Walk the Camino De Santiago

Transfer from La Coruna Airport to Sarria, where you spend your first night.

Your first Camino walk is easier than it looks on the route profile and you'll immediately get into a rhythm on the peaceful country roads and quiet paths. Tree-lined sections provide welcome shade on sunny days and tiny hamlets are strung close together, it seems you have just left one as you enter the next. You'll find plenty of places to pause for snacks and swap stories with other pilgrims.

Walking from the monastery of La Magdalena in Sarria to the Gallician vineyards and along the banks of the Mino River, our route is lined by shaded groves of chestnuts and oaks, fields enclosed by traditional Celtic 'chantos', and examples of Galician Romanesque architecture in a landscape little changed for centuries

13.5 miles (22km) with 1,230 feet (375m) of ascent and 1,312 feet (400m) of descent

Stroll down the steep high street out of Portomarín then ‘switch gears’ on a gentle uphill track alongside the main road. Crossing the N-540 at Hospital de la Cruz, you can take a breather at today's highest point, Monte San Antonio. The rest of the day offers nothing but easy walking through gently rolling countryside with a pleasant 10-kilometre section on tarmac. The final 3 km veer off onto a dirt track again, as you approach the humming pilgrims’ town of Palas de Rei

15.5 miles (25km) with 1,640 feet (500m) of ascent and 951 feet (290m) of descent

From Palas de Rei you embark on a long but technically easy route, free of steep prolonged ascents or descents. Join the traditional pilgrim countdown as stone markers sprout up showing the distance left to Santiago Cathedral. Encountering cool shady stretches, you amble along to Melide, historic crossroads where the Original Way or ‘Camino Primitivo’ meets the popular French Route or ‘Camino Francés’. Just past this point, you’re treated to an aromatic section through eucalyptus trees and oak groves, trekking toward Arzúa and a well-earned coffee... or glass of local wine!

18 miles (29km) with 820 feet (250m) of ascent and 1,312 feet (400m) of descent

At first glance, this stage seems to provide little interest with its monotonous movement alongside the main road. Yet today ends up being one of the most exciting of the whole week as you feel the collective energy grow, joining hordes of fellow pilgrims all excited to be nearly there! Tiny hamlets dotted with shingle houses, hidden amidst wooded glades and eucalyptus trees, line the trail to Rua. Visit the ancient church of San Verisimo and the 18th century chapel in Santa Irene. It’s a relatively short day, leaving time to relax at your hotel and meld with the peaceful surroundings.

11 miles (18km) with 660 feet (200m) of ascent and 740 feet (225m) of descent

13 miles (21km) with 1,150 feet (350m) of ascent and 1,215 feet (370m) of descent

Celebrate your journey’s end and explore this magnificent city.

Transfer to La Coruna Airport

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.