Camino de Santiago from Sarria in 5 Stages

Yes. The French Way from Sarria is approximately 115 km long, so it exceeds the minimum distance required to apply for the Compostela upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela.

To obtain it, you must carry your Pilgrim’s Credential and have it stamped along the way as proof that you have completed the Camino. The credential is included in this package.

At the end of the final stage, you can apply for the Compostela in Santiago de Compostela, provided you meet the requirements for its issuance.

The French Way of St. James from Sarria consists of 5 walking stages, but the package includes 6 nights of lodging.

You’ll spend the first night in Sarria before starting your hike. Then you’ll complete the stages from Sarria to Portomarín, Portomarín to Palas de Rei, Palas de Rei to Arzúa, Arzúa to O Pedrouzo, and O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela.

Therefore, you’ll need 6 nights and 7 days, counting the day you arrive in Sarria and the day you complete the final stage to Santiago.

Before you begin, you’ll receive a packet with all the information you need to complete the French Way from Sarria on your own.

It includes information on each stage, maps, route profiles, distances, estimated times, points of interest, and practical recommendations for the Camino. You’ll also find documentation regarding your accommodations and any additional services you’ve booked.

The times listed are approximate: you can complete each stage at your own pace.

You will receive the travel kit and all the necessary documentation for your trip via email approximately one month before you begin the Camino.

In this documentation, you’ll find all the information you need to complete the 5 stages from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela.

You don't need to be an experienced hiker, but it is recommended that you be in good enough physical condition to walk for several hours over several consecutive days.

The French Way from Sarria, divided into 5 stages, covers approximately 114 km, with daily walks ranging from 18 to 29 km. That’s why it’s important to get your body used to walking before the trip.

If you don’t exercise regularly, we recommend starting by walking several times a week and gradually increasing both the distance and duration of your walks.

If you already exercise regularly, incorporate long walks and, whenever possible, train for several consecutive days to get used to the cumulative effort of the stages.

Ideally, you should begin your preparation a few weeks or months before the trip and wear the same shoes during your training sessions that you’ll wear on the Camino.

Luggage transfer between stages is available as an extra service.

Each morning, you must leave your properly labeled luggage at the location designated by your lodging. The carrier will pick it up and take it to your lodging for the next stage.

You may bring 1 bag weighing up to 15 kg per person. Luggage usually arrives at the next lodging in the afternoon.

During the day, you should carry a small backpack with water, identification, warm or waterproof clothing, and anything else you might need while walking.

You can choose from different categories of accommodations depending on your preferred level of comfort:

• Basic accommodation: private hostels with shared rooms.
• Intermediate accommodation: private rooms in guesthouses, rural inns, and small hotels.
• Superior accommodations: charming hotels and high-end establishments.

All accommodations are located in or near the towns where each stage ends and are subject to availability.

The final accommodations will be confirmed approximately 30 days before the start of the trip.

Yes. We always try to select accommodations located near the route and within the towns where each stage ends.

During peak season, it may be necessary to stay at accommodations that are a bit further from the town center. In any case, the towns along the French Way from Sarria are small, and the selected accommodations are within walking distance or located a short distance from the route.

Yes. The section of the Camino between Sarria and Santiago passes through numerous villages and towns where you’ll find services for pilgrims.

Along the way, you’ll find bars, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and water fountains, although not all small towns offer every type of service.

The towns where you’ll spend the night—Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, O Pedrouzo, and Santiago de Compostela—have a wider selection of restaurants, shops, ATMs, and other services.

Even so, we recommend always carrying water and some food with you during each stage.

Yes. The Camino de Santiago from Sarria is a very popular and well-marked route, so it’s common to walk it alone.

The yellow arrows and scallop shell markers make it easy to follow the route, and—especially during peak season—you’ll encounter other pilgrims along virtually the entire way.

In addition, with this package, you’ll have all the necessary documentation to follow the itinerary and emergency phone assistance during the Camino.

The French Way of St. James from Sarria can be walked for much of the year, although spring and fall usually offer the best conditions for walking, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds than in the height of summer.

In spring, especially between April and June, you’ll find pleasant temperatures, lush green landscapes, and days that are getting longer.

Summer, from June to September, offers many hours of daylight and is usually the season with the liveliest pilgrim atmosphere. This is also when you’ll find the most travelers on the Camino, especially during July and August.

Fall, particularly September and October, combines pleasant temperatures with fewer crowds, although the chance of rain increases.

In winter, there are far fewer pilgrims and the Camino is quieter, but the days are shorter, temperatures are lower, and some services may have reduced hours or be closed.

The section from Sarria to Santiago does not pass through high-mountain areas, but the weather in Galicia can change quickly, so we recommend always bringing waterproof clothing.

No. This French Way of St. James from Sarria is a self-guided journey, so you won't have a guide accompanying you during the stages.

Before you start, you’ll receive all the necessary documentation to follow the route, and you’ll be able to proceed at your own pace. You’ll also have access to emergency phone assistance during the Camino.

If you’d prefer to walk the Camino de Santiago in a group accompanied by a guide, please contact us.

The French Way from Sarria, covering 5 stages, runs approximately 114 km to Santiago de Compostela.

The approximate distances are:

• Sarria – Portomarín: 22 km
• Portomarín – Palas de Rei: 25 km
• Palas de Rei – Arzúa: 29 km
• Arzúa – A Rua: 18.1 km
• A Rua – Santiago de Compostela: 21.8 km

Distances may vary slightly depending on your assigned accommodations and the exact starting or ending point of each stage.

If you’d prefer to walk fewer kilometers each day, please contact us to explore other route options.