Camino De Santiago – St James Way

Arrival into the historic city of Leon. Try and arrive early to give yourself a chance to explore the fortified city. Your pilgrim walk in Spain begins in the morning.

Today you first have a private transfer to Villadangos. Then you walk through a region called Maragateria which is a very traditional regional area of Leon. The day is flat until Toribio then a descent and climb to Astorga. Terrain down 100m up 70m.

This stage of the Saint James way you leave the flatter lands behind of Maragateria and enter the Montes de Leon massif. You will climb up to 1150m at Rabanal; a small mountain village. The Pilgrim experience has really taken over this lovely village. Terrain up 300m.

This is one of the most beautiful days, mountain landscape, wonderful views and abandoned villages. Molinaseca is your destination and is a little village located at the entrance of a large valley. Terrain up 400m down 900m.

Today you pass the Castle of the Templars, which was built in the 12th century. This is an old fortress that the Knights of the Templars turned into a reference point on the Camino de Santiago during the times of massive pilgrimage to Santiago. You must stop to take a look at this beautiful building. Terrain down 100m.

One of the highlights today is your destination with its little white round houses with thatched roofs – pallozas and its history with the Holy Grail. You can visit the museum where you can see a palloza split into 3 sections and see how people use to live. The town with its cobbled stone streets takes pilgrims back to the medieval times. Terrain up 700m.

A nice day through lush green valleys and little hamlets as you walk along the way to Triacastela. Terrain up 100m down 700m.

Still the mountains are still with you, with the climb through to Sarria through the Sarria valley. There are two options today of the same distance one via road and the other along the river. Sarria has some very nice old quarters which you should be sure to check out. Terrain up 300m down 500m.

If you are doing the 7-night version (the last 100km of the St James Way), then you will arrive in Sarria and have time to explore this beautiful place.

Now more of a rolling landscape with the high mountains behind you. Portomarin is famous for its production of Orujo; a strong alcoholic spirit similar to Grappa. Terrain up 200m down 300m

A fabulous climb to the Sierra of Ligonde marked by oaks and pine trees. Terrain up 350m down 140m.

This is a long day along the Way, but not so hard with a gentle decline. Pass through Melide with its interesting old quarter. Arzua is well known for its cheese production. Terrain down 200m.

 A flat day through agricultural pastures along the final stretches of the Camino.  Terrain is flat.

This is the key stage of the Camino as you at last reach Santiago after leaving behind a variety of landscapes, people and experiences. Santiago is unquestionably one of the most culturally rich Spanish cities. The Cathedral is one of the great gems of Romanesque architecture and the old quarter is a must to look at. Terrain up 50m down 100m.

Your day to look around, take your signed passport to the Cathedral and receive your Camino certificate for completing the walk.