ETAPA 9 PALAS DE REI - ARZÚA

ETAPA 9 PALAS DE REI - ARZÚA

A long stage that winds through lush forests and charming villages, inviting you to enjoy the Camino at a leisurely pace.

Today’s stage is the longest on the Camino Francés between Sarria and Santiago, and it is also known as the "leg-breaker." The nearly 30-kilometer stretch separating Palas de Rei from Arzúa involves constant ups and downs along the N-547 road, making it quite challenging—especially after passing the town of Melide—due to the numerous streams that cut across the path. This stage alternates between beautiful villages, wooded trails, and stretches of asphalt. It is worth stopping in Leboreiro, one of the prettiest villages on the route, to admire the ancient Roman road once followed by medieval pilgrims or the 12th-century Romanesque church. You will also pass through Melide; we recommend stopping there to try the famous pulpo a feira (Galician-style octopus), a staple of the region's cuisine. As you continue toward Arzúa, you will walk through dense forests of oak, pine, and eucalyptus, passing small hamlets like Boente and Ribadiso—a charming, idyllic riverside spot where many pilgrims pause to rest. The stage ends in Arzúa, a town best known for its cheese and honey. This delightful locality offers plenty of cafés and restaurants where you can sample these local products.

Astorga

An unmissable stop on the Way of St James, Astorga captivates visitors with its imposing cathedral, Gaudí’s palace and its rich Roman heritage.

STAGE 1 ASTORGA - RABANAL DEL CAMINO

STAGE 1 ASTORGA - RABANAL DEL CAMINO

The route from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino follows a gentle slope as it takes us into the Montes de León, offering views of great beauty.

Rabanal del Camino

Rabanal del Camino

This small village, with its traditional stone and timber architecture, is notable for being a key landmark for pilgrims travelling along the French Way.

STAGE 2 RABANAL DEL CAMINO - PONFERRADA

STAGE 2 RABANAL DEL CAMINO - PONFERRADA

Today’s stage reaches an altitude of 1,500 metres, so in winter you need to be well prepared to tackle it. The effort is rewarded with a unique panoramic view.

Ponferrada

Ponferrada, in the heart of the Bierzo region, has a history linked to both the Camino de Santiago and the legendary Knights Templar.

STAGE 3 PONFERRADA - VILAFRANCA DEL BIERZO.

STAGE 3 PONFERRADA - VILAFRANCA DEL BIERZO.

Today, the Camino runs through the Bierzo region—with mountains constantly in the background—along paths that are easier than those of previous days.

Villafranca del Bierzo

Villafranca del Bierzo

The Camino de Santiago is so important to this town that it is often referred to as "Little Compostela."

STAGE 4 VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO - LAS HERRERÍAS

STAGE 4 VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO - LAS HERRERÍAS

One of the legendary stages of the Camino that allows us to enter Galicia. Its steady ascent makes it the "Queen stage" of the route to Santiago.

Las Herrerías

This small place takes its name from the various ironworks and forges that, since the 17th century, processed the metal extracted from the mountains.

STAGE 5 LAS HERRERÍAS - FONFRÍA

STAGE 5 LAS HERRERÍAS - FONFRÍA

This stage features a beautiful uphill section that ends at O Cebreiro, after which we enjoy the mountainous stretches before beginning the descent.

Fonfría

Situated at an altitude of over a thousand meters, this small town offers one of the most authentic, serene, and breathtaking vistas of the Galician high mounta

STAGE 6 FONFRÍA - SARRIA

STAGE 6 FONFRÍA - SARRIA

A long route, though primarily downhill, that allows us to reach Sarria and tackle the final 100 km of the Camino de Santiago.

Sarria

Sarria is the Galician gateway to the French Camino. Here, nature, history and the traditional spirit of the Way of St James come together.

STAGE 7 SARRIA - PORTOMARÍN

STAGE 7 SARRIA - PORTOMARÍN

Galician nature, peaceful paths, and historic villages mark the beginning of the most popular stretch of the Camino de Santiago.

Portomarín

A jewel on the French Way, Portomarín boasts a spectacular Romanesque heritage on the banks of the Miño.

STAGE 8 PORTOMARÍN - PALAS DE REI

STAGE 8 PORTOMARÍN - PALAS DE REI

A stage winding through small villages, forest tracks, and pilgrimage tradition, leading to Palas de Rei in the province of Lugo.

Palas de Rei

Right in the heart of the French Way, Palas de Rei is, according to the Codex Calixtinus, a ‘must-stop resting place’.

ETAPA 9 PALAS DE REI - ARZÚA

ETAPA 9 PALAS DE REI - ARZÚA

A long stage that winds through lush forests and charming villages, inviting you to enjoy the Camino at a leisurely pace.

Arzúa

Arzúa is a stop on both the French Way and the Northern Way, making it one of the major towns on the Way of St James.

STAGE 10 ARZÚA - O PEDROUZO

STAGE 10 ARZÚA - O PEDROUZO

This section winds through meadows and oak groves, traversing beautiful landscapes, until it reaches the final stop before Santiago de Compostela.

O Pedrouzo

O Pedrouzo is the last stop before reaching the city of the Apostle. It is the perfect place to rest before tackling the final stage of the Camino.

STAGE 11 O PEDROUZO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

STAGE 11 O PEDROUZO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The final stage of the Camino, leading along well-marked paths to culminate right in the Plaza del Obradoiro.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage Site, welcomes pilgrims at the end of the Camino in a city that has retained its centuries-old character.