the oldest (if not *the* oldest) hotels in the world. Tonight, we’ll join the pilgrims service at 7:30pm before enjoying a celebratory dinner in the historic restaurant at the Parador Hotel.

Shorter walking options:
Amenal to morning tea stop: 4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Morning tea stop to lunch stop: 7.5 km (4.6 mi)
Lunch stop to Santiago de Compostela: 4 km (2.4 mi)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi)
Elevation gain: 330 m (1,082 ft)
Accommodation: Parador Hotel

After breakfast, the tour comes to an end. You can enjoy free time to explore Santiago de Compostela. Participants will need to organize flights from Santiago to Barcelona or Madrid to connect with international flights. The airport is a short 15-minute taxi ride from the city.

Meals: Breakfast