Day 1: Individual travel to Ponferrada
To get to Ponferrada you may take the bus or train from the nearby Santiago de Compostela airport. If you arrive late in the evening, you might want to spend an additional night in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 2: Ponferrada – Villafranca
Hiking trip through the Bierzo wine country to Villafranca where the medieval castle of the Knights Templars awaits your visit (distance ca. 23 / 14 km, ascent 100 m).
Day 3: Villafranca – Herrerías
Today the hiking trail leads you through the beautiful Valcarcel valley from Villafranca to Herrerías (distance ca. 23 km, ascent 80 m )
Day 4: Herrerías – O' Cebreiro
As soon as you enter Galicia, the path takes you uphill following the O' Cebreiro pass. Crossing grass-green pastures you will gradually reach the mountain top (1,300 m). We decided this stage to be short to ensure you can take your time on the way up. You will stay in the picturesque village of O' Cebreiro where you will find typical Celtic stone houses with thatched roofs. (distance ca. 9 km, ascent 630 m).
Day 5: O' Cebreiro – Triacastela
Today's path offering magnificent views will lead you all the way downhill to Triacastela, a village idyllically situated amidst of green forests (distance ca. 21 km, ascent 40 m).
Day 6: Triacastela – Sárria
From Triacastela to Sarria you can hike on two different trails: passing the famous monastery of Samos (distance ca. 21 km; ascent 150 m), or crossing the Alto de Riocabo (distance ca. 16 km, ascent 280 m).
Day 7: Sárria – Portomarín
The path continues on small trails through Galician woods, meadows and tiny villages. Soon you will reach the dammed-up river Rio Miño. A long bridge crossing the water reservoir will lead you to Portomarín, a village famous for its Romanic church San Nicolás (distance ca. 22 km, ascent 220 m).
Day 8: Portomarín – Palas de Rei
On you go through pastures and farmland often divided into small sections. Once in a while you will pass tiny villages with their typical Galician granaries (hórreos) that were built on stilts to protect the crops from greedy mice (distance ca. 24 km; ascent 320 m).
Day 9: Palas de Rei – Mélide
Today the trail leads you through the gentle rolling Galician countryside. You will pass a remarkable Romanic church and cross several creeks coming up your way (distance ca. 15 km; ascent 150 m).
Day 10: Mélide – Arzúa
The path continues through hilly Galicia and green meadows until you reach today's destination: Arzúa, last significant village before Santiago de Compostela (distance ca. 13,5 km; ascent 160 m).
Day 11: Arzúa – Rúa
Leaving Arzúa you pass typical Galician houses with their kitchen gardens, green pastures, and oak forests (distance ca. 19,5 km; ascent 80 m).
Day 12: Rúa – Santiago de Compostela
The last stage of the hike is the most exciting one! Gradually, you get closer to the last hill separating yourself from Santiago: El Monte de Gozo. Here, a monument remembers all the pilgrims who got a first glimpse of the praised city and its cathedral's spires from this very site after weeks and months of walking! Only a small distance keeps you away from the final destination! Now, you just have to go for it! (distance ca. 19 km; ascent 140 m).
Day 13: Santiago de Compostela
Day without any planned activities. You might want to take your time and explore this remarkable pilgrimage city. There is so much to see in the historic part of Santiago de Compostela: its old stone buildings, narrow alleys, and last but not least St. James' Cathedral.
Day 14: Individual departure
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