The Camino de Santiago from Vilalba
The last section of the Camino del Norte (The Northern Way) starts in the historic commercial town of Vilalba and leads us across agricultural lands in the interior region of rural Galicia until reaching Santiago de Compostela.
In Arzua the Camino del Norte and the Camino Frances (The French Way) join, meaning that throughout this section we will able to enjoy both the tranquility of the Camino del Norte and the more popular and social aspect of the Camino Frances.
During this section of the Camino de Santiago we will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes.
Vilalba
We will start the last stage on the Camino del Norte in the historic commercial town of Vilalba. This region is famous for its production of milk and high-end cheeses.
We can also enjoy the local cuisine, and a visit to the Andrade Tower (now a Parador) is a must.
Overnight: Vilalba
From Vilalba to Baamonde
Once we leave Vilalba, we make our way into the heart of the Terra Cha region in Galicia. We will continue our journey on wooded walking trails where we will cross small agricultural villages while enjoying the magnificent landscapes.
Length: 20 km
Overnight: Baamonde
From Baamonde to Miraz
In Baamonde you should visit the Church of Santiago before continuing on our journey through rural Galicia.
Length: 15 km
Overnight: Miraz
From Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes
We will continue on the Camino del Norte from Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes. Once in Marcela we must take a moment to enjoy the views from the highest point on this route.
In Sobrado dos Monxes we will find an impressive monastery dating back to the 10th century with a Baroque façade.
Length: 28 km
Overnight: Sobrado dos Monxes
From Sobrado dos Monxes to Arzua
This is the last leg of the Camino del Norte before meeting up with the Camino Frances in Arzua. In Arzua we must try the region’s famous cheese.
Length: 22 km
Overnight: Arzua
From Arzua to O Pedrouzo
A comfortable stage with relatively little gradient. The route follows long forest tracks, crossing woods and meadows.
O Pedrouzo is a village in the parish of Arca and the capital of the concello (municipality) of O Pino.
Length: 19,3 km
Overnight: O Pedrouzo
From O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Except for the initial section, today we will walk through a territory subject to intense urban pressure: the airport, residential areas, motorways, and industries.
The stage has no significant gradients; the climb to Monte do Gozo is moderately steep.
Today there are catering services in practically all towns and villages.
At the Pilgrim's Welcome Office (Rua Carretas, 33), near the cathedral, you will receive your Compostela once they have checked, with the stamps on the credential, that you have walked the last hundred kilometres or cycled the last two hundred.
The historic old quarter in Santiago de Compostela is one of the best preserved in Europe; the cathedral, which houses the tomb of Santiago the Apostle, is a monument in its own right.
Length: 19,4 km
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
The Camino del Norte ends in Santiago de Compostela. We thoroughly recommend visiting the city centre before returning home, so please feel free to ask us about additional nights or tours around the city's old quarter.
Trips to Finisterre or the Cies Islands are also recommended.
End of our services.
General information
All the rooms you book with Santiago Ways to do the Camino de Santiago have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure your best comfort.
Our team checks on site the quality of all the accommodation offered in order for pilgrims to have a comfortable and unforgettable experience on the Camino de Santiago.
Availability
When working with quality accommodation with limited capacity, the exact name of the accommodation will be provided 30 days before the start of the Camino.
All accommodation on the Camino de Santiago is subject to availability. In case we can't offer any of them due to lack of capacity, we'll accommodate you in one of equal or better quality.
Single rooms
Single rooms are subject to availability. Reservations must be made in advance and come at an additional cost.
Where am I going to stay?
All our accommodation has been selected to ensure tranquillity, rest and enjoyment during your Camino de Santiago:
Vilalba
Baamonde
Miraz
Sobrado dos Monxes
Arzua
O Pedrouzo
Santiago de Compostela
Included Services
Accommodation in Hotels and Country Cottages.
Rooms with private bathroom.
Meal plan of your choice.
Baggage transfer between stages.
Complete route itinerary.
24 hours Telephone assistance on route.
Assistance vehicle in case of emergency.
Information pack for the Camino de Santiago.
VAT.
Additional Services
Additional single room: €168 per person.
Extra night in Santiago: €55 per person.
Transfer from Santiago (includes airport) to Vilalba: €140.
Travel assistance insurance: €21 per person.
Cancellation insurance: €14 per person.
In order to resolve pilgrims’ doubts, here we answer the questions that are most frequently asked when we receive your enquiries.
If you have any other questions, you can contact us and we will be happy to help you resolve all your queries.
General Information
What is the best time to do the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago can be started on any day of the year, always taking into account the weather and the season in which you want to travel, so that your clothes are the right ones.
How do I get to my starting point on the Camino?
The best way to get to the starting point of your Camino de Santiago is to arrive at the airport, train station or bus station nearest to the town from where you will start walking.
Once you confirm your Camino, you will send us the arrival information for your flight, train or bus and, from there, we organize a private transfer to the town where you should start your Camino.
Can I travel alone?
Yes, you can. All the routes on the Camino de Santiago are suitable for pilgrims to travel solo.
Also, whether you are travelling alone, or travelling accompanied but want to sleep in a single room, Santiago Ways offer this option to you.
We can book all your nights of accommodation in single rooms at an additional cost. We suggest you book well in advance since they are usually in high demand.
On the Camino de Santiago, you will find hundreds of pilgrims walking on their own. Many of them may have come to the Camino alone; others have probably moved away from their fellow travellers for a few hours because of the difference in speed when walking.
In any case, all the routes on the Camino are very well signposted, so you will have no problem if you go on your own.
Am I going to have an accompanying guide on el Camino de Santiago?
Most routes on the Camino de Santiago are done in a self-guided mode. Thus, each traveller has the opportunity to advance on their own and at their own pace along the routes marked on the complete itinerary of the route, which is sent one month before starting the Camino.
However, we also offer organized groups with accompanying guide on the stretch from Sarria to Santiago. We have specific dates already established, and we carry them out in groups of up to 15 people, with guaranteed departures. The guides in charge of these routes speak English and Spanish.
We already have all the dates published until 2021, so you are encouraged to reserve your place before the groups are filled.
What does the complete route itinerary consist of?
The complete route itinerary of the route is a guide that we prepare for you with information about the maps, route profiles and places of interest, kilometre by kilometre on each of the stages that you will go through on the Camino de Santiago.
The travel distances and travel times indicated for each route on both the website and the itinerary we send you are based on reference values. It depends on each pilgrim exactly how they carry out these times and distances, according to the speed at which they progress.
When do I get the complete route itinerary?
You will receive it by email one month before starting your Camino along with all the documentation for the trip: accommodation reservations, baggage transfers, among others.
How many kilometres should I walk on each stage?
In Santiago Ways, we adapt each stage to the needs of our pilgrims, so that they can travel according to their physical capability and the number of days available.
On average, a stage of the Camino de Santiago has 15 to 20 km. On most routes, however, we can organize your Camino so that you walk fewer kilometres, dividing some stages into two parts, depending on what is most comfortable for you.
Advice
What should I consider to prepare physically?
Both sedentary people and those who regularly exercise should physically prepare for doing the Camino de Santiago.
Sedentary people can start with moderate activity and continue progressively. They should start by taking small 20-minute walks, two or three times a week. It is suggested to increase the time until you reach walk about 4 or 5 kilometres every hour.
People with regular physical activity can start by walking from 45 to 60 minutes a day and increase the amount of time and kilometres they travel in the same span of time.
Generally, it is recommended to start training for about three months before starting the route.
How far in advance should I make a reservation?
There is no minimum number of days in advance to book, although on certain dates the occupancy of the accommodation is higher, especially in high season, and in dates of religious interest such as the San Fermin Festivals in Pamplona, from 7th to 14th July, or the Feast of Santiago the Apostle, on July 25th.
Therefore, in order to guarantee availability in the best accommodation, we suggest you book as much in advance as possible, so that we can meet all of your needs.
What clothes and hiking equipment are indispensable?
For any of the Caminos, we suggest you to bring the following items: light and fast drying clothing, waterproof jacket and trousers, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a pair of shoes suitable for hiking, trekking poles, a pair of shoes to rest in, a jacket that doesn't take up much space and a bottle to carry water.
Depending on the time of year in which you make the route, these items may vary.
Remember that with Santiago Ways, you have included a baggage transfer service between stages, so we will take your backpack from one accommodation to another so that you only worry about walking (maximum 1 piece of 20 kg per person).
For this reason, we suggest you prepare a second backpack, much smaller, that you can carry with you every day with water, sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, documents, some food and cash.
How does the baggage transfer between stages work?
Every day, at 8:00 am, you must bring your luggage, properly labelled, to the reception. One of our carriers will pick it up and take it to the place where you are going to stay on your next stage.
Delivery time varies according to the distance between stages and the carrier's delivery route. Usually, delivery is made before 4 p.m.
Should I take out travel insurance?
To complete any of the routes on the Camino de Santiago, it is advisable to have travel insurance with all the necessary coverage, especially emergency evacuation and medical care.
To do this, we suggest you take out the Travel Assistance Insurance and Cancellation Insurance that we offer you in Santiago Ways. If you want more information about it, we will be happy to answer your questions.
Accommodation
Do all rooms have a private bathroom?
Yes, all rooms you book with Santiago Ways to do the Camino de Santiago have a private bathroom.
Can I sleep alone in a room?
Yes. We offer accommodation in single rooms and double rooms, according to the requirements of each pilgrim.
Single rooms have a special surcharge and are subject to availability according to the location.
When will you tell me where I am going to stay?
We work with multiple accommodations in all locations which allows us to guarantee the best quality rooms for our pilgrims, provided that they are booked well in advance.
The name and exact location of each hotel is sent about one month before the start of the Camino with all the documentation related to the trip.
Am I going to share a room with strangers?
No. All the accommodations we book for our pilgrims have private rooms with private bathrooms in order to guarantee all the comfort needed torest properly.
Is the accommodation close to the route that I should follow?
All the accommodations that we book are in the centre of the towns or villages. In any case, depending on availability, if any accommodation is somewhat far from the centre, most of them are accessible on foot.
When necessary, Santiago Ways could offer a round trip transfer so that the pilgrim can reach their accommodation in the most comfortable way possible and return the next day to the point on the route from where he must continue the Camino.
What type of accommodation do you reserve?
All the accommodation that we book in Santiago Ways offers the necessary comfort to rest after long days of walking.
We work with hotels, traditional Galician homes, country cottages, and charming hostels, always a room with a private bathroom.
We will talk to you about one of the possible itineraries on the Camino del Norte: the one which runs from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela. It is one of the most beautiful routes of all those possible on the Camino de Santiago .
Therefore we want to offer you as much information as possible to be able to undertake it alone or in the company of Santiago Ways . Among this information is the distance in kilometres of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela , the number of stages and also the main points of interest.
Why choose the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela?
On every route of the Camino, there are different reasons to choose each one. It is because each of them has specific characteristics and a special charm. So we want to offer you some of the reasons for completing the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela. They’ll surely help you convince you.
1.-Gastronomy: One of the most important attractions in northern Spain, in general, is its powerful and rich gastronomy. This is true for the whole territory but especially for the province of Galicia. Not only is it a specialist in seafood and fish but also in meats, cheeses and sausages.
On our route along the Camino del Norte from Vilalba we will visit some localities of rich gastronomy that will contribute to make you fall in love with them from the first day. And it is that as you will check out throughout your stay on the Camino del Norte from Vilalba, mealtime becomes especially important after a hard stage.
2.- History and heritage: Another incentive that has this route on the Camino del Norte from Vilalba is that it possesses a rich variety of heritage, cultural and historical.
Proof of this is places like the Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes, dating back to nothing more and nothing less than the 10th century. Also the beautiful village of A Rua will be an attraction for us as pilgrims to sink their roots in the mysterious Celtic culture and heritage.
3.- Infrastructure: The Camino del Norte from Vilalba shares its last stage with the Camino Frances . This is the one that, in the long term, has the best infrastructure of all the possible routes on the Camino de Santiago.
So, the Camino del Norte from Vilalba not only has excellent communications and routes for the pilgrim but also everything necessary for replenishing supplies and resting as well as excellent signposting. Another reason to select this route among the various possibilities.
4.- Natural surroundings: Another of the most powerful reasons for completing the Camino del Norte from Vilalba is the beauty of its natural landscapes. We will make our pilgrimage surrounded by lush and beautiful forests, close to stretches of coastline and naturally between mountain stretches.
In short, for those who are nature lovers, the Camino del Norte from Vilalba is a perfect choice.
5.-Climate: Another reason to do the Camino del Norte in general and the Camino de Santiago from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela in particular is its climate. In fact, it is an area of oceanic climate with mild temperatures throughout the year.
That means we won’t get cold during the winter or hot during the summer. Later, we will talk about the best time to complete the Camino de Santiago. However, this point is one of the most favourable for doing the Camino del Norte from Vilalba .
Information about the route of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba
The Camino de Santiago from Vilalba to Santiago composes the last stretch of the so-called Camino de Norte. It Starts in the town of Vilalba, of great historical and economic importance in all of the north of Spain.
From there, the route passes through the interior of Galicia showing us at every step the enormous beauty of this province until arriving in Santiago de Compostela: Our final objective after 120 kilometres.
On this Camino del Norte from Vilalba we will be able to enjoy the fusion of the Camino del Norte with the Camino Frances in the town of Arzua, famous for its delicious cheeses. It is a route where you can enjoy equal parts of solitude on the road and the opportunity to meet new people on the Camino Frances section.
Route of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
Maps of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba
We would like to offer you here the maps of the route of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba so that you have all the necessary information to plan the route and to know in advance the places that you will travel to.
Vilalba – Baamonde
Stage map from Vilalba to Baamonde
Baamonde – Miraz
Stage map from Baamonde to Miraz
Miraz – Sobrado dos Monxes
Stage map from Miraz to Sobrado
Sobrado dos Monxes – Arzua
Stage map from Sobrado to Arzua
Arzua – O Pedrouzo
Stage map from Arzua to O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela
Stage map from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Profiles of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
Now we would like to talk about the Camino del Norte from Vilalba. We will talk about its average altitude as well as the inclines on the different stages. To make it more graphic, we enclose visually the information below.
Vilalba – Baamonde
Stage profile from Vilalba to Baamonde
Baamonde – Miraz
Stage profile from Baamonde to Miraz
Miraz – Sobrado dos Monxes
Stage profile from Miraz to Sobrado
Sobrado dos Monxes – Arzua
Stage profile from Sobrado to Arzua
Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Stage profile from Arzua to O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela
Stage profile from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Stages on foot on the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
So that you can know what are the different stages that we will face in this pilgrimage on the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago we also enclose the different stages that are traversed on foot.
Stage from Vilalba to Baamonde
Stage from Baamonde to Miraz
Stage from Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes
Stage from Sobrado dos Monxes to Arzua
Stage from Arzua to O Pedrouzo
Stage from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
How long does the Camino del Norte from Vilalba take?
El Camino de Santiago from Vilalba It has a total length of 120 kilometres divided into 8 stages with its corresponding 7 nights. This duration makes it a fairly affordable option for any holiday period including Easter. With Santiago Ways, your accommodation will be in the best hotels available all the way.
Best time to do the Camino del Norte from Vilalba
While it is true that ultimately depends on each person’s taste choosing which time is best to make your way, there are some indications that we must take into account before starting our pilgrimage.
This is because each road has its own characteristics that can make it better or worse depending on the season.
Therefore, we want to talk about the different seasons of the year and their respective advantages and disadvantages when doing the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela.
Spring
In general, in northern Spain spring brings instability in the form of rain. While it is an oceanic climate, temperatures are mild throughout the year, the truth is that we have to consider this in order to plan our route as best as we can.
At the same time, there are those who prefer to do the Camino del Norte from Vilalba in spring for two fundamental reasons. The first is that having a duration of more or less a week, you can take advantage of Easter to complete this route. Second, spring brings to the abundant vegetation of the environment an explosion of life and colours which is difficult to resist.
Summer
The Summer is the favourite time of year for most pilgrims. It is precisely because in these latitudes temperatures are milder than in the rest of the peninsula. So many people are encouraged to make the Camino del Norte “fleeing” from the heat of their home cities.
This is the reason why many pilgrims visit the Camino de Santiago especially on the stretch of the Camino Frances that we share when starting our journey from Vilalba.
It can be a real problem to find accommodation, in that case, we recommend you to do your pilgrimage with Santiago Ways to be able to stay always in the best hotels with peace of mind. Remember that another point in its favour is that in Santiago de Compostela there are local holidays from the 15th to 31st July.
Autumn
In autumn, climate instability increases by bringing a new risk of precipitations . That is why we must be more cautious when it comes to making the route at this time. However, in spite of this, it is possible that the ideal time to complete the Camino is the autumn: especially in the first days of September where we can still take advantage of the heat that remains of the summer.
Likewise, another advantage of this season is that it is filled with beautiful colours as a result of the fact that most of the vegetation in this area is deciduous.
Winter
Winter is a season reserved for the bravest. On some sections of the road, we can find very cold mountain areas and high altitudes so we must go well prepared. But the Christmas break encourages more and more people to walk the route this time of year.
With Santiago Ways it is possible to do it all year round. Keep in mind that during most of the tour the temperature will be rather mild under the influence of the sea.
Guide to the places that you cannot miss on the Camino del Norte from Vilalba
We will now talk about the places of greatest interest in the Camino del Norte from Vilalba . Among them are not only sites of special interest cultural, artistic and historical but also the best restaurants on the route as well as the accommodation where you can rest with Santiago Ways.
Places of interest
We will begin by talking about the main points of interest from a heritage point of view. These are places you should not miss on your pilgrimage.
Baamonde
This magnificent town is surrounded by natural enclaves of great beauty crossed by small waterfalls, rivers and waters of all kinds. It Is a magnificent natural environment where a town like Baamonde stands out for the typical Galician architecture of moss-covered stone.
Arzua
The municipality of Arzua is famous for its cheeses but at the same time for its great beauty. Indeed, it is a jewel of the architecture in the purest Galician style in which the Church of Santiago in Arzua and the Pazo de Brandesco both stand out. A spectacular stop that you can visit on the route of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba.
Sobrado Dos Monxes
Located in the same locality of Arzua although a little further from the town, this imposing building of magnificent architecture and imposing aspect is located. We highly recommend that you get to know some of the architectural movements in Galicia such as the Portuguese Baroque style.
Where to sleep – The best hotels
With Santiago Ways you can stay in the best hotel establishments. You can book all year round, and we will be happy to take care of you and that you receive all the pampering and attention you deserve. Here we leave a sample of some of the accommodation we offer.
Where to eat – The best restaurants
Now we talk about some of the most recommended restaurants on this route of the Camino de Santiago from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela .
Restaurante Galicia
In the town of Baamonde, we can find this cosy corner where to taste the best of local produce. Pilgrims are treated exquisitely and we will be able to warm up with its hot specialities. A place that you cannot miss during your pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago from Vilalba.
Restaurante Casa Nene
This Restaurant located in Arzúa offers us the best of Galician gastronomy. This includes not only seafood products (a Galician speciality) but also products from the land and of course, livestock. All this we can taste in this wonderful site and in the locality of Arzua, the meeting of the Caminos.
Restaurante Casa Marcelo
At our point of arrival, Santiago de Compostela, we will be able to give ourselves the treat that we deserve in this magnificent steakhouse, specialized in meats and other typical products of Galicia. Without a doubt, a deserved experience that you will enjoy, having the same taste of triumph.
Origin of the Camino de Santiago del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
The Camino del Norte from Vilalba shares its origin with the Camino del Norte , a route that after the Camino Primitivo is said to be the first of all. Indeed, this route was very popular during the Middle Ages because it allowed doing the pilgrimage to Santiago avoiding the dangers that the interior had.
As the Reconquista was advancing, it was left to one side, so pilgrims preferred to take the Camino de Santiago Frances, somewaht less rugged. Today, the Camino del Norte is an alternative that has adept pilgrims among those who have tried it: they always repeat the experience.
The Camino de Santiago from Vilalba with Santiago Ways
Ideal footwear for the Camino del Norte from Vilalba
Other sections of the Camino del Norte
- San Sebastián – Bilbao
- Bilbao – Santander
- Santander – Ribadesella
- Ribadesella – Villaba
- Villalba – Santiago de Compostela
Other users’ opinions about the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
We also offer you the opinion of other users so you can know what other people who have already done this section of the Camino del Norte with us think. In all probability, it will encourage you to enjoy the experience yourself.
Photos and videos of the Camino del Norte from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela
To see what awaits you in this route of the Camino de Santiago desde Vilalba hasta Santiago de Compostela we enclose some videos and photographs of the route. We hope that you are encouraged to do it in the best hands: those of Santiago Ways.
The Camino de Santiago with Santiago Ways
Other Caminos de Santiago
- Camino Frances
- Camino Portugues
- Camino Portugues coastal route
- Camino del Norte
- Camino de Finisterre
- Camino Ingles
- Camino Primitivo
- Camino Lebaniego
- The Way of Lighthouses
- The Via de la Plata
Here you can see all the stages of the Camino de Santiago.
In Santiago Ways, we will advise you on which route of the Camino de Santiago is the best fit for you.
Other ways to complete The Camino de Santiago
- The Camino de Santiago in an organized group
- The Camino de Santiago with a dog
- The Camino de Santiago on bike
- The Camino de Santiago as a couple
- The Camino de Santiago at Easter
The quietest Caminos de Santiago
