Trek from O Cebreiro to Santiago on a last stretch of the Camino Frances
This self-guided walking tour of the Camino Frances is the final stage of a five-stage tour that allows walkers to complete the Camino with one or two stages per year. Enjoy completing the complete route from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostella over several years.
The Camino Francés tour from O Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela is the most traditional section of the Camino that runs entirely within Galicia. You will begin our journey between the O Courel and Os Ancares mountain ranges, two natural almost virgin spaces, that concentrate all the charm of the Galician mountains and forests.
The town of O Cebreiro, the first to be found by pilgrims along the Camino Francés in Galicia, after ascending the famous and very tough “Cuesta de la Faba”, is a town with a great Jacobean tradition. From here arose the priest Elías Valiña, a transcendental figure in the history of the Camino de Santiago, who not only contributed to the resurgence of the Camino, but was also the promoter of its signage with the famous yellow arrows. In addition, O Cebreiro is a town of great ethnographic interest, thanks to the traditional constructions of that area that are still preserved, the “pallozas”.
The first of the stages, being in a mountain area, is the most complicated of the entire route, so take it slowly as you still have a few days ahead. From the second stage, the routes are much easier. On the fourth day you will find that the influx of pilgrims is suddenly higher as you pass the town of Sarria, the start of the popular Sarria – Santiago section, which is about hundred kilometers, the minimum distance one must walk to get the “Compostela” and the busiest of all the variants of the Camino.
This section of the Camino Francés from O Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela runs through the provinces of Lugo and Coruña, in the interior of Galicia, a 153-kilometer route surrounded by nature through forests, towns and villages in which you can enjoy not only a wonderful landscape, but the magnificent Galician gastronomy.
This tour is part 5 of the 5-section complete Camino Frances:
Highlights of the Camino Francés Stage 5: O Cebreiro to Santiago
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Camino Francés from O Cebreiro to Santiago Tour Itinerary
Day 1 O Cebreiro
Make your way to O Cebreiro, the first Galician town on the Way of St. James. Much less crowded than Sarria, apart from the so-called "Milagro do Cebreiro", the special typical architectures of Galician culture "as Pallozas" and its impressive landscape stand out.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in O Cebreiro
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk to Triacastela
Start towards the top of San Roque, marked by the statue of the pilgrim, which will give you encouragement for the difficult climb to O Alto do Poio, where you will be at 1337 meters. Although it is not a long stage, it is considered to be one of the most challenging due to the elevation gain. Afterwards, descend towards Triacastela.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Triacastela
Distance: 21km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk to Sarria
Start this short stage towards San Xil. In a quiet area, take a pleasant walk through the beautiful landscapes. Cross the San Xil Valley, one of the most beautiful in Galicia, to get to your next destination: Sarria.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Sarria
Distance: 18km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk to Portomarín
Sarria is the starting point for many as it is very close to the mythical and last 100 km, which is the minimum distance that must be covered to get the Compostela. Expect more pilgrims on this flat walk, as you walk through the beauty of chestnuts, oaks, rivers, meadows ... as well as charming cities like Barbadelos or Ferreiros. The old town of Portomarin lies near the Belesar reservoir.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Portomarín
Distance: 22.2km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Palas de Rei
Start the route towards Serra de Ligonde, where you climb up to 725 meters. The green landscapes on the walk today are mixed with some paved areas and you start to see the famous "Cruzeiros". The villages of Castromaior, Ventas de Narón and Ligonde deserve special mention.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Palas de Rei
Distance: 24.8km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk to Melide
Today you enter the province of A Coruña. Leave Palas via Campo dos Romeiros, a traditional meeting place for pilgrims, to get into lush eucalyptus forests and medieval bridges and through beautiful cities like Furelos, Boente and Castañeda. Soon you’ll find yourself in Melide, where you should take the opportunity to eat the famous "Octopus a Feira".
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Melide
Distance: 14.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Walk to Arzúa
Leaving Melide you have a pleasant day walking, before finally arriving in Arzua, which is famous for its cheese.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Arzúa
Distance: 14.1km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Arzúa to O Pedrouzo
A short and quiet phase allows you to prepare and process the fact that tomorrow you will complete your Camino!
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in O Pedrouzo
Distance: 19.3km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Start hiking early so you can take part in the pilgrimage mass, which is celebrated at 12:00 p.m. You will reach Lavacolla and continue climbing Monte do Gozo, where you can catch a glimpse of the long-awaited cathedral from distance. Finally arrive at the Plaza del Obradoiro and get well deserved personal satisfaction of having reached this point. Spend your day exploring Santiago, and enjoying this historic city, and the wonderful food.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 19.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Santiago de Compostela
Buen Camino & see you soon.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.
2024 Departures:
- Single room: from $1,125 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $725 USD*
2025 Departures:
- Single room: from $1,175 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $725 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on Camino Francés from O Cebreiro to Santiago Tour
During this trip you will mostly stay in hostels and pensions. These accommodations have the necessary services to cover the basic needs of cleanliness and rest. Officially, hostels and guesthouses are 1-star accommodations. However, this rating should not be taken into account when evaluating the level of comfort and quality of their services.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Simple hostels and pensions along the Camino
Stay in basic hostels and pensions along the walking route. These accommodations, although simple, are adequate and are preferred option of a stay for many Camino walkers.
What’s Included in Camino Francés from O Cebreiro to Santiago Tour?
Meals
9 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (max. 20 kg per backpack - 1 piece of luggage per person). Airport transfers are not included, but private transfers can be arranged as an optional extra.
Also included
- 24-hour emergency line
- Maps for all stages
- Pilgrim pass
- Pilgrim scallop
Not included
- Guide services
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Personal transfers not specifically listed as included
Optional Extras
- Half board supplement
- Picnic Supplement
- Private transfers
- Extra piece of luggage
- Extra nights
Frequently Asked Questions about Camino Francés Stage 5: O Cebreiro to Santiago
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