Camino
PILGRIMAGE
SAMPLE ITINERARY
No matter how times you go on pilgrimage, the journey is never the same. This sample itinerary will give you a sense of the rhythm of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage; it won’t tell you exactly what you’ll experience along the way. Every day, you’ll experience an intentional question and ritual that invites you into an encounter with the sacred, in conversation with fellow pilgrims and in silence by yourself as you walk. In the evenings, we will gather in community to reflect on the day’s discoveries. See below for the path we’ll take.
Every STEP is a PILGRIMAGE
Arrive in Sarria, Spain
DAY 1
Arrive in Sarria, Spain, and relax as your fellow pilgrims join you. We’ll get oriented and prepare for our first walking day.
SARRIA overnight
Sarria to Portomarin
DAY 2
Your pilgrimage begins along peaceful paths, old oak trees and historic towns. Portomarín is on the banks of the Minho River and has the Church of San Nicolás, renowned for being moved following a town flood.
22 kilometers; 5 hours
PORTOMARIN overnight
Portomarin to Palas de Reis
DAY 3
You’ll ascend the Serra de Ligonde—one of the steadiest rise in elevation of the Camino— visit the villages of Gonzar and Castromaior and its Romanesque Church of Santa María. When you reach the top elevation, it’s downhill to Palas de Rei. You’ll visit the famous Pambre Castle, a 14th century fortress that will transport you to a dream-like world.
25 kilometers; 6 hours
PALAS de REI overnight
Palas de Reis to Melide
DAY 4
This shorter leg of the pilgrimage is meant to give weary pilgrims a break. Palas de Rei, this stretch will lead you to Melide.
Try the ‘a feira,’ a dish made of octopus, potatoes flavored by sweet Spanish paprika. Don’t miss your chance to try it out and rest up in the village with your fellow pilgrims.
14 kilometers; 3.5 hours
MELIDE overnight
DAY 5
Melide to ARZUA
Due to the very few kilometres between you and your next stop, you can enjoy some of the charming villages along the Camino, such as Boente and Castañeda, until you reach Arzúa.
This town, famous for its cheese, gives its name to the designation of origin "Arzúa Ulloa".
14 kilometers; 3.5 hours
ARZUA overnight
DAY 6
ARZUA to O Pino
This stage of the route begins with a descent through forests and along streams that create an opportunity for deeper reflection. Take it easy today, maybe even make your pace more of a stroll, visiting the Chapel of Santa Irene and the Church of Santa Eulalia de O Pedrouzo.
18 kilometers; 4 hours
O PINO overnight
O Pino TO SANTIAGO De COMPOSTELA
DAY 7
Wake up early for this portion of the pilgrimage; the mass at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela is celebrated at noon. Leaving O Pino, you will journey via Lavacolla, to Monte do Gozo, where you will be able to glimpse the towers of the cathedral on the horizon. You will arrive in Santiago through the neighbourhood of San Lázaro, winding down towards the historic city centre, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, until you reach Plaza Obradoiro, where you will finally see the Cathedral of Santiago from up close. If you like and managed to get an early start, you can attend the pilgrim's mass, celebrated at 12 noon.
22 kilometers; 5 hours
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA overnight
DEPART SANTIAGO
DAY 8
As we depart from Santiago de Compostela, setting out on new paths to explore, we leave knowing we made new personal discoveries, renewed our spirit, and established new friendships that will last long in our memory.