French Way from Sarria (5 stages)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is 5 stages the most chosen option from Sarria?

  Because it balances distance and rest: it divides the ~115 km into stages of about 19 to 29 km, manageable for most pilgrims without giving up the enjoyment of the journey. It is the most popular format since Sarria.

• Does making the Camino de Santiago from Sarria entitle you to the Compostela?

  Yes, as long as you walk the whole route. From Sarria to Santiago it is just over 110 km, above the 100 km that the Pilgrim's Office requires to be walked (200 km by bicycle) to obtain the Compostela. That is why Sarria is the most popular starting point: it is the closest start that meets the requirement.

• Where can I stamp my credential in Sarria?

  In Sarria you can stamp your credential at several places:

  • Church of Santa Mariña.
  • Church of San Salvador.
  • Tourist Office.
  • Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago of the Sarria area.
  • At most accommodations, restaurants and cafés, as well as at the Town Hall, the Guardia Civil and shops in town.

• ¿Cuántas etapas tiene el Camino de Sarria?

  The Camino from Sarria has 5 stages, divided as follows:

  • Sarria – Portomarín (22 km)
  • Portomarín – Palas de Rei (25 km)
  • Palas de Rei – Arzúa (29 km)
  • Arzúa – O Pedrouzo (20 km)
  • O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela (19 km)

  In total it is about 115 km to the Cathedral of Santiago, although pilgrims are free to split the distance into more or fewer stages.

• ¿Cuántos días necesito para hacer el Camino de Santiago desde Sarria?

  The most common format covers the roughly 115 km from Sarria in 5 stages, so you need 6 days including the day you arrive in Sarria. You can also do it in 4, 6 or 10 stages, depending on the pace you prefer.

• What is the hardest stage of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria?

  The hardest stage of the Camino from Sarria in 5 stages is the third, from Palas de Rei to Arzúa (29 km). On top of its long distance, its final stretch, known as the "rompepiernas" (leg-breaker), has a series of ups and downs over the last 8 km, which makes it harder and calls for extra effort from pilgrims before reaching Arzúa.

  • If you are doing the Camino from Sarria in 4 stages, the hardest may be the fourth and last, from Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela, which adds up to almost 40 km.
  • And if you are doing it in 6 stages, the hardest would be the second, between Portomarín and Palas de Rei, at about 25 km.

• Can I do the Camino from Sarria in just 4 days?

  Yes. The 4-stage format covers approximately 115 km from Sarria to Santiago in 4 days, with longer stages (up to approximately 40 km on the last one). It is the option for those who have few days and good physical condition; if you prefer a more comfortable pace, 5 or 6 stages distribute the effort better.

• Where is the 100 km marker on the Camino from Sarria?

  In Morgade, on the first stage from Sarria to Portomarín. You leave Sarria along the Rúa Maior, head down to the medieval Áspera bridge, pass Barbadelo and its Romanesque church and, between meadows and stone walls, reach the marker showing 100 km to Santiago, one of the most photographed on the whole Camino. Save some battery for the photo and some energy for the end: in Portomarín you climb the stone staircase in one go, because they say stopping brings bad luck.

• Is the detour to Castromaior worth it on the Portomarín–Palas de Rei stage?

  Yes. It is a short detour and a memorable one. Castromaior is a Celtic hill fort, an ancient settlement of Galicia's first inhabitants, and you reach it soon after leaving Portomarín, once you have crossed the Miño and climbed between hamlets. Then you top the Ligonde range, with good views, and pass the Os Lameiros wayside cross (1679). This stage of the Camino from Sarria is 25 km with some climbing, so pace yourself and leave time for the visit.

• What not to miss on Palas de Rei–Arzúa, the longest stage of the 5-stage Camino from Sarria?

  Three stops. Melide, the capital of pulpo á feira: eating in one of its pulperías is almost compulsory. Ribadiso de Abaixo, just before Arzúa, a riverside spot where you can take a dip if the weather is good (pack your swimsuit). And in Arzúa, its cheese with the Arzúa-Ulloa Designation of Origin. It is 29 km, so take it easy and use these stops to spread the effort: it is also one of the most beautiful stages of the route.

• Can the 29 km stage between Palas de Rei and Arzúa be split in two?

  Yes. If those 29 km worry you, the easiest option is the 6-stage Camino from Sarria: it is the same route but with a night in Melide, so that day becomes two comfortable stages of 15 and 14 km. And if you would rather adjust another day, ask us for a tailor-made trip and we will look at it with you. Bear in mind that, if you add luggage transfer, it does not cover excessively long distances.

• Why is it worth setting off early on the last stage, from O Pedrouzo to Santiago?

  Because the earlier you leave, the sooner you reach the Obradoiro and the more time you have for Santiago and to collect your Compostela. Pilgrims usually go to bed early in O Pedrouzo and set off very early. It is 19 km, with Monte do Gozo as the big moment: from there you see the cathedral towers for the first time. If you want to explore the city without rushing, you can add an extra night in Santiago when you book your Camino from Sarria.