The Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada

Start / Finish:
Ponferrada / Sarria

Grade:
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Availability:
All year

93 km
Distance
6 days / 5 nights
Duration
Half Board or Only Breakfast
Meals
Hotels and Country Cottages
Accommodation
From 437€ per person
Price


Distance
93 km

Duration
6 days / 5 nights

Meals
Half Board or Only Breakfast

Accommodation
Hotels and Country Cottages

Price
From 437€ per person
Our Official License as a Wholesale Agency (Tour-Operator) allows us to work without intermediaries.

Section 7 of the Camino Frances: Section 7 of the Camino Frances, from Ponferrada to Sarria, begins in the beautiful city of Ponferrada, with its imposing Templar Castle, and finishes in the city of Sarria in Galicia, which is also the most popular starting point on the Camino de Santiago.

Once we leave Ponferrada, we will head to Villafranca del Bierzo, a small beautiful mountain town surrounded by idyllic countryside. Next we will tackle a steep climb that will take us to the mountains at O Cebreiro.

O Cebreiro is a beautiful mountain village of great natural beauty. Once we pass O Cebreiro, we will continue on our Camino de Santiago journey through rural Galicia, following forest trails until reaching Sarria. We can take an alternative route to get to Sarria that will enable us to visit the impressive Monastery of St Julian of Samos. Have an unforgettable time on the Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada!

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    Ponferrada

    Once we reach the city of Ponferrada, we will have the opportunity to visit its beautiful old town and the Templar Castle, in addition to trying some of the wonderful local cuisine that comes from the surrounding mountains, such as the ‘botillo’ (meat-stuffed pork intestine) and some of the best meats found in Spain.

    Overnight: Ponferrada

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    From Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

    We will walk through the spectacular region of El Bierzo, nestled among the mountains. If we are travelling in summer, then we will have the chance to eat some of the area’s delicious cherries.

    For the rest of the year, we can try the different cured meats and other local delicacies. In Villafranca del Bierzo, we recommend visiting the Romanesque Church of Santiago.

    This Church has a “Door of Forgiveness”, which only opens during Holy Years.

    Length: 17 km

    Overnight: Villafranca del Bierzo

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    From Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro

    This route will be one of the most complicated sections on our journey to Santiago, as we will have a climb of more than 1,000 metres along the valley of the River Valcarce before reaching the beautiful town of O Cebreiro.

    We must be ready to tackle this challenge!

    Length: 28 km

    Overnight: O Cebreiro

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    Optional: From Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro spending the night in Herrerias

    We can divide this route into 2 sections (21 km and 9 km) and sleep in the small village of Herrerias, which offers spectacular views of the mountain.

    Length: 21 km and 9 km

    Overnight: Herrerias

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    From O Cebreiro to Triacastela

    From O Cebreiro we will pass through the ‘Serra de Ranadoiro’ mountains, and once we’ve crossed Alto do Poio we will descend to the village of Triacastela.

    Length: 19 km

    Overnight: Triacastela

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    From Triacastela to Sarria

    Of the two possible options, the SAN XII route offers an amazing passage along narrow forest trails that run through the oak forests that are so typical of the Galician region.

    On the other hand, if we want to visit Samos and its impressive monastery, we have to walk through the River Ouribio valley.

    Length: 21 km

    Overnight: Sarria

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    Sarria

    In Sarria we will have the chance to visit the town centre where we will find beautiful churches, chapels, monasteries and pilgrim hospitals.

    Sarria’s main street, Rua Maior, has a quaint atmosphere, and is a great place for getting a coffee.

    We recommend visiting the Church of Santa Marina with its evocative pilgrim mural, the Castle and Fortress of Sarria, as well as the La Magdalena Monastery.

    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 accommodations 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 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:

    Ponferrada

    Ponferrada

    Villafranca del Bierzo

    Villafranca del Bierzo

    O Cebreiro

    O Cebreiro

    Herrerías

    Herrerías

    Triacastela

    Triacastela

    Sarria

    Sarria

    Included Services

    checkAccommodation in Hotels and Country Cottages.

    checkRooms with private bathroom.

    checkMeal plan of your choice.

    checkBaggage transfer between stages.

    checkComplete route itinerary.

    check24 hours Telephone assistance on route.

    checkAssistance vehicle in case of emergency.

    checkInformation pack for the Camino de Santiago.

    checkVAT.

    Additional Services

    checkAdditional single room: €110 per person.

    checkExtra night in Sarria: €55 per person.

    checkTransfer from Sarria to Ponferrada: €140.

    checkTravel assistance insurance: €18 per person.

    checkCancellation insurance: €12 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 queriess.

    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 next about one of the most charming routes of all along the Camino de Santiago. We refer to the stretch between the magnificent cities of Ponferrada and Sarria. It is part of the Camino Frances and is one of the preferred route by pilgrims.

    We will tell you about the reasons why it is worth doing, and we will give you all the information necessary to complete it. Remember that with Santiago Ways it is possible to do it all year round with the best company.

    Why do the Camino de Santiago Frances from Ponferrada?

    1.- Historical heritage: One of the reasons to do the route on the Camino from Ponferrada to Sarria is its great historical heritage. This is found throughout the route and, especially at its point of origin, Ponferrada.

    En Ponferrada

    Later, in the places of interest section, we will talk about it more in detail. However, we can let you know that you will pass through Middle Age environments, kept in a very good state of conservation.

    2.-Infrastructure: From Santiago Ways, we always say that the Camino Frances is endowed with the best infrastructure. In fact, this goes from the quality of its roads to good signposting that it has and offers all the services for the provision of all pilgrims.

    This makes it the favourite route for pilgrims and especially for those who have the courage to do the Camino de Santiago for the first time.

    3.-Environment: The natural landscapes which are encountered on this section of the Camino de Santiago are spectacular. There are many mountain sections that will offer unforgettable views throughout the year. That is why it is always a good reason to enjoy all the beauty of this route.

    Information about the route of the Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria

    In Sarria, the last stretch begins before arriving in Santiago de Compostela. So the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria is the penultimate part of the route. It is a good starting point for those who have not even decided whether to do it completely or to do so only until they reach Sarria.

    It is section 7 of the Camino Frances and runs entirely through Galicia and its generous forests. It has a total length of 93 kilometres divided into 6 stages . Included within its heritage are the remains of the Templars, for whom this pilgrimage route was sacred. That’s why we encourage you to relive history with the help of Santiago Ways.

    The most reserved routes on the Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria

    Besides the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria , there are two other very popular routes within this alternative. We want to talk to you about them in case you haven’t decided which one you want to do.

    We want to remind you, first of all, that with Santiago Ways you can do any of these routes throughout the year. It is also possible to adjust the service you want to choose between having just  breakfast or breakfast and dinner among the options available.

    Camino Frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port

    The Camino from St Jean Pied de Port is the most popular among French pilgrims. It starts in this picturesque village and culminates in the Spanish city of Pamplona. It is especially popular during the month of July, when they take advantage of their arrival in Pamplona to coincide with the feast of San Fermin. It is a route of 66 kilometres divided into 5 stages.

    Camino Frances from Sarria

    The route from Sarria is the one that continues onto the one we commented from Ponferrada to Sarria. As we have said, it is the last stretch of the Camino Frances which makes it very crowded, precisely because there are many pilgrims who want to experience the feeling of completing their journey in Santiago de Compostela.

    It has a total length of 111 kilometres divided into 7 stages with its corresponding 6 nights. With Santiago Ways, it is possible to spend them in the best hotels along the route.

    Route of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada

    Maps of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada

    We offer you the maps related to the route of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria . We do so that you can have as much information as possible and you can get an idea of the places you’ll be going to see and the wonders you’ll find on your way.

    Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo

    Mapa Ponferrada a Villafranca del Bierzo

    Stage map from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

    Villafranca del Bierzo – O Cebreiro

    Mapa Villafranca del Bierzo a O Cebreiro

    Stage map from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro

    O Cebreiro – Triacastela

    Mapa de O Cebreiro a Triacastela

    Stage map from O Cebreiro to Triacastela

    Triacastela – Sarria

    Mapa de Triacastela a Sarria

    Stage map from Triacastela to Sarria

    Profile of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada

    We will talk to you about the profile of the Camino Frances de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria. In this part, we will focus on the altitude of the route, its highest points, as well as the difficulty linked to both points. We can say that the first part takes place practically without any climbs.

    However, the most pronounced ascent occurs between Hospital and O Cebreiro, with a climb of about 600 meters. The reward comes later between Fonfría and Triacastela when we make the descent.

    Then there is a small ascent and finally, we begin to make our descent. Except for that stretch, there is no particularly hard part. On the other hand, you have to remember that the good condition of the road along the Camino Frances makes it easier for us.

    Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo

    Perfil de Ponferrada a Villafranca del Bierzo

    Stage profile from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

    Villafranca del Bierzo – O Cebreiro

    Perfil de Villafranca del Bierzo a O Cebreiro

    Stage profile from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro

    O Cebreiro – Triacastela

    Perfil de O Cebreiro a Triacastela

    Stage profile from O Cebreiro to Triacastela

    Triacastela – Sarria

    Perfil de Triacastela a Sarria

    Stage profile from Triacastela to Sarria

    Stages on foot from Ponferrada to Sarria

    We offer you below the different stages on foot that make up this section of the road. We do so that you have all the information possible about the organization of the whole route.

    How long does the Camino Frances from Ponferrada take?

    The Camino Frances from Ponferrada has a total length of 93 kilometres spread over 6 stages with 5 nights. This makes it a good choice for Easter or for any other long weekend that occurs throughout the year.

    Semana Santa en Santiago de Compostela

    This duration may vary if, for example, we feel like staying longer while looking at a particular place. There is always that risk taking into account the beauty of the places we pass through.

    Best time to do the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria

    Although it is true that choosing the time of year to complete the Camino de Santiago is a personal choice, it is also true that there are advantages and disadvantages in every season. That is why we have decided to show the various months of the year below with their relative advantages and disadvantages.

    January

    In January the temperature is low, however, it is a good time thanks to the days that we have left over from Christmas. Apart from that, the beauty of the whole environment during this month is another of its charms.

    February

    In February the temperatures increase a little. There is more risk of precipitation precisely because of humidity. However, with good foresight , it is always possible to avoid its influence.

    March

    In March, you can notice the presence of spring. The fields we will go through will be tinted by a symphony of colours that makes this month a good alternative.

    April

    April is Easter time. It is a period which is more than enough to be able to complete the route of the Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria.

    May

    In May, the risk of precipitation increases. However, the temperature is already spring-like and the beauty of the landscape will accompany us.

    Triacastela

    June

    June is a good month for those who can take their holidays early, just starting the summer. We avoid with this any possible crowds and at the same time, the climate will accompany us very well.

    July

    This is one of the most popular months because it coincides with the festivities of Santiago de Compostela (from 15th to 31st July) as well as with those of Pamplona on July 6th.

    Fiestas del Apostol Santiago

    August

    It is still one of the months with the largest influx on the Camino. It’s nice weather and the temperature is fresh. Plus, it’s when most people have more free time available. With Santiago Ways, the topic of overcrowding is not a problem.

    September

    The month of September starts to bring the autumn. Everything is dyed in its magnificent colours and the romantics generally decide that this is their month. It is necessary to be cautious, and before starting our journey consult the weather forecast closely to avoid possible rains.

    October

    The month of October usually brings an increase in rainfall but, at the same time, there is an idyllic environment full of greens, yellows and browns.

    November

    Temperatures drop and there may be precipitation. However, the influence of winter begins to change such a beautiful landscape.

    December

    It is a month chosen more and more by those who want to use Christmas to complete their pilgrimage and enjoy the beauty that we can find throughout the route and, especially in the towns and cities.

    Guide to the places you cannot miss on the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria

    We have selected some places of special interest to the pilgrim with the intention that you yourself do not miss during your journey. They include not only some places of touristic interest and historical heritage but also others of gastronomic interest.

    We also include the best hotels, precisely those where you will stay to rest as you deserve.

    Places of interest

    Ponferrada

    The city from which we start, is by itself, enough reason to make this section of the route. With its majestic castle and spectacular historic complex, this city is one of the best preserved since the time of the Middle Ages , when it was founded by the Templars.

    There is no better way to start our route to Sarria and even continue from Sarria to Santiago.

    Santa Maria de Carracedo Monastery

    Two rivers, the Burbia and the Valcarce, converge in the mountain village of Villafranca del Bierzo. It has several monuments of beautiful architecture dating back to Middle Ages. For example, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Carracedo or its imposing Museum of Natural Sciences, an old palace that is in a perfect state of conservation.

    Imagen del monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    O Cebreiro

    This magnificent mountain village preserves the purest Galician and Celtic style. With its small houses and a cosy grey stone atmosphere, O Cebreiro is another of the obligatory stops along the Camino Frances from Ponferrada.

    Iglesia de Santa Marina de Sarria

    The last point of our pilgrimage, Sarria, also has a lot of cultural and historical interest. For example, it has a castle and the Church of Santa Marina in Sarria. Two examples from the Middle Ages that you can’t miss.

    Iglesia de Santa Marina en Sarria

    Where to sleep – The best hotels

    With Santiago Ways, you can have the peace of mind that you will stay in the best hotels and with the care you deserve and rest as you need. We’ll introduce you to them below.

    Where to eat – The best restaurants

    Doce Torres: The Doce Torres restaurant in Ponferrada is a good place to make our first homage before starting our journey. It has local specialities (always in season) prepared with great care and with excellent service.

    Casa Garcia: Located in the village of O Cebreiro, this restaurant offers high-quality products at a more than affordable price and with good servings. In other words, it perfectly meets Galicia’s reputation for the generosity of its gastronomy.

    Casa del Barrio: In Sarria, we can find this place which, despite lacking in superficial luxuries, offers us a high-quality gastronomic experience at a very affordable price.

    Origin of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria

    The Camino from Ponferrada to Sarria shares its origin with the Camino Frances. In fact, this route took prominence ahead of the Camino Primitivo</a or the Camino del Norte as the Reconquista was advancing.

    The Camino Frances became a more attractive alternative because it was easier to complete than the north, much more rugged.

    It should be remembered that, originally, the Camino de Santiago was not just a pilgrimage route but also a trade route. It gave economic dynamism to the whole region and made the north of Spain prosper. Thanks to the Camino de Santiago many of its magnificent villages have managed to survive.

    The Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada with Santiago Ways

    Ideal footwear for the Camino from Ponferrada

    Other sections on the Camino de Santiago Frances

    Other users’ opinions about the Camino Frances desde Ponferrada

    And so you can get to know first-hand the opinions of other people who have already made this route with us, we show them below. In Santiago Ways, we always try to take care of those who trust us as well as possible.

    Tito P
    Tito P
    My partner and I finally got to experience our 5 day Camino pilgrimage walk from Sarria to Santiago in June 2022 - organized through Santiago Ways (SW) - after over 2 year delay due to Covid. We couldn't have been more thrilled from our experience once we landed in Spain from Canada.If you are travelling overseas, trying travelling direct to Spain and avoid the lower cost European routes (i.e. easyjet) - flight cancellation/delays is about as common as the sun rising now so plan for this in your travels.SW staff were very professional and very helpful in answering all our questions prior to our trip. The Dossier and Vouchers that were sent to us were very clear and helpful to describe the route each day and where we stayed. Recommend you review your hotel locations on Google so you know where to find them once you arrive at each town/city.Our experience on the walk included breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day and the luggage transfer was a life saver allowing us to pack lightly each day. Strongly recommend you include you transfers as well to and from the airport to enjoy more time and less worry.The accommodations for our walk were well above average and more than we expected. Very clean, showers were hot (likely on demand) and the staff were very friendly at each of our stops.The staff at each place were very friendly but language barrier was there at times but never a problem.I strongly recommend using Santiago Ways in your Camino planning. Wouldn't think of any other group to help out. The peace and tranquility of walking on the countryside, the scenery, and laid back life was truly wonderful. Meeting so many pilgrims from all over and sharing our experience together was amazing and unforgettable.We are looking forward to doing this again in the future with the help of Santiago Ways.Buon Camino!Francesco & Claudette
    John Murray
    John Murray
    Great five days of walking in the warm weather. Lovely Pilgrims from around the world all with a story to tell. A week l will never forget. Back 2023 to begin from St Jean. Santiago Ways highly recommended.Good Luck and Happiness to you all.
    Patricia H
    Patricia H
    My husband and I completed the Portuguese Camino from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela in June 2022. From the planing to the completion of our trip everything exceeded our expectations.Santiago Ways did a wonderful job of having everything perfectly scheduled, from the airport transfers in Vigo and Santiago de Compostela to the luggage transfers each day and the detailed information about each days walk. Numerous pilgrims commented on how much better our directions were and they were depending on our directions many times. The hotels we stayed at were amazing and the hosts at each hotel were always very helpful with recommendations on what to do and where to eat in each town. We had amazing food and drink along our whole journey and saw so many beautiful places.We have lifetime memories of the Camino thanks to everyone at Santiago Ways.If you are considering doing The Camino with Santiago Ways do not hesitate, go for it you will have the experience of a lifetime!
    Ed Vegliante
    Ed Vegliante
    I highly recommend Santiago Ways for anyone considering walking the Camino de Santiago. Everything went smoothly and all of the accommodations Santiago Ways booked were nicer than I expected. A well organized itinerary contributed to our great experience on the Camino.
    Ingrid Gutierrez
    Ingrid Gutierrez
    What a wonderful company! Santiago Ways was very reliable and helpful. The accomodations were beautiful and clean. The luggage transfer was always on time. I am very thankful for the excellent experience. If you are looking for a company to plan your next Camino trip, I highly recommend Santiago Ways!
    Barbara Kamali
    Barbara Kamali
    This was a long awaited trip : originally booked in 2020 . The service of Santiago Ways was perfect throughout . As 2 couples we wanted the best en-suite accommodation on the way , our luggage transported and also we are vegans/vegetarians .Everything was perfect including a wonderful range of meals in all the accommodation and help when we struggled to get in contact with one accommodation owner . No issues with baggage transfer and the transfer to Porto to Ourense was again perfect .Santiago Ways enables us to have the full Camino experience without any stress . Ylenia was reassuring and knowledgeable in the original planning and at no time did we feel that our quieres were not dealt with well.We all wholeheartedly recommend Santiago Ways to anyone planning to do the Camino .Thank you
    John Spencer
    John Spencer
    Highly recommended. Great help with planning and execution. No problems at any point. Will use them again.
    Steve McManus
    Steve McManus
    Well organised trip, good communication throughout. All accommodation was clean and comfortable with luggage transfers working perfectly.
    anthony golden
    anthony golden
    A delay of 2 years but my wife, Geraldine and I have just returned from our Camino from Sarria to Santiago about 120km.Santiago Ways we’re excellentAll hotel bookings, luggage transfers, meals etc sorted out efficientlyWe had a great Camino thanks to all the staff at Santiago WaysWould recommend themGoing with them again next yearCan’t waitThanksTony and Geraldine Golden
    Sarah McCleary
    Sarah McCleary
    I had zero issue with my trip. The baggage transfer worked like clockwork, and I loved having the confidence of a 'local' number to call in case of emergency. (Never needed to call, but it felt good).
    Darlene B
    Darlene B
    I would like to thank Alba Martinez and the whole team of Santiago ways for the job well done. My Husband really enjoyed the experience, of course without the helps of Santiago ways in organising everything, the Camino hike would be a very tough journey otherwise. But the attention to details, communication, and so on..were excellent and highly recommended.
    Jerry Campbell
    Jerry Campbell
    If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good value. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.
    Bill Bearce
    Bill Bearce
    Four of us 65 years old, used Santiago Ways (SW) and they took great care of us every step of 500 miles. This included one (1) night when, after some slow going, they even called us to make sure we found the hotel! (We did!) SW and their professional handling our our itinerary could not have been better. Our top recommendation for them! Fourontheway- October 2021 Falmouth MA USA
    Jerry Campbell
    Jerry Campbell
    If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good vale. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.
    Tina Marchetti
    Tina Marchetti
    We were very happy with our experience with Santiago Ways. They were very professional, very responsive, extremely organized, and booked lovely places for us, including an exceptional casa rural. They provided detailed instructions about where we were staying and our luggage was always waiting for us at our destination. All this at an excellent value. For reference, we completed the last stage of the French Camino, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Five stars for Santiago Ways!
    Samira Miranda
    Samira Miranda
    Such a wonderful experience!From the beginning of the entire management, everything has been very easy. All the questions that I've had have been answered by mail or by phone and they always had been very kind.They made me a budget adjusted to my needs and it has been the best way to make the Camino de Santiago for the first time with the security that I always had them for anything I needed! I would definitely book them again since I'm thinking about doing another part of the Camino next year 🙂
    Shaoor Ali
    Shaoor Ali
    hello santiago ways....i travel with santiago ways... i have very Good time with them... i did walk hike with them....they have v nice people who guide people with very good behivour... i know one of best Representatives in santiago ways which name is Cristina Ostraiz... she guide me v well..i must want to tour again with you... best wishes for all of you....RegardsShaoor Ali Basheer
    Ed Akavets
    Ed Akavets
    Did the camino with guys ! Everything was great!
    Karin E
    Karin E
    Excellent company. They were super helpful in putting together my last minute trip to do the camino inglés. I will definitely use them next year when I do another route. Thank you SantiagoWays!
    Lisa B
    Lisa B
    Fabulous experience. Santiago Ways made this trip such a memorable trip. I will definitely be using their amazing service again for the next 200 km. The accommodations were super. The transfers and itinerary were perfect . Thanks Ylenia ans everyone at Santiago Ways!
    Fabiana Lima
    Fabiana Lima
    Very good service. Ylenia Conesa was the one who helped me and she was always very effective and courteous. Will definitely use them again!
    Christine Tranchina
    Christine Tranchina
    My husband and I hiked the Camino De Santiago from Pamplona to Logroño. We used Santiago Ways to help plan our adventure... booking our hotels, breakfast, picnic and dinner as well as transferring luggage during the hike. It was extremely helpful because we traveled in February which is not a popular time and all services are not available. The communication and service was excellent. Before, after and during the hike Angie Rinaudo kept in contact and answered all our questions in a timely manner. All the accommodations were excellent. We are planning to do more sections in the future and will definitely use Santiago Ways again.
    Karen Srajer
    Karen Srajer
    We took the French Way, Leaving from Saint Jean Pied de Port. Santiago Ways booked our rooms the entire trip and make sure our luggage was transported. The rooms were a delight the walk was wonderful. Santiago Ways made sure to have support for us on the trip as well as needed. I would highly recommend this company. The entire group was a delight to work with and Cristiana on it especially was helpful.If we should decide to do another way, we would definitely use this company.
    Diane Nunez
    Diane Nunez
    This was our first time in Spain and first time walking on a daily basis. Santiago Ways answered our many questions and concerns over many emails. We started our walk September 1st 2019 in Sarria and took 10 days to walk to Santiago de Compostela. Santiago Ways booked our lodging in 10 different places along with luggage transfers. We asked that all breakfasts,dinner and picnic lunch be included. Our accommodations varied from Albergues. Inns, Boutique hotel, to Bed and Breakfast. We truly enjoyed our picnic lunch as we could stop anywhere and enjoy the view. The accommodations - private room and private bathroom as we requested were not disappointing. We would recommend Santiago Way to anyone that needs some assistance in walking The Way.
    Richard Luna
    Richard Luna
    I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
    Mark Nichols
    Mark Nichols
    This is a very professional company that helped create a fantastic journey. My contact person, Ylenia, responded to my emails and answered my questions. I highly recommend this company.
    Kat Cust
    Kat Cust
    I have walked with Santiago Ways twice and have been impressed by their professionalism and services both times. I wanted to support a Spanish company for the walks, and found them to be a competitive option - in a crowded industry. Am planning to walk with them again as I’ve enjoyed my caminos so much!
    Richard Luna
    Richard Luna
    I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
    Richard Luna
    Richard Luna
    I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
    Rachel Mckeeve
    Rachel Mckeeve
    We recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago Trail. Our trip was arranged by Santiago Ways. We were part of a larger group we had a tour guide and our luggage was transferred each day. Our trip was an immense success, everything went very smoothly and that in part was down to Veronica who arranged the trip. She was very helpful throughout the whole planning procedure even arranging for a private transfer from the airport to Sarria, our start point. I would recommend Santiago Ways and Veronica and would definitely use them again.
    Eilish Bye
    Eilish Bye
    After comparing several agencies, our group of 7 decided to go with Santiago Ways for our first Camino experience as they offered an all round better price for our customised package that included insurance, meals, accommodation, luggage transfers and any required transportation to accommodation. The booking process was straightforward, they responded quickly to various enquiries and changes that we requested and they provided guidance on preparation and the Camino route which we referred to throughout our trip.We had a couple of issues including one of our group injuring her ankle but Santiago Ways were available 24 x 7 and they resolved everything efficiently including all communications required with local accommodation providers, taxis etc. which was very reassuring. Pilgrims we met who organised their accommodation en route had to deal with lack of accommodation in some locations and then they had to organise transport to and from the nearest hostels. We didn’t have any stress like this at all which left us free to enjoy the stunning scenery and great camaraderie on this wonderful trip. We will use Santiago Ways again and we can highly recommend them.
    Kerry Mannette
    Kerry Mannette
    I booked my Camino de Santiago for Sept 2019 through Santiago Ways and the company made the experience absolutely wonderful. Vanessa Veiga was a pleasure to deal with, very professional and informative and made it very easy to arrange the entire trip. The accommodations and board booked through Santiago ways were amazing, we were very pleased with the diversity (B&B, hotel, hostel) of the accommodations along with the service and cleanliness of the accommodations. The luggage transfer worked flawlessly. I would rate Santiago Ways 10 out of 10 and recommend them to anyone looking to book their Camino.
    Karen Henderson
    Karen Henderson
    I was so pleased with the trip Santiago Ways set up for me to Walk The Camino Francés. My first experience was when I requested a quote in October 2018 for a August 2019 walk. Ylenia went above and beyond to answer all our questions and to provide numerous options for me before I made my final decision on the trip. She was patient and thorough as I gathered information. Her follow up was amazing and her attention to detail was very assuring! Once I booked the trip she continued sending updates until we departed for Spain. Once we arrived in Spain Ylenia and the Operations team stayed in touch via email to answer any questions. The hotel accommodations for 39 days were all wonderful and the baggage transfer was perfect. Every day our bags were at the hotel by the time we arrived. One day my friend left her hat in the hotel room and Santiago Ways Operation team sent an email saying the hat would be waiting at our next hotel. That’s going “above and beyond”. I highly recommend using Santiago Ways for your Camino!!!!! We walked with numerous people who had used other companies and they all thought Santiago Ways had the best hotels. I’ve already referred a friend to them and definitely will use them for my next Camino. Thank you Santiago Ways!!!!!!!!
    Alison McEvoy
    Alison McEvoy
    Ylenia Conesa from Santiago Ways was very helpful answering all my question prior to my Camino trip. A truly memorable experience beautifully organised by Santiago Ways
    Chantal Ryan
    Chantal Ryan
    This was a great experience from start to finish. From the on-line booking team that answered my numerous questions and comminucated with me in an efficient and friendly manner to the amazing guide we had and the quality of the hotels we stayed in. It all exceeded my expectations
    Jon Lucas
    Jon Lucas
    Excellent company with excellent staff, couldn't fault their organisation and execution of my Camino walk. My special thanks to Ylenia who looked after my bookings and organised things for me.
    LUCIA CARABINE
    LUCIA CARABINE
    Fantastic service and Ylenia Conesa who handled the booking was a delight and very efficient
    Jasmine Pantuso
    Jasmine Pantuso
    Santiago Ways, and our advisor Ylenia Conesa , provided an outstanding travel experience! Ylenia answered every question that I had during my trip planning process! The accommodations were absolutely charming, and the food was perfect! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!
    Yuko Fujita
    Yuko Fujita
    Celebrating 60th birthday, we walked 100 kilos for 10 days. No pain and no blisters. Santiago ways transported our luggage on time every day even we changed one of the hotel to Paradores. Taxis were always on time waiting for us. All hotels were clean, friendly and conveniently located. The food and buildings and history of each accommodations were all unique and wonderful! I will use Santiago ways for my next Camino. Andriana was very helpful. Thank you! Muchas Gracias!
    Yana Mileva
    Yana Mileva
    We booked our "Camino" trip via this agency. Our agent was Vanessa and we are ecstatic with the service! The booking went very smoothly. All our questions were answered and all our wished addressed in a very quick manner. Actually, the agency had to ping us a few times via email and WhatsApp, as we were the ones too slow to answer them. They even made arrangements for us to take our dog on the trip and book the appropriate hotels. The luggage transfer was wonderful. We had a pickup from Santiago to our starting point on "Camino" that also worked perfectly. We can highly recommend the services of this agency. I have to admit that I have not compared prices and if there is something cheaper on the market, but the service we received here was impeccable. We had a wonderful trip and are planing to come back next year and walk another "Camino" again. Buen Camino everyone!
    Peggy White
    Peggy White
    Walking the Camino was the best experience of my life! Partially because I had such a great support crew of Santiago Ways! I worked with Vanessa Veiga who organized my trip to suit my needs. When some details needed to be changed, she kindly worked with me to make it happen. My accommodations were all very different- from Casa Rurals to hostels to Pensions, but they were all excellent. The luggage transfer worked perfectly, too. I highly recommend this company to anyone planning to walk the Camino!
    Tamir Shemer
    Tamir Shemer
    excellent experience with Santiago way team, all that was promised accomplished to the last detail , the transportation, the hotels choices , the path segment choice, the information provided ,the luggage transfer just a perfect vacation
    mary ellen canal
    mary ellen canal
    Santiago Ways is the perfect agency to help you plan you Camino de Santiago.Since the first day that i wrote my email the response was very fast, gladly i began speaking to the agent Vanessa Viega and she made sure i had all the information and helped me plan everything, she was really great .i really enjoyed my Camino, i was looking forward for it and it did satisfied my expectations.This experience for me was the most special in my life, i am really thinking about doing it again starting in Portugal
    Winston Fernandez
    Winston Fernandez
    I used Santiago Ways on my first Camino in March this year. The trail that I did was from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela. The experience was truly fantastic ….. mainly because of Santiago Ways.My contact person at Santiago Ways was Vanessa Veiga. Right from the onset Vanessa was extremely helpful , sensitive and very attentive to all my requests. She responded swiftly to all my mails. She selected the right hotels which were excellent and the luggage always arrived on time.I am planning my second Camino next April and I would continue to use Santiago Ways and in particular Vanessa. Thanks a million Vanessa and continue the good work to all the pilgrims who want to experience a true Camino.Winston FernandezKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Marion Tilley-Vyner
    Marion Tilley-Vyner
    Santiago Ways made it possible for me to do the pilgrimage. At 69 I did not like the idea of staying in a hostal, I like a bit of privacy and comfort! And I could not have done the walking while carrying my luggage. Adriana at Santiago Ways helped me work out my route and booked hotels and luggage transfers. Also, having them there in case I had any problems, was very reassuring. Adriana was only a phone call away. I recommend using Santiago Ways for anyone having doubts about doing the pilgrimage - they make it so much easier!
    Tammy Shain
    Tammy Shain
    Vanessa was awesome and we loved Santiago Ways! We had a group of 8 college friends that were all around 50-years old. The deciding factor in choosing Santiago Ways was the group discount offered for groups of 6 or more. All other companies threshold for a discount was 10 people. Vanessa and the staff were awesome to work with throughout the process. We did the five day hike from Sarria to Santiago. We requested superior accommodations in places that were on the trail. The accommodations were top notch and 4 of the 5 places were directly on the trail. The exception was our night in Lavacolla in which we were .4 miles off the trail. It was our choice to stay in that location in order to have a shorter walk to Santiago on our final day so we could make the noon mass. We were pleasantly surprised at how clean each place was and they all had great bar and restaurant choices in close proximity - with the exception of Lavacolla so we recommend eating on-site - it was very good.
    Sandi Frost Steensma
    Sandi Frost Steensma
    We had an excellent experience on the Camino with Santiago Ways. We had 14 women and everything was wonderful. We enjoyed the hotels, loved the daily luggage transport and the food was terrific. Santiago Ways communicated throughout our trip. We felt well-supported when we needed to make changes. Thank you!!
    Sandi Frost Steensma
    Sandi Frost Steensma
    We had an excellent experience on the Camino with Santiago Ways. We had 14 women and everything was wonderful. We enjoyed the hotels, loved the daily luggage transport and the food was terrific. Santiago Ways communicated throughout our trip. We felt well-supported when we needed to make changes. Thank you!!
    Beatriz Beltranena
    Beatriz Beltranena
    Santiago Ways is excellent they exceeded my expectations!! they do a great JOB and we had a "Buen Camino" in part thanks to them... lovely hotels.. flawless bag transfers and great great service!!! I would totally recommend them and please look for Vanessa she is the best.
    Jan Schubert
    Jan Schubert
    My family and I used Santiago Ways to organize our recent pilgrimage from Lisbon to Porto. They did an excellent job booking us (as much as possible) into wonderful, small, family-run hotels and coping with the many changes dictated by "group" travel. In addition, one of us was traveling by bicycle whilst the rest were walking, necessitating even more planning which Santiago Ways did with patience and grace. We recommend using Santiago Ways for Camino support and planning!!! Jan Schubert
    Jill Scher
    Jill Scher
    My family and I (6 of us) just finished walking the Lisbon to Porto section of the Camino Portuguese. It was a wonderful experience for us. The hotels we were booked into were well chosen and the food was great. We also found the path to be well marked making way finding fairly easy. A great relief as we had heard it was not well marked. Our luggage was efficiently transferred each day and everything ran very smoothly. Thank you Santiago Ways! We would definitely recommend your services to our friends. Jill
    Kenneth E. Nowell
    Kenneth E. Nowell
    Santiago Ways made my memorable hike trouble-free. I had excellent hotels, tasty breakfasts, dependable baggage forwarding, informative advance information, and a dependable drive to deliver me to Sarria. I really appreciate their attention to detail!
    Margo Gosia Barker
    Margo Gosia Barker
    We booked our El Camino with Santiago Ways and we were very lucky to have Silvia as our agent. She did a fantastic job organizing our trip, always promptly responding to our inquiries, impeccable English, all accommodations that she arranged for us were great, and our luggage was always delivered to the next location timely, before our arrivals to sites. I would definitely recommend Santiago Ways and ask for Silvia to be your representative.
    Patricia Bazán
    Patricia Bazán
    This trip changed my life in ways I could not describe! I knew the hiking was going to be a challenge, but Santiago Ways made it so easy to plan and execute. They are truly the best and I am already planning my next trip with Santiago Ways and would not think of going anywhere else. Silvia Rivera was particularly helpful in the planning, as she answered all my questions patiently, and help me through the process. Great job, Guys, and I will see you next year!
    Roberto Canto
    Roberto Canto
    Have just finished El Camino de Santiago from Sarria with the help of Santiago Ways. They have been extremely accesible from day one. The transfer of the luggage throught the five days was impecable, always finding the luggage in the room on every stage of the way. The food and lodging was very acceptable. If I were to do it again I would not hesitate to contact them once more for their assistance! "Buen camino".
    Edmee Flores
    Edmee Flores
    Our experience with Santiago Ways was flawless. We highly recommend this outfit for your Santiago way experience. A perfect 10!
    Barbara Melinska
    Barbara Melinska
    Very nice experience. Good and professional organization.Nice and friendly environment during the event. Recommended 100 %. Saludos para Jose 😉
    Hanna Ringel
    Hanna Ringel
    Simply put - an incredible experience! This agency looks after every last detail. I walked the last 100 km of the Camino with their help and I definitely want to go back soon and do a longer part of the route. When that happens (which I hope is soon) I'll definitely be using Santiago Ways again! Thanks for everything.
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    We leave some pictures and videos of the Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada so that you see everything that is waiting for you on your organized trip with Santiago Ways.

    The Camino de Santiago with Santiago Ways

    Other Caminos de Santiago

    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 quietest Caminos de Santiago

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    The Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada
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