School trips - French Way from Sarria

Stages

• day 1

  Arrival at Sarria

  Arrival in Sarria, welcome meeting, handing out of credentials and gifts, first night of accommodation. This is the moment to explain to the students how this school trip will work during the French Way.
• day 2

  Stage 1. Sarria - Portomarín (22 km)

  We say goodbye to Sarria, with our minds set on Portomarín, along the rúa Maior and follow the arrows until we reach a viewpoint adorned with a cross, from where we have an excellent panoramic view of the town.

  We pass by the Convent of La Magdalena and go down to the river Pequeño to cross the medieval bridge of Aspera. The path takes us through meadows and orchards, we cross the railway tracks and then a small stream over a wooden bridge. We climb up a steep slope to Paredes, where there is a pre-Roman fort.

  From Paredes we arrive at Vilei, where we find a fabulous rest area with all kinds of vending machines and a stamp with which we can decorate our credentials. We continue on asphalt to Barbadelo, where we must visit the Romanesque church, paying attention to its façades and capitals.

  We leave Barbadelo behind and continue along a path to the villages of Rente and Mercado da Serra, where we find a tavern. We continue straight on along a wooded path that leads us to the fountain of Pelegrín, the mascot of Xacobeo 93. We pass by the Marzán Mill and a little further on we cross the road to go through Leiman and Peruscallo. We leave the asphalt to advance to Cortiñas and Lavandeira.

  Between stone walls and forests we reach Brea and Morgade, where we find the much photographed milestone of the 100 kilometres.

  The road continues along the asphalted track to Mirallos, where we find the Restaurant O Mirallos, a spectacular place to eat. Next we can see the Romanesque church of Santa María, which was moved stone by stone from Ferreiros. After passing A Pena, we advance to O Couto and Rozas, where it is common to find cattle. We leave the asphalt to take a wooded path in slight ascent. We pass the village of Moimentos and arrive at Mercadoiro, where there is also a bar.

  Then we visit Moutrás, and after an obligatory stop at the Peter Punk shop, we gently descend along the basin of the river Miño, interspersed with asphalt and dirt while we can see Portomarín in the background. Without further ado we reach Parrocha, we cross a road to Vilacha.

  We now start a steep descent that takes us to the Miño river and the beautiful village of Portomarín, which shines with its white facades and grey roofs. After crossing the long bridge over the reservoir, we go up the steps of the chapel of A Virxe das Neves and enter the centre of the village. We finish the stage and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in one of the most beautiful villages of the French Way in Galicia.

  To consider

  The stage between Sarria and Portomarín has all the necessary services for the pilgrim. We won't have any problems with refreshments, every few kilometres we will find a great variety of places to rest and have a drink.

  There is a belief that says that if we don't climb the Portomarín staircase in one go we will have bad luck for the rest of our Camino. So you know... No stopping!

  Places of interest

  • Church of Santiago de Barbadelo
  • Church of San Xulián de Chorente
  • Santa María de Ferreiros
  • Church of San Nicolás - Portomarín

  Typical dishes

  • Eels
  • Cake of Santiago (the best of all the Way of St. James)
  • Aguardiente (Gastronomic feast)
  • Stones of Portomarín
• day 3

  Stage 2. Portomarín - Palas de Rei (25 km)

  We leave Portomarín in the direction of Palas de Rei from the Church of San Nicolás and descend along the Rúa Compostela to the road, which we must cross to the right to continue along the hard shoulder of the road. We cross the river over a footbridge, turn right and enter a beautiful uphill path.

  We cross the road at the height of a factory and pass by a couple of farms before arriving at Toixibó, where we will be struck by a beautiful granary. We continue ascending to Gonzar, where we can make the first stop to regain strength.

  From here, the Way continues along a slope that climbs up to Castromaior with a final steep slope (about 600 metres). At this point it is worth taking a detour from the Camino to visit the Castro de Castromairor, a Celtic site that bears witness to the past of the Galician community.

  We leave Castromaior looking for the road, which we cross to go along a path for a kilometre and a half until we reach O Hospital do Alto da Cruz. We leave the village crossing a bridge over the road, we turn left onto an asphalted track that leads us to Ventas de Narón, with a very well preserved temple.

  We advance ascending until crowning the Ligonde mountain range, enjoying some stupendous panoramic views.

  We follow the path that descends to A Previsa and Os Lameiros, where we will find one of the most famous and unique crosses in Galicia, dating from 1679, from here the path turns off the road along a path on the left, following a steep ramp that leads us to Airexe to visit the church of Santiago, with Romanesque remains and sepulchre, a cruceiro and a rectory house.

  We continue down the path until we find a washhouse and arrive at the village of Portos, where some huge ants will welcome us. From here, we can leave the path for a moment to visit the Romanesque temple of Vilar de Donas, which houses several sarcophagi of Knights of the Order of Santiago.

  We follow the road and arrive at Lestedo, where on the right hand side we see its rectory, now converted into a rural house. The road continues without loss to A Brea and Alto del Rosario. If the day is clear we can see the Sacro peak, a mountain very close to Santiago de Compostela.

  Before arriving at Palas de Rei, we will cross the village of Rosario, which owes its name to the prayer of the walkers as thanks for the good luck during the journey. The last stretch of the stage we take a path on the left side of the road, we pass next to the Os Chacotes hostel and we enter Palas de Rei, ending our stage.

  To consider

  Those pilgrims who wish to visit the monastery of Vila de Donas, should deviate 2.3 km from the Camino. A neighbour has the keys and acts as a guide.

  Places of interest

  • Church of Santa María de Gonzar
  • Castro de Castromaior
  • Church of Santa María de Cortapezas - Castromaior
  • Monastery of Vilar de Donas
  • Double-sided cross - Os Lameiros
  • Church of San Tirso - Palas de Rei

  Typical dishes

  • Rustic bread from wood-fired oven
  • Galician octopus
  • Lacón with turnip tops
  • Arzúa-Ulloa D.O. Cheese
• day 4

  Stage 3. Palas de Rei - Arzúa (29 km)

  This is the longest stage of the French Route within the Galician community, so we recommend taking it easy and enjoying the surroundings, as it is also one of the most beautiful stretches of the route. A stop in Melide, the capital of Galician octopus, is a must for every pilgrim. After regaining strength, the last few kilometres won’t take much effort. You will also find a small oasis in Ribadiso de Abaixo, where, if the weather is fine, you can take a dip.
• day 5

  Stage 4. Arzúa - O Pedrouzo (20 km)

  This stage is a pleasant walk on flat and comfortable terrain, with plenty of bars and restaurants that will encourage you to take it easy. You will alternate between villages and pine and eucalyptus forests. Small towns like Salceda mark the halfway point of the stage, a perfect stop to recharge your batteries before the last kilometres of the stage.
• day 6

  Stage 5. O Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela (19 km)

  At last the last stage of your journey is here. As we said before, the sooner you start walking today the better, because the sooner you will get to Santiago de Compostela. Once you arrive at Monte do Gozo, you will discover that pleasant sensation when you first see the towers of the cathedral. A perfect panoramic view before savouring your last kilometres and making the triumphal entrance to the Plaza del Obradoiro.
• day 7

  End of the Camino

  After arriving... End of the Camino