7-day Camino de Santiago French Way to Santiago de Compostela

The Compostela certificate waits at the end of a route walked in stages, not rushed in a day.

A 7-day guided walk of the French Way from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela covers 111km in five walking stages, with accommodation in each village and the chance to earn the official Compostela certificate upon arrival. The route passes through oak forests, crosses the Belesar Reservoir, visits the castle of Pambre, and ends with a view of the cathedral from Monte del Gozo. A live guide leads in English or Spanish. Luggage moves between stages so you carry only what you need each day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and preparation in Sarria

• Arrive in Sarria
• Explore Sarria town
• Prepare for journey
• Stay overnight in Sarria

Day 2: Walk to Portomarín village

• Start walking by river Miño
• Walk through oak forests
• Pass villages and hamlets
• Reach Portomarín
• Stay overnight in Portomarín

Day 3: Journey to Palas de Rei

• Cross Belesar Reservoir
• Reach Serra de Ligonde
• Visit Gonzar and Castromaior
• Visit Pambre castle
• Arrive at Palas de Rei
• Stay overnight in Palas de Rei

Day 4: Follow river Iso to Arzúa

• Follow river Iso
• Arrive in Arzúa village
• Taste Arzúa-Ulloa cheese
• Stay overnight in Arzúa

Day 5: Walk through forests to Pedrouzo

• Walk through eucalyptus forests
• Cross streams
• Reach Pedrouzo village
• Stay overnight in Pedrouzo

Day 6: Arrive at Santiago de Compostela

• Arrive at Monte del Gozo
• View Santiago de Compostela
• Visit city and surroundings
• Stay overnight in Santiago

Day 7: Celebrate and return home

• Celebrate completing the Camino
• Begin new way of life

The experience

The walk starts in Sarria, a town where the Camino atmosphere is already thick in the air. From there, the route follows the Miño river through shade and into villages most travelers never see: Gonzar, Castromaior, places that exist because the Camino passes through them. Each day ends in a different village: Portomarin on the river, Palas de Rei near the castle, Arzúa famous for its cheese, Pedrouzo nestled in eucalyptus forest. The stages are built to be walkable, not punishing. The terrain shifts from river valleys to forest to open farmland as you move deeper into Galicia.

On the final morning, the walk climbs to Monte del Gozo and the cathedral comes into view. This is the moment the route is built around, not the arrival itself, but the moment before it, when you see what you have been walking toward for six days. The city visit happens after, once you have already stood there and let it sink in. Upon completion, you receive the Compostela certificate, the official document that proves you walked the route and reached Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation is included each night, as is the transport of your luggage between stages. A practical detail that means you walk with only a day pack, not a full rucksack. The tour runs with a live guide who speaks English or Spanish, and accident insurance and 24-hour assistance are built in. The route is the most traveled of all the Camino paths, which means the infrastructure is solid and the villages know how to feed and shelter pilgrims, but it also means you will meet other walkers and share the experience with them.

What’s included

• Accommodation in each village for all seven nights.
• luggage transport between stages.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• accident insurance for sports activities and civil responsibility insurance.
• 24-hour assistance throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Green Walkers

Is this one for you?This tour suits walkers with moderate fitness who want structure and support without the logistics of planning their own route: the guide, accommodation and luggage transport are arranged, so you focus on walking. The 7-day length gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the Camino without the rush of shorter versions, and the fixed stages mean you walk with a group rather than alone.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How many kilometers do I walk each day on the French Way?

The five walking stages average around 22km per day, though the exact distance varies between stages as the route moves from Sarria through Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzúa and Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. The final day to Monte del Gozo and the city is shorter.

What is the Compostela certificate and do I get one at the end?

The Compostela is the official document issued by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela that certifies you have completed the pilgrimage. You receive it upon arrival after walking the full route, and it serves as proof of your achievement on the Camino.

Do I need to carry my backpack the whole way, or does someone move it for me?

Luggage transport between stages is included, so your bags travel ahead to the next village while you walk with only a day pack. This keeps the physical load manageable across the five walking days.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in during the 7 days?

Accommodation is included each night in the villages where each stage ends: Sarria, Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, Pedrouzo, and Santiago de Compostela. The specific type of lodging is arranged as part of the tour.

What happens on the last day when we reach Santiago de Compostela?

The final stage takes you to Monte del Gozo, where you see Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral for the first time. After arrival, you visit the city and its surroundings, then receive your Compostela certificate to mark the completion of your pilgrimage.