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5 daysOn footSimon Burchell — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Sarria → Santiago de Compostela
The final and busiest stretch of the French Way: from Sarria, the starting point for those seeking the Compostela with the last 100 km. Five stages through rural Galicia, among oak woods, stone hamlets and Romanesque churches, all the way to the Obradoiro Square.
The opening stage from Sarria and home to the iconic Km 100 marker. A rolling path through woods and rural hamlets, with a spectacular finish descending to the Belesar reservoir to enter Portomarín up its long stairway.
StartJosé Antonio Gil Martínez from Vigo, Spain — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion / Romanesque
A 13th-century church in Sarria's old town, right where the stage begins.
Set off early: the first 13 km are uphill, better tackled in the cool of the morning.
StampVicente Maza Gómez — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion / Monastery
A monastery at the top of Sarria, one of the last monuments before leaving town.
A good spot to get your first credential stamp before setting off.
JourGuideLandmark
The stone marker showing 100 km to Santiago: the obligatory photo and the point from which the walk counts towards the Compostela.
There's usually a queue for the photo; stop just before or after the official marker.
StampHombreDHojalata — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion / Fortress-church
Portomarín's emblem. A 12th-century Romanesque fortress-church of the Order of Saint John, moved stone by stone to its present site when the Belesar reservoir flooded the old village in 1962.
Look closely at the facade blocks: they still bear the painted numbers used to rebuild it stone by stone.
JourGuideHeritage
Portomarín's monumental entrance: you reach the town up a grand stairway beneath an arch salvaged from the old medieval bridge.
Turn around when you reach the top: the view over the reservoir is worth the pause.
A calm stage among Romanesque churches, a Celtic hillfort and medieval castles. Less demanding than the previous one and perfect for taking in the Galician countryside at an easy pace.
José Antonio Gil Martínez from Vigo, Spain — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion / Romanesque
A small 12th-century Romanesque gem right on the path, in the hamlet of Castromaior.
It's right on the route: a quick stop before climbing up to the hillfort.
Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)History / Archaeological site
One of Galicia's most important hillforts, this fortified Celtic settlement was inhabited between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. Listed as a Cultural Heritage Site in 2010, it looks out over the Miño valley.
The detour from the path is short and signposted; the views from the top are worth the climb.
JourGuideHeritage / Wayside cross
One of the most distinctive wayside crosses on the Camino, carved in 1670 with the symbols of the Passion.
Look at the base: a carved skull marks the cross's penitential meaning.
StampJourGuideReligion / Romanesque
A church of Romanesque origin in the centre of Palas de Rei, where the stage ends.
Palas de Rei has every service: a good place to stock up before the hardest stage.
amaianos from Galicia — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)History / Fortress
A 14th-century fortress, among the best preserved in Galicia and the only one in Galicia to withstand the Irmandiño revolts.
Optional stop, off the Camino: it's about 8 km from Palas de Rei (16 km round trip on foot, about 3 h and a half). If you have spare time after finishing the stage, the most practical way to get there is by taxi or car.
The queen stage: the longest and one of the most beautiful. It crosses hamlets with Roman paving, the medieval bridge of Furelos and, above all, Melide, capital of Galician octopus and the halfway point from Sarria.
JourGuideHeritage / Hamlet
A hamlet with Roman paving, a 12th-century Romanesque church and a cabazo, the straw-and-timber granary where maize was stored, next to the old infirmary house.
One of the prettiest hamlets on the stage: take it slow along the cobbled way.
JourGuideHeritage / Bridge
You enter Furelos over a beautiful four-arched medieval bridge across the river of the same name. Beside it stand the church of San Xoán and an old pilgrims' hospital.
One of the most photogenic corners of the day and a good place to rest before Melide.
JourGuideFood & drink
Melide is the capital of Galician octopus and the exact halfway point from Sarria. Its pulperías, such as the historic Ezequiel, serve the most renowned pulpo á feira in Galicia.
This is the lunch stop par excellence: octopus with a glass of Ribeiro to recharge for the second half.
StampVanbasten 23 — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Culture / Museum
An ethnographic museum about the region housed in the old pilgrims' hospital, next to the convent and church of Sancti Spíritus. The Romanesque church of Santa María de Melide is close by.
If you have time after the octopus, Melide's historic quarter is worth a gentle stroll.
StampSimon Burchell — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion
A church dedicated to Saint James with a fountain beside it, a traditional pilgrims' stop.
A good spot for water and a rest halfway through the stage.
José Antonio Gil Martínez from Vigo, Spain — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Heritage / Bridge
One of the loveliest corners of the Camino: a medieval bridge over the river Iso beside one of the route's most beautiful hostels, set in a former pilgrims' hospital.
After Ribadiso comes the last climb to Arzúa; take the chance to dip your feet in the Iso.
A gentler day after the tough previous stage. Eucalyptus woods that scent the path, quiet hamlets and the growing sense that Santiago is near.
StampJourGuideReligion / Gothic
A Gothic chapel, the only remaining trace of Arzúa's old Augustinian convent.
Arzúa is cheese country with its own denomination of origin: take a piece for the road.
JourGuideNature / Woodland
Stretches of eucalyptus forest that scent the air, one of the most characteristic landscapes of the Galician home straight.
Breathe in the eucalyptus: it's the smell many pilgrims associate forever with this part of the Camino.
Bene Riobó — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion
A small late 17th-century chapel with a fountain to which tradition attributes healing properties.
Final stage: set off early if you want to make the midday Pilgrim's Mass at the Cathedral.
Simon Burchell — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion
The parish church of Arca, very close to O Pedrouzo where the stage ends.
O Pedrouzo is the last big stop before Santiago: rest well for the final day.
The finish-line stage. Woodlands, the loop around Lavacolla airport and the thrill of cresting Monte do Gozo to glimpse the Cathedral towers for the first time. It ends in the Obradoiro Square.
Simon Burchell — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religious / Church
Lavacolla's parish church, at the exact midpoint of the final stage. The Camino makes a small detour to pass through its atrium. The place takes its name from Lavamentula, as the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus calls it: pilgrims washed in the stream here before entering Santiago.
The last stop with bars and services before Monte do Gozo; from here it is 9.9 km to the Cathedral.
Simon Burchell — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Landmark / Viewpoint
The hill of joy: the spot where pilgrims first catch sight of the towers of Santiago Cathedral after days on the road.
It's the most emotional moment of the Camino; save some phone battery for the photo of the towers.
StampLuis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)Religion / Finish
The finish. A cathedral raised over the tomb of the apostle James, a Romanesque masterpiece with later additions such as its Baroque Obradoiro facade.
Go to the midday Pilgrim's Mass; with luck you'll see the Botafumeiro swing. And don't forget to collect your Compostela at the Pilgrim's Office with your stamped credential.
Every stage is in the app, with its map and elevation profile, the points of interest with their tip, and the option to save them for when there is no signal.
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