French Way from Sarria: 7-day walking pilgrimage to Santiago
Walk six stages through oak and chestnut forests, then stand in the Plaza del Obradoiro as the cathedral comes into view.
A 7-day walking pilgrimage on the French Way from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela covers 110 kilometers across six walking stages, with accommodation, luggage transport between each stop, and your official pilgrim credential to stamp at every stage. The route passes through rural Galician villages, Celtic ruins, Romanesque churches and the Belesar reservoir, ending at the cathedral in Santiago. Minimum age is 18.
7d
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Sarria
- Arrive in Sarria
- Settle in accommodation
- Stroll cobbled streets
- Relax at Malecón promenade
Day 2 — Stage Sarria to Portomarín
- Breakfast included
- Walk through forests and villages
- Visit Church of Ferreiros and Barbadelo
- See Belesar reservoir
- Arrive in Portomarín
- Enjoy local gastronomy and rest
Day 3 — Stage Portomarín to Palas de Rei
- Breakfast included
- Walk road and mountain terrain
- Visit Castro de Castromaior
- Visit monastery and church of Vilar de Donas
- Arrive in Palas de Rei
- Rest and explore town
Day 4 — Stage Palas de Rei to Arzúa
- Breakfast included
- Walk 29 km through scenic route
- Stop in Melide to taste octopus
- Arrive in Arzúa
- Try Denomination of Origin Arzúa-Ulloa cheese
- Rest and relax
Day 5 — Stage Arzúa to Pedrouzo
- Breakfast included
- Walk flat and comfortable terrain
- Visit bars and shops along route
- Arrive in Pedrouzo
- Rest early for next day
Day 6 — Stage Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
- Breakfast included
- Start early to arrive early
- Reach Monte do Gozo viewpoint
- Enter Plaza del Obradoiro
- Stamp credentials and collect Compostelas
- Explore old town and enjoy local culture
Day 7 — End of the trip
- Breakfast included
- Farewell and reflect on journey
- Complete French Way from Sarria
The Experience
The journey begins in Sarria, where you arrive on your own and settle into your accommodation before your first walking day. The town sits on the Miño river with cobbled streets in its old quarter and a promenade where you can rest and absorb the pilgrim atmosphere. Day one takes you 22 kilometers to Portomarín through comfortable terrain and forest, passing the Church of Ferreiros and Barbadelo before the Belesar reservoir signals the stage's end. Portomarín itself is a relocated town—the original settlement flooded when the dam was built, and on clear days you can see its remains at the river bottom.
The middle stages push deeper into Galicia's landscape. From Portomarín to Palas de Rei is 25 kilometers mixing road and mountain, with a detour to the Castro de Castromaior, a Celtic settlement, and the monastery of Vilar de Donas, a National Monument since 1931. The longest stage—29 kilometers from Palas de Rei to Arzúa—runs through dirt roads and medieval bridges in A Coruña province; Melide, the capital of Galician octopus, is a mandatory stop where local restaurants serve the regional specialty. Arzúa itself is known for its cheese, Denominación de Origen Arzúa-Ulloa. The penultimate stage to Pedrouzo covers just 19 kilometers on flat terrain with abundant bars and rest spots, designed so you can rest early before the final push.
Your last walking day is 19 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. The stage is short and without difficulty, and the ritual is to start early so you arrive in time for the pilgrim's mass. When you reach Monte do Gozo, the cathedral towers appear in the distance—the moment locals call the tingling, that sensation of arrival. As you descend into the city, fatigue dissolves as you enter the Plaza del Obradoiro. After stamping your credential and collecting your Compostela certificate, the city opens: the old town, fresh beer and tapas, foliadas with singing and dancing, or local liquors. The final day is reflection and farewells, the end of one path and the beginning of many.
Your luggage moves between stages so you walk without carrying it; the operator arranges accommodation in private rooms with bathrooms in hotels and rural houses throughout. You receive your official pilgrim credential at the start and stamp it at each stage—a ritual that marks your progress and earns your Compostela at the end. Travel insurance covers foreigners for the full week. The route suits all fitness levels, and public transportation is available if you need it.
What’s included
- Your official pilgrim credential to stamp at each stage.
- luggage transportation between accommodations so you walk without your pack.
- comprehensive travel insurance for foreigners covering the full week.
- accommodation in private rooms with bathrooms in hotels and rural houses at each of the six stops.
- and access to the full route from Sarria through Galician forests, villages, Celtic ruins and medieval bridges to Santiago de Compostela.
Operated by Viajes Camino De Santiago
Is this one for you?Start from Sarria if you're arriving by train—this 110-kilometer stretch of the French Way has the densest pilgrim community and most established trail infrastructure, so you'll walk among other pilgrims rather than solo.
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Top questions
What is the Belesar reservoir and why do I see it on the first stage?
The Belesar reservoir flooded the original Galician town of Portomarín in the Miño river valley. You see it in the distance on the final kilometers of the first stage from Sarria, signaling that Portomarín—your night's stop—is near. On clear days, the ruins of the old town are visible at the bottom of the water.
How many kilometers do I walk each day, and which stage is the hardest?
The stages range from 19 to 29 kilometers. Day one (Sarria to Portomarín) is 22 kilometers on comfortable terrain; day two (Portomarín to Palas de Rei) is 25 kilometers mixing road and mountain; day three (Palas de Rei to Arzúa) is the longest at 29 kilometers but also one of the most scenic; day four (Arzúa to Pedrouzo) is 19 kilometers on flat ground; and day five (Pedrouzo to Santiago) is 19 kilometers with no difficulty. Most pilgrims find day three the most demanding because of its length, not its terrain.
What happens when I arrive in Santiago de Compostela?
You enter the Plaza del Obradoiro at the foot of the cathedral after descending from Monte do Gozo, where the towers first come into view. Once you arrive, you stamp your credential at the pilgrim office and collect your Compostela certificate, then spend the day exploring the old town, eating tapas, and celebrating with other pilgrims.
Do I carry my luggage while walking, or is it transported for me?
The tour includes luggage transportation between stages, so your pack travels ahead to your next night's accommodation while you walk with only what you need for the day. This means you walk the full distance without carrying your belongings.
What is included in the accommodation, and where do I stay each night?
You stay in private rooms with private bathrooms in hotels and rural houses throughout the route—one night in each of the six stops (Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, Pedrouzo, and Santiago de Compostela). Accommodation is arranged for you; you simply arrive at the end of each stage and check in.
What is the pilgrim credential, and why do I need it?
Your official pilgrim credential is a booklet you receive at the start in Sarria. You stamp it at each stage as proof of your journey, and after collecting stamps at all six stops, you present it at the pilgrim office in Santiago to receive your Compostela certificate—the official document recognizing your completion of the French Way.
French Way from Sarria: 7-day walking pilgrimage to Santiago
7d
from € 945 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.82261 reviews
