Itinerary
- Day 1
Ponferrada
You'll arrive in Ponferrada, the main city of the Bierzo region in León province. The historic district has plenty to see, particularly the Templar castle which connects to the Santiago pilgrimage route. This area is known for good local food and wines, so you'll find restaurants and wine shops worth checking out during your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour through the old town of Santiago de Compostela with guide
- Typical Galician cheese tasting in a cheese dairy
Optional Activities
- Visit Templar castle
- Explore historic district of Ponferrada
- Taste local wines from the Bierzo region
- Sample traditional local dishes such as botillo
Landmarks Templar Castle of Ponferrada - Day 2
Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
Today's walk covers 24.2 km through fairly comfortable trails in the Bierzo region. You'll pass through fields and vineyards on your way to Villafranca del Bierzo. The Church of Santiago there has the Puerta del Perdón (Holy Door), which only opens during Jacobean years, so you might just see the closed doors depending on timing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
Optional Activities
- Visit Church of Santiago and Puerta del Perdón
- Explore Villafranca del Bierzo town
Landmarks Church of Santiago (Villafranca del Bierzo) - Day 3
Villafranca del Bierzo to Vega de Valcarce
This 16.3 km stage is relatively flat. You'll follow the old N-VI road and walk alongside the Valcarce river through the Bierzo region. The last 2 km drops downhill and takes you into Vega de Valcarce, so by evening you'll have covered the distance without too much climbing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Villafranca del Bierzo to Vega de Valcarce
- Day 4
Vega de Valcarce to O Cebreiro
Today brings the famous climb to O Cebreiro, which marks the gateway into Galicia and the French Way. This 11.5 km stage includes roughly 700 meters of elevation gain, and La Faba hill is particularly steep. Once you reach O Cebreiro, you'll enter the Ancares region with its Jacobean tradition and interesting local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Vega de Valcarce to O Cebreiro
Optional Activities
- Explore O Cebreiro village
Landmarks O Cebreiro La Faba hill - Day 5
O Cebreiro to Triacastela
You'll walk 20.8 km with constant ups and downs today. Starting toward San Roque's summit where there's a pilgrim statue, then climbing steeply to O Alto do Poio at 1,337 meters altitude. After that you'll descend toward Triacastela. The elevation changes make this one of the harder stages despite the distance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from O Cebreiro to Triacastela
Optional Activities
- Visit San Roque summit with Pilgrim statue
Landmarks San Roque O Alto do Poio - Day 6
Triacastela to Sarria
This 17.8 km stage feels shorter and more relaxed. You'll cross the San Xil Valley, one of Galicia's nicest valleys with surrounding landscapes that make the walk pleasant. By the end of the day you'll reach Sarria, an important checkpoint where many pilgrims join the route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Triacastela to Sarria
Optional Activities
- Explore San Xil Valley
Landmarks San Xil Valley - Day 7
Sarria to Portomarin
Today's 22.2 km walk enters deepest Galicia with relatively flat terrain. You'll see chestnut trees, oaks, rivers, and meadows along the way. The route takes you through small towns like Barbadelos and Ferreiros before reaching Portomarin, where the old town actually lies underwater beneath the Belesar reservoir.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Sarria to Portomarin
Optional Activities
- Explore Barbadelos
- Explore Ferreiros
Landmarks Belesar reservoir 
- Day 8
Portomarin to Palas de Reis
You'll walk 24.8 km with a significant climb up Serra de Ligonde to 725 meters altitude. The scenery shifts between green landscapes and paved areas, and you'll start seeing traditional Cruzeiros (wayside crosses). The route passes through Castromaior, Ventas de Narón, and Ligonde.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Portomarin to Palas de Reis
Optional Activities
- Explore Castromaior
- Explore Ventas de Narón
- Explore Ligonde
Landmarks Serra de Ligonde - Day 9
Palas de Reis to Melide
This 14.4 km walk takes you toward Campo dos Romeiros, an important spot where pilgrims often gather. From there you'll walk through Leboreiro surrounded by lush forests and cross a medieval bridge over the Melide river before arriving in Melide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Palas de Reis to Melide
Optional Activities
- Visit Campo dos Romeiros
- Explore Leboreiro
Landmarks Campo dos Romeiros - Day 10
Melide to Arzua
You'll walk 14.1 km leaving Lugo province and entering A Coruña province today. The route goes through Boente and Castañeda on the way to Arzua, which is known for its local cheese production.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Melide to Arzua
Optional Activities
- Explore Boente
- Explore Castañeda
- Visit Arzua cheese producers
- Day 11
Arzua to O Pedrouzo
Today's 19.3 km is a quiet stage on a short day. This walk gives you time to process everything from the pilgrimage so far before the final arrival in Santiago de Compostela tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from Arzua to O Pedrouzo
- Day 12
O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
The final 19.4 km stage mixes emotion and excitement as you start early to catch the pilgrimage mass at 12:00. You'll reach Lavacolla and then climb Monte do Gozo for your first distant view of the cathedral. After that, it's the walk to Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The moment you arrive marks the end of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking route from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
- Tour through the old town of Santiago de Compostela with guide
- Typical Galician cheese tasting in a cheese dairy in the old town of Santiago de Compostela
Optional Activities
- Attend pilgrimage mass at Cathedral (celebrated at 12:00)
Landmarks Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Plaza del Obradoiro Monte do Gozo - Day 13
Santiago de Compostela
Your final day in Santiago de Compostela is for reflection. You've completed the pilgrimage, and now you'll take time to process the experience and enjoy the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Santiago de Compostela
Landmarks Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
